Playwright: Will Power Director: Derrick Sanders Drama $37-$58 8/14-9/7

Why would the shining son of the Nation of Islam seek help from one of the most vilified figures of black American culture? In this knockout new play, San Francisco native and hip-hop theatre pioneer Will Power investigates an unlikely friendship of the Civil Rights Era: young heavyweight champ Muhammad Ali and disgraced actor Stepin Fetchit.

Tickets and info: (415) 388-5208; marintheatre.org

Caption: Roscoe Orman. Photo: Ed Smith.