Capital Stage continues to turn up the heat with its latest production, “True West,” one of actor/playwright Sam Shepard’s best known and most popular works. On the surface Shepard’s story is a pretty simple and straightforward one. The story is set in an older home in a Southern California suburb 40 miles east of Los Angles. Think Rancho Cucamonga, Lancaster or even Riverside County. Mom is off to Alaska and has asked dutiful son Austin to house sit the modest childhood home he grew up in, primarily to keep her beloved plants alive. In walks bad brother Lee, who stirs things up only as a Sam Shepard bad boy character can. Shepard is very much an actor’s playwright and Capital Stage is v

photographs by Barry Wisdom |  Capital Stage continues its inaugural season at its new J Street home with Sam Shepard's iconic 1980 work "True West," opening March 24, 2012, for a four-week run. Discounted previews are set for March 21-23. Originally produced by San Francisco's Magic Circle Theate in 1980 during Shepard's tenure as the company's resident playwright, "True West" is a character study exploring the relationship between the Ivy League-educated Austin, a screenwriter, and his older brother Lee, a shiftless, beer-swilling ne'er-do-well. Set in the suburban Southern California home of their mother, for whom Austin is house-sitting, their life-long conflict comes to a head when

With a title like "The Room Next Door, or the vibrator play," audiences might well expect a jolt or two – and not of the AC variety the newfangled electric gadgets of the late-19th century were known to occasionally deliver. For those looking for a bit of shock and awe from J Street's "bold, intimate, live" theater, the current Capital Stage production of Sarah Ruhl's comedy does not disappoint. Though Ruhl's script goes for the gag switch a few too many times, and changes polarity with unsettling frequency, the uniformly strong cast led by Michael Stevenson, Elena Wright and Katie Rubin shine brightly and consistently. Playing through Feb. 26, "The Room Next Door" is set in the late-19t

As always, Sacramento steps up to the plate with holiday events of all sorts. At Sacramento365.com, we see a lot of events come through the site every day. Though there are myriad options in our Holiday Event section, we've narrowed down the list to 10 to get help you pick your Christmas Eve & Christmas Day festivities. Christmas Eve Events: Sure, the night before Christmas should be spent snuggled in bed waiting for Santa Claus, but why not get out and about during the day. Here are some options to keep you entertained around town: 1. Free Admission at Fairytale Town & Sacramento Zoo: FTT 10am-2pm; Zoo 10am-1:30pm Treat the kiddies to a day out while both Fairytale Town & the Sacramento

Among all the different holiday icons, one that stands out is the 1947 black and white film, “It’s A Wonderful Life.” It is a must-see event for many during the holidays. Playwright Joe Landry, also known for his stage adaptation of the cult film, “Reefer Madness,” has taken the story of “It’s A Wonderful Life” and integrates it into his play, “It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play,” as if the it had been performed as a nationally broadcast radio play prior to being turned into the beloved film that it is today.  Capital Stage is in the middle of a very short run of the show.   Many Sacramento Press readers may ask, “What is a radio play?” Long before today’s audio and video media st

Capital Stage’s move from the Delta King to the heart of Midtown, while a great deal of work, seems to have gone smoothly. The new theater certainly fulfills the part of Capital Stage’s mission about performing “in an intimate, close up setting.” Capital Stage chose “Superior Donuts” by Tracy Letts to open its seventh season. It is the first in a theater designed by them to produce the type of shows they like to do. Letts is now best known for “August: Osage County” a major Broadway hit bigger than life in every way. “Superior Donuts” tells the story of Arthur Przybyszewski a classic hippy from the 60s. Arthur now runs the rundown North Chicago donut shop inherited from his Polish emigra

Over 100 people came to Capital Stage’s grand opening gala Friday night to celebrate and support the new theater space. Capital Stage, located on the Delta King for the past six years, has now moved into its own space at 2215 J St. The inside of the new theater is sophisticated and warm. The exterior wall facing J Street is crimson red and a modern metal sign that reads Capital Stage hangs next to the front entrance. On Oct. 7 Capital Stage received its occupancy permit from the city and its new sign arrived. Five days later they put on their first performance, and Friday was the official grand opening. Warm pumpkin-colored walls greet theatergoers as they enter the building, and large

On sporadic Sundays an audience gathers in the cosy Geary Theater in Midtown for an evening of songs performed by some of Sacramento’s best actor/singers at a cabaret event known as Graham-A-Rama, named after its’ founder and musical director Graham Sobelman. In June Graham-A-Rama did something different. They devoted a weekend to three performances of William Finn’s one act musical play “In Trousers” in concert. “In Trousers” which Finn wrote the book, lyrics and music is the first of what became trilogy of three one act plays. Finn joined with James Lapine to create two more one act plays “March of the Falsettos” and “Falsettoland.” The second two shows were combined to create a two act

The sixties brought a lot of changes. A new government brought hope, yet an ongoing war and its associated costs brought conflict and despair. New careers were opening up for women in nontraditional jobs, and there was a new sexual freedom in the air. It was an era of loving and being sexually attracted to whoever one found attractive while sharing them with whoever also found them attractive. “Or” celebrates all of this. Liz Duffy Adams’ hilarious play “Or” is the final play of the sixth season of Capital Stage, and their last onboard the Delta King in Old Town Sacramento. This production also brings together Capital Stage’s original founders, Stephanie Gularte, Jonathan Rhys Williams an

  Theatre Last Chance "reasons to be pretty "  Neil LaBute  Contains Strong Language and is Intended for Mature Audiences Capitol Stage Closes Saturday 2/20 SacPress review   Tickets & Information THE MUSICAL OF MUSICALS THE MUSICAL ! Music by Eric Rockwell    Lyrics by Joanne Bogart Book by Eric Rockwell & Joanne Bogart JANUARY 12-FEBRUARY 20, 2011 (Pollock Stage) A hilarious homage to the great musical theatre genres of our time. Fun for musical fans and foes alike! Sacramento Theatre Company Closes Saturday 2/20 The show has been extremely popular and continues to sell out. SacPress review. Tickets & Information.  B Street Theatre Mainstage Closes Saturday 2/20 Reopens 3/4 for

"reasons to be pretty" at Capital Stage is the third in a trilogy of plays by provocative contemporary American playwright, screenwriter and director Neil LaBute. Capital Stage previously staged "The Shape of Things" (2006) and "Fat Pig" (2007). These three plays are LaBute's examination of the modern day obsession with physical beauty. The play opens with a bang. As LaBute describes the scene in his script: "Lights burst on. At home. Two people in their bedroom, already in the middle of it. A nice little fight. Wham!" We don't know what Greg said. Greg doesn't seem to know what he said. Steph seems quite clear what Greg said -or at least what her best friend Carly couldn't wait to tell

The overly curious will find much to be frustrated about as Theresa Rebeck’s tale of the seamy side of philately (stamp collecting!) unfolds in the suspenseful “American Buffalo”-flavored “Mauritius,” now playing at Capital Stage. “Are they real?,” “How much are they worth?,” “How much are you willing you pay?” and “How much will you take?” are about the limits to the questions presented by the quintet of players who stand to gain – and lose – in this entertaining if unlikely tale of familial entitlement and greed gone awry. But so many more questions come to mind that one’s left with a story that boasts more perforations than the “stars” of the show: a fabled pair of stamps that are – l

  FICTION by Steven Dietz at Capital Stage There’s an old adage in theatre that audiences attend with ‘a willing suspension of disbelief’. That is to say that they willingly set aside the truth and accept the fact that Peter Pan can fly even though the wires holding him up are plainly seen. That applies to theatre, film, and especially literature. But what if we believe every word we read? Can fiction become fact? Is something true simply because we believe it? In 2003 author James Frey wrote a memoir of his struggle with addiction called ‘A Million Little Pieces’. He was lauded as a troubled genius with a brilliant future, and America loved him. When the truth came out that a portion of

Trust and betrayal took the stage Friday with the opening of "Fiction" at the Capital Stage. The play by Steven Dietz, follows a dramatic love triangle that took the audience on a trip through the characters pasts. "Fiction" is about married writers Linda and Michael and how their lives were not what they seemed. Linda finds out she is dying and at her request, is allowed to read her husband's journals since he will read hers once she is gone. From there, the plot twists and turns, and as it moves between the past and the present their diaries reveal bits and pieces of their lives. The play keeps the audience guessing, unfolding the truth with each scene. I was expecting a more serious

Capital Stage is testing the boundaries of trust and suspicion in its new provocative drama "Fiction" by Steven Dietz. The theater's description of the play tells of two married writers, Michael and Linda, who decide to read each others' diaries and find that their relationship is not as open as it seems.As a woman emerges from the pages, the realization that trust and betrayal both exist begins to change the way they understand the past and the present. Production designer Jonathan Williams describes the twists and turns of "Fiction" best with a line from the play: "The lies begin when we lift the pen." Dietz has written over 20 original plays since the 80's, many of which revolve arou

"I'm a 30-year-old man applying for a job as an elf," said the man in the gray hooded sweatshirt, looking less than thrilled about his new position. It was Gary Alan Wright, telling the story of his elf alter ego, Crumpet, and the mischief he got into during his time in Santaland, the mall's winter wonderland. The stage looked the part, with a beautiful Christmas tree, toys and Santa's throne. The lone cast member of "Santaland Diaries" kept the people at the Capital Stage aboard the Riverboat Delta King laughing out loud at the play by humorist David Sedaris. Wright transformed into Crumpet on stage, stripping down to his green knickers and candy-cane stockings. He accomplished this whi

Treat yourself to a tasteful helping of holiday humor with the wickedly truthful "The Santaland Diaries."  Presented by Capital Stage in Old Sacramento, "Diaries" focuses on the crazy, "insane things" the holiday season tends to bring out in just about everyone - parents and hired elves alike.  "This is an adult take on how adults act around Christmas," said Peter Mohrmann, Capital Stage manager. "We've told every Christmas story over the last few years, we really wanted to show something different." Unlike cheery Christmas classics such as "It's a Wonderful Life," "White Christmas" and "Christmas Carol," "Diaries" has more of a "witty, sardonic and unpredictable" aftertaste, according

Capital Stage has a history of delivering funny and clever new plays, and tonight's performance was no exception.  "Erratica: An Academic Farce" written by the precocious Reina Hardy in her late teens is just that and more.  A friend and I went to the opening "Preview" performance on Saturday, July 11th at 7 pm, and enjoyed walking from our parking place in a light warm rain along the Old Town Sacramento waterfront to the Delta King where the theater is located.  We were lucky to get third row center seats, and the baroque music playing before the show was familiar and delightful.  The audience was expectant and cheerful. Managing Director, Peter Mohrmann gave his usual enthusiastic welco

  David Mamet's breakthrough 1977 tragicomedy, American Buffalo, is about to receive a Sacramento revival at Capital Stage on Friday, March 27, 2009. Performances for American Buffalo will begin with three previews on Saturday, March 21 at 7pm, Sunday, March 22 at 2pm, and Thursday, March 26 at 8pm, and will open on Friday, March 27, 2009 at 8pm. Performances continue through April 26, 2009. Showtimes will be Thursdays - Sundays as follows: Thursdays and Fridays at 8pm; Saturdays at 7pm , and Sundays at 2pm. Tickets prices range from: $24-$32. Discount tickets are available as follows: Preview tickets: $15; Thursday student tickets: $12; Sunday matinees senior tickets: $18; Group rates

If you have ever done something despite your better judgment, maybe chose to follow the crowd instead of following your gut to avoid hard, emotionally painful work, then you will understand Charlie, the provocative and complex protagonist in Theresa Rebeck's fierce, edgy, raw and scathing new comedy The Scene opening at Capital Stage on Friday, January 23, 2009. The Scene will make its Sacramento premiere with three preview performances on Saturday, January 17 at 7pm, Sunday, January 18 at 2pm, and Thursday, January 22 at 8pm, and will open on Friday, January 23, 2009 at 8pm. Performances will continue through February 22, 2009. Showtimes will be Thursdays - Sundays as follows: Thursdays