Parity
Theatre, Inc.’s Helen and the rest of this week's theater listings
There were exactly as many patrons as there are scripted roles (seven) at the July 20 matinée performance of The Theatre, Inc.’s Helen. I mention this not as an indictment of San Diego’s theatrical inertia in some quarters. On the contrary, the cast, undaunted by the threadbare house, played as though they faced a capacity crowd. This very solid entry is based on Euripides’ Helen and centers on Helen of Troy’s captivity in Egypt during the Trojan War. In this version, Helen (easy-on-the-eyes Robin Christ) is reunited with her king-warrior husband Menelaus (director Doug Lay) and escapes Egypt through her wit and wiles. Euripides’ war-weary audience was ready for a lighter touch, which Marianne McDonald and J. Michael Walton enhance through an accessible, consistent translation. But something’s gotta be done about Swedenborg Hall’s acoustics. Some nicely disguised baffles along both flanks would work wonders and create sightlines at the same time. Helen runs through July 27 at Swedenborg Hall, 1531 Tyler St. in University Heights. $22-$25. 619-216-3016 or www.thetheatreinc.com.
—Martin Jones Westlin
Now playing
* All’s Well That Ends Well: Helena jumps through a bunch of hoops to land her man, and she finds that this marriage thing isn’t all it’s cracked up to be. Through Sept. 27 at The Old Globe’s Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. $56-$64. 619-23-GLOBE or www.oldglobe.org.
Boomers: This piece showcases the music and news events that defined a generation. Produced by Lamb’s Players Theatre, it runs through Aug. 31 at the Horton Grand Theatre, 444 Fourth Ave., Downtown. $23-$56. 619-437-0600 or www.lambsplayers.org.
* Madagascar: Three people confront their demons after a loved one goes missing. Through Aug. 3 at North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987-D Lomas Santa Fe Drive in Solana Beach. $28-$35. 858-481-1055 or www.northcoast.org.
Resilience of the Spirit festival: This program comprises plays devoted to discovery, confirmation and recovery in the face of social and racial adversity. Through Aug. 3 at Compass Theatre (formerly 6th@Penn Theatre), 3704 Sixth Ave. in Hillcrest. $12-$18. 619-688-9210 or www.compasstheatre.com.
Romeo and Juliet: Two crazy kids from Italy fall in love, only to die amid a pointless family feud. Through Sept. 26 at The Old Globe’s Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. $56-$64. 619-23-GLOBE or www.oldglobe.org.
The Merry Wives of Windsor: John Falstaff uses his celebrity to hit on two married women. Through Sept. 28 at The Old Globe’s Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. $56-$64. 619-23-GLOBE or www.oldglobe.org.
The Phantom of the Opera: A spectral figure haunts the opera house where Christine sings, holding her captive and training her for the performance of her life. Produced by Broadway/San Diego, it runs through Aug. 10 at the Civic Theatre, 1000 Third Ave. Downtown. $25-$125. 619-570-1000 or www.broadwaysd.com.
* The Pleasure of His Company: The father of a bride-to-be disrupts a household as he tries to show up her fiancé and win back his ex-wife. Through Aug. 10 at The Old Globe Theatre mainstage, 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. $54-$56. 619-23-GLOBE or www.oldglobe.org.
* tick... tick... BOOM!: Jonathan is working on a musical, and he’d better finish it before it’s too late. Produced by Stone Soup Theatre, it runs through Aug. 17 at Tenth Avenue Theatre, 930 Tenth Ave. Downtown. $20-$25. 619-287-3065 or www.stonesouptheatre.net.
* Yank!: This musical is the inside story of how some servicemen grew a lot closer during World War II. Through Aug. 17 at Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd. in University Heights. $20-$35. 619-220-0097 or www.diversionary.org.
Dinner theater
Chalk it Up to Murder: HIT Productions features a cavalcade of new clues for a terrible crime. Fireside Steakhouse, 439 W. Washington Blvd. in Escondido. $16-$29.50. 619-561-8673.
Joey & Maria’s Comedy Italian Wedding: The fortunes and foibles at the heart of an Italian wedding are laid on the table. Holiday Inn on the Bay, 1355 N. Harbor Drive. $49.50. 800-944-5639.
Where There’s a Will... There’s a Wake: Gangland figure Sonny Shoehorn is heir to the family fortune unless his siblings have their way. Presented by Mystery Cafe Dinner Theater at Imperial House Restaurant, 505 Kalmia St. in Bankers Hill. 619-544-1600.
Published: 07/22/2008
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