CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Aug. 12, 2025) — Join Partners in Crime for another spontaneous murder mystery – “Murder at the Theater” – at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 16 at the Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St., Martinez.

Sam and Bo host the completely improvised fun with no predetermined script and no idea who is the murderer. The story unfolds in real time shaped by the cast and the audience.

For tickets, go to www.campbelltheater.com.

I love how theater presents controversies in a new light – one that may help us understand our world and ourselves better.

Such is the case with Center Repertory and the Yiddish Theatre Ensemble partnership to present “Indecent,” running Sept. 7-28 at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. Paula Vogel’s work recounts the controversial 1923 Broadway debut of Sholem Asch’s “God of Vengeance.”

Vogel explores this true story of a play shut down and its creators and cast arrested for obscenity.

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“A love letter to the theatrical form, ‘Indecent’ is simultaneously an exquisitely expressed indictment of artistic censorship and a profoundly moving story of romance,” said Center Rep artistic director Matt M. Morrow. “We are grateful to her for illuminating this powerful part of American history for us to experience and learn from.”

Directed by Elizabeth Carter, the cast includes Michael Champlin, Michelle Drexler, Cindy Goldfield, Kina Kantor, Adam KuveNiemann, Vinny Randazzo and Joel Roster.

For tickets, call 925-943-7469 or go to www.centerrep.org.

Diablo Actors Ensemble celebrates its 48th year with “Sexy Laundry,” Sept. 5-21 at the Campbell Theater.

Stephen Rexrode and JanLee Marshall star in this adult romantic comedy about a 25-year marriage in which the colors have faded and the whites have yellowed.

Retreating to a chic hotel, the couple tries to reignite the spark in their relationship. Be prepared to laugh till it hurts in some parts and get teary-eyed in others.

Scott Fryer directs. Call 925-350-9770 or go to www.campbelltheater.com for tickets.

True friendship

Pittsburg Theatre Company continues its season with one of my favorite plays, “The Savannah Sipping Society.” This story explores the true meaning of friendship as four very different Southern women come together. It runs Sept. 12-21 at Steeltown Coffee & Tea, 695 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg.

These unique women with seemingly nothing in common bond over cocktails as they help one another gain confidence to get through life’s challenges and jumpstart their lives. When I played one of the roles in this wonderful comedy by Jones Hope Wooten, the four of us truly bonded both on and off stage and still get together for cocktails.

Full of laughter and poignant moments, “The Savannah Sipping Society” continues into October at the Campbell Theater in Martinez.

For tickets to the September run, go to https://pittsburg-theatre-company.square.site.

This will be my last column as The Pioneer discontinues publication. I’m so grateful to our incredible editor Tamara Steiner for asking me to launch this column many years ago. I hope my readers will continue to follow local theater, where so much magic is created.