The Merry Wives

Big Idea Theatre brings Shakespeare's The Merry Wives of Windsor to a gold-rush town, with Jeffrey Lloyd Heatherly as a properly bombastic and outrageously funny Falstaff. Directed by Angelina LaBarre, the show takes advantage of Big Idea's strong, collaborative ensemble for a streamlined, funny production with high values—including excellent costumes (Laura Kaya) and set (Alex Slater). Th, F, Sa 8pm. Through 3/29. $10-$16. Big Idea Theatre, 1616 Del Paso Blvd.; (916) 960-3036; www.bigideatheatre.com.