It goes through the mind of every woman who has ever wanted children: What if it doesn’t bond with me? Or…what if I don’t have that maternal instinct that everyone talks about, what if I don’t feel anything? I can only imagine the deluge of complicated feelings that wash over parents of a child who is born with mental or physical challenges. And if your child is of indeterminate…species? That could take post-partum depression to a whole new level. Such is the premise of Smudge, directed by KOLT Run Creations co-founder Lisa Thew. Colby and Nicholas Stillman are a happily married couple, eagerly anticipating the arrival of their first child, when an ambiguous ultrasound--one in which

Photographs by Barry Wisdom | Sacramento Theatre Company veterans Matt K. Miller ("A Christmas Carol") and Jackie Vanderbeck ("The Belle of Amherst") lead an ensemble cast in STC's production of playwright Frederick Knott's "Dial 'M' for Murder," opening at 8 p.m. March 3, 2012. Famously filmed by master of suspense Alfred Hitchcock, "Dial 'M' for Murder" concerns British ex-tennis pro Tony Wendice (Miller), whose neglected wife's (Vanderbeck) past dalliance with an American writer (Barry Hubbard) leads to the plotting of the perfect crime – or does it? Also starring are Gary Alan as Inspector Hubbard, and Scott Divine as Wendice's accomplice Captain Lesgate. Greg Alexander directs. T

Capital Stage’s move from the Delta King to the heart of Midtown, while a great deal of work, seems to have gone smoothly. The new theater certainly fulfills the part of Capital Stage’s mission about performing “in an intimate, close up setting.” Capital Stage chose “Superior Donuts” by Tracy Letts to open its seventh season. It is the first in a theater designed by them to produce the type of shows they like to do. Letts is now best known for “August: Osage County” a major Broadway hit bigger than life in every way. “Superior Donuts” tells the story of Arthur Przybyszewski a classic hippy from the 60s. Arthur now runs the rundown North Chicago donut shop inherited from his Polish emigra

The UC Davis Symphony Orchestra and Department of Theare & Dance put on a great opera at the Mondavi Center on Friday, “Bela Bartók: Bluebeard's Castle.” The opera was translated into English by Peter Bartok. The opera stars Gregory Stapp as Duke Bluebeard and Jessica Medoff as Judith. The opera is fully staged and performed in one act. It opens with a completely dark stage and slowly opens to a bard (played by Barry Hubbard) standing under a spotlight, giving the audience an introduction. When the bard leaves the light dims and the stage is enveloped in darkness, foreshadowing the rest of play. As Judith and Bluebeard enter the castle, Judith is hesitant and wants to stay in the sunligh