Things are finally cooling down in the City of Trees, but the fall season of local live theater is just warming up. From a gender-bending journey through the Grand Canyon, to a tale of suburban warfare sparked over a koi pond, and a political satire featuring the worst gubernatorial candidate ever, there’s something for everyone to enjoy this September.
“Men On Boats”
Ten men. Four boats. One big canyon. Based on the journal entries of John Wesley Powell’s 1869 expedition down the Green and Colorado rivers and into the (heretofore) Great Unknown, “Men On Boats” is a strutting examination of the masculinity and bravado that defined Western explorers of yesteryear. While most of these trekkers were historically understood to be cisgender white men, playwright Jaclyn Backhaus pointedly notes in her script that the cast portraying them should not be. Get your oars up and out for this compelling tale of a one-armed captain and his loyal-but-a-little-bit-crazy team of volunteers.
Venue: Big Idea Theatre, 1616 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento
Dates: Aug. 29 – Sept. 20
Cost: $20
Tickets: https://bigideatheatre.ludus.com/index.php?sections=events
“Sunset Blvd.”
The Davis Musical Theatre Company is back with another classic, this time telling the tale of Norma Desmond, a former silent screen era movie star languishing away in her dilapidated Sunset Boulevard mansion before meeting a young screenwriter named Joe Gillis, who might be the key to her return to the silver screen. Based on the 1950 film of the same name, this 1993 play has enjoyed multiple long revivals over the years, with theatregoers enthralled by the tragic tale and Andrew Lloyd Weber’s inimitable musical touch. Ready for your close-up?
Venue: Jean Henderson Performing Arts Center, 607 Pena Dr. #10, Davis
Dates: Sept. 5-28
Cost: $22
Tickets: https://dmtc.vbotickets.com/events
“Some Like It Hot”
Another musical remake of a venerated classic film, this production of the 2022 Broadway hit tells the Prohibition-era tale of a couple of male musicians who are pushed to disguise themselves as women as a means of getting away from gangsters after witnessing a murder. “Some Like It Hot” had 13 Tony nominations in 2022 — more than any other production that year — and took home four awards, including Best Leading Actor in a Musical, which went to J. Harrison Ghee, one of the first non-binary performers to ever win it.
Venue: SAFE Credit Union Performing Arts Center, 1301 L St., Sacramento
Dates: Sept. 9-14
Cost: $67-$118
Tickets: https://www.broadwaysacramento.com/production/some-like-it-hot/
“The Night Alive”
One of my favorite community theaters — the incomparably intimate Ooley — is swinging for the fences with this 2013 work by Irish playwright Conor McPherson. Set in an Edwardian house in Dublin, this production tells the story of Tommy, who rents a room from his Uncle Maurice (the upstairs neighbor) and finds himself taking care of a young sex worker, Aimee, who has been subject to violence in the street. McPherson likes to bring a fantastical flair to his work (vampires, ghosts and Satan himself), but reviewers lauded this one for its more understated examination of spirituality and redemption.
Venue: The Ooley Theatre, 2007 28th St., Sacramento
Dates: Sept. 11-27
Cost: $20-$27
Tickets: https://onthestage.tickets/show/the-ooley-theatre/686312a0b9f67460b7fa216c
“The Outsider”
If you’re like me, you’re constantly oscillating between being utterly sick of politics and finding yourself reveling in the rough and tumble here in the best state capital in the union. Well, do I have a play for you. Follow former Lt. Gov. Ned Newley — perhaps the worst candidate to ever run for office — as he embarks on a journey to try and become the next governor in this satire production from R25 Theater Group. Ned hates public speaking. His poll numbers are comically low. But maybe, just maybe, that’s precisely what the people want.
Venue: California Stage Theatre, 2509 R St., Sacramento
Dates: Sept. 12 – Oct. 5
Cost: $22
Tickets: http://r25-theater-group.square.site/
“The Jury Experience: An Immersive Courtroom Case”
This one’s a curveball — and it’s only playing one night per month, so make sure you don’t miss it. Go down to the historic Guild Theater and count yourself among a jury of peers in this avant garde live theater experience. Take in witness testimony, examine forensic data, and challenge yourself with complex moral dilemmas, as you and fellow audience members ultimately get to decide: Should the accused be set free, or found guilty?
Venue: The Guild Theater, 2828 35th St., Sacramento
Dates: Sept. 19, 6 p.m. and 8:30 p.m.
Cost: $45-$60
Tickets: https://feverup.com/m/341937?srsltid=AfmBOornQDdo8KjfpwTQA24mF3AUs-bBnd0y_zTxMBSE27H5gHa1-4lQ
“The Art of War”
We’ve all had our neighborhood squabbles. Parking feuds, leafblower drama, garbage day disarray. “The Art of War” is a fitting homage to those meaningless-and-yet-all-encompassing battles. Two neighbors go toe-to-toe over a koi pond, and the tale of suburban warfare escalates with comical velocity. B Street Theatre does all forms incredibly well, but I always try to make a point to check out their comedies in particular. Maybe I’ll bring a neighbor to this one.
Venue: The Sofia, Home of B Street Theatre, 2700 Capitol Ave., Sacramento Dates: Sept. 24 – Oct. 19
Cost: $25-$37
Tickets: https://bstreettheatre.org/mainstage/the-art-of-war/
This story is part of the Solving Sacramento journalism collaborative. This story was funded by the City of Sacramento’s Arts and Creative Economy Journalism Grant to Solving Sacramento. Following our journalism code of ethics, the city had no editorial influence over this story. Our partners include California Groundbreakers, Capital Public Radio, Hmong Daily News, Outword, Russian America Media, Sacramento Business Journal, Sacramento News & Review and Sacramento Observer. Sign up for our “Sac Art Pulse” newsletter here.
By Dave Kempa
