New Times - San Luis Obispo - Hot Dates

THE COMPLETE HISTORY OF AMERICA (ABRIDGED) is presented by The Studio Players at 8 p.m. Sept. 12, 13, 19, & 20 at the Studio of Performing Arts Theatre, in the Village of Arroyo Grande. Tickets are $8. Must be 13 years old or older or have a parent's permission to attend. Info: 473-0377.

A BAD YEAR FOR TOMATOES, a warm-hearted comedy by John Patrick, is presented by the Santa Maria Civic Theatre Sept. 12-Oct. 4 at 1660 N McClelland St., Santa Maria. Opening night is a gala performance. Info: 922-4442.

THE KRASNOYARSK NATIONAL DANCE COMPANY is coming to the Clark Center in Arroyo Grande Sept. 16 at 7:30 p.m. Tickets are $45-55. Info: 489-9444.

GUY LOMBARDO'S ROYAL CANADIAN ORCHESTRA performs at the Clark Center in Arroyo Grande at 7:30 p.m. Sept. 17. Tickets are $35-45. Info: 489-9444.

NORMAN, IS THAT YOU?, an outrageous comedy about traditional family relationships gone astray, is staged by Pewter Plough Playhouse Sept. 19-Nov. 2 at the playhouse, Main and Sheffield Streets, Cambria. Shows are at 7:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, with Sunday matinees at 3 p.m. Oct. 19, 26, & Nov. 2. Tickets are $13-$15. Sept. 19 is a preview performance. Tickets are $10. Sept. 20 is the Gala Champagne Opening. Tickets are $20. Info: 927-3877.

FROM RAGS TO RICHES, or I Will Not Pay the Price You Ask, is the heartwarming story of two orphans searching for their long lost mother and it is staged through Sept. 20 at The Great American Melodrama. Followed by a vaudeville revue. Shows are alternate evenings in conjunction with "Death at Thunder Creek." Performances are at 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, at 8 p.m. Fridays, at 4:30 and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays, and 6 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $13.50- $16.50. The theatre is located on Hwy 1 in Oceano. Info: 489-2499.

ENTER THE GUARDSMAN is an intimate and romantic musical and it is staged by PCPA Theaterfest through Sept. 20 at the Marion Theatre in Santa Maria and Sept. 26-Oct. 12 at the Festival Theatre in Solvang. Tickets are $12.50-$22. Info: www.pcpa.org or 922-8313.

DEATH AT THUNDER CREEK is a classic story of good and evil set in the old American west and it is staged through Sept. 21 at The Great American Melodrama. Followed by a vaudeville revue. Shows are alternate evenings in conjunction with "From Rags to Riches." Performances are at 7 p.m. Wednesdays and Thursdays, at 8 p.m. Fridays, at 4:30 and 8:30 p.m. Saturdays, and 6 p.m. Sundays. Tickets are $13.50- $16.50. The theatre is located on Hwy 1 in Oceano. Info: 489-2499.

PRIVATE LIVES is a story about a former husband and wife, their mutual aggravation, and their rediscovered love. It is staged by PCPA Theaterfest through Sept. 21 at the Festival Theatre in Solvang. Tickets are $12.50-$22. Info: www.pcpa.org or 922-8313.

THE LAST CRUISE OF THE S.S. MINNOW, presented by Murder in Mind Productions, is an interactive murder mystery dinner event at Spyglass Inn Restaurant, 2703 Spyglass Dr., Shell Beach. Tickets are $44.95, includes dinner, show, and gratuity. Dress is casual, guests are welcome in costume. The show takes place on a cruise ship, "S.S. Minnow II," 15 years after the passengers of the original Minnow were rescued. Shows begin at 7 p.m. on Thursdays, 5 p.m. on Sundays through Sept. 25. Info: 489-3875.

I HATE HAMLET, a witty and classy satire by Paul Rudnick, is presented through Sept. 27 at Classic American Theatre, 810 11th St., Paso Robles. Shows are at 7 p.m. Thursdays and Sundays, and at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Tickets are $15, $12 for seniors and students. Info: 238-3859.