The Miracle Worker - Ross Valley Players present this Tony Award-winning classic tale of the inspiring life of Helen Keller and the power of communication. Through Dec 6; Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2 (Nov 29, Dec 6), Thurs at 7:30 (Dec 3). $15-$25, 415.456.9555. Barn Theatre, Marin Art and Garden Center, 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd, Ross (North Bay), 415.456.9555.

On the Verge - Three Victorian ladies time-travel through a continuum of space, time, history, geography and fashion to the year 1955. Ending Nov 22; Fri-Sat at 8 and Sun at 2. $17-$22, 707.523.4185. Sixth Street Playhouse, 52 W Sixth St, Santa Rosa (North Bay), 707.523.4185.

Picasso at the Lapin Agile - In Steve Martin's off-Broadway hit absurdist comedy, Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso muse on the century's achievements and prospects over drinks in a Parisian cafe in 1904, before they were cool. Nov 13-14 at 8; Nov 15 at 2. $10-$15, 707.259.8077. Napa Valley College Little Theater, 2277 Napa Vallejo Hwy, Bldg 1200, Napa (North Bay).

Romeo and Juliet - Palo Alto Players director Bill Olson hopes to convince us that it’s “possible to root for Romeo and Juliet” in “today’s world of cell-phones and PDAs.” Many of us were probably already convinced, which is why the decision to excise so many of Shakespeare’s most beautiful and informative passages from the play feels so undermining. On the positive side, there are a number of fine performances. Sepideh Moafi, who plays Juliet, is very strong in her scenes with Andrew Gruen's Romeo. She plays Juliet as the young girl the character is supposed to be, with the mannerisms and body language of a 14-year-old reeling from her first crush. (Ben Marks) Thu-Sat, 8pm, Sun, 2pm. Thru Nov 22. $22-$33, 650.329.0891. Lucie Stern Theater, 1305 Middlefield Rd, Palo Alto (South Bay/Silicon Valley).

Sly Fox - A dubiously dying man in 1880s San Francisco tests his friends and loved ones in this three-act farce. Ending Nov 29; Fri-Sat at 8, Sun at 2. $13-$19, 707.433.6335. Raven Theater, 115 North St, Healdsburg (North Bay), 707.433.3145.

Urinetown - A terrible water shortage has crippled the city, and in a mad attempt to regulate consumption, the government has outlawed the use of private toilets. Broadway hit lampoons musical theater all while revealing a deep knowledge and love for it. Ending Nov 22, Thurs-Sat at 8, Sun at 3. $15-$25, 415.883.4498. Pacheco Playhouse, 484 Ignacio Blvd, Novato (North Bay).

Rainbow Theatre 2009 Season - Every year since 1994 this troupe has presented a collection of four student plays and a play-length recitation of poetry from different segments of our culture, and this time they're cycling three programs, all of which take place at the Stevenson Events Center (UCSC), start at 7pm and play on Nov 5,6,7,8,13, 14, 20 and 21. Through Nov. 21, 7pm. Free. Stevenson College, UCSC, Santa Cruz.

Sleeping Beauty - Nineteen MPC theatre arts students, some on stage for the first time, present a fun version of the classic geared especially for children. Preview Thu Nov 5, 7pm and continues Fri Sat and Sun through Nov 22. Some shows are already sold out, so call for schedule at 831.646.4213. $9-$15. Studio Theater, Monterey Peninsula College, Monterey (Monterey Bay).

Bugsy Malone Jr. - Talented youngsters singing and dancing their hearts out in this "tongue-in-cheek" tribute to the old fashioned gangster flick. Fri 8pm, Sat 8pm, Sun 2pm. Morgan Hill Community Playhouse, 17090 Monterey Rd, Morgan Hill (South Bay/Silicon Valley).

The Grapes of Wrath - The new Crocker Theater's first production, this Steinbeck classic offers special effects, live music and additional events such as a Fri Nov 13 special performance for schoolchildren at 10am, a post-performance discussion of the work's cultural context on Sun Nov 15, and a Fri Nov 20 6:30pm Black Box Theater discussion of farmworker history. Call for more info on these at 831.477.3257. Plays Nov 6-21 Fri and Sat 8pm and Sun 3pm except Sat Nov 21, 3pm, no evening show. Through Nov. 21, 8pm. $12-$18. Cabrillo College, 6500 Soquel Dr, Aptos (Santa Cruz).

Mame - The irrepressible Auntie Mame story told in musical form by Western Stage. Fri-Sat, 8pm, Sun, 2pm. Thru Nov 22. $17-$30, 831.375.2111. Western Stage Performing Arts Center, Hartnell College, 411 Central Ave, Salinas (Monterey Bay), 831.755.6816, www.westernstage.com.

Rabbit Hole - A child's tragic death, a cold marriage bed, quantum immortality and a girl fight at Whole Foods come together with a big splash of black comedy in this Pulitzer Prize-winning Broadway hit by David Lindsay-Abaire. Thu-Sat, 8pm. Thru Nov 21. $10-$15, 510.659.6031. Smith Center, Ohlone College, 43600 Mission Blvd, Fremont (East Bay), 510.659.6031.

The Shape of Things - Debuting as a play in 2001 and turned into a film directed by Neil LaBute himself in 2003, "The Shape of Things" presents itself as the simplest of boy-meets-girl romantic comedy setups. But that’s just one of many false bottoms in a story that ratchets up the emotional intensity with every scene. All of the narrative and thematic sleight of hand is played out in the entanglements between two couples, so the cast has got to be top-notch to pull it off. Thankfully, Renegade Theatre Experiment’s new production is driven by four excellent performances, which not only nail LaBute’s ambitious agenda but even tweak the characters to the extent that those who’ve previously seen the film or the play must check out what’s been done with it here. (Steve Palopoli) Thu-Sat, 8pm, Sun, 2pm. Thru Nov 21. $17-$23, 408.493.0783. Historic Hoover Theatre, 1635 Park Ave (at Hoover Middle School), San Jose (South Bay/Silicon Valley), 408.998.8497.

The Sweepers - A cross between cabaret and traditional theater, this show written by John Picardi about Italian-American working class folk offers Italian food and drink, '40s music, improvisational scenes that vary from show to show, and an ethnic atmosphere from the moment of arrival. Plays Nov 13 and 14 at 8pm and 2:30pm Nov 15. $10-$17. Art League Broadway Theatre, 526 Broadway, Santa Cruz.