"We''ve gone through a sort of...well...I don''t want to say shakeup...but a shakeup in my attitude," says Carey Crockett, founder and artistic director of Unicorn Theater.

After putting in a couple of all-night work sessions for his last show, Crockett says that he needed to start delegating more work. High time, too. Unicorn has one of the most ambitious production schedules among local theater groups and has probably expanded to the point where it needs to develop a more structured staff if it''s going to grow in substance and quality.

Not only does Unicorn produce two seasons that add up to 10 plays for adults, they also present an average of seven children''s shows each year, and host the Works in Progress series--which during the month of May alone, includes 28 performances of nine productions. The WIP shows are mostly solo performances by veteran performers who are trying out new material.

"This place offers the greatest amount of opportunities for writers and directors on the Peninsula," says Crockett. "So I really want to see it grow, and maybe grow beyond my handling. There''s a lot of young energy and sometimes I feel like a dinosaur with all the young energy around here.

"I really feel like I''ve contributed a lot to the community, and we need more support from the community to continue doing it. Right now, I get too tied up with each production to remember to promote it. So I''m looking to some of our younger members to see to that."

A couple fix-its already in place include Crockett''s appointment of Sonny Jenkins and Kim Scott as computer gurus (who have given Unicorn an Internet presence at www.redshift.com/~unicornthetr) and recruitment of Susan Macias for public relations. cw

If you have some hot ideas about what''s happening on the local theater scene, send e-mail to chuck@coastweekly.com or leave a voice mail message at 394-5656, ext. 106.

Alley Cats

Thursday & Friday, 8pm; Sunday, 4pm, Dramatic Comedy. Tom Cobles returns for the third time to Unicorn Theater to present his one-man show about failure, chances for redemption and...life? Cobles has been touring this show for a couple of years and has picked up considerable acclaim, including the blessing of NY Times theater mucky-muck Clive Barnes, who described the show as "a tour de force" and "a must see." Local audiences have been similarly impressed with Cobles in his last two appearances. Look for a show that alternates between moving and amusing, and is best suited to mature audiences. Unicorn Theater''s Second Stage, Hoffman Playhouse, 320 Hoffman Ave., Monterey. 649-0259. Through: 5/10.

Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat

Friday, 7:30; Sunday, 2pm. Religious Musical. Before Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice created Jesus Christ Superstar, they collaborated on Joseph (which is a lighter, peppier show). This production by young people at the First Presbyterian Church of Monterey is directed by Roger Thompson (a longtime theater veteran at Santa Catalina School) and choreographed by Laurie Munro, who has been a dancer and choreographer for productions in New York. First Presbyterian Church of Monterey, 501 El Dorado St., Monterey. 373-3031. Donation. Through: 5/16.

Karen Sterns

Saturday, 8pm; Sunday, 7:30pm, Music. Solo guitarist Karen Sterns has toured her satirical, feminist solo guitar work extensively throughout Santa Cruz and San Francisco, and has had one previous engagement at Unicorn. (We wouldn''t want to make obvious comparisons but...it does sound a lot like Christine Lavin). Unicorn Theater''s Second Stage, Hoffman Playhouse, 320 Hoffman Ave., Monterey. 649-0259. Through: 5/11.

Performance Brunch Series

Sunday, 11:30am. Poetry Reading. Jazz poet Garland Thompson reads from his works. The General Store/Forge in the Forest, Junipero Street and 5th Avenue, Carmel. 624-2233. $14/includes brunch/general. Shows change weekly.

The Drunkard

Friday & Saturday, 8pm. Melodrama. The Troupers of the Gold Coast, a group of volunteer actors, present this classic melodrama about the evils of drink. If you''re in the mood for some booing, hissing and just plain fun, this could be the ticket. California''s First Theater, Scott and Pacific streets, Monterey. 375-4916. Through: 5/31.