Curtain call

Lincoln and Booth were named by their dad as a joke—never mind that the guys are black and that they’ve been going downhill what seems like ever since. Unemployment, homelessness and big-time girl problems dot the lives of these sibling rivals, whose abandonment by their parents underscores their almost childlike delight in things like new duds and fancy candy wrappers. The conclusion to UCSD’s Topdog / Underdog  doesn’t read like much, but Suzan-Lori Parks’ dialogue crackles with pathos amid the insidious issues that create it. The three-card game in the background is an exciting metaphor, which is why I’m recommending this piece sight unseen. It runs through Nov. 14 at UCSD’s Arthur Wagner Theatre, at La Jolla Village and Revelle College drives. $10-$20. theatre.ucsd.edu.

Opening

Bonnie and Clyde: The infamous bank robbers are at it again, this time in a musical. Now in previews, it opens Nov. 22 at La Jolla Playhouse’s Mandell Weiss Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive in La Jolla. $43-$78. www.lajollaplayhouse.org.

Picasso at the Lapin Agile: Albert Einstein and Pablo Picasso are on the verge of an amazing idea, and they discuss it at a bar. In previews Nov. 12, it opens Nov. 14 at New Village Arts Theatre, 2787 State St. in Carlsbad. $20-$40. www.newvillagearts.org.

Now playing

A Nice Family Gathering: Dad loves Mom so much that he almost told her. Through Nov. 14 at OnStage Playhouse, 291 Third Ave. in Chula Vista. $15. www.onstageplayhouse.org. See our review on this page.

Bent: Persecution by the Nazis is one thing—that the victims are gay is another. Co-produced by Diversionary and Ion theater companies, it runs through Nov. 22 at Diversionary Theatre, 4645 Park Blvd. in University Heights. $29-$33. www.diversionary.org. 

Boston Marriage: High-fashion Anna and Claire live precariously on the fringe of the upper crust—but for how long? Through Nov. 22 at Compass Theatre, 3704 Sixth Ave. in Hillcrest. $20-$23. www.compasshteatre.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.

Talley’s Folly: Sally and Matt try to make sense of things between themselves amid their secret longings. Through Nov. 14 at North Coast Repertory Theatre, 987-D Lomas Santa Fe Drive in Solana Beach. $37-$47. www.northcoastrep.org.