In Shakespeare's ironic literary comedy "Love's Labour's Lost," the young King Ferdinand of Navarre persuades his friends to swear off women and pursue lives of study, fasting and sleep.
Well, as they say on the street, "Good luck with that."
The vows are barely spoken and reluctantly signed before the Princess of France and her three attending ladies show up. The women come to the court on a diplomatic mission, but if you don't see where this is going, put down the Xbox for a minute.
Kirk Blackinton, who adapted the script for Big Idea Theatre's new modern-dress production, also plays Ferdinand, leader of a rock band called the Kings of Navarre. His bandmates are Casey Worthington, Matthew Donaldson and Dan Featherston.
Kristine David leads the women as the Princess of France with Elizabeth Holzman, Amelia Belle and Jamie Kale. In the play as in much of life, the women are always a step ahead, though Shakespeare gives the story a thought-provoking twist at the end. Michael RJ Campbell directs.
Performances at the Big Idea Theatre, 1616 Del Paso Blvd., tonight through Dec. 8. At 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 2:30 p.m. Sundays.
Tickets: $13-$15. No show on Thanksgiving. Shows Nov. 29 and Dec. 6 are $10. Information: (916) 960-3036, www.bigideatheatre.com.
'Cemetery Rose'
Local filmmaker Louise Mitchell has made a documentary about the Historic Rose Garden in Sacramento's Historic City Cemetery.
Called "Cemetery Rose," the 30-minute film will premiere at 8 p.m. Saturday at Antiquité Maison Privée, 2114 P St., Sacramento. The screening is free and open to all ages. Composer and guitarist Ross Hammond wrote the film's music and will perform a live set at the opening.
The Historic Rose Garden in the cemetery at 1000 Broadway in Sacramento is dedicated to the preservation of California's unique heritage roses. It has nearly 500 antique and old garden roses, with many coming from old home sites, cemeteries and roadsides throughout Northern California.
Final bows
The comic musical revue "I Love You, You're Perfect, Now Change" plays its final four shows at the Cosmopolitan Cabaret this weekend. Director Glenn Casale's production features Michael Dotson, Jerry Lee, Jennifer Malenke and Melissa WolfKlain, with musical direction from pianist Graham Sobelman. 8 tonight, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturday, and 2 p.m. Sunday.
The Cosmopolitan Cabaret, 1000 K St. Tickets: $20-$43. Information: (916) 557-1999, www.california musicaltheatre.com.
Careful with the knives
Caroline Smith's comedy "The Kitchen Witches" finishes its second run in Sacramento with three shows this weekend. Penny Kline directs for Ovation Stage with Deborah Shalhoub and Michele Koehler as cable- access cooking show hostesses who hate each other but somehow find themselves with a hit TV show. 8 p.m. today and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday at California Stage, 2509 R St., Sacramento (25th & R streets).
Cost: $15-$18. Information: (916) 448-0312, www.ovationstage.com.
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