Larkspur
‘Love Letters’
A.R. Gurney’s Pulitzer Prize-nominated play, Love Letters, arrives at the Lark Theater Feb. 9 and 11 for a special Valentine’s-timed engagement. The play is composed of romantic letters exchanged over a lifetime between two people who grew up together, went their separate ways, but continued to share their love for each other through letters. First written and performed in 1988 at the New York Public Library, close to 60 diverse actors, often celebrities, have performed the play since then. As the playwright once put it, the play “needs no theatre, no lengthy rehearsal, no special set, no memorization of lines, and no commitment from its two actors beyond the night of the performance.” That said, there is commitment from the actors in this production, and not just to their performances—performers Nancy Carlin and Howard Swain are a real life married couple. Love Letters has two performances, one at 7pm, Thursday, Feb. 9, and the other at 2pm, Saturday, Feb. 11, at the Lark Theater, 549 Magnolia Ave., Larkspur. Tickets are $35 ($30 for members and seniors) and available in advance at larktheater.net.
Novato
Comedy Cuvée
Standup comedy returns to Trek Winery in Novato with headliner Steve Bruner, who comedy fans will recognize from Showtime’s Comedy Club Network and An Evening at the Improv on A&E. Billed at a “lean, clean comedy machine,” Bruner specializes in observational humor about the challenges of modern life and has played clubs across the country, including The Comedy Store, The Improv, The Comedy & Magic Club, Catch a Rising Star and The Ice House. Special guest Sue Alfieri, a veteran of Hollywood Improv, The Punchline and Cobb’s Comedy Club, will also perform. The show begins at 7:30pm, Saturday, Jan. 28 at Trek Winery, 1026 Machin Ave., Novato. Tickets are $20 to $25. marincomedyshow.com.
Sonoma
‘It’s All About the Snacks’
Sonoma Valley animal shelter Pets Lifeline will host a book signing and reception for It’s All About the Snacks: Adventures in Petsitting, a picture book created by local author Allison Niver. It’s All About the Snacks features photos of dogs, cats and farm animals in Sonoma Valley. “Allison worked for Pets Lifeline many moons ago,” commented Nancy King, CEO of Pets Lifeline, “and we are thrilled to throw a homecoming party to celebrate Allison and her accomplishment of publishing this oh-so-fun book.” Some of the furry faces featured in the book will walk the red carpet and make an appearance at the book signing, which commences at 2pm, Saturday, Feb. 4 at Pets Lifeline, 19686 8th St. East, Sonoma. Wine and cheese will be served during the reception. There is no charge to attend.
Graton
Small Works
In the theater, they say there are no small parts, just small actors. Correspondingly, in the art world, there are no small artists, just small works—at least that’s the case at the Graton Gallery and its 12th annual juried small works show. Juror Tim Haworth had no small task assembling the show, which features the work of nearly 100 artists. The exhibit opened on Jan. 20, with a closing reception scheduled for 1pm, Saturday, Feb. 11, at Graton Gallery, 9048 Graton Rd. For more information, visit gratongallery.net.
