Arts Listings

ALTARENA PLAYHOUSE  

CLOSING -- "Steel Magnolias," by Robert Harling, through Aug. 8, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m.; Jul. 29, Aug. 5, 8 p.m. Truvy's beauty salon in small-town Louisiana is the social nucleus for a close-knit circle of women. $19-$22.  

1409 High St., Alameda. (510) 523-1553, www.altarena.org.< 

BRUNS AMPHITHEATER  

"MacHomer," Aug. 3 through Aug. 7, Thursday, 8 p.m.; Friday and Saturday, 8 and 10:30 p.m. California Shakespeare Theater presents a Simpsonsinspired take on Shakespeare. 10:30 p.m. shows include pizza and beer with ticket price. $20.  

100 Gateway Blvd., Orinda. < 

CALIFORNIA SHAKESPEARE THEATER  

"Mrs. Warren's Profession," by George Bernard Shaw, through Aug. 10, Friday and Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 4 p.m.; Tuesday-Thursday, 7:30 p.m. Forthright Cambridge student Vivie Warren comes home to discover a shocking secret about her mother and the source of her family fortune.  

$112-$220 for series. Bruns Memorial Amphitheater, 100 Gateway Blvd., Orinda. (510) 548-9666, www.calshakes.org.< 

CALIFORNIA STATE UNIVERSITY, EAST BAY (HAYWARD CAMPUS)  

"Halie!," by Wendy E. Taylor, through Aug. 1, Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 4 p.m. The life and legacy of Mahalia Jackson is recreated onstage. $5-$15.  

25800 Carlos Bee Blvd., Hayward. www.csueastbay.edu.< 

CASA PERALTA Once the home of descendants of the 19th-century Spanish soldier and Alameda County landowner Don Luis Maria Peralta, the 1821 adobe was remodeled in 1926 as a grand Spanish villa, using some of the original bricks. The casa features a beautiful Moorish exterior design and hand painted tiles imported from Spain, some of which tell the story of Don Quixote. The interior is furnished in 1920s decor. The house will be decorated for the holidays during the month of December. Call ahead to confirm hours. 

"Earth vs. Altair, Queen of Outer Space! Episode II, the Deadly Ray," by Daniel Dickinson, through Aug. 22, Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. San Leandro Players Theatre Company presents the saga of Pilot Craig Domer. $10-$15. www.sanleandroplayers.org. 

Free but donations accepted. Friday-Sunday, 11 a.m.-3 p.m. 384 Estudillo Ave., San Leandro. (510) 577-3474, (510) 577-3491, www.ci.sanleandro. ca.us/sllibrarycasaperalta.html.< 

DIABLO ACTORS ENSEMBLE THEATRE  

CLOSING -- "Laughter on the 23rd Floor," through Aug. 7, Thursday-Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. A team of writers vie for the approval of Max Prince, the star of '50s TV variety show. $10-$25.  

1345 Locust Street, Walnut Creek. (925) 482-5110, www.diabloactors.com.< 

JULIA MORGAN CENTER FOR THE ARTS  

CLOSING -- "Chicago," July 30 through Aug. 1, Friday and Saturday, 7:30 p.m.; Sunday, 2 p.m. Stage Door Conservatory's Teens on Stage Ensemble presents this musical  

2640 College Ave., Berkeley. (510) 845-8542, www.juliamorgan.org.< 

LAKESIDE PARK GARDEN CENTER  

"Posibilidad," Aug. 4 through Aug. 5, 7 p.m. San Francisco Mime Troupe presents a satire about the workplace. Free. (415) 285-1717, www.sfmt.org 666 Bellevue Avenue, Oakland. (510) 238-3208.< 

LESHER CENTER FOR THE ARTS  

"The Pirates of Penzance," through July 31, 8 p.m. Lamplighters Music Theatre presents a comedy by Gilbert and Sullivan. $17-$50. (925) 943-7469. 

1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek. (925) 943-7469, www.lesherartscenter.com.< 

LIVE OAK THEATRE  

"Blithe Spirit," by Noel Coward, through Aug. 21, 8 p.m. A medium and his two wives vie for his attention. $12-$15.  

1301 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley. (510) 841-5580.< 

THE MARSH BERKELEY  

CLOSING -- "East 14th -- True Tales of a Reluctant Player," through Aug. 1, Jun. 18, 20, 26-27, Jul. 2-3, 9, 11, 16, 18, 24-5, 31, Aug. 1; Friday, 9 p.m.; Saturday, 8 p.m.; Sunday, 7 p.m. Hear the true tale of a young man raised by his mother and ultra-strict stepfather as a middle class, straight-A, god-fearing church boy. $20-$50  

The Gaia Building, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley. Info: (415) 826-5750, Tickets: (800) 838-3006, www.themarsh.org.< 

WILLOWS THEATRE COMPANY  

CLOSING -- "Avenue Q," through Aug. 1, Wednesday, 3:30 and 7:30 p.m.; Thursday, 7:30 p.m.; Friday, 8 p.m.; Saturday 2 and 8 p.m.; Sunday, 3 p.m. This "adult Sesame Street'' romp features puppets and live actors in highenergy, naughty fun. $25-$30.  

Willows Theatre, Willows Shopping Center, 1975 Diamond Blvd., Concord. (925) 798-1300, www.willowstheatre.org.<