In Bill Cain's heady political thriller "Equivocation," opening Saturday at B Street Theatre, the playwright Shagspere (one of the many spellings of Shakespeare) must write a play for King James.
Shag's play needs to present the recently thwarted 1605 Gunpowder Plot against the king's life with one very big caveat – tell the story from the king's self-serving point of view.
Shag has severe misgivings, and as he says in the play: "Here are my choices, lie or die. I don't want to do either."
Five men play more than 20 roles in the production, including Bay Area actor Remi Sandri as Shag, Kurt Johnson as Robert Cecil, the king's sinister representative, and Matt K. Miller as Richard, Shag's business partner and best friend. Brittni Barger plays the pivotal role of Judith, Shag's overlooked daughter.
It previews at 7 tonight and opens at 9 p.m. Saturday, continuing at 7 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 8 p.m. Saturdays through June 18. Call the box office for selected matinees at (916) 443-5300, or go to www.bstreettheatre.org. Tickets: $18-$30, $5 student rush, $12 previews.
Freedom tastes of reality
Mindy Cooper directs the UC Davis production of "The Who's Tommy." The seminal 1969 rock opera, with music and lyrics by Pete Townshend, spawned the hits "Pinball Wizard," "I'm Free" and "See Me, Feel Me."
The musical, created in 1993, is performed in the Main Theatre, Wright Hall, UC Davis at 8 p.m. tonight-Saturday and May 26-28, and 2 p.m. Sunday and May 29. Tickets are $15-20. For information: (530) 754-2787 or toll-free (866) 754-2787 or go to www.mondaviarts.org or www.theatredance.ucdavis.edu.
Last call
The blistering drama "Jesus Hopped the 'A' Train" completes its limited run at Capital Stage this weekend.
The whole five-person ensemble gives extraordinary performances and director Stephanie Gularte executes a nearly flawless production. Adrian Roberts, Eric Aviles, Amy Prosser, Rodrigo Breton and Jeremy Oase star in Steven Adly Guirgis' thought- provoking tour de force. 8 p.m. Friday, 7 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday (last show). At the Delta King Theatre aboard the Delta King, 1000 Front St., Old Sacramento. Tickets: $26-$33 (student rush, $12). For information, call (916) 995-5464 or go to www.capstage.org.
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Call The Bee's Marcus Crowder, (916) 321-1120.
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