Curtain call

San Diego Repertory Theatre’s season-opening play, has more going for it than the storyline would indicate. Brendan Milburn and Valerie Vigoda’s musical adaptation tracks a 50-year relationship between putzy Jewish businessman Charles (Robert Brewer) and brash Asian-American counselor Hope (Melody Butiu)—nothing sexy there until you get to the part about the 2-year-old boy they lost and Hope’s boozing and penchant for men other than Chuckie. It’s refreshing to see a female cheater for a change, and the experience is underscored by Charles’ uncommon degree of forgiveness. The songs nicely complement the action, and Brewer’s got quite a vocal range. Decent stuff from director Kent Nicholson. The show runs through Nov. 1 at The Lyceum space, 79 Horton Plaza, Downtown. $39-$53, www.sdrep.org.

Opening

Bent: Persecution by the Nazis is one thing—that the victims are gay is another. Co-produced by Diversionary and Ion theater companies, it opens in previews Oct. 29 at Diversionary Theatre, 4645 Park Blvd. in University Heights. $29-$33. www.diversionary.org.

Now playing

Frozen: Could you forgive your child’s murderer? Produced by Ion Theatre Company, it runs through Oct. 31 at Sushi Performance & Visual Art, 390 11th Ave. in East Village. $10-$25. www.iontheatre.com. 

* Man from Nebraska: A luxury sedan, a church pew and visits to a nursing home form Ken Carpenter’s daily life—a life he’s beginning to hate. Produced by Cygnet Theatre Company, it runs through Nov. 1 at the Old Town Theatre, 4848 Twiggs St. in Old Town. $17-$42. www.cygnettheatre.com.

Sammy: Sammy Davis Jr. didn’t just sing, dance and act; he defined an entertainment era. Through Nov. 8 at The Old Globe Theatre mainstage, 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. $68-$78. www.oldglobe.org. 

* Talley’s Folly: Matt and Sally try to come to terms with their relationship amid painful secrets and hidden yearnings. Through Nov. 8 at North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987-D Lomas Santa Fe Drive in Solana Beach. $37-$47. www.northcoastrep.org.

* The Savannah Disputation: Mary hatches a plan to bring fellow Catholic Margaret back into the fold by enlisting the aid of their unsuspecting parish priest. Through Nov. 1 at The Old Globe Theatre Arena Stage, 1450 El Prado in Balboa Park. $29-$68.50. www.oldglobe.org.

* Dog Act: Rozetta Stone fights to protect the art of storytelling in post-Apocalyptic America. Produced by MOXIE Theatre, it runs through Nov. 22 at the Rolando Theatre, 6663 El Cajon Blvd. in the College Area. $20-$25. www.moxietheatre.com. See our review.