Mr. Bruce, Do You Swear? Opens Fri 8pm, continues Sat 8pm, Sun 2pm. Jody Gilmore plays the late, great comedian Lenny Bruce, hounded during his lifetime by the opponents of free expression, in an original play written by Rob Foster, who co-directs with Cynthia Womack. A Unicorn Theater production. $15/general, $12/students and seniors. Carl Cherry Center for the Arts, Guadalupe at 4th, Carmel. 649-0259. Ends 5/2.

The Shape of Things Previews Thurs 7pm, opens Fri-Sat 8pm. Two couples play out the archetypal battle of the sexes in Neil LaBute’s play, which was made into an indie flick. $10/advance, $20/day of performance. SRO/Studio Theater at Monterey Peninsula College, 980 Fremont St., Monterey. 646-4213 or www.ticketguys.com. Ends 4/25.

theater now playing

Fatthumb of the Opry Fri-Sat 8pm. A pseudo-19th-century melocomedy starring Barbara Stripesand, Jane Fondle, Lois Lame and Clarke Kennt. $14/general, $13/seniors, $7/students, $5/military. Barbary Coast Theater, 320 Hoffman Ave., Monterey. 655-4992. Ends 6/30.

The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas Fri-Sat 8pm. Musical based on the true story of the legendary Chicken Ranch brothel, shut down in 1973 by a crusading radio commentator. $15/general, $10/students, seniors and military. Fox Theater, 243 Main St., Oldtown Salinas. 675-0521. Ends 4/18.

The Pirates of Penzance Thurs-Sat 8:30pm, Sun 3:30pm. Gilbert and Sullivan’s light-hearted, frothy operetta with plenty of singing and dancing. $20/adults, $10/children. Bruce Ariss Wharf Theater, Fisherman’s Wharf, Monterey. 649-2332 or 372-1373. Ends 5/9.