Buried Child

The family portrayed in Sam Shepard's Pulitzer Prize-winning play Buried Child is not just dysfunctional—they are dysfunctional times infinity. This is a Midwest farm family with a downward dynasty path and backyard buried secrets, one who is disintegrating at a rapid pace as they watch their American dream wither and die due to circumstances beyond and within their control. Buried Child is also a story that plays with the audience's emotions—providing unsympathetic characters, storylines and outcomes that are entertaining and highly disturbing (warning!), climaxing with a last scene reveal that is hinted at, but still packs a punch once delivered. F, Sa 8pm; Su 2pm. No performance on 11/9. Through 11/24. $15-$18. Ovation Stage at the Wilkerson Theatre in the R25 Arts Complex, 1723 25th St.; (916) 606-5050; www.ovationstage.com.