You already know aboutHedda Gabler, The Recipe, andSomewhere Over the Border.However, the theater season is in full swing in San Diego, so here are six additional shows to consider. Also, a wide variety of movies are now available at Rooftop Cinema Club’s new spot in Little Italy!
Beetlejuice: The Musical. The Musical. The Musical.
Wait: the movie was already a musical. I mean, I think I fell in love with Winona Ryderright here. And talking about Winona Ryder and ’80s films that turned into musicals, I’ve never figured out why theHeathersmusical didn’t create a song from theMegabitchscene. Returning to the topic at hand, it seems they overlooked a comparable chance here withYou’re Addressing a Deceased Individual!It’s strange that the top song keeps talking about death when the entire story is focused on life—though it is about the afterlife. Nevertheless, it’s a massive success.
- Where:San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Avenue, San Diego
- When:Friday at 8:00 PM, Saturday at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM, Sunday at 1:00 PM and 6:30 PM
- Cost:$44-$167
- More info
- Where:Del Prado Theater, 1600 Village Place, San Diego
- When:Friday at 7:00 PM, Saturday at 1:00 PM, Sunday at 1:00 PM
- Cost:$22.50-$24.50
- More info
RememberRaya and the Final Dragon? No? Poor Lindsay Ellislikely does! Fortunately, there’s abetter storyof a young girl and her dragon friend, and now it’s a musical that follows the journey of Minli, a courageous and inquisitive young girl who embarks on a mission to improve her family’s luck. As she travels, she meets enchanting beings, new companions, and the famous Old Man of the Moon. And here’s a nice extra for your talented little Theater Kid-to-be: composer/lyricistMin Kahngwill be part of the creative team for a post-matinee audience discussion on February 28. After all, the enchantment of theater requires a few magicians to bring it to life!
Who Is Afraid of Virginia Woolf?
The old saying goes, “In wine, there is truth.” (Well, that’s partly true, as anyone who has ever said, “I’m sorry, I was drunk, I didn’t mean it” can confirm.) However, if fermentation leads to revelation, then distillation results in exaggeration: in whiskey, there is truth distorted into any form that can cause the most harm and is fired directly at the heart of your dearest loved one, with plenty of unintended consequences for those nearby. At least, this is how it plays out in Edward Albee’s powerful and painful verbal battle between a disillusioned academic and his disillusioned wife, with a pair of new arrivals observing the scene.
- Where:Tenth Avenue Arts Center, 930 Tenth Avenue, San Diego
- When:Thursday at 7:30 PM, Friday at 7:30 PM, Saturday at 7:30 PM, Sunday at 3:00 PM
- Cost:$20 (Preview performance price)
- More info
Bartleby
Never mind quiet quitting— that’s a novice mistake, stemming from hopelessness. Bartleby’s method of avoiding work was much more daring: silent days off. Do yourself a favor andread the originalbefore heading out to experience Fiasco Theater’s unconventional version of Melville’s renowned tale.
- Where:The Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego
- When:Thursday at 7:00 PM, Friday at 7:00 PM, Saturday at 2:00 PM and 8:00 PM, Sunday at 2:00 PM and 7:00 PM
- Cost:$56-$133
- More info
The Book of Will
We’ve just had a sad movieregarding William Shakespeare and the passing of his child; what about a humorous play centered on William Shakespeare and the endurance of his literary offspring, thanks to the gathering and release of the First Folio by members of his theater company? As for the audacity needed for a playwright to take on The Bard, it’s certainly worth mentioning that Gunderson has been the most performed playwright in America for the past decade.
- Where:Lamplighters Community Theater, 5915 Severin Drive, La Mesa
- When:Friday at 7:30 PM, Saturday at 2:00 PM, Sunday at 2:00 PM
- Cost:$30
- More info
White Privilege
One night only. Take it away, promotional text:White Privilegeby Malaina Moore is a compelling and thought-provoking theatrical exploration of race, advantage, and institutional inequality in the United States. Organized as a collection of overlapping scenes, the play provides a platform for both the naivety that supports discrimination and the actual experiences of those most affected by it. Using humor, honest accounts, historical reflection, and intense conversation,White Privilegebreaks down the myths of ‘colorblindness,’ reveals the harm caused by cultural appropriation and gentrification, and addresses the lasting impact of anti-Black racism. Through blending classroom interactions, therapy discussions, media stories, and direct engagement with the audience, Moore challenges us to examine not just what privilege is—but how it functions in everyday life, within institutions, and throughout history. Both profoundly personal and urgently political,White Privilegeis an essential theatrical piece that urges viewers to go beyond denial and embrace responsibility.Features explicit language, racial epithets, and topics including institutional racism, law enforcement brutality, and emotional distress.Talk about hiding the main point!
- Where:Scripps Ranch Theatre, 9783 Avenue of Nations, San Diego
- When:Saturday at 7 pm
- Cost:$20
- More info
Rooftop Cinema Club’s official opening at its new venue
My teenage daughter has just been asked on a date. How wonderfully old-fashioned! The young man proposed taking her to a film. Although “What film?” wasn’t the first question I asked, it was pretty close. He suggestedCrime 101— likely experienced, not planning on a romantic comedy on the first try. ButThe Greatest Showmanat Rooftop Cinema Club’s new location would likely have been even better — romance at the secret core of it all, beneath all the sparkle and makeup andsong and dance. And what a great spot! He’s young; he’ll figure it out.
- Where:Porto Vista Hotel, 1835 Columbia Street, Fifth Floor, San Diego
- When:Various showtimes, check website
- Cost:$23.10-$44
- More info
