“Pop, six, squish, uh-uh, Cicero, Lipschitz.” Snap your fingers to the syncopated beat of “Cell Block Tango,” the opening number in Kander and Ebb’s now-immortal musical. The choreography was Bob Fosse’s. But after watching the FX TV series Fosse/Verdon last year, we’ve learned that dancer Gwen Verdon was at his side developing the moves along with him. Monique Hafen Adams will step into the Roxie Hart role, the one that Renée Zellweger played in the 2002 movie. The production runs through March 15.

Chicago
Thu, 7:30pm, $32+
San Jose Stage Company

First released  in 1981 as an obscenely gory, hilariously bad, ultra low-budget horror flick, The Evil Dead has become a cult classic franchise—clawing its way across multiple films, comics, video games, a television series and several stage adaptations. This campy, comedic musical draws elements from the core movie trilogy: The Evil Dead, Evil Dead 2 and Army of Darkness. Audiences can expect flying limbs, dad-joking demons and songs with titles like “All the Men in My Life Keep Getting Killed by Candarian Demons.” Oh… and certain attendees will leave bloodied… well, cornstarched… if they’re sitting in the “splash zone.”

Evil Dead The Musical

Thu, 8pm, $30+

San Jose Stage Company

When it comes to tradition, perhaps the only true constant is resistance to change. Told in real time over the course of a single 90-minute act, The Humans centers around the Blakes—a family spending an uncomfortable Thanksgiving in a Manhattan basement apartment, far from their suburban home in Scranton. In this innovative production, which won the Tony Award for best play in 2016, playwright Stephen Karam deploys elements of horror, comedy and drama to examine the modern American consciousness at a time when we, as a country, are more divided than ever. Runs through Dec. 15.

The Humans
Thu, 7:30pm, $32+
San Jose Stage Company

The San Jose Stage Company kicks off its 37th season by doing the Time Warp again—live! Most local Rocky Horror productions involve a screening of the 1975 cult hit starring Tim Curry, The Rocky Horror Picture Show, accompanied by live actors and calls for audience participation. But this production is a live, on-stage presentation of the original West End musical, which went on to find success on Broadway and on the big screen. Audience participation is still highly encouraged. The show runs through Nov. 3.

The Rocky Horror Show
Sat, 8pm, $32+
San Jose Stage Company

Luis Valdez, the iconic Chicano playwright and director behind Zoot Suit, La Bamba and El Teatro Campesino, stages the world premiere of his latest work, Adios Mama Carlota, The Empress of Mexico. Empress Carlota—daughter of King Leopold I, King of the Belgians—inherited her title after marrying Emperor Maximilian I of Mexico (later executed in the country Napoleon III had entrusted him to rule). The play is narrated by Carlota, 60 years after she fled Mexico to Europe in a failed attempt to save her husband’s crown and his life. The production runs through April 28.

Adios Mama Carlota
Wed, 7:30pm, $32+
San Jose Stage Company

Stephen Adly Guirgis’ Pulitzer Prize-winning comedic drama Between Riverside & Crazy is first and foremost a story about social injustice. It follows ex-cop and widower Walter “Pops” Washington and his recently paroled son, Junior, as he pursues a discrimination suit against the NYPD. All the while, the landlord of his rent-controlled apartment wants him out and the local church won’t leave him alone. The Stage’s production of Guirgis’ play also features renowned actor L. Peter Callender, artistic director of San Francisco’s African-American Shakespeare Company. Runs through Dec. 16.

Between Riverside & Crazy
Wed, 7:30pm, $16+
San Jose Stage Company, San Jose

The Postman Always Rings Twice comes to life on stage as never seen before. James M. Cain’s 1934 novel has been given a film treatment multiple times: including in Tay Garnett’s 1946 box office success, and in the Jack Nicholson-starring 1981 movie. The Stage presents a brand new adaptation of this sadistic love affair, which follows Frank Chambers, a drifter who winds up lost and love with Cora, a waitress at a rural diner. After the pair fall for each other, they begin plotting to murder Cora’s husband—but things don’t go as planned. Runs through May 6. (SM)

Love & Murder
Thru May 6, $32+
San Jose Stage Company

The Demon Barber of Fleet Street is setting up shop in San Jose in this contemporary envisioning of Stephen Sondheim’s Gothic musical thriller. Witness the legend of a man banished for a crime he did not commit as he returns to London bloodthirsty for revenge against the judge who took everything from him. How far will his cynicism and vengeance take him? Told through a sardonic and playful Tony Award-winning score, the tale of Sweeney Todd is a twisted, dark-humored story with just the right amount of lighthearted snark. The production runs through March 18. (SP)

Sweeney Todd
Fri, 7:30pm, $30+
San Jose Stage Company

Let’s do the Time Warp again—live! And that’s the key. Most local productions of The Rocky Horror Picture Show involve a screening of the Tim Curry-starring 1975 cult hit accompanied by live actors and calls for audience participation. This rendition of Rocky Horror will be performed on stage, in real live meatspace. Audience participation is still highly encouraged and proceeds from the performances will go to the St. Baldrick’s Foundation for children’s cancer research. The show runs through Nov. 4, with two showings on Saturday, at 8pm and 11:30pm.

Rocky Horror Show Live
Thu, 8pm, $35+
San Jose Stage Company