Thru Aug 10: Theatreworks presents Doubt, a Parable. John Patrick Shanley’s riveting award-winning play about a nun who takes matters into her own hands after suspecting inappropriate conduct between a priest and a young student. But truth proves to be more complex as doubt clashes with assumptions and conscience and conviction collide. Tues-Wed, 7:30pm; Thurs-Fri, 8pm: Sat, 2 & 8pm; Sun, 2 & 7pm. (Palo Alto: Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Rd.; 650/903-6000; www.theatreworks.org)
Thru Aug 16: Coastal Repertory Theater presents The Full Monty. Based on the hit movie, this Broadway hit tells the tale of six down-and-out construction workers who come up with a brilliant plan to raise cash for a friend in need. It’s the perfect summer feel-good story! Fri-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm. (Half Moon Bay: 1167 Main Street, 650/569-3266; www.coastalrep.com)
Thru Aug 17: Foothill Music Theatre presents The Pajama Game, a big and brassy musical comedy set in the 1950s. When employees of a pajama factory go on strike and the company’s ambitious new president goes head-to-head with the union’s beautiful yet feisty leader, they end up discussing more than labor disputes. Thurs-Sat, 8pm, Sun, 2pm. (Los Altos: Smithwick Theatre at Foothill College, 12345 El Monte Rd.; 650/949-7360; www.foothill.edu)
Aug 20-Sept 14: Theatreworks presents Grey Gardens. Based on the hit documentary, this tragicomedy follows the rise and fall of American royalty: Jacqueline Kennedy Onassis’ eccentric relatives, Edith and Edie Bouvier Beale. The musical, which follows the Beales’ heyday in the 40s to their descent into seclusion during the 70s, captures themes of missed opportunities and unfulfilled dreams, making it a must-see this month. Tues, 7:30pm; Wed-Fri, 8pm (except Aug 27, 7:30pm); Sat 2&8pm (no 2pm showing on Aug 23); Sun 2&7pm. (Mountain View: Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St.; 650/903-6000; www.theatreworks.org)
Thru Aug 24: City Lights Theatre Company presents Hair. The turbulent 60s come alive in this Broadway rock musical, which follows a group of politically active friends (also known as “The Tribe”) living in New York’s East Village who rail against the Vietnam war while trying to live a peaceful, bohemian lifestyle. Wed-Sun, 8pm; 7pm on July 27. (San Jose: 529 S. Second St.; 408/295-4200; www.cltc.org)
Thru Aug 31: Shakespeare Santa Cruz kicks off its new season with four plays, two performed outdoors among the towering redwoods, and two performed indoors. On the schedule: Shakespeare’s tragic love story Romeo and Juliet (previews start July 16); The Bard’s romantic comedy about unrequited love, All’s Well That Ends Well (previews start July 27); Itmar Moses’ masterful comedy about seven organists trying to get ahead, Bach at Leipzig (previews start July 15); and Lanford Wilson’s story about three roommates trying to cope with a death of another roommate in New York, Burn This (previews start July 30). Various times. (Santa Cruz: UC Santa Cruz Theatre Arts Center; 831/459-2159; www.shakespearesantacruz.org)
Thru Sept 21: San Jose Stage Co. presents Altar Boyz, a comedy about five small-town boys—one of them Jewish—trying to save the world with pious pop songs like “Girls You Make Me Wanna Wait” and “Jesus Called Me On My Cell Phone.” Wed-Thurs, 7:30pm; Fri-Sat, 8pm; Sun, 2pm. (San Jose: 490 S. First St.; 408/283-7142; www.sanjose-stage.com)
