We know, you're all out frolicking in the tardy sunshine, but venture into a couple of dark theaters this week for a look at the darker side of life. Really.

The Devil on All Sides at Traveling Jewish Theatre
FoolsFury packed Traveling Jewish Theatre on Sunday night with friends, funders, foreign consulates and, of course, the press for anticipated opening night of its world premiere English translation of Fabrice Melquiot's French play, The Devil on All Sides. And it's the best show the company has done to date--and that's no small praise. A simultaneously heartbreaking and absurd look at the war in ex-Yugoslavia, the play follows Lorka (solidly played by Rod Hipskind), a Christian and reluctant soldier who falls in love with Elma (an excellent Nora el Samahy), a Muslim. As Lorko's mother knits and knits--literally and figuratively trying to mend the holes in her house--her sons fall victim to the violence. Lorko deserts, another keeps losing body parts, one completely loses his 15-year-old innocence. Ben Yalom's beautiful translation and his sure direction create a harsh and poetic production infused with gritty realism and, paradoxically, dreamlike expressionism.
Playing through May 28.

Photo of Rod Hipskind and Nora el Samahy in The Devil On All Sides by Wendy Yalom.

Titus Andronicus at The Hypnodrome
Yes, kids, it's almost Shakespeare season. If sitting on picnic blankets smothered in sunscreen and topped with a straw hat while rummaging through a wicker basket full of wine, cheese and baguettes is all way too vanilla for you, try the dark dungeon of The Hypnodrome for Thrillpeddlers' rendition of the Bard's bloodiest play. And no one does bloody better than Thrillpeddlers. It appears rumors of the Hypnodrome's death (also known as "the building is up for sale") have been greatly exaggerated--or, at least, postponed. Frankly, we don't know what's up with that, but all we know is that we've been blessed with yet another raucous Thrillpeddlers show, where the actors are sure to be coated not in SPF 1,000,000, but the best and brightest stage blood.
Playing May 10 through June 4

For more stage options, check out the listings at the Guardian, the Express, the SF Weekly, and the calendar on Theatre Bay Area's website.