November is notorious as the month when many productions take a break; actors hide away in whatever secret places actors go to when they’re not in character and stuff themselves with Thanksgiving food until they’re due for costume refittings when the “A Christmas Carol” shows begin their campaign on unsuspecting theaters across the country.
However, dear Sacramentans, there is no need to despair, as some local theatres are still bringing the heat (hopefully literally — a stage can get a bit drafty) with new and classic comedies, as well as one bold reimagining of what might be the Bard’s best work (other than Hamlet). This November, when scrounging around one’s thoughts for things to be thankful for, the Sacramento region’s theater community deserves to make the list.
Dog Mom
Winner of the 2024 New Comedies Festival, B Street Theatre’s newest show “Dog Mom” is a world premiere, part of the National New Play Network. With Liz’s life becoming as chaotic as she thinks it can get, she meets one more complication: an adorable dog that’s determined to love her. A heartwarming comedy about the friendship between a reluctant human and a persistent pup, the show will have audiences roll over with laughter while trying to fetch or beg for a ticket to a second showing.
Venue: The Sofia, 2700 Capitol Ave., Sacramento
Dates: Nov. 5-30
Cost: $33-37
Tickets: bstreettheatre.org/mainstage/dog-mom/
Blithe Spirit
EMH Productions and The Artist’s Collective are excited to work alongside producer Adriana Marmo to produce Noel Coward’s supernatural tale of marital mayhem “Blithe Spirit” at The Ooley Theatre. In Coward’s classic comedy, a novelist discovers he’s haunted by the spirit of his first wife — who is none too pleased to discover he’s married again. A fan favorite that’s haunted many a Sacramento-area stage in recent years, the show brings a bit of the Halloween spirit into Thanksgiving territory.
Venue: The Ooley Theatre, 2007 28th St., Sacramento
Dates: Nov. 6-23
Cost: $20-26
Tickets: The Ooley Theatre – “Blithe Spirit”
Mr. Burns… A Post-Electric Play
When the power grid fails and society crumbles, how does society rebuild — and what stories will it tell itself to stay entertained and inspired? Falcon’s Eye Theatre opens its 2025-26 season with Anne Washburn’s dark comedy, a semi-musical exploration of pop culture and mythology — and how the two just might overlap. Making full use of the space available, this production will be performed promenade style throughout the Harris Center.
Venue: Harris Center, 10 College Pkwy., Folsom
Dates: Nov. 7-23
Cost: $19-39
Tickets: Falcon’s Eye Theatre – “Mr. Burns”
Macbeth
Big Idea Theatre’s upcoming show casts the Bard’s bloody plotter as a visionary at the bleeding edge of technology. With a spark of inspiration delivered by a cryptic encounter, Macbeth (with some relentless urging from his wife) sets down the path of dominating the industry. Paranoia and rebellion brew, suspicion lurks around every corner and fate might be as unavoidable as it is unclear in a Silicon Valley reimagining of one of Shakespeare’s most-loved plays, where evil has a face (and an avatar).
Venue: Big Idea Theatre, 1616 Del Paso Blvd., Sacramento
Dates: Nov. 21 through Dec. 13
Cost: $15-20
Tickets: Big Idea Theatre – “Macbeth”
The Nutcracker: A British Panto
Stow your sugarplums away in your stockings; this irreverent retelling of a classic Christmas tale is absurd enough to land itself on Santa’s naughty list. When Clara’s uncle gifts her a nutcracker that springs to life, Christmas takes a turn — and more jokes are liable to be cracked than nuts. City Theatre’s wintertime show is packed with parody songs, cheeky innuendo and classic panto antics (as well as some candy)! The play is sure to be a blend of festive absurdity and adult humor that will get audiences in the holiday spirit.
Venue: Art Court Theatre, Sacramento City College, 3835 Freeport Blvd., Sacramento
Dates: Nov. 21 through Dec. 14
Cost: $10-20
Tickets: City Theatre- “The Nutcracker”
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 Odin Rasco
