To paraphrase Norm, it's not who you know, it's who know. With that, this week's live theater recommendations consist of shows featuring friends of ours. Pretty good deal, being SFist's friend, isn't it? Seriously, though, if people we like are in something, it's likely that what they're in is pretty decent, and may even be transcendent. We don't know, as we haven't seen these shows (we know: bad friend, no biscuit), but here are some things to consider as you make your weekend plans:

Extremities at the Noh Space
Extremities is about a woman who turns the tables on the man who attempts -- twice -- to rape her. If the title sounds familiar, that's because the play was turned into a 1986 movie starring Farrah Fawcett. (If you don't know who Farrah Fawcett is, ask your dad.) Proceeds from this production go to San Francisco Women Against Rape.

Let It Snow! An Improvised Holiday Musical at the Shelton Theater
For something decidedly lighter, how about a holiday show that's different every damned night? As Senator John Kerry didn't say about NASCAR, who among us doesn't like improv? We really have been meaning to check out a show by the Un-scripted Theatre Company. Seriously, why see the same old holiday show when you can see one that has truly never been performed before and will never be performed again?

Uncle Dickie's Wicked Little Christmas at the Exit
Another show that takes the piss out of the holiday standards. Uncle Dickie is a collection of one-acts that take a decidedly different tack on yuletide. We saw last year's production and thought it was pretty dang good. (We got in for free because we designed the poster, but we would have liked it even if we'd paid to see it.)

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.

Last-minute plug: Impact Theatre's Meanwhile, Back at the Super Lair closes December 11. Confidential to you: none of the other plays listed above let you drink beer and eat pizza while you watch, so bear that in mind.

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