2009 Winter Arts Preview – Theater

Repeat Offenders: Passive and Aggressive

Original works directed by Kim Maxwell, and written and performed by Megan Bergkvist, Briana Cornelius, Katherine Hope, Carlene Sikorsky, Chloe Snyder, and Keri Starbuck. Fri., Jan. 23 and Sat., Jan. 24, 8pm. Theater 150, 316 E. Matilija St., Ojai. Call 646-4300 or email theater150@theater150.org.

Buried Child

Sam Shepard’s now-classic American play celebrates the 30th anniversary of its Pulitzer Prize at the ETC. Thu., Jan. 29-Sun., Feb. 22.; Tue.-Sat., 8pm; Sun., 2 and 7pm. Alhecama Theatre, 914 Santa Barbara St. Call 965-5400 or visit ensembletheatre.com.

Rubicon Theatre presents <em>Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?</em>

Critic’s Pick: Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

Karyl Lynn Burns, Jason Chanos, and Joe Spano star in Edward Albee’s best-known, most incandescent play. Directed by Jenny Sullivan, this production is guaranteed to be an extraordinary adventure. Don’t miss it. Thu., Jan. 29-Sun., Feb. 22; Wed., 2 and 7pm; Thu. and Fri., 8pm; Sat., 2 and 8pm; and Sun., 8pm. Rubicon Theatre Company, 1006 E. Main St., Ventura. Call 667-2900 or visit rubicontheatre.org.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream

PCPA Artistic Director Mark Booher will take the stage as Oberon in this major production of Shakespeare’s supernatural comedy. Directed by Patricia M. Troxel. Thu., Feb. 12-Sun., Mar. 1; Wed. and Sun., 2pm; Thu. and Fri., 7pm; Sat., 2 and 7pm (no matinee on Sat., Feb. 14). PCPA Marian Theatre, Allan Hancock College, 800 S. College Dr., Santa Maria. Call 922-8313 or visit pcpa.org.

Edward Albee: An Evening with the Playwright

This is a fantastic “get” on the part of UCSB’s Arts & Lectures, as Albee is unquestionably one of the most important dramatists in contemporary theater. Thu., Feb. 12, 8pm. UCSB’s Campbell Hall. Call 893-3535 or visit artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.

The Seagull

Irwin Appel directs a new adaptation of Chekhov by his mother, Libby Appel, the distinguished fourth artistic director of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival. Fri., Feb. 13-Sat., Feb. 21. Fri., Feb. 13 and Sat., Feb. 14, 8pm; Tue., Feb. 17-Sat., Feb. 21, 8pm. Matinees Feb. 14, 15, and 21, 2pm. UCSB’s Performing Arts Theatre. Call 893-7501 or visit theaterdance.ucsb.edu.

Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?

No excuses-Rubicon comes to Campbell Hall for two encore performances of its production in conjunction with Arts & Lectures’ event with playwright Edward Albee. Wed., Feb. 25 and Thu., Feb. 26, 7pm. UCSB’s Campbell Hall. Call 893-3535 or visit artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.

Mueveme, Muevete

This bilingual production of an original play by Diana Small will bring magical realism and California’s Spanish-speaking population to the stage at Westmont’s Porter Theatre and at La Casa de la Raza. Thu., Feb. 26-Sat., Feb. 28, 8pm at Westmont College’s Porter Theatre (955 La Paz Rd.). Thu., Mar. 5-Sat., Mar. 7, 8pm at La Casa de la Raza (601 E. Montecito St.). Call 565-7040.

Time and the Conways

Simon Williams directs this drama by J. B. Priestley, which is set in England during the period between WWI and WWII. Fri., Feb. 27-Sat., Mar. 7. Fri., Feb. 27 and Thu., Mar. 5-Sat., Mar. 7, 8pm. Matinees Sat., Feb. 28 and Sat., Mar. 7, 2pm. UCSB’s Hatlen Theatre. Call 893-7501 or visit theaterdance.ucsb.edu.

The Comedy of Errors

Founded in London in 1991 and now based in New York City, Aquila Theatre Company tours the world with stripped-down, high-powered versions of great classical plays. Expect brilliant comic timing and delicious phrasing from these true professionals. Wed., Mar. 11, 8pm. UCSB’s Campbell Hall. Call 893-3535 or visit artsandlectures.ucsb.edu.