STAGE LISTINGS FOR SOUTHERN CALIFORNIA: August 23 – 29, 2023 

OPENING THIS WEEK (region wide):

EXIT WOUNDS Wendy Graf’s play about finding redemption when someone you love has committed a terrible crime. International City Theatre, Long Beach Convention & Entertainment Center, 330 East Seaside Way, Long Beach. Opens Fri., Aug. 25; Thurs.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 2 pm, thru Sept. 10. www.InternationalCityTheatre.org

FABULATION OR THE RE-EDUCATION OF UNDINE Lynn Nottage’s social satire about Undine Barnes Calles, an ambitious & haughty woman, whose husband suddenly disappears after embezzling all her money. Hudson Theatres Backstage, Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Opens Sat., Aug. 26; Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 3 pm; thru Sept. 17. www.onstage411.com

HUNGRY GHOST Lisa Sanaye Dring’s play about a couple whose domestic plans take a twisted turn when their new home is burglarized by a mysterious hermit. Skylight Theatre, 1816 1/2 N. Vermont Ave, Los Feliz. Opens Sat., Aug. 26; Sat., 8:30 pm, Sun., 3 pm, Mon., 7:30 pm; thru Oct. 1. http://SkylightTix.org

KILL SHELTER Ashley Rose Wellman‘s play builds on the personal and professional conflicts of a woman who runs an animal shelter. Theatre of NOTE, 1517 Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood. Opens Thurs., Aug. 24; Thurs.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 6 pm, thru Sept. 24. www.theatreofnote.ludus.com

A SLIGHT ACHE In Harold Pinter’s early tragicomedy of manners, a married couple breakfast in their garden while a wasp circles menacingly overhead. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West LA. Opens Sat., Aug. 26; Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 2 pm; thru Oct. 1. OdysseyTheatre.com

THE WINTER’S TALE Love, betrayal, and the power of redemption collide in Shakespeare’s enchanting tale of family, loss, renewal, and reunion. Long Beach Shakespeare Company, Helen Borgers Theatre, 4250 Atlantic Avenue, Long Beach. Opens Fri.., Aug. 25; Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 2 pm; thru Sept. 16. www.www.LBShakespeare.org.

CONTINUING PERFORMANCES:

Larger Theaters, Region-Wide:

LES MISERABLES Set against the backdrop of 19th century France, Boublil and Schonberg’s award-winning musical tells the story of broken dreams and unrequited love. Stage Raw’s review. Pantages Theatre, Hollywood Blvd; Hollywood; Tues.-Thurs., 7:30 pm, Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sat. 2 pm, Sun., 1 pm & 6:30 pm; thru Sept.10 www.hollywoodpantages.com

RECOMMENDED MACBETH

Sara Carpenter, Claire Simba, Max Lawrence, Christopher Glenn Gilstrap and Sky Wahl (Photo by Ian Flanders)

The Bard’s brilliant political thriller about the rise and fall of a brave warrior who would be king at any price.Stage Raw’s review.Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Sat., 7:30 pm, Sun., 3:30 pm, in repertory, check website for schedule; thru Sept. 23. theatricum.com

RECOMMENDED A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM

Jacqueline Misaye and Carene Rose Mekertichyan (Photo by Gretel Cortes Photography)

Griffith Park is the setting for Shakespeare’s fantastical comedy about lost lovers and feuding fairies. Stage Raw’s review. Independent Shakespeare CO., Old Zoo, Griffith Park. Wed.-Sun., 7 pm; thru Sept. 3 www.isla.org

A MIDSUMMER NIGHT’S DREAM The Theatricum’s wooded stage morphs into the enchanted woods where mortal lovers chase and are chased, players prepare, and fairies make magical mischief. Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Sat., 7:30 pm, Sun., 3:30 pm, in repertory,check website for schedule; thru Sept. 23. theatricum.com

OUR DEAR DEAD DRUG LORD Alexis Scheer’s play about a gang of teenage girls who gather in an abandoned treehouse to summon the ghost of Pablo Escobar. Kirk Douglas Theatre, Culver City. Tues.-Sat., 8 pm, Sat., 2 pm, Sun., 1 pm & 6:30 pm; thru Sept. 17. https://CenterTheatreGroup.org

PETER PAN GOES WRONG The team behind the The Play That Goes Wrong, bring their trademark comic mayhem to the J.M. Barrie classic. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Avenue, downtown LA;.-Sat., 8 pm, Sat., 2 pm, Sun., 1pm & 6:30 pm; thru Sept. 10. https://www.centertheatregroup.org/tickets/

A PERFECT GANESH Two upper-middle class friends from Connecticut travel to India with heavy baggage in tow, reeling from loss and personal demons in Terence McNally’s play. Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga;. in rep, check website for schedule; thru Oct. 7. www.theatricum.com

QUEEN MARGARET’S VERSION OF SHAKESPEARE’S WAR OF THE ROSES Ellen Geer’s new edit of Shakespeare’s best-known history plays puts the focus on the women in court. Stage Raw’s review. Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Opens Sat., June 24; in repertory, check website for schedule; thru Oct. 1. theatricum.com 

RENT Jonathan Larson’s musical follows a year in the life of a group of impoverished young artists and musicians struggling to survive and create in New York’s Lower East Side, under the shadow of HIV/AIDS. Chance Theatre @ Bette Aitken theater arts Center on the Cripe Stage, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim. Thurs., 7:30 pm, Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sat.-Sun., 3 pm; thru Aug. 27. www.ChanceTheater.com

Intimate Theaters, Hollywood:

RECOMMENDED HEROES OF THE 4^TH TURNING

Evangeline Edwards, Samuel Garnett and Stephen Tyler Howell (Photo by John Perrin Flynn)

Four young conservatives gather to toast the newly inducted president of their tiny Catholic college, but their reunion spirals into chaos and clashing generational politics. Stage Raw’s Review. Rogue Machine Theatre, Matrix Theatre, Melrose Ave., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Mon., 8 pm, Sun. 3 pm; thru Oct. 2. https://www.roguemachinetheatre.org/

LAST SUMMER AT BLUEFISH COVE In Jane Chambers’ play, a lesbian enclave is disrupted when a naïve straight woman stumbles unaware into their circle and falls for one of them. The Stage Raw’s review. Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Ave., Hollywood. Fri.-Mon., 7 pm, thru Aug. 27. www.FountainTheatre.commasdks

NOT ANOTHER MIDSUMMER An immersive piece about a clumsy and disheartened group of traveling actors whose real life drama bleeds into their production of A Midsummer Night’s Dream. The Queen’s Fools, Thymele Arts, 5471 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Mon., 8 pm, thru Aug. 28. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/not-another-midsummer-tickets-669893739207

RECOMMENDED PIPELINE

Nate Memba and Ari Sucar (Photo by Kim Fowler)

In Dominique Morisseau’s play, a mother fights to give her son a future without turning her back on the community that made him who he is. Stage Raw’s review. The Howard Clurman Laboratory Theatre, Art of Acting Studio, 1017 N. Orange. Dr., Hollywood; Wed.-Sat., 8 pm; thru Aug. 26. https://web.ovationtix.com/trs/pr/1166054 

VENUS IN FUR David Ives’ two-character play built around a steamy encounter between a well-known playwright/director looking for an actress to cast in his latest play and an unpromising latecomer who surprises him. Stage Raw’s review. McCadden Place Theatre, 1157 McCadden Pl., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 3 pm; thru Sept. 3. www.onstage411.com/venusinfur

Intimate Theaters (Downtown LA, South LA, East LA):

THE RED SUITCASE Jiggs Burgess’s play follows one man’s life from his unusual birth to the death of his father, exploring the sometimes difficult relationship between fathers and sons and the many moments, stories, and characters that build a person and a life. Stage Raw’s review. The Broadwater, 1076 Lillian  Way, Hollywood; Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 2 pm; thru Sept. 3.  https://p3theatre.biz/theredsuitcase/

RECOMMENDED TWELFTH NIGHT: A DARKLY ENCHANTING BURLESQUE 

Photo by lotta photo.kp

Shakespeare in burlesque: a modern and original text-based rendition of the show that includes songs like Alive, Running Up That Hill and Bad Reputation!  Stage Raw’s review. The Three Clubs Bar, 1123 Vine St., Hollywood. Sat., 8 pm, thru August. https://www.broadwayworld.com/los-angeles/regional/Twelfth-Night–3830122

VENUS IN FUR David Ives’ two-character play built around a steamy encounter between a well-known playwright/director looking for an actress to cast in his latest play and an unpromising latecomer who surprises him. Stage Raw’s review. McCadden Place Theatre, 1157 McCadden Pl., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 3 pm; thru Sept. 3. www.onstage411.com/venusinfur

Intimate Theaters (Valleys in LA County):

ELEPHANT SHAVINGS Ron Sossi’s play considers what happens when a member of a theater’s acting ensemble finds herself challenged to confront the common dreams we have about the nature of reality. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West LA. Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 2 pm, Mon., 8 pm; thru Oct. 1. www.OdysseyTheatre.com

RECOMMENDED GROUP  THERAPY

Marnina Schon and Andy Hoff (Photo by Frank Ishman)

Peter Lefcourt’s comedy about three people trapped in a therapist’s waiting room. Stage Raw’s review. Sweettalk Productions,  Theatre 68 Arts Complex, 5112 Lankershim Boulevard, N. Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 2 pm; thru Aug. 27. www.OnStage411.com/therapy

MUCH ADO ABOUT POOH An Actors’ Gang show for the entire family: A 45-minute mash-up that combines a great Shakespeare comedy with some of the most popular and beloved characters, readily identifiable with audiences of all ages. The Actors’ Gang, Media Park, 9070 Venice Blvd., Culver City. Sat.-Sun., 11 am; thru Aug. 27. www.theactorsgang.com

ONE MOMENT OF FREEDOM Marion J. Zola’s play about an enslaved woman who sued her enslaver in court in 1781 for the basic human right to be free. Stage Raw’s review. Theatre 40, 241 S. Moreno Dr., Beverly Hills. Wed., Fri.-Sat., 7:30 pm, Sun., 2 pm, Tues., Aug 15, 7:30 pm; thru Aug. 27. http://theatre40.org

RECOMMENDED VANYA AND SONYA AND MASHA AND SPIKE 

Amanda Karr and Mark Piatelli (Photo by Miguel Eliot Photography)

Christopher Durang’s homage to Chekhov is set in idyllic Bucks County, Pa and presents the problems, aspirations, and dreams of three aging siblings. Stage Raw’s review. Little Fish Theatre, 777 S. Centre St., San Pedro. Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 2 pm; thru Sept. 3. www.littlefishtheatre-org

RECOMMENDED A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE

Aurora Leonard and Ray Abruzzo

Arthur Miller’s classic drama about a longshoreman whose life unravels when his niece falls for an immigrant. Stage Raw’s review. Ruskin Theater Group, 3000 Airport Ave., Santa Monica. Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 2 pm; thru Oct. 8. http://www.ruskingrouptheatre.com

WHY WORRY? JEWS R 2 MUCH FUN! Jerry Mayer’s play about a Jewish man and a Catholic woman who want to marry but must overcome obstacles presented by the bride’s bigoted father. Stage Raw’s review. Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 Fourth St., Santa Monica; Sat., 7:30 pm, Sun., 2:30 pm; thru Aug. 27.  https://santamonicaplayhouse.com

Intimate Theaters (Neighboring Counties):

No shows submitted

Special Events:

THE BARBER OF SEVILLE A modern-day, accessible spin on Rossini’s comedic classic: pop princess Rosina) is fresh out of rehab after a messy breakup and public meltdown. Pacific Opera Project, The Ford, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd East, LA. Fri., Aug. 25, 8 pm.    https://www.pacificoperaproject.com/barber-of-seville 

BRISK FESTIVAL LA An international theater extravaganza, featuring an impressive lineup of 53 short one-act plays, with some programs in Spanish and some in English. Participants from Mexico, Florida, and Spain join local artists. Morgan-Wixson Theater (2627 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica. Opens Aug. 5; Sat.-Sun., 6:15 pm & 8:30 pm, thru Aug. 27. Sept.1-2, 8:30 pm, Sept. 2-3, 5:30 pm; thru Sept. 3. https://briskfestival.com/tickets-la/or https://briskfestival.com/briskla/

THE QUEER COUCH This absurdist comedy by B.J. Tindal follows three college friends as they attempt to rewrite the “High School Hierarchy” by posing as high school students themselves. The Wayward Artist’s Wayward Voices, Grand Central Arts Center, 125 N. Broadway, Santa Ana. Fri.-Sun., Aug. 25-27, Fr.-Sat., 7:30 pm, Sat.-Sun., 2 pm. https://www.thewaywardartist.org/wayward-presents 

REMEMBRANCE OF THINGS PRESENT Produced by the Holocaust Museum LA, the show tells the experiences, once kept secret, of the descendants of survivors. 1100 The Grove Dr., LA., Sun., Aug. 27, 4 pm. https://holocaustmuseumla.org/event-details/remembrance-of-things-present.

A STEADY RAIN Keith Huff’s play follows the turbulent journey of two lifelong friends and police officers as they grapple with loyalty, betrayal, and the consequences of their choices. Hudson Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd, Hollywood. Fri,-Sun., Aug. 25-27; Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 2 pm & 7 pm. www.hudsontheatre.com

 -Listings compiled by Deborah Klugman