Theater from Hahn Hall to the Granada

Shpilkes is Yiddish for “pins,” as in “sitting on pins and needles.” The Jewish English Lexicon defines the term more colloquially as “Nervous energy, anxiousness, restlessness.” But for local playwright Barbara Gural, Shpilkes is the Yiddish equivalent of “ants in your pants,” an appropriate title for her new comedy, which was inspired by her close relationship with her sister and best friend Jane. The story follows a recent divorcee whose restless energy propels her to find ways to keep life interesting as she returns to New York City to be with her sister – a post-marital journey to self-discovery that takes funny, sweet, and touching twists and turns. The rare locally-created play will have its debut reading, directed by Jonathan Fox in his first local turn at the helm since leaving Ensemble Theatre, on May 2 at Hahn Hall, where Music Academy fellows might have experienced some nervous energy too. Tickets include a welcome reception and a post-show dessert. Visit jewishsantabarbara.org/shpilkes

Kindness and cathartic release are the central themes of Come from Away, the Broadway musical based on what happened in the Newfoundland town of Gander during the week following the September 11 attacks, when worldwide grounding forced planes carrying 7,000 passengers to land unexpectedly at the local airport. The ensemble musical’s characters are inspired by the Gander residents and the stranded travelers they housed, fed, and created an impromptu community with. A paean to humanity triumphing over hate, Come from Away – which was nominated for seven Tony Awards in 2017, makes its Santa Barbara debut at the Granada April 30-May 1. Visit www.granadasb.org

Laughable is the latest semi-autobiographical one-woman show from L.A.-based musical comedian Stacie Burrows, who previously appeared at Center Stage Theater with Bulletproof Unicorn and Expressing Motherhood, and her duo Mommy Tonk. The new piece burrows into (transplanted Texan and recovering Jehovah’s Witness) Burrows’ attempt to hold it together in the face of medical misadventures in the mecca of wellness. Details and tickets for the April 26 show at https://centerstagetheater.org