Opening
“Hush Hush” — Live Theatre Workshop, 5317 E. Speedway. Etcetera, Live Theatre’s late-night arm, is ready to test the actors improv skills and the audiences’ imaginations. Just before the show begins, the audience gives the actors character traits they must embody to create a play on the spot. Gretchen Wirges directs. Performances are 9:30 p.m. Sept. 21 and 22. $10. 327-4242. Livetheatreworkshop.org
“Consolation” — The Historic Y, 738 N. Fifth Ave. The Winding Road Theatre Ensemble will do a staged reading of co-founder Toni Press-Coffman’s play. The description given: “A 21st century woman meets the unsung first ladies of American history in an other-worldly evening of confrontation, contemplation and celebration.” 7:30 p.m. Sept. 22; 2 p.m. Sept. 23. $15. 401-3626. windingroadtheater.org
Last chance
Leticia Gonzalez and Eric Everts in Borderlands Theater’s “Sanctuary.”
“Sanctuary” — Southside Presbyterian Church, 317 W. 23rd St. Borderlands Theater premieres this Milta Ortiz play about the founding of the Sanctuary Movement in Tucson in 1981. The production, staged in the church where the movement was launched, powerfully tells the story. Marc Pinate directs. Final performances are 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20-22; 4 p.m. Sept. 23. $25. 276-9598. Borderlandstheater.org
Masks used in the play are based on Renaissance portraits.
“Galileo” — The Rogue Theatre, 300 E. University Blvd. Bertolt Brecht’s “Galileo,” gets a riveting production at the Rogue Theatre. It is pulled from the story of Galileo Galilei, a polymath who discovered that the sun is the center of our solar system, not the earth, as the Catholic Church preached. The church was not happy about that. Cynthia Meier directs, and Joseph McGrath as Galileo gives his most nuanced performance. Final performances are 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20 and 21, and 2 p.m. Sept. 22 and 23. $38. 551-2053. theroguetheatre.org
Continuing
Steve Wood explores what makes life worth living in Live Theatre’s “Every Brilliant Thing.”
“Native Gardens” — Temple of Music and Art, 330 S. Scott Ave. Arizona Theatre Company deftly stages this Karen Zacarias comedy about neighbors at odds. Pablo Del Valle, a young attorney, and his pregnant wife, Tania, have just bought a home next to Virginia and Frank Butley, a patrician couple with a love for English gardens. Things simmer over the Del Valle’s native garden, which the Butleys think looks pretty lousy next to theirs, and a question about a property line. Jane Jones directs, and the cast includes Arlene Chico-Lugo, Keith Contreras, Robynn Rodriguez and Bill Geisslinger. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays through Saturdays; 7 p.m. Sundays, with matinees at 2 p.m. Wednesdays, Saturdays and Sundays through Sept. 29. No Sunday evening performance Sept. 23, and Tuesday performance Sept. 25. $25-$90. 622-2823, arizonatheatre.org
David Fanning plays the title character in The Gaslight Theatre’s production of “The Vampire, Or: He Loved in Vein.” In Gaslight fashion, be prepared for bad puns and grand singing.
“The Vampire, Or: He Loved in Vein” — The Gaslight Theatre, 7010 E. Broadway. Gaslight favorite David Fanning returns to reprise his role of the blood-sucking Count Dracula. The melodrama takes audiences from Transylvania to England, where he’s determined to make Mina — another man’s wife — his bride. Be prepared for bad puns and grand singing. Various times through Nov. 4. $22.95. 886-9428, thegaslighttheatre.com
Steve Wood digs into an orange, one of the brilliant things in Live Theatre Workshop’s “Every Brilliant Thing.”
“Every Brilliant Thing” — Live Theatre Workshop, 5317 E. Speedway. You’re 6 years old. Mum’s in the hospital. Dad says she’s “done something stupid.” So you start to make a list of everything that’s brilliant about the world. Everything that’s worth living for. Steve Wood is the lone actor and does a wondrous job telling the story to the audience. Performances are 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and 3 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 6. $20. 327-4242, livetheatreworkshop.org
Arizona Repertory Theatre is staging Elaine Romero’s “Like Heaven.” From left, Anza Keller, Rebecca Galcik, Gabriela Giusti, Eavan Clare Brunswick.
“Like Heaven” — Tornabene Theatre, University of Arizona Fine Arts Complex, North Park Avenue and East Speedway. The Arizona Repertory Theatre opens its season with a play by one of our own — Tucsonan and UA prof Elaine Romero. Romero has had works staged around the country, so we’re glad to see the UA recognizes her talents. This comedy is about the yearning for a new life and the friends who help you get there. The cast of UA students is directed by Brent Gibbs. Performances are 1:30 p.m. Sept. 23; 7:30 p.m. Sept. 20-22, 27-28. Continues through Oct. 7. $17 to $28 with discounts available. 621-1162, theatre.arizona.edu
From left, Diana Ouradnik, Tyler Gastelum, Chelsea Renee Lang, Lionel Swanson, John Reimann and David Zinke in The Roadrunner Theatre Company’s production of “The Underpants.”
“The Underpants” — Roadrunner Theatre, 8892 E. Tanque Verde Road. Steve Martin’s satire is adapted from Carl Sternheim’s 1911 piece, “Die Hose.” Straight-laced Louise is humiliated when her bloomers fall down in a very public place. Everybody saw. Oh dear, oh dear. Renata Rauschen directs, and the cast includes Tyler Gastelum, Chelsea Renee Lang, Diana Ouradnik, John Reimann, Alan Smith, Lionel Swanson and David Zinke. It’s 7 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 2 p.m. Sundays through Oct. 7. $20. 207-2491, roadrunnertheatrecompany.org
“The Adventures of Sparkle and Steven: Two Unlikely Best Friends” — Roadrunner Theatre, 8892 E. Tanque Verde Road. In this Taylor Steger play for children, Princess Maribel and her cat, Sparkles, are at a pageant when the Evil Wizard tries to stop it. 11 a.m. Saturdays through Sept. 29. $12. 207-2491, roadrunnertheatrecompany.org
“The Grand Canyon Mystery” will be at Live Theatre Workshop through Nov. 11.
“The Grand Canyon Mystery” — Live Theatre Workshop, 5317 E. Speedway. The members of the Fraternal Order of the Great Northern Rim have gathered to make sure all is ready for the coming winter. And all is, but this: The food they’ve been saving has disappeared. And there are lots of likely suspects. Stephen Frankenfield and Kristian Kissel wrote the children’s play. The cast is made up of Karl Haas, Jon Heras, Kyleigh Sacco, Mike Saxon and Margaret Smith. 12:30 p.m. Sundays through Nov. 11. $10. 327-4242. livetheatreworkshop.org
