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. Independent Shakespeare CO., Old Zoo, Griffith Park. Wed.-Sun., 7 pm; thru Sept. 3 www.isla.org
A MIDSUMMUER 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
THE MOTHERF 
KER WITH THE HAT Stephen Adly Guirgis’ play is an unvarnished look at a group of street-wise New Yorkers, centering around Jackie, a fresh-from-prison former addict trying to stay clean and sober despite an untrustworthy sponsor and a girlfriend who is fonder of drugs than fidelity. Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach; Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 2 pm; thru Aug. 19. www.LBPlayhouse.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:
A BLACK AND WHITE COOKIE In Gary Morgenstern’s play, a Black Republican who’s operated a newsstand for 30 years is threatened with eviction. Stage Raw’s review. SkyPilot Theatre Company, 905 N. Cole St., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 3 pm; thru Aug. 20. https://cookie.bpt.me.
GETTING THERE Rebecca O’Brien’s solo performance about surviving cancer. Stage Raw’s review. Hudson Guild Theatre; 6539 Santa Monica Blvd.; Hollywood; Extended thru Wed., August 16, 8 pm. https://www.hollywoodfringe.org/projects/7059. Running time: one hour with no intermission.
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
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. 19.
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):
RECOMMENDED A BELLA INCARCERATION
Ann Noble (Photo by Noah Cross)
Stuck in jail, a clown conjures her favorite female radicals from history in order to make sense of her civil disobedience, which led directly to her current incarceration. Conceived, Written and Performed by Ann Noble. Stage Raw’s review. Echo Theater Company, Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave, Atwater. Tues., 8 pm, thru Aug.20. www.EchoTheaterCompany.com
RECOMMENDED CRABS IN A BUCKET
Jordan Hull and Michael Sturgis (Photo by Cooper Bates)
Bernardo Cubría’s satire about the impact of “crab mentality” as told through the tale of two embittered crabs in a shucking bucket. Stage Raw’s review. Echo Theater/Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave., Atwater; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 4 pm, Mon., 8 pm; thru Aug. 21. www.EchoTheatreCompany.com
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 SUPER DUPER
The ensemble. (Photo courtesy of Ghost Road Company)
Katharine Noon’s play invites participants into the world of a controversial artist where they will explore his work, his relationships, and his legacy. Stage Raw’s review. Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., downtown LA. Sat.-Wed., 8 pm; thru Aug. 23. https://ghostroad.org/super-duper/
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):
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. Sweettalk Productions, Theatre 68 Arts Complex, 5112 Lankershim Boulevard, N. Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 2 pm; thru Aug. 20. www.OnStage411.com/therapy
A FLEA IN HER EAR David Ives’ adaptation of George Feydeau’s farce about the complications that ensue when a woman plots to uncover her husband’s suspected infidelity. Lonny Chapman Group Repertory Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd. North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 2 pm; thru Sept. 17. www.thegrouprep.com
RECOMMENDED PROOF
hawnee Badger and Vincent Doud (Photo courtesy of Dig Deep Theatre)
David Auburn’s play about an enigmatic young woman, her manipulative sister, their brilliant father, and an unexpected suitor. Stage Raw’s review. The MAIN Theatre,, 24266 Main Street Santa Clarita. Opens Fri., Aug. 11; Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sat.-Sun., 2 pm; thru Aug. 20; https://www.eventbrite.com/e/proof-presented-by-dig-deep-theatre-tickets-649192360827?
Intimate Theaters (West Side and Beaches):
RECOMMENDED DORIS AND IVY IN THE HOME
Diana Angelina and Ann Hearn (photo by Warren Davis)
Norm Foster’s play concerns the friendship between a retired prison guard and a former world champion skier. Stage Raw’s review. Theatre 40, 241 S. Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills. Check website for schedule; Evenings, 7:30 pm, Sun., 2 pm. thru Aug. 23. http://theatre40.org
KINKY BOOTS A man who’s inherited his father’s shoe factory struggles to save his legacy with the help of a fabulous entertainer in need of some sturdy stilettos. Book by Harvey Fierstein, music & lyrics by Cyndi Lauper. Friends of Torrance Theatre Company, 1316 Cabrillo Ave. Torrance. Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sat.-Sun., 2 pm, thru Aug. 19. torrancetheatrecompany.com/kinky
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
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:
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. Stage Raw’s review. Morgan-Wixson Theater (2627 Pico Blvd, Santa Monica. Sat.-Sun., 6:15 pm & 8:30 pm, thru Aug. 27. Sept.1-2, 8:30 pm, Sept. 2-3, 5:30 pm; Free workshops, Sat. & Sun., 4:15 pm; thru Sept. 3. https://briskfestival.com/tickets-la/
I’M NOT A COMEDIAN… I’M LENNY BRUCE Ronnie Marmo’s solo biopic in which he portrays the iconic comedian and social rebel. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Rd., Laguna Beach Thurs.-Fri., Aug. 17-18, 7:30 pm, Sat., Aug. 19, 2 pm. www.lennybruceonstage.com or www.lagunaplayhouse.com
THE PILLOWMAN Martin Mc Donagh’s dark comedy in which a writer is interrogated about his nightmarish short stories and their similarities to a number of murders occurring in his town. Actors Company Theatre, 916 N. Formosa Ave., Hollywood. Sat., Aug. 19, 8 pm, Sun., Aug. 20, 1 pm & 6:30 pm. https://www.eventbrite.com/e/the-pillowman-by-martin-mcdonagh-tickets-655906091777
-Listings compiled by Deborah Klugman
