Arts Listings

ALTARENA PLAYHOUSE  

"Brian Copeland's Not A Genuine Black Man," Dec. 4, 8 p.m. Local awardwinning playwright and performer returns to perform his one man show about growing up in San Leandro. $50.  

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

AURORA THEATRE COMPANY  

"Palomino," by David Cale, through Dec. 5, 7 p.m. Tue.; 8 p.m. Wed.-Sat.; 2 and 7 p.m. Sun. Writer and actor David Cale plays seven different characters in this one person play about a Central Park carriage driver who dreams of writing a great novel. $10-$55.  

Aurora Theatre, 2081 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 843-4822, www.auroratheatre.org.< 

BERKELEY REPERTORY THEATRE  

"Lemony Snicket's The Composer is Dead," Nov. 26 through Jan. 15, 8 p.m. Tue. and Fri.; 7 p.m. Wed.; 2 and 8 p.m. Thu., Sat.; 2 and 7 p.m. Sun.; 8 p.m. Dec. 1. A deliciously silly world premiere for the holidays, written by Lemony Snicket, directed by Tony Taccone. $14.50-$73.  

2025 Addison St., Berkeley. (510) 647-2949, (888) 4BR-Ttix, www.berkeleyrep.org.< 

CAL PERFORMANCES All performances in Zellerbach Hall unless otherwise noted. 

"Mummenschanz: 3x11," Nov. 26 through Nov. 28, 2 p.m. Fri.; 2 and 8 p.m. Sat.; 3 p.m. Sun. The world-renowned Swiss pantomime group performs a retrospective on the company's 33 years of original theater. $22-$52.  

Zellerbach Hall, University of California, Berkeley, Bancroft Way at Telegraph Avenue, Berkeley. (510) 642-9988, www.calperformances.net.< 

EAST BAY IMPROV  

"Tired of the Same Old Song and Dance?" ongoing. 8 p.m. East Bay Improv actors perform spontaneous, impulsive and hilarious comedy on the first Saturday of every month. $8.  

Pinole Community Playhouse, 601 Tennent Ave., Pinole. (510) 964-0571, www.eastbayimprov.com.< 

FREMONT SYMPHONY ORCHESTRA  

"The Nutcracker," Dec. 4 through Dec. 5, 2 and 7 p.m. Sat.; 2 p.m. Sun. The beloved holiday classic comes to life on stage. $20-$48.  

Jackson Theater, Smith Center for the Fine and Performing Arts, Ohlone College, 43600 Mission Blvd., Fremont. (510) 794-1659, www.fremontsymphony.org.< 

JULIA MORGAN CENTER FOR THE ARTS  

"Cinderella," by Rodgers and Hammerstein, through Dec. 5. Featuring Grammynominated Broadway star, Frenchie Davis; directed by Elizabeth McKoy. See website for full performance listing. $15-$33. www.berkeleyplayhouse.org. 

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

LESHER CENTER FOR THE ARTS  

"White Christmas," by Irving Berlin, Nov. 26 through Dec. 4, 8 p.m. Nov. 26, 27, Dec. 3, 4; 7:30 p.m. Nov. 28; 2:30 p.m. Nov. 27, 28, Dec. 4. The Diablo Theatre Company presents the holiday classic, featuring songs such as "I've Got My Love To Keep Me Warm.'' $20-$42. www.diablotheatrecompany.org. 

"Contra Costa Ballet presents Story of the Nutcracker," Dec. 2 through Dec. 4, 7:30 p.m. Thu.; 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Fri.; 2, 4:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sat. The beloved holiday classic is brought to life live on stage. $22-$32.  

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

MASQUERS PLAYHOUSE  

"The 25th Annual Putnum County Spelling Bee," through Dec. 18, 8 p.m. Fri.-Sat.; 2 p.m. Nov. 14, 21, Dec. 5, 12. The Tony Award-winning story about overachievers' angst comes to life, with music and lyrics by William Finn, book by Rachel Sheinkin. $20.  

105 Park Place, Point Richmond. (510) 232-4031, www.masquers.org.< 

TOWN HALL THEATRE  

"Scrooge: The Musical," Dec. 4 through Dec. 19, 8 p.m. Thu.-Sat.; 2 p.m. Dec. 12, 19; 7 p.m. Dec. 5, 12, 19; 3 p.m. Dec. 11, 18. Based on the 1970 movie starring Albert Finney. $12-$29.50.  

3535 School St., Lafayette. (925) 283-1557, www.thtc.org.<