If you prefer Shakespeare's plays in their entirety, try Butterfield 8's upcoming production of "As You Like It." The Bard's popular pastoral comedy runs Nov. 13-Dec. 5 at Cue Productions Live in Concord.

Once again, noblemen and women find themselves exiled in a forest where they eventually find love after, of course, lots of mistaken identities and jealous, wicked relatives. Butterfield 8 promises a modern-day fairy tale adaptation of Shakespeare's romantic comedy. For tickets, call 510-282-6174 or go to www.b8company.com.

A unique evening awaits those attending Saint Mary's College Performing Arts Department's presentation of "At Mrs. Dalloway's Party." The evening of short stories by Virginia Woolf receives an inventive staging by Delia MacDougall, from San Francisco's award-winning Word for

MacDougall creates a moving theatrical experience using "word for word" what the author has written. Elegant prose and wry observations punctuate the stories as Woolf captures the glamour of a posh 1920s party and exposes the fears and fantasies of the men and women attending.

"At Mrs. Dalloway's Party," featuring the college's accomplished performing arts students, runs through Nov. 22 on the Moraga campus. Call 925-631-4670.

This past Sunday, the Willows Theatre closed its sparkling Neil Simon comedy "Barefoot in the Park" and with it, the company's 30-plus years at the Willows Theatre in Concord.

It was a bittersweet closing, as artistic director Richard Elliott congratulated the cast, crew and design staff for making this final production such a success. He also gave an upbeat speech saying, "Who knows what the future will bring?"

Right now, the future includes cleaning out the theater, the backstage walls of which feature the musings of many cast members over the years, and transferring costumes and furniture to the company's storage facility in Martinez. The Willows also plans to auction off theater seats, lighting and sound equipment and other items. While closing down the theater at the Willows Shopping Center, the company is preparing to open a new musical at its cabaret theater in Martinez.

The Northern California debut of "Hats: The Musical," takes place Nov. 23-Jan. 10 at the Campbell Cabaret. Billed as a new musical for the rest of your life, it is inspired by the Red Hat Society, those slightly crazy ladies who love to wear red hats and to prove that life can be even more fun after 50. This original musical tells of a 49-year-old woman who goes kicking and screaming toward the inevitable big 5-0. But that all changes as her friends show her just how special and full of fun the next 50 years can be.

Directed by Lois Grandi with musical direction by Tim Hanson, the cast includes M.L. Parr, Shirley Nilsen Hall, Kathleen Escude, Loretta Janca, and Kristine Lowry. For tickets, call 925-798-1300 or go to www.willowstheatre.org.

The Vagabond Players present "Standing Room Only" at the El Campanil Theatre in Antioch. The one-of-a-kind cabaret show features old classics, ballads, country and Broadway tunes. It all happens Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. and features Vagabond's own professional vocalist, Suzi Ella Wolfe. For tickets, call 925-757-9500.

Congratulations to Claire Stoermer for being named a "local hero" by Bank of America. The longtime house manager for California Shakespeare Theater has taught for 20 years in some of Oakland's most underserved public schools.

An Orinda native, Stoermer is a passionate and creative advocate in the areas of environmentalism and the arts. "Claire's work at Cal Shakes kept her out of the spotlight," says Cal Shakes managing director Susie Falk. "We are thrilled that the Bank of America Charitable Foundation is giving her the recognition she so richly deserves."

Reach Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com