Curtain call

Check This Out

Local antihero: Dennis Hopper doubtless packed a lot of memories for his next stop when he died of prostate cancer May 29 at 74 years old—his 1969 breakout film Easy Rider, which he directed and in which he co-starred as a crotchety biker on a drug-fueled, cross-country odyssey, set Hollywood on its establishment butt and marked a film career that would last more than a generation. But what a lot of people might not know is that Hopper got his start 61 years ago on the stage—the Old Globe’s stage, to be exact. Two decades before Easy Rider, he was a caroler in the theater’s A Christmas Carol; things got busier in 1954, when he appeared in Cheaper by the Dozen and three Shakespeare shows. He’d make his transition to film the following year in James Dean’s roily Rebel Without a Cause, but his early work in the (supposedly) more refined live medium underscores his bad-boy mystique.

Opening

Private Lives: A divorced couple, on a cruise with their new spouses, recapture the magic. Produced by Cygnet Theatre Company, it’s in previews now and opens June 5 at Old Town Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St. in Old Town. $17-$49. cygnettheatre.com

Now Playing

* All in the Timing: Six David Ives sketches look at a universal language, the death of Leon Trotsky and lots of other stuff. Produced by Ion Theatre Company, it runs through June 5 at BLK BOX @ 6th & Penn, 3704 Sixth Ave. in Hillcrest. $10-$25. iontheatre.com

* Frankie & Johnny at the Clair de Lune: A casehardened New York woman gives love a second chance despite her boyfriend’s eccentricities. Through June 19 at BLK BOX @ 6th & Penn, 3704 Sixth Ave. in Hillcrest. $10-$25. iontheatre.com

GAM3RS: It’s the most important day of computer gamer Steve’s life, as he’s about to save the world from bloodthirsty elves—from his cubicle. Produced by Ion Theatre Company, it runs through June 5 with additional shows June 13 and 20 at BLK BOX @ 6th & Penn, 3704 Sixth Ave. in Hillcrest. $20. iontheatre.com.

* King John: The tragic King of England is poisoned just as political intrigue seems to have run its course. Produced by Intrepid Shakespeare Company, it runs through June 6 at The Theatre, Inc., 899 C St., Downtown. $15-$25. intrepidshakespeare.com

Summer and Smoke: In search of love and spirituality, Alma is confronted with John’s need for sensual fulfillment. Through June 20 at New Village Arts, 2787 State St. in Carlsbad. $20-$40. newvillagearts.org

The Whipping Man: Caleb, a Jewish Confederate soldier, returns home from the Civil War to find his former slaves preparing a Passover Seder and airing lots of family secrets. Through June 13 at The Globe’s Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. $29-$62. oldglobe.org

Smoke on the Mountain: The Great Depression is coming to an end, and the Sanders Family Singers are back on the road—’sep that the bus just broke down. Produced by Lamb’s Players Theatre, it runs through July 18 at the Horton Grand Theatre, 444 Fourth Ave., Downtown. $26-$48. lambsplayers.org

Voice of the Prairie: Farmer Davey Quinn has lots of boyhood stories to share, with the old-time radio phenomenon as backdrop. Through June 20 at North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987-D Lomas Santa Fe Drive in Solana Beach. $30-$41. northcoastrep.org

* Night of the Laughing Dead: A bunch of crazies gear up for the world’s first live broadcast of a full-length horror film. Ongoing dinner theater at The Imperial House Restaurant, 505 Kalmia St., Bankers Hill. $59.50, $10 off on Fridays. mysterycafe.net