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Taking Over.Hip-hop theater artist Danny Hoch plays nine different characters in his provocative if overly simplistic new solo show concerning the effects of gentrification on urban communities — specifically the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, New York. On the surface, the personalities and circumstances Hoch inhabits all seem very different. They include a multitasking, middle-aged white property developer, a foul-mouthed Dominican taxi dispatcher, and a black rap artist with a passion for Noam Chomsky. Hoch's eye for detail makes us believe that he's tackling the subject of gentrification from many different perspectives. But despite the range of characters he embodies during the course of the 90-minute show, he offers only one: the viewpoint of someone radically opposed to urban development, who believes that a community is defined solely by its long-term residents and that everyone else should stay away. You have only to look below the surface of the play to see what's really going on. While all of the "authentic" born-and-bred Williamsburg residents depicted by Hoch are likable — or at the very least worthy of empathy — the new arrivals are stupid, evil, or both. Through Feb. 24 at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, 2025 Addison (at Shattuck), Berkeley. Tickets are $33-$69; call 510-647-2949 or visit www.berkeleyrep.org. (Chloe Veltman) Reviewed Jan. 23.

BATS: Sunday Players: Each week Bay Area Theatresports players pit their improv work against all comers as the audience votes them off one by one. Sundays, 8 p.m., $8, www.improv.org. Fort Mason, Bldg. B (Marina & Buchanan), 474-6776.

Beach Blanket Babylon: A North Beach perennial featuring crazy hats, media personality caricatures, a splash of romance, and little substance. $25-$65, www.beachblanketbabylon.com. Club Fugazi, 678 Green (at Powell), 421-4222.

Big City Improv: Actors take audience suggestions and create comedy from nothing. Fridays, 10 p.m., $15, www.bigcityimprov.com. Shelton Theater, 533 Sutter (at Powell), 433-1226, www.sheltontheater.com.

Blade to the Heat: Through March 16, 8 p.m., $15-$30. The Thick House, 1695 18th St. (at Arkansas), 401-8081.

Blood Knot: A drama by Athol Fugard, directed by Charles Randolph-Wright. Through March 9. American Conservatory Theater, 415 Geary (at Mason), 749-2228, www.act-sfbay.org.

Boston Marriage: David Mamet's same-sex romp, directed by John Fisher. Through March 2. Theatre Rhinoceros, 2926 16th St. (at South Van Ness), 861-5079, www.therhino.org.

Come Home: Jovelyn Richards' solo play about 26 black soldiers in WWII. Through March 8. The Marsh, 1062 Valencia (at 22nd St.), 826-5750, www.themarsh.org.

Coronado: A drama by Dennis Lehane. Through March 8. SF Playhouse, 533 Sutter (at Powell), 677-9596, www.sfplayhouse.org.

Curvy Widow: Cybill Shepherd's solo show. Through March 9. Post Street Theatre, 450 Post (at Mason), 321-2900, www.poststreettheatre.com.

Endgame: Absurdist masterpiece by Samuel Beckett, directed by Rob Melrose and produced by Cutting Ball Theater. Feb. 22-March 16, $15-$30. Traveling Jewish Theatre, 470 Florida (at Mariposa), 285-8282.

I Am My Own Wife: Andrew Nance shoulders the job of portraying Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, a gay transvestite furniture collector who lived through the Nazi and Communist regimes in Berlin. Through March 2, 8 p.m., $22-$34. New Conservatory Theatre Center, 25 Van Ness (at Market), 861-8972, www.nctcsf.org.

Insignificant Others: L. Jay Kuo's musical, directed by George Quick, about five friends who move to San Francisco from the Midwest. Previews begin Feb. 1 and opening night is Feb. 16. Daily. Theatre 39 at Pier 39, 2 Beach (Beach & Embarcadero), www.isomusical.com.

Love, Chaos & Dinner: A blend of European cabaret, circus arts, and original music with a five-course gourmet dinner. Wednesdays-Saturdays, 6 p.m.; Sundays, 5 p.m., $99-$125. Pier 29, Embarcadero (at Battery), 273-1620.

Luv: A comedy that takes place on a suspension bridge, where three friends battle existential woes. Wednesdays-Saturdays, 8 p.m. Continues through April 5. Actors Theatre San Francisco, 855 Bush (at Taylor), 345-1287.

Man of La Mancha: Musical based on Miguel de Cervantes' classic. Thursdays-Sundays. Continues through March 16. Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic (at Locust), Walnut Creek, 925-943-7469, www.dlrca.org.

Monday Night Marsh: Each week a different lineup of musicians, actors, performance artists, and others takes the stage at this regular event. Mondays, $7. The Marsh, 1062 Valencia (at 22nd St.), 826-5750, www.themarsh.org.

Murder Mystery Dinner: A dinner that begins with detectives gathering to split $5 million in royalties from their latest book. Includes fruit and cheese reception and three-course dinner. One Saturday a month. Call for specific date. Saturdays, 6 p.m., $95, www.incentivestointrigue.com. Queen Anne Hotel, 1590 Sutter (at Octavia), 441-2828.

Nixon's Nixon: A play about the late-night meeting between Nixon and Kissinger the night before the president's resignation. Through March 1. Dean Lesher Regional Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic (at Locust), Walnut Creek, 925-943-7469, www.dlrca.org.

Satellites: Playwright Diana Son raises challenging issues about parenting, racial identity, and community. Through March 2. Aurora Theatre, 2081 Addison (at Shattuck), Berkeley, 510-843-4822, www.auroratheatre.org.

The Scene: Award-winning playwright Theresa Rebeck tackles New York's entertainment scene. Through March 8. SF Playhouse, 533 Sutter (at Powell), 677-9596, www.sfplayhouse.org.

A Secret for Next Sunday: Fridays-Sundays. Continues through March 9. The Next Stage, 1620 Gough (at Bush).

Shawl: A drama by David Mamet, directed Libby O'Connell. Feb. 21-March 1, $10-$12. Theatre Rhinoceros, 2926 16th St. (at South Van Ness), 861-5079, www.therhino.org.