| theater openings |

Stones In His Pockets Opens Thu 7:30pm. An international comedy sensation, this play has won over critics and audiences worldwide. All hell breaks loose when a Hollywood film crew descends on a rural Irish village, sending two local extras bouncing from the film shoot to the town pub as they mix with the Hollywood director, starlets, and film crew. $22-$30/adults; $15-$25/seniors and students; $6/children under 12. Circle Theatre, Casanova between 8th and 9th, Carmel. 622-0100 or www.pacrep.org or www.ticketguys.com. Ends 4/24.

The Mikado Opens Fri 8:30pm; continues Sat 8:30pm; Sun 3:30pm. The cheap tailor Ko-Ko was deemed Lord High Executioner under remarkable circumstances and faces a great challenge when the Mikado, Emperor of Japan, sends notice that if an execution does not take place within the month, the Town of Titipu will be dishonored and Ko-Ko himself will lose his head. The opera is considered Gilbert and Sullivan’s best work. $20/adults; $10/children under 12. Fisherman’s Wharf #1, Monterey. 372-1373. Ends 5/8.

| theater ongoing |

The Goat or Who Is Sylvia? Fri-Sat 8pm; Sun 5pm. Martin, a hugely successful architect who has just turned 50, leads an ostensibly ideal life with his loving wife and gay teenage son. But when he confides to his best friend a secret that could destroy him, he sets in motion events that will destroy his family and leave his life in tatters. The Goat is a passionate play that explores the nature of love and the limits of compassion and understanding, while remaining wickedly funny. $20; $17/student and seniors. Carl Cherry Center for the Arts, 4th and Guadalupe, Carmel. 626-6796 or www.ticketguys.com. Ends 3/20.

Love Letters Fri-Sat 8pm; Sun 2:30pm. This Staff Players classic chronicles the lifelong relationship between a man and a woman, solely through their correspondence. The play tells the story of Andrew Makepeace Ladd and Melissa Gardner, whose poignantly funny friendship and ill-fated romance takes them from second grade through adolescence, maturity, and into middle age. Indoor Forest Theatre. $16; $12/students, seniors, and military; $6/children 12 and under. 624-1531 orwww.Ticketguys.com. Ends 4/3.

The Maiden and the Tar: A Gilbert and Sullivan Folly Thurs 7:30pm; Sun 4pm. A delightful assortment of favorite tunes and characters from the operettas of Gilbert and Sullivan performed by Barney Hulse, Eleanor Wylde Morrice and Kevin Hanstick. $14; $13/seniors; $8/students; $6/active military. The Barbary Coast Theatre. 320 Hoffman at Lighthouse Ave., Monterey. 424-2568. Ends 4/20.

M. Butterfly Fri-Sat 7:30pm; Sun 2pm. The bizarre true story of a French diplomat and his complex love affair with a Chinese opera star, and the deceptions and stereotypes that destroy his career and shatter his notions of love, loyalty and pride. $22-$30/adults; $15-$25/seniors and students; $6 for children under 12. The Golden Bough Playhouse, Monte Verde between 8th and 9th, Carmel. 622-0100 or www.Ticketguys.com. Ends 3/26.

Noises Off! Fri-Sat 7pm; Sun 2pm. A troupe composed of has-been, never-was and wanna-be actors led by a somewhat pretentious director tours the hinterlands of the outer regions of Britain. The little romances, intrigues and foibles of the cast begin to wear on them until all semblance of the play that they were rehearsing has vanished into the mayhem of their vendettas. $15/24 hours or more in advance; otherwise $25/adults; $20/seniors; $15/youth; $10/children. Morgan Stock Stage, Monterey Peninsula College, 980 Fremont St., Monterey. 646-4213 or www.Ticketguys.com. Ends 3/20.

Shooting of General Anesthesia Fri-Sat 8pm. The story of a local mercury mine, a sinister confederate spy, a plot twisting telegram, and the murder of none other than Union Colonel Olly Northgate on a secret mission for President Lincoln. $14; $13/seniors; $8/students; $6/active military. The Barbary Coast Theatre. 320 Hoffman at Lighthouse Ave. Monterey. 655-4992. Ends 4/30.