The new theater season brims with promise, excitement and innovation. From Capital Stage's "Enron," an exploration of American greed and avarice, to the touring production of "The Book of Mormon" coming to San Francisco, the fall offerings will clearly provoke and entertain audiences. In old swimming pools and on new stages, musicals about depression, revisited Greek tragedies and American history-based world premieres will highlight the way we live, the wars we fight and the life choices we make.
Here's a look at what interests us and some thoughts from the people making the theater.
FROM THE OLD SCHOOL
"The Miracle Worker"
Oct. 3-28
Sacramento Theatre Company
William Gibson's 1959 drama "The Miracle Worker" gets revived here. Brittni Barger stars as teacher Annie Sullivan with Gary Wright and Michele Hillen as little Helen Keller's parents. Bella Bagatelos and Courtney Shannon will alternate as Helen.
When: 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays through Oct. 28.
Where: Sacramento Theatre Company, 1419 H St. Sacramento
Tickets: $15-$38. Half-price tickets available one hour before each performance, subject to availability.
Information: (916) 443-6722 or www.sactheatre.org
"The Price"
Oct. 6-Nov. 3
B Street Theatre
In playwright Arthur Miller's 1968 drama, two estranged brothers try to reconcile longtime bitter differences over the pending sale of the family's heirloom furniture. With Dave Pierini, Kurt Johnson and David Silberman.
When: 7 p.m. Tuesdays through Fridays, 8 p.m. Saturdays with selected matinees.
Where: B Street Theatre B3 Stage, 2727 B St., Sacramento
Tickets: $23-$35; $15 preview tickets
Information: (916) 443-5300, www.bstreettheatre.org
FROM THE NEW SCHOOL
"Enron"
Sept. 19-Oct. 21
Capital Stage
Call British playwright Lucy Prebble's "Enron" a cautionary fable or an American tragedy; the story of the first big financial crisis of the millennium has all the elements of great theater – money, sex, and creepy prophetic marketing slogans. Gary S. Martinez, Jonathan Rhys Williams, Shannon Mahoney and Aaron Wilton lead the cast. Stephanie Gularte directs with original music by Gregg Coffin.
When: 7 p.m. Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 2 p.m. Sundays
Where: Capital Stage, 2215 J St., Sacramento
Tickets: $16-$18 for previews (Sept. 19-21), $38 for opening night (Sept. 22), $18-$32 regular
Information: Call (916) 995-5464 or go to www.capstage.org
"Next to Normal"
Oct. 4-27
New Helvetia
Melinda Parrett (B Street Theatre's "The 39 Steps" and "Rx") stars as Diana Goodman, a woman with bipolar disorder, in the musical. Matthew Schneider directs as New Helvetia puts up its first full production at the Studio Theatre.
When: 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Oct. 13, 20 and 27.
Where: The Studio Theatre, 1028 R St., Sacramento
Tickets: $10-$35
Information: Call (916) 469-9850 or go to www.newhelvetia.org.
"Chinglish"
Through Oct. 7
Berkeley Repertory Theatre
The West Coast premiere of David Henry Hwang's incredibly funny contemporary comedy about language and culture centers on an Ohio business man trying to make a deal in the Chinese provinces with the help of translators who may have their own agendas.
Where: Berkeley Rep's Roda Theatre, 2015 Addison St., Berkeley.
When: 8 p.m. Tuesdays, Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays. 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Sundays, 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays.
Tickets: $14.50-$73. Half-price tickets available for anyone under 30 years of age. $10 discount for students and seniors one hour before curtain.
Information: (510) 647-2949 or www.berkeleyrep.org
BROADWAY BABIES
"Memphis"
Oct. 30-Nov. 4
Broadway Sacramento
With the show still running on Broadway, the national touring company comes to the Community Center Theatre for one week, making its Sacramento premiere. David Bryan (a founding member and keyboardist of Bon Jovi) did the music and joined Joe DiPietro for the lyrics. The book by DiPietro won four 2010 Tony Awards: best musical, best original score, best book and best orchestrations. Set in the underground nightclubs of 1950s Memphis during the birth of rock 'n' roll, this musical promises "forbidden love," and we cannot wait for that.
When: 8 p.m. Tuesday through Saturdays; 2 p.m. Thursdays, Saturdays and Sundays.
Where: Community Center Theatre, 1301 L St., Sacramento
Tickets: $19-$73
Information: Call (916) 557-1999 or go to www.calmt.com
"The Normal Heart"
Thursday-Oct. 7
American Conservatory Theater
ACT brings the entire 2011 Tony Award-winning production for best revival of a play to San Francisco. George C. Wolfe directs Larry Kramer's powerful 1985 drama about the early years of AIDS and how a group of friends deals with the epidemic.
Where: American Conservatory Theater, 415 Geary St., San Francisco
When: Check with the theater for specific days and times.
Tickets: $20-$95
Information: Call (415) 749-2228 or go to www.act-sf.org
"The Book of Mormon"
Nov. 27-Dec. 30
SHN
The blockbuster "The Book of Mormon," winner of nine 2011 Tony Awards, arrives in San Francisco for its Northern California premiere with five-week engagement beginning Nov. 27. The book, music and lyrics are by Trey Parker, Robert Lopez and Matt Stone. Parker and Stone are the four-time Emmy Award-winning creators of the antic animated television series "South Park." Lopez co-created the wicked puppet comedy "Avenue Q." Casey Nicholaw choreographs and co-directs with Parker.
When/information: For times and prices go to www. shnsf.com/online/bookofmormon.
Where: SHN Curran Theatre: 445 Geary St. (between Taylor and Mason)
Tickets: Single tickets on sale Sept. 21, beginning at $40. Go to www.shnsf.com or call (888) 746-1799.
THE CLASSICS
"Hamlet"
Sept. 21-Oct. 14
California Shakespeare
Festival
Director Liesel Tommy puts a contemporary multiracial spin on this "Hamlet." Is the famous tragedy the greatest play ever written? See for your yourself. Sacramento-based actor Adrian Roberts is featured as Hamlet's ambitious uncle – make that stepdad.
When: 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 4 p.m Sundays, with select Saturdays at 2 p.m. Grounds open for picnicking two hours before curtain.
Where: Bruns Amphitheater, 100 California Shakespeare Theater Way (formerly 100 Gateway Blvd.), Orinda
Tickets: $35-$71, with discounts available for seniors, students, theatergoers age 30 and under, and groups.
Information: Call (510) 548-9666 or go to www.calshakes.org.
"An Illiad"
Oct. 12-Nov. 11
Berkeley Repertory Theatre
Adapted from Homer by Lisa Peterson and Denis O'Hare, "An Illiad" shows us the battle for Troy and the toll it takes on those who fight and everyone else.
Where: Berkeley Rep's Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St., Berkeley.
Tickets: $14.50-$73. Half-price tickets available for anyone under 30 years of age. $10 discount for students and seniors one hour before curtain.
Information: (510) 647-2949 or www.berkeleyrep.org
"Sophocles' Elektra"
Oct. 25-Nov. 18
American Conservatory Theater
After her father is murdered by her mother, Elektra becomes obsessed with revenge. "Elektra" is translated and adapted by Timberlake Wertenbaker, with original music by David Lang and directed by Carey Perloff. Academy Award winner Olympia Dukakis leads the chorus, and core acting company member René Augesen takes the title role.
Where: American Conservatory Theater, 415 Geary St., San Francisco
Tickets: $20-$95
Information: (415) 749-2228 or www.act-sf.org
INNOVATION
"Vinegar Tom" Oct. 12-Nov. 3
KOLT Run Productions
Caryl Churchill's 1976 drama "Vinegar Tom" uses 17th century witchcraft trials in England as a lens into modern gender relations. KOLT Run gets site-specific for this production by transforming the empty pool at the Elks Tower of Sacramento into a performance space. Lisa Thew directs with a cast including Floyd Harden, Tara Henry, Blair Leatherwood, Kelley Ogden, Kellie Yvonne Raines and Shelly Sandford. Original music and songs by Patrick Claypool, Andrea Thorpe and Martha Kight.
When: 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays
Where: The Elks Tower, 921 11th St., Sacramento.
Tickets: $20 general admission or $30 VIP tickets, which include a post-show wine tasting in the penthouse.
Information: Call (916) 454-1500 or go to www.koltruncreations.com
"The White Snake"
Nov. 9-Dec. 23
Berkeley Repertory Theatre
Visionary Mary Zimmerman adapts and directs this ancient Chinese legend into an epic theatrical romance. If you missed it earlier this year at the Oregon Shakespeare Festival, this is another opportunity to see the transcendent creativity Zimmerman and her collaborators put forth.
Where: Berkeley Rep's Roda Theatre, 2015 Addison St., Berkeley.
Tickets: $14.50-$73. Half-price tickets available for anyone under 30 years of age. $10 discount for students and seniors one hour before curtain.
Information: (510) 647-2949 or www.berkeleyrep.org
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