Artober On Stage Picks

The lady has three faces

My Own Stranger

My Own Stranger, directed by Kelley Ogden, is a site-specific performance that tells a semichronological story of the Pulitzer Prize-winning poet Anne Sexton, using her poems, letters and quotes from interviews. This KOLT Run Creations production stars Kellie Yvonne Raines, Ruby Sketchley and Lisa Thew, each depicting a different aspect of Sexton’s personality—Ichi, the child who needs to fit in; Dvah, the self-loathing adult; and Mercy, the one who self-medicates. Adapted by Marilyn Campbell and Linda Laundra, performances are scheduled to take place at various locations, and each venue will distinctly inform the play’s vibe. Scheduled venues include the Alex Bult Gallery; Gallery 2110; Sol Collective; Crocker Art Museum; and, on Monday, October 7, the Sacramento Poetry Center. $20, www.koltruncreations.com. T.D.

From rite to riot

Paris 1913

When Igor Stravinsky premiered his new ballet The Rite of Spring on May 29, 1913, the flamboyant, avant-garde performance choreographed by Vaslav Nijinsky so shocked the Paris elite in attendance that they broke out into a frenzy that ultimately spilled from the stage at the Champs-Elysées Theatre and onto the streets. Indeed, something as seemingly refined as ballet caused a near riot. Now, a century later on Saturday, October 12, the Sacramento Ballet’s artistic director Ron Cunningham will reinterpret Stravinsky’s showy, influential production with a show that will also include a preview of sorts of two other upcoming Sac Ballet presentations, The Firebird and Rubies. 7 p.m., $25. Sacramento Ballet, 1631 K Street; (916) 552-5800; www.sacballet.org. L.H.

Better than a chick flick

Pride and Prejudice

Jane Austen’s timeless tale of miscommunication gets adapted for the Sacramento Theatre Company’s main stage in a production that runs October 2-27. Pride and Prejudice revolves around the story of Mr. Darcy and Elizabeth Bennet, one of literature’s most beloved couples, as they endure a rocky start to bicker and banter their way to eventual love and matrimony. Think of it as the original rom-com. But it’s more than just lighthearted fun; this classic romance explores expectations of marriage in the early 19th century, especially for women, and whether matrimonial unions should be made for love or money. Skip the dinner-and-a-movie date, and watch these characters stumble their way to true love. 6:30 p.m. Wednesdays; 12:30 and 6:30 p.m Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays; 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays; $12-$37. 1419 H Street, (916) 443-6722, www.sactheatre.org. J.R.

Out, damn spot!

Macbeth

Capital Stage performs mostly cutting-edge plays or premieres locally written works, but its take on the oft-performed Shakespeare classic Macbeth, being staged from Wednesday, October 23 to Sunday, November 24, promises to be no less interesting. The theater company will present an original adaption of this tragedy, condensing its usual five acts into two. There are some radical departures: According to director Stephanie Gularte, this adaptation is set “in a not-too-distant post-apocalyptic future … where guerrilla warfare rules the land.” There will even be some gender-bending involved. This particular interpretation centers on the “perverse” marital bond between Macbeth and Lady Macbeth. The timeless play is as dark as any horror movie and makes for the a perfect night out in the lead up to Halloween. There will be blood. Visit Cap Stage’s website for showtimes. $18-$36. 2215 J Street, (916) 995-5464, www.capstage.org. B.G.