theater openings

Arms and the Man Half-price preview Thurs 8pm, opens Fri 8pm, continues Sat 8pm, Sun 2:30pm. The Staff Players Repertory Company presents George Bernard Shaw’s comic (and prescient) depiction of political trouble in the Balkans. $16/general, $12/students, seniors, military, $6/children. Tickets for opening night gala are $22/general, $18/students, senior, military, $10/children. Indoor Forest Theater, Santa Rita and Mountain View, Carmel. 624-1531. Ends 4/4.

Marlene: From Berlin to Hollywood to Berlin 1930-45 Fri 6pm. Layne Littlepage stars in a one-woman musical show depicting the life and career of Marlene Dietrich. Show includes cocktails, hors d’oeuvres, fine art live auction and silent auction, plus an appearance by cartoonist Bill Bates. $75. Presented by the Alliance on Aging at the Sunset Center, San Carlos at 9th, Carmel. 646-4636.

theater now playing

Blue/Orange Thurs 7pm, Sat 2pm, Sun and Tues 7pm, Wed 2pm and 7pm. A patient in a London mental hospital with delusions of grandeur is the focal point of this comic drama about race and bureaucracy in Britain. “An entrancing, brilliant and ultimately anguishing play.” (Weekly, 3/4). Tickets range from $6/children to $35/general. Circle Theater, Casanova between 8th and 9th, Carmel. 622-0100 or www.ticketguys.com. Ends 3/21.

Don’t Dress for Dinner Fri-Sat 7:30pm, Sun 2pm and 7:30pm. A Parisian takes his mistress away for the weekend, only to have his romantic plans dashed by a series of comic mishaps. “A frenzied and very enjoyable farce…an evening of delicious laughter.” (Weekly, 2/26). $22/general, $18/seniors, students, military. Magic Circle Center, 8 El Caminito, Carmel Valley. 659-1108. Ends 3/14.

Kissin’ Cousins, or Beverly’s Hillbillies Fri-Sat 8pm. Ma and Pa Kettleman’s farm mortgage is due, but villain Vivian and her sidekick Betty Bogus have their eye on the couple’s lucrative corn and turnip crops. $14/general, $13/seniors, $7/students, $5/military. Barbary Coast Theater, 320 Hoffman Ave., Monterey. 655-4992. Ends 3/31.

Room Service Thurs 7pm, Fri-Sat 8pm, Sun 2pm. (Reviewed in this issue.) $10/advance, $25/day of show. Morgan Stock Theater at Monterey Peninsula College, 980 Fremont, Monterey. 646-4213 or www.ticketguys.com. Ends 3/22.

She Stoops To Conquer Fri 7:30pm, Sat 7:30pm. York School presents Oliver Goldsmith’s classic Restoration comedy. Free. Gatanaga Theater, York School, 9501 York Rd., Monterey. Ends 3/13.

Seduced Fri-Sat 8pm, Sun 2pm. Sam Shepard’s play creates a Howard Hughes-like aging recluse who summons two ex-girlfriends to his island retreat for one last fling. “Keith Decker delivers a moving and memorable performance.” (Weekly, 3/4). $15/general, $12/students, seniors. 626-6796 or www.ticketguys.com. Ends 3/21.

auditions

Monterey Peninsula College Auditions Sat-Sun, 10am-4pm in the Music Hall (MU 119) for Cabaret (directed by Gary Bolen, opening Aug. 6 on the Morgan Stock Stage) and from 10am-1pm in the Choral Room (MU 101) for Quilters (directed by Mickie Mosley, opening October on the Morgan Stock Stage). Bring a song with sheet music to both.