ON STAGE

Hedwig and the Angry Inch

The Met Theatre, through Feb. 24
****

Fans of "internationally ignored song stylist" Hedwig, transsexual East Berlin love child and discarded pop star mentor, owe it to themselves to see what Chuck DiMara is doing with the role under the skilled direction of Ben Kusler. DiMara's voice is a powerhouse instrument, capable of delivering with equal assurance the country twang of "Sugar Daddy," the plaintive wail of "Wicked Little Town," or the driving energy of "The Angry Inch," perhaps the definitive anthem to botched sexual reassignment surgery currently extant in the American musical theatre. And, it must be noted, he can work a pair of hot pants like none other. Renee Cohen is a touching, albeit sullen, Yitzak, and wears her damaged ego well as Hedwig's husband. Christian Nesmith's musical direction is superlative. While I've never been a particular fan of the vehicle itself, there was a definite sense when it was over that, Ladies and gentlemen, this is how it's done. —WENZEL JONES

What the Butler Saw

Sacred Fools Theatre, through Mar. 1
**

Emerging gay icon Carolyn Hennesy, with an enviable ability to polish the throwaway aperçu and a sang-froid that belies her towering black wig, is in a sparkling production of Joe Orton's anarchic farce as Mrs. Prentice, the beleaguered wife of a philandering therapist. Everybody else is another show, however. Kiff Scholl's direction rarely gives the impression the stakes are particularly high for these actors. Dr. Prentice's mounting deceptions barely register a ripple in Carl J. Johnson's phlegmatic performance, and Peter Altschuler, as a decidedly unhinged psychoanalyst, was so insecure in his lines the night reviewed it's hard to say what he intended. Kelsey Weeden and Joe Hendrix are nubile and game in the ingénue roles, as befits the actors most often bereft of their costumes. Their competition for worst British accent becomes a three-way tie with the arrival of David Gueriera as the officious Sergeant Match, however. Even the disembodied penis of Sir Winston Churchill is, I'm afraid, found wanting. —W.J.

LIMITED RUN

Twice Upon A Time

An attorney, who goes to a hypnotist in order to quit smoking, accidentally regresses into his past life when he was a member of a Chicago mob. This new musical comedy swings back and forth between the 1920s and today, as this lawyer tries to separate his past life from his present life. Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. Wed., Feb. 13. 8 p.m. $40-60. 310/372-4477. www.civiclightopera.com.

Ravensridge

Inspired by real events, Will Torrey, an officer of his American steelworker labor union, comes to Russia in 1992, just two years into the new democratic society. He attempts to find Richard Miller, the real owner of the steel mill in Ravensridge, West Va., but he accidentally kills a Russian security guard. Imprisoned in Moscow, Torrey is offered a deal by Miller, which comes with a catch. Fremont Centre Theatre. Fri., Feb. 22. 8 p.m. $25. www.fremontcentretheatre.com.

Say You Love Satan

Andrew, a good-natured graduate student, meets a handsome stranger named Jack. The two men start dating, despite the fact that Jack has the number “666” burned into his forehead. Award-winning playwright Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa's gay occult comedy unfolds as Andrew realizes that Jack is truly, a boyfriend from hell. Attic Theatre Centre. Mon., Feb. 18. 8 p.m. $20. Through Feb. 24. www.theatermania.com.

HOMO MUST

The Good Boy

Grady, a 16-year-old boy struggles to survive on the streets after his family throws him out of the house upon discovering he is gay. Starring Tye Adams, this musical drama runs through March 9. Gardner Stages. Fri., Feb. 15. 8 p.m. $30. 800/838-3006. www.brownpapertickets.com.