Stage Fog: Monologue

We I just can't perform a monologue in the third person. Why a monologue? Well, after more than a year I'm signing off of Stage Fog. But don't worry, my fearless editor will soon find someone to carry on the noble task of curating the best of the week in theater.
This week's picks should hold you over until December. But as my going away treat, I'm giving you the best money-saving tip in theater. TIX Bay Area, the half-price ticket booth in Union Square, is a rad source of, well, half-price tickets to Bay Area theater. It also sells half-price tickets online, in advance. Why didn't I tell you about this before? I work for Theatre Bay Area, which owns the ticket booth, and I try to negotiate the conflict of interest territory. But, someone appreciated my money-saving tip on Doubt last week, so I figured ya'll would like this one.
Now for the picks:

All Wear Bowlers at Berkeley Repertory Theatre
Never underestimate the power of silly. Besides, not all theater has to be Theater. Geoff Sobelle and Trey Lyford mix Laurel and Hardy, Buster Keaton and Samuel Beckett's existential clowns to create a sort of postmodern interpretation of vaudeville, playing a pair of clowns that have come out of the silent-film era. A hit around the world, All Wear Bowlers arrives at Berkeley Rep in time for the holidays. Apparently, if you wear your bowler, you get a free gift. Report back: I'd love to know what they're handing out.
Playing November 24 through December 23

Gibraltar at The Thick House
Penned by one of our best local playwrights, Octavio Solis, Gibraltar had its world premiere at Oregon Shakespeare Festival a couple of summers ago and finally gets its San Francisco run thanks to Thick Description. This magical plays centers on an artist who's lost her love when he disappears from his boat just beyond the Golden Gate Bridge.
Playing November 17 through December 17

But wait! There's more….

Gideon's Dream at the Jewish Community Center
Always dreamed of a musical about your life, but could never find any backers? Do what Gideon did: Produce it yourself. Based on 77-year-old Gideon Sorokin's memoir, Tales of an Unorthodox Veterinarian, the musical follows his childhood years. Sorokin's family escaped Nazi-occupied Vienna and fled to Israel; Sorokin himself fought in Israel's war of independence. Now, this being a new musical (penned by Adam Sandel and Richard Link), it's being presented as a concert version rather than the full-on musical most of us are used to seeing. But it should prove a compelling story, one not often seen on San Francisco stages.
Playing November 28

Topdog/Underdog at Phoenix Theatre
You might have heard about playwright Suzan-Lori Parks and her 365 Plays/365 Days. Sure, that whole thing is kicking off this week. But several Bay Area companies have been taking the opportunity to produce her earlier, brilliant plays. Case in point: Topdog/Underdog, which won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama in 2002. The plays follows two brothers, Lincoln and Booth. Gee, wonder what happens? Be sure to catch Second Wind Productions' run, which closes this week.
Playing through November 18

The Forest War at the Ashby Stage
After the hit Death of Meyerhold a couple of years ago (pretty much to the month), playwright/director Mark Jackson and Shotgun Players are hoping to work theatrical magic again with this new play, which meshes an ancient society with war and violence, economic and personal opinion--things we're all too familiar with today.
Playing November 29 through January 14

Twelve Days of Cochina at Theatre Rhinoceros
I couldn't leave you without at least one holiday pick, and that would go to Marga Gomez, hands down. This adults-only trifle features smut, Bush jokes, Gore jokes and musical interludes. And there might be some recognizable holiday somethings.
Playing November 16 through December 17

Photo from All Wear Bowlers by Jacques-Jean Tiziou.

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.