2014 Sacramento Fall Theater Preview
Big Idea Theatre
1616 Del Paso Blvd.
Sacramento, CA 95815
(916) 960-3036
www.bigideatheatre.com
Dates: Sept. 12 to Oct. 11, 2014
This delightfully witty, provocative and madcap play includes a cast of characters worthy of a Carl Hiaasen or Elmore Leonard novel. Terminated university professor Dick Fig must endure an exit interview with a dour human resources figurehead, but their meeting gets derailed by an unpredictable series of events and people. A shot marks the arrival of a gunman on campus, and then a series of strange and amusing characters troop through and further interrupt Fig's interview. An arrogant newsman, cheerleaders with radical politics, a C-Span debate about religion verses science and a thoroughly surprising ending are just part of the play's action.
Related: Best Museums For Dates In Sacramento
California Musical Theatre — Broadway Sacramento
1301 L St.
Sacramento, CA 95814
(916) 557-1999
www.californiamusicaltheatre.com
Dates: Nov. 5-22, 2014
Audiences can't take their eyes off of the stage when these boys come to the California Musical Theater. The Tony and Grammy award-winning show is about the legendary pop stars in The Four Seasons. Frankie Valli and the other three band members may have ended up in the Rock and Roll Hall of Fame, but stardom did not come to them easily. "Jersey Boys" provides a glimpse into their early days as profane street toughs in a city full of drugs, crime and violence. Their rise to international fame is even more interesting given their history, and the Sacramento production of the Broadway hit promises to be riveting.
Runaway Stage Productions at 24th Street Theatre
2791 24th St.
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 207-1226
www.runawaystage.com
Dates: Sept. 5-28, 2014
Runaway Productions offers up Broadway-style performances every season, as well as special family-oriented shows as the Storybook Children's Theater. "Bonnie and Clyde" is definitely not appropriate for youngsters, as it spins the passionate and violent tale of the infamous bank robbers. This exciting musical shows the descent of Clyde Barrow and Bonnie Parker into murder, fear and personal dissolution. An excellent score and edge-of-the-seat performances will keep audiences riveted.
Runaway Stage Productions Storybook Theater at 24th Street Theatre
2791 24th St.
Sacramento, CA 95818
(916) 207-1226
www.runawaystage.com
Dates: Sept 13, 20 and 27, 2014
This familiar story comes alive on stage in this musical that features some of the elements to which children are most drawn – family, love, animals, fairness, devotion and clearly delineated good guys and bad guys. In this case, the bad guys are the hideous Cruella De Vil and her minions, determined to make a fur coat out of the skins of dogs in London. She steals a large litter of puppies born to loving Dalmatian parents Perdita and Pongo, and the action centers around finding and rescuing the pups before it is too late. Kids love the happy outcome and many parents will be intrigued that the stage production's music was co-written by Dennis DeYoung, founder and lead vocalist for the band Styx.
Capital Stage Company
2215 J St.
Sacramento, CA 95816
(916) 995-5464
www.capstage.org
Dates: Sept. 4 to Oct. 6, 2014
Race relations, preconceived notions, hidden agendas, bigotry, the American Dream and real estate combine in this sharply funny, satirical and intensely thought-provoking production. The Tony and Pulitzer Prize-winning play is something of an offshoot of Lorraine Hansberry's 1959 play "A Raisin in the Sun," later made into a film with Sidney Poitier. The action in "Clybourne Park" takes place before "Raisin" began and then in the same setting 50 years later. The Capital Stage Company production includes notable actors Jonathan Rhys Williams and Beethovan Oden.
Valerie Heimerich is a freelance writer out of Sacramento. She typically covers animals and community issues. She has volunteered and worked for many organizations helping animals and people.
Her work can be found at Examiner.com.
