Running commentary
When Stoneham Theatre presented Marathon — Italian playwright Edoardo Erba’s one-act play about two runners training for the New York Marathon — last January, it used a British translation, American playwright Israel Horovitz having lost the race to complete an adaptation. The 70-minute play, whose claim to fame is that two very fit actors race (mostly in place) all the way through it, had a successful run before jogging off to the People’s Theatre in New York. Horovitz may be the tortoise here, but his American version is now complete, and it will have its premiere April 10 at the Tremont Theatre. Stoneham Theatre artistic director Weylin Symes is at the helm of the production; Adam Paltrowitz and Eric Laurits repeat their highly aerobic performances. As for the play, pay attention: it has a trick or two up its gym shorts. Marathon is at the Tremont Theatre, 276 Tremont Street in the Theater District, April 10 through 20 — a run that takes it right up to the eve of that other Marathon. Tickets are $25, with discounts for seniors and students; call the Stoneham Theatre box office at (781) 279-2200.
Goin’ back to Cali
The Chairman of the Board’s daughter has got her boots back on, and Nancy Sinatra’s walking all over the Sunshine State on her latest disc, California Girl (Buena Vista), an album that’s said to be tied into a new Disney theme park. The disc includes some previously released chestnuts — her " How Are Things in California " is an excellent reminder of ’60s acid pop’s moment in the mainstream sun — as well as newly recorded tracks in a similar vein featuring guest spots from Guns N’ Roses’ Gilby Clarke (?!) and, on what is almost but not quite the title track, aging Beach Boy Brian Wilson. Nancy’s booked into the House of Blues, 96 Winthrop Street in Harvard Square, on May 13; call (617) 491-BLUE.
Earth day
Speaking of soaking up the sun: Sheryl Crow will catch some rays at the 10th annual WBOS EarthFest, the big local Earth Day celebration, this April 26. Crow headlines a day-long bill to include Big Head Todd and the Monsters, newgrass kids Nickel Creek, and — headlining a new-this-year " Family Stage " — former Del Fuego turned kid-rock star Dan Zanes. No word on whether Crow will croon her own Kid Rock hit, " Picture, " but if she doesn’t, does someone have Allison Moore’s cell-phone number? Earthfest will run from noon to 6 at the MDC Hatch Shell, on the Esplanade, and it’s free. Call (617) 931-1111.
Department of obscure causes
Sir, ma’am — please step away from the latte. You’ll want to hide the cappuccino in the car and leave the mocha on the sofa before you head down to the Orpheum on April 26, where blues-rock mama Bonnie Raitt, new-jack singer-songwriter John Mayer, and others yet to be announced present an acoustic show to benefit the Songbird foundation, " a non-profit organization that educates and motivates people to make sustainable choices in the coffee they purchase to preserve migratory songbirds and the habitats they depend on. " The Orpheum is at 1 Hamilton Place; the show, which starts at 8, coincides with a conference of specialty-coffee growers in town the same week. Tickets, at $50, go on sale Friday at 10 a.m.; call (617) 931-2000.
