Big Idea Theatre's "King of Shadows" takes its last bows this weekend with performances at 8 p.m. today and Saturday. Benjamin Ismail directs Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa's dark urban drama set in San Francisco for Big Idea Theatre.
With Gina Williams, Brian Harrower, Josephine Longo and Andrew Perez. At Big Idea Theatre, 1616 Del Paso Blvd. Sacramento. Tickets are $13-$15. Call (916) 960-3036 or go to bigideatheatre.com for information and tickets.
Let it rain
Michael RJ Campbell directs Jim Leonard's Americana-rich drama "The Diviners," set in the mythical town of Zion, Ind., during the Great Depression. Buddy Layman, a 14-year-old mystic who can predict weather and rain, becomes enmeshed with an ex-preacher, the prophetically named C.C. Showers. Campbell says the seeming simplicity of the characters opens up a complex story of people trying to make emotional connections.
The strong ensemble cast features Joseph Boyette as Buddy and Barry Hubbard as C.C. Showers. Also with Blair Leatherwood, Gay Cooper, Justin D. Munoz and Cynthia Speakman. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through July 31. Tickets are $15-$20. At California Stage Theater, R25 Arts Complex, 2509 R St., Sacramento. Call (916) 451-5822 or go to www.CalStage.org for information. This theater gets warm, so dress appropriately.
When the lights go down in the city
All good things must eventually close, and so it goes for the world premiere production of "Armistead Maupin's Tales of the City: Musical" at the American Conservatory Theater. The lights go down on Judy Kaye's luminous Anna Madrigal on July 31.
Based on Maupin's series of newspaper columns that became novels profiling the uniqueness of San Francisco and the people living there, the musical was written by Jeff Whitty, Tony- winning writer of "Avenue Q." The bright, bouncy music and lyrics are by Jake Shears and John Garden of the pop band Scissor Sisters. Jason Moore directed, with clever choreography by Larry Keigwin.
The phenomenally successful production has been seen by more than 58,000 people, garnering the largest advance sale and the highest gross sales in ACT's history. At 8 p.m. Tuesdays through Sundays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays. There will be an American Sign Language- interpreted performance at 2 p.m. Saturday.
At American Conservatory Theater, 415 Geary St., San Francisco. Tickets are $40-$127. For information, call (415) 749-2228 or go to www.act-sf.org.
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Call The Bee's Marcus Crowder, (916) 321-1120.
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