The Main Theatre stage is one giant pinball machine for The Who's Tommy, continuing through May 29. Elsewhere on campus, two very different kinds of Shakespeare complete their runs this weekend: Julius Caesar and The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged).

The Who's Tommy

Granada Artist-in-Residence Mindy Cooper directs this pioneering rock opera, based on The Who’s 1969 double album of the same name, mostly composed by the band’s guitar playing Pete Townshend, and featuring such now-classic hits as “I’m Free,” “See Me, Feel Me" and "Pinball Wizard."

The title character becomes deaf, dumb and blind as a child, after witnessing a murder. Ultimately, he breaks free from his emotional trauma and becomes a pinball wizard.

Spotlight: Sure plays a mean pinball! Students present stories and video on the making of the rock opera.

• Today-Saturday, May 19-21 — 8 p.m.
• Sunday, May 22 — 2 p.m.
• Thursday-Saturday, May 26-28 — 8 p.m.
• Sunday, May 29 — 2 p.m.

WHERE: Main Theatre, Wright Hall

TICKETS: $18-$22 general admission, $15-$20 students, children and seniors. Advance tickets are available online (click on “Purchase Tickets Now!”), or in person or by telephone at the Mondavi Center box office, (530) 754-2787 or (866) 754-2787. Box office hours: noon-6 p.m. Monday-Saturday.

DISCOUNT: $10 tickets are available for school and youth groups of 10 or more, at the teacher or group leader’s request. To make arrangements, call the Department of Theatre and Dance, (530) 752 -5863.

ADVISORY: PG-13 (a motion picture rating that states: “Parents strongly cautioned. Some material may be inappropriate for children under 13").

MORE INFORMATION

• Earlier coverage
• Complete news release
• Department of Theatre and Dance

Julius Caesar

Studio 301 Productions, the university's only student-run theatre company, is presenting Julius Caesar.

Typical of Studio 301 productions, Julius Caesar ia being presented in an uncoventional space: the courtyard between the School of Education and Sproul Hall. (You might remember Studio 301's Macbeth, presented in the sunken interior courtyard of the Social Sciences and Humanities Building.) Michael Lutheran directs.

"The director's vision and his use of this outdoor space will make Julius Caesar seen as never seen before," Studio 301's Alison Stevenson said. "Professional fight choreography is sure to bring the action, while the drama and suspense laden in the script itself, along with these hard-working actors, is sure to have audiences captivated."

• Today-Saturday, May 20-21 — 8 p.m.
• Sunday, May 22 — 7 p.m.

WHERE: School of Education courtyard, between the School of Education and Sproul Hall (click here for map showing Sproul Hall)

TICKETS: $10 general admission, $6 students. Tickets are available at the Freeborn Hall box office, telephone (530) 752-1915.

The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged)

The Davis Shakespeare Ensemble is presenting The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged), described as "an irreverent, fast-paced romp through the Bard’s 37 plays." Gia Battista directs "this wild lampoon of the Bard's comedies, histories and tragedies."

According to a news release, The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (Abridged) includes a lightning-speed version of Hamlet both forward and backward. "We guarantee you will be breathless with laughter!"

• Today-Sunday, May 20-22 — 8 p.m.
• Sunday, May 22 — 2 p.m.

WHERE: Arboretum gazebo

TICKETS: $12 adults, $8 students, $5 children 12 and under. Reservations: davis.shakespeare@gmail.com.

MORE INFORMATION: Online or by e-mail, davis.shakespeare@gmail.com.