Artistic director Buck Busfield has assembled some key members of his B Street acting ensemble including Dave Pierini, Amy Kelly, Brittni Barger and Stephanie Altholz, into an improv sketch comedy group.

B Street gave the idea a tryout last summer at the Cosmo Cabaret on K Street, and this year it will run a new show at its own B3 Theater all this month.

"It's something we want to do every year," Busfield said.

The company has been rehearsing scripted sketches and also plans classic improv games for the two-act evening.

"It's really hard to do well, but we're hoping to create a diverse evening of pieces with different looks, feels and styles," Busfield said.

Pierini, who was the mainstay of last year's production, said they've learned some lessons.

"It's a comedy show, not a piece of theater," he said. "We're doing it in our theater but it's going to be a different experience than everybody sitting there with their programs waiting for a show to start."

" 'B' Sketchy" previews Friday (preview tickets $10) and opens 8 p.m. Saturday, running at 7 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, and 8 p.m. Saturdays, through July 28.

At the B Street Theatre B3 Stage, 2727 B St., Sacramento. Tickets are $15 with $5 student rush.

For more information call (916) 443-5300 or go to www.bstreettheatre.org.

Voice of Good Hope

The extraordinary stateswoman Barbara Jordan lived a life of firsts. Jordan was the first African American elected to the Texas state Senate after Reconstruction and the first Southern black female elected to the House of Representatives.

A leading voice in the impeachment hearings of President Richard Nixon, Jordan gave the keynote address at the Democratic National Convention that chose Jimmy Carter for its nominee for president.

When she died in 1996, she was the first African American woman buried in the Texas State Cemetery.

Kristine Thatcher's play "Voice of Good Hope," now at Celebration Arts, dramatizes Jordan's courageous and inspiring life.

The cast includes Voress Franklin, Kelton Howard, Jhoela Jones, Zachary Bird, Lisa Derthick, Melissa Elhardt and Alecia Morris. Kortney Adams directs.

At Celebration Arts Theatre, 4469 D St., Sacramento. Performances at 8 p.m. Thursday, Friday and Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sundays, through Aug. 4.

There will be no performance July 28. Tickets are $15 general, $13 students and seniors. Thursday night seats are $8. Available at www.mycommunityevents.com. Call (916) 455-2787 for information and reservations.

Drum and bugle

The Sacramento Mandarins Drum and Bugle Corps, along with Drum Corps International, presents the spectacle of the DCI Capital Classic.

Drum and bugle teams from all over California showcase their 2012 shows before taking them across the country. 7 p.m. Saturday at Cosumnes Oaks High School, 8350 Lotz Parkway, Elk Grove. Tickets $10-$15. For more information go to www.dci.org or www.mandarins.org.

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