photo/gadi dagon

Dance to the ‘Max’

Batsheva, the critically acclaimed Israeli modern dance company known for its explosive, dense movement, will appear on stage in San Francisco Feb. 23-25 performing “Max,” artistic director Ohad Naharin’s invention for 10 dancers. Original music by Maxim Waratt.
8 p.m. Feb. 23-25 at Novellus Theater, Yerba Buena Center for the Arts, 701 Mission St., S.F. $35-$60. http://tickets.ybca.org

thursday/23

“Up from the Stacks.” Multimedia pop opera set in the 1970s blending animation and projection with live vocalists and musicians. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 8 p.m. $35-$48. www.jccsf.org. (See story, 28)

monday/27

“Esther Stories.” Word for Word presents stylized staged reading of Peter Orner’s story collection. At JCCSF, 3200 California St., S.F. 7 p.m. $10-$15 suggested. www.jccsf.org. (See story, 28)

friday/2

“The Whole Megillah.” Purim sketch comedy with Killing My Lobster, directed by Dan Wolf. Through March 10. At the Jewish Theatre, San Francisco, 470 Florida St., S.F. Times vary. $10-$20. www.jccsf.org.

ongoing

“Crossing Delancey.” Tabard Theatre Company presents romantic comedy about a Jewish woman looking for love in New York. Through Feb. 19. At Theatre on San Pedro Square, 29 N. San Pedro St., San Jose. $10-$35. www.tabardtheatre.org.

“Higher.” World premiere of American Conservatory Theater play about American architects competing to design a memorial in Israel. Through Feb. 25. At Children’s Creativity Museum theater, 221 Fourth St., S.F. 8 p.m. $45-$65. www.act-sf.org.

“Ragtime.” Youth Musical Theater Company presents Tony Award–winning musical set in 1904 about tension among American Jewish immigrants, African-Americans from Harlem and upper-class whites. Through Feb. 18. At Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, 2640 College Ave., Berkeley. 7:30 p.m. $12-$24. www.ymtcberkeley.org.