Curtain Calls: January performing arts performances
Performing arts shows in San Diego this month include Hamilton, BLISS and The Full Monty.
1.5-7: A Culture Shock Nutcracker
Culture Shock’s modernized, 100-dancer-strong version of the holiday favorite has broadened from hip-hop to a pop-culture celebration that takes in everything from “Beauty and the Beast” to David Bowie.
Culture Shock at the Spreckels Theatre, 121 Broadway, downtown. 858.432.6231. cultureshockdance.org/nutcracker
1.6-28: Hamilton
Maybe you’ve heard of this one? The most revolutionary Broadway phenomenon since, well, the Revolution finally lands in San Diego for a nearly monthlong tour stop.
San Diego Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., downtown. 619.570.1100. broadwaysd.com
1.9-14: Mike Birbiglia: The New One
The comic actor, writer and solo performer brings his offbeat brand of storytelling to La Jolla as the year’s first show at the Playhouse.
La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. 858.550.1010. lajollaplayhouse.org
1.10-2.4: Around the World in 80 Days
Park your hot-air balloon in Solana Beach for this comic adaptation of the Jules Verne story about a very old-school race around the globe.
North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987 Lomas Santa Fe Drive, Solana Beach. 858.481.1055. northcoastrep.org
1.17-2.11: The Last Wife
Kate Hennig’s play looks at the relationship between Henry VIII and his sixth and final wife, Katherine Parr, through a modern-day lens. (Alternate title: “Surviving Henry.”)
Cygnet Theatre, 4040 Twiggs St., Old Town. 619.337.1525, cygnettheatre.com
1.18-1.27: Plays by Young Writers Festival
The festival, now celebrating its 33rd anniversary, will once again showcase contest-winning plays by school-age writers from around California.
Playwrights Project, The Old Globe’s White Theatre, Balboa Park. 858.384.2970. playwrightsproject.org
1.25-2.18: Vietgone
Qui Nguyen’s much-buzzed play invokes comic-book culture, martial arts and more as it chronicles the story of two Vietnamese refugees (who just might be the playwright’s parents) in the ‘70s.
San Diego Repertory Theatre, 79 Horton Plaza, downtown. 619.544.1000. sdrep.org
1.25-2.25: The Cardboard Piano
Diversionary puts up the West Coast premiere of the rising playwright Hansol Jung’s piece about romance, war and intolerance in Uganda.
Diversionary Theatre, 4545 Park Blvd., University Heights. 619.220.0097. diversionary.org
1.26-2.25: The Full Monty
Factory workers shed their inhibitions (and plenty else) in the musical about an all-male strip act in a struggling industrial town.
San Diego Musical Theatre, Horton Grand Theatre, 444 Fourth Ave., downtown. 858.560.5740. sdmt.org
1.26-2.25: Cloud Tectonics
NVA revives Jose Rivera’s magical-realist saga as part of its bilingual Teatro Pueblo Nuevo initiative, with Culture Clash co-founder Herbert Siguenza directing.
New Village Arts Theatre, 2787 State St., Carlsbad. 760.433.3245. newvillagearts.org
1.27-3.4: The Importance of Being Earnest
Oscar Wilde’s zesty comedy gets a new look from director and Tony Award nominee Maria Aitken of Broadway’s “The 39 Steps.”
Old Globe Theatre’s Shiley Stage, Balboa Park. 619.234.5623. theoldglobe.org
1.28-2.25: BLISS (or Emily Post is Dead)
Moxie stages the joint world premiere of Jami Brandli’s mythology-minded riff on a famous guide to proper etiquette.
Moxie Theatre, 6663 El Cajon Blvd., Rolando District. 858.598.7620. moxietheatre.com
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