| theater opening |

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Opens Fri 8pm; continues Sat 8pm; Sun 2pm. Two sets of couples (Hermia and Lysander, and Helena and Demetrius) whose romances are complicated by their entrance into a fairyland woods where the King and Queen of the Fairies (Oberon and Titania) preside and the impish Puck (or Robin Goodfellow) makes mischief. Another set of characters—Bottom the weaver and his bumptious band of “rude mechanicals”—stumble into the main doings when they go into the same enchanted woods to rehearse a play. Director Gary Bolen’s version is updated and set in a fictional Central California coast town in present time. $15/advance; $25/door. Non-advance tickets: $20/seniors; $15/young adults (16-20); $10/children 15 and under. The Morgan Stock Stage at the MPC Theatre Company, Monterey Peninsula College. 646-4213 or www.ticketguys.com. Ends 5/22.

Grease Opens Thurs 8pm; continues Fri 8pm; Sat 2pm. Danny and Sandy get together, break up, get back together, break up again, and get back together, all in less than two hours. Everybody sings and dances their way through such teenage problems as flunking out of beauty school and being challenged to drag race. Aaaah, the good old days. $15/general; $12/senior (65+); $12/students and children. Golden State Theatre, 417 Alvarado St., Monterey. 626-1681, www.ticketguys.com. Ends 5/21.

Guys and Dolls Opens Fri 8pm; continues Sat 8pm; continues Sun 3pm. The colorful world of Damon Runyon comes to brilliant life in Guys and Dolls. The beloved characters of Nathan Detroit, Miss Adelaide, Sky Masterson, and Sarah Brown take us on a kaleidoscopic whirlwind from New York to Havana and back. One of the greatest shows ever written for the musical stage, Frank Loesser’s thrilling score features the haunting “My Time of Day,” the romantic “I’ve Never Been In Love Before,” “If I Were a Bell,” and the roof-raising “Sit Down You’re Rockin’ the Boat.” The Fox Theatre, 243 Main St., Oldtown Salinas. 675-0521, www.paperwingtheatreco.com. Ends 5/22.

Miss Nelson Is Missing Sat 7:30pm; continues Sun 2pm. Ariel Theatrical presents a musical adaptation of the story by Harry Allard and James Marshall about a goofy teacher and her kids in Room 201. $8/adults; $5/children (3 to 12); free/under 3. The Wilson Children’s Theatre, 320 Main St., Salinas. 775-0976. Ends 5/21.

“Stupid Is As Stupid Does” or “Only You, Dick Tickle, Only You” A classic melodramatic tale of love, lust and chicken barbecue in the south. Don’t wait another cotton-pickin’ minute to escape reality. $14/general; $13/seniors; $8/students; $6/active military. The Barbary Coast Theater, 320 Hoffman at Lighthouse Ave., Monterey. 655-4992. Ends 8/31.

| theater ongoing |

Kid Millionaire Fri-Sat 7:30pm; continues Sun 2pm. Featuring book and lyrics by Walt DeFaria, music by Stephen Tosh and actors from Pacific Repertory’s SoDA (School of Dramatic Arts), this world premiere musical tells the story of an unpopular, nerdy student, played by Robbie Lee, who wins $1 million and becomes the toast of the town. Suddenly, the aloof girl of his dreams finds him very, very attractive—until disaster strikes. On Saturday, April 30 there will be a gala in the lobby of Golden Bough prior to the show. Gala tickets are $40 and include refreshments and preferred seating. Regular tickets will also be available that evening and for all performances. The Golden Bough Playhouse, Monte Verde between 8th and 9th, Carmel. 622-0100, www.pacrep.org or www.ticketguys.com. Ends 5/8.

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

Temptation Opens Fri 8pm; Continues Sat 8pm; Sun 2:30pm. Reviewed this issue. $16/general; $12/students, seniors and military; $6/children 12 and under. The Indoor Forest Theater, Mountain View Avenue and Santa Rita Street, Carmel. 624-1531 or www.cetstaffplayers.org. Ends 5/22.