Sacramento’s Capital Stage has a reputation for producing work that national touring companies skip entirely. Starting January 20, 2027, the company on J Street opens Things That Are Round, a new play by Callie Kimball — the kind of show that tends to get talked about long after the run ends.
If you’ve been looking for a reason to head to Midtown in January, this is a solid one.
What the Play Is
Things That Are Round is written by Callie Kimball and directed by Dena Martinez. The setup: Tetherly, a dentist grappling with serious existential anxiety, and Nina, an opera singer who may not be the world’s most reliable babysitter, sit down to play a game of truth or dare. What follows is a tense, escalating match with stakes that keep shifting. The play doesn’t let either character — or the audience — get too comfortable.
Capital Stage operates out of a 150-seat black box theater at 2215 J Street in Midtown Sacramento. The intimate format means you’re close to the action, and there’s nowhere to hide from a performance when it’s working. The company programs work that leans smart and challenging — if you’ve seen My Mama and the Full-Scale Invasion, which runs through December 20, you already know what you’re walking into. Same director, Dena Martinez, at the helm for this one too.
Practical Details
Things That Are Round runs January 20 through February 21, 2027. The preview run at the start of the engagement offers the best value: preview tickets are a flat $35 regardless of section. Regular-run tickets vary by night and seat location.
General showtimes:
- Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday: 7:00 PM
- Saturday and Sunday: 2:00 PM
Capital Stage is at 2215 J Street, Sacramento 95816, in Midtown. Street parking along J and K Streets is usually available on weeknights, though weekend matinees can be tighter. The venue is accessible via SacRT’s Route 30, which runs along J Street. Box office hours are Tuesday through Friday, 10 AM to 3 PM, at 916-995-5464. Tickets are also available online through the Capital Stage website.
For other Sacramento performing arts options this winter, the Candlelight Concerts series is running through the holiday season, and B Street Theatre has two new productions opening in December.
The Details
- Run: January 20 – February 21, 2027
- Venue: Capital Stage, 2215 J Street, Sacramento 95816
- Showtimes: Wed–Fri at 7:00 PM; Sat–Sun at 2:00 PM
- Preview tickets: $35 (flat rate, early performances)
- Opening night: $60–$77 depending on section
- Regular weeknight run: $50–$67 depending on section
- Weekend matinees: $55–$69 depending on section
- Box office: 916-995-5464 (Tue–Fri, 10 AM–3 PM)
- Tickets online: capstage.org
Bottom Line
January is a slow month in Sacramento, and Things That Are Round gives local theater-goers something to anticipate. Capital Stage keeps its house small on purpose, and shows at 2215 J Street have a track record of selling out before the final weekend. If the premise sounds like your kind of evening, booking early in the run — or grabbing a preview ticket — is the smarter move.
