“Here Be Dragons” In this powerful new play, a high school classroom becomes a courtroom battleground between two estranged brothers (Jim Beaver and Charlie Mount) on opposing sides of the Evolution/Intelligent Design issue. With Meg Lin, Anne Leyden and John Combs as the school board members, whose decision on whether or not to accept the state’s re-definition of science (allowing for the legal introduction of Creationism into their science classrooms) is being carefully watched by the country’s media and may influence school systems across the country. George Tovar and Corrine Shor play parents of a child whose teacher was killed while teaching a Bible Literacy class. Adding her sly wisdom to the debate is the Board Secretary (Scottie Nevil) looking for a “lost cause” of her own to champion. As the brothers engage in their battle of wits, the tension builds, and it becomes increasingly unclear who will win. Will the School allow the teaching of Intelligent Design? It’s a question being asked in actual school boards across the country right now! Written and directed by Charlie Mount, it runs February 4 through March 11 at the Whitefire Theatre in Sherman Oaks. For tickets visit whitefire.stagey.net/projects/13156.

“Guards at the Taj” Set centuries ago, yet piercingly relevant today, Guards at the Taj follows two low-ranking imperial guards stationed outside the Taj Mahal before its grand unveiling. An impossible task will test their lifelong friendship, shake their faith, and shatter their lives forever. This darkly funny and deeply moving play asks us: follow duty or follow beauty? Written by Rajiv Joseph, and directed by Behzad Dabu, it runs February 5 through February 22 at the El Portal Theatre Monroe Forum in North Hollywood. For tickets call 818-508-4200 or visit elportaltheatre.com.

“Three Coconuts” is set is Chicago, 1968, during the Democratic National Convention. Downtown, cops are fighting demonstrators in the streets. Meanwhile, in the Albany Park neighborhood, Ida Blumenthal is preparing for sabbath dinner. Ida’s husband is long-gone. So, Ida, looking for a new husband for herself and, most importantly, a new father for her young son Sammy, has taken out an ad in the Jewish newspaper, the Forward. She has invited three gentlemen to her first-floor apartment for her home-cooked Shabbat dinner. Three candidates arrive. Her brother, Irving, noting their eccentricities, dubs them Three Coconuts. Meanwhile, Ida’s second-story neighbor, Maury, has been operating a bordello on his premises. When the local constabulary comes calling, Ida, Sammy, and the Three Coconuts risk being swept up in the vice cops’ dragnet. It was just supposed to be Shabbat dinner. What could possibly go wrong? Written and directed by Howard Teichman and Steven G, it runs February 6 through March 29 at the Miles Memorial Playhouse in Santa Monica. For tickets call 323-821-2449 or visit wcjt.org.

“Sylvia Sylvia Sylvia” Sally, a once-celebrated novelist grappling with writer's block and overshadowed by her husband Theo’s rising literary fame, seeks solace and inspiration in the iconic Boston apartment once inhabited by Sylvia Plath and Ted Hughes. But when eerie encounters begin to blur the line between inspiration and madness, Sally is forced to question what’s real, what’s imagined, and what her art may truly cost her. A darkly funny, gripping world premiere from rising playwright Beth Hyland, this tragicomic thriller explores creativity, obsession, and our ghosts that refuse to be ignored. Written by Beth Hyland, and directed by Jo Bonney, it runs February 12 through March 8 at the Gil Cates Theater at Geffen Playhouse in Westwood. For tickets call 310-208-2028 or visit geffenplayhouse.org.

“Incitation to the Dance” Includes frank discussion of sexual themes. Leave the kids at home. Malcolm is a film professor teaching a class on Queer Coding in Film Noir. Asher is his husband, depressed as he faces a career crisis. Finn is a determined young man who upends their comfortable world with his provocative blend of sexuality and menace. As Malcolm reveals the homoerotic undertones in the seminal Film Noir, GILDA, to his class, his personal life threatens to become a mirror image of the tangled trio in the film. This show is a sexy, dark comedy filled with witty banter, rising sexual tension, stylish dance numbers, and the radiant vitality of Rita Hayworth. Written and directed by Michael Van Duzer, it runs February 13 through March 15 at the Theatre West in Studio City. For tickets call 323-851-4839 or visit eventbrite.com/e/incitation-to-the-dance-tickets-1975939145174.

“Man of La Mancha” unfolds as a story within a story, following Miguel de Cervantes as he invites a community of prisoners to help him bring his tale to life. What begins as a stark, stripped-down world transforms through imagination, humor, and shared belief, as the characters become co-creators in Don Quixote’s quest to see the world not as it is, but as it could be. Blending whimsy with emotional depth, the production celebrates resilience, dignity, and the power of storytelling to set us free. By the final moments, audiences will be left to wonder whether Don Quixote was mad…or simply brave enough to dream out loud. Written by Dale Wasserman, with music by Mitch Leigh, lyrics by Joe Darion, and directed by James Vásquez, it runs February 13 through March 1 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. For tickets call 562-856-1999 or visit musical.org.

“The 39 Steps” A missing spy. A mysterious woman. A man on the run. When Richard Hannay, a seemingly ordinary man, makes the split-second decision to stop and help a stranger, he is catapulted into a high-speed chase across the Scottish countryside - with only his wits (and a trench coat) to survive. This fast-paced farce features over 150 characters played by just four actors in a whirlwind of costume changes, clever staging, and nonstop laughs. Equal parts Hitchcock homage and theatrical tour de force, this is a masterclass in imagination, precision, and play. Written by John Buchan, adapted by Patrick Barlow, and directed by Jenny Sullivan, it runs February 14 through March 1 at the Rubicon's Karyn Jackson Theatre in Ventura. For tickets call 805-667-2900 or visit rubicontheatre.org.

“Honour” A sharp and authentic examination of love, betrayal, and the fragile agreements that hold marriages together. When a celebrated writer can’t seem to “do the right thing,” decades of loyalty, intimacy, and compromise unravel in a single evening. With wit and emotional precision, the play explores the personal cost of truth and the reverberations of a single, life-altering choice - asking whether honesty is always an act of courage, or sometimes one of cruelty. Written by Joanna Murray-Smith, and directed by Max Mayer, it runs February 14 through March 22 at the Ruskin Group Theatre in Santa Monica. For tickets call 310-397-3244 or visit ruskingrouptheatre.com.

“Luca & Uri” opens with a breakup between two men fiercely bound by love yet unable to hold on, tracing the fractured arc of their decade-long relationship in Los Angeles. As their dreams and desires pull them apart, their intimacy dissolves into quiet compromises and mounting silences, exposing the gradual erosion of self. Unfolding like a fractured memory through moments of tenderness, passion, and resentment, the play confronts the cost of staying, the quiet courage it takes to leave, and the heartbreak of loving someone so deeply you begin to disappear inside them. Written by Nicholas Pilapil, and directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera, it runs February 14 through March 15 at the Victory Theatre Center in Burbank. For tickets call 818-841-5421 or visit ci.ovationtix.com/35020/production/1262804.

“OY! What They Said About Love” In this warm, witty, and deeply personal performance, Budd explores the universal search for love and connection. Wondering why others seem to find lasting relationships while he remains on the sidelines, Budd interviewed couples from all walks of life - from a Jewish pair who met on Craigslist to an interfaith couple who connected at a Halloween party - and brings their real words to life onstage. Wearing many hats (and voices), he embodies a dozen characters and weaves together a narrative that is as hilarious as it is heartfelt. Written by Steve Budd, and directed by Mark Kenward and Kenny Yun, it runs February 14 through February 15 at the Santa Monica Playhouse in Santa Monica. For tickets call 310-394-9779 or visit thevictorytheatrecenter.org.

“Red Harlem” Based on true events when the Communist Party courted African Americans in 1932 by championing their civil rights and opposing racist injustices, four Harlemites fleeing racial injustice and the economic fallout of the great depression, win roles in a blockbuster film financed by Joseph Stalin. Once in the Soviet Union, they pursue the dreams denied them in the US, but when they discover the country is hiding a devastating secret, they’ll be forced to escape it with their lives. Written by Kimba Henderson, and directed by Bernadette Speakes, it runs February 14 through March 15 at the Company of Angels in Boyle Heights. For tickets call 323-270-6325 or visit companyofangels.org.

“Richard III” Charismatic and contemptible in equal measure, burdened by physical challenges and consumed by ambition, Richard claws his way to the crown with unrelenting ferocity, removing all obstacles, and all people, in his path. Manipulating, marrying and murdering his way to the top with unmatched charm and zeal, Richard turns the audience into his unwitting accomplice: we root for him even as his plans grow ever more monstrous. Written by William Shakespeare, and directed by Guillermo Cienfuegos, it runs February 14 through March 8 at A Noise Within in Pasadena. For tickets call 626-356-3100 or visit anoisewithin.org.

“Fiddler on the Roof” Set in the village of Anatevka at the turn of the 20th century, Fiddler on the Roof follows Tevye, a devoted husband and father striving to uphold tradition as his family and community face profound social change. Through humor, heart, and unforgettable music, the musical explores enduring themes of family, faith, love, and resilience. The score includes some of musical theater’s most celebrated songs, including “Tradition,” “If I Were a Rich Man,” “Matchmaker,” and “Sunrise, Sunset.” Written by Joseph Stein, with music by Jerry Bock, lyrics by Sheldon Harnick, and directed by Tim Nelson, it runs February 20 through March 8 at the Rose Center Theater in Westminster. For tickets visit rosecentertheater.com.

“I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change” By turns endearing, hilarious and deeply relatable, the musical explores the thrills and pitfalls of dating, romance, marriage and long-term commitment, from first dates and second guesses to in-laws and everything in between, capturing nearly every stage of romantic life with warmth and humor. Written by Joe DiPietro, with music by Jimmy Roberts, and directed by Barry Pearl, it runs February 20 through March 8 at the International City Theatre in Long Beach. For tickets call 562-436-4610 or visit InternationalCityTheatre.org.

“Uncle Vanya” Set in a rural estate at the end of the 19th century, the lives of Vanya, his niece Sonya, the retired Professor Serebryakov and his young wife Yelena intertwine, leading to complex jealousies, romantic rivalries, and emotional breakdowns as they confront their wasted lives and failed dreams. Vanya and Astrov, a local doctor, both fall in love with Yelena, a spoiled, self-centered beauty; Sonya pines hopelessly for the doctor, while the oblivious Professor disrupts everyone’s lives with his egotistical demands. This classic play, rendered here by LaBute in a new, contemporary version, uses deceptively ordinary dialogue to reveal deep human frailties and a poignant, yet hopeful message about how we find the strength to endure life’s struggles. Written by Neil LaBute, and directed by Frédérique Michel, it runs February 20 through March 29 at the City Garage in Santa Monica. For tickets visit ticketleap.events/tickets/city-garage/uncle-vanya.

“Freda Payne Sings All That Jazz and More” ONE NIGHT ONLY: Legendary vocalist Freda Payne brings her elegance, power, and unmistakable voice to All That Jazz and More. Best known for her timeless hit “Band of Gold,” Payne is also a celebrated jazz stylist whose career spans decades of acclaimed recordings, Broadway, film, and live performances worldwide. In this intimate evening, she delivers classic jazz standards, soulful ballads, and select favorites from her rich repertoire, blending storytelling with sophisticated musicality. With warmth, charm, and impeccable phrasing, Freda Payne invites audiences on a journey through jazz traditions and beyond, celebrating the artistry that has made her an enduring icon. Starring Freda Payne, with music by Josh Nelson, it runs February 26 at Herb Alpert's Vibrato Grill & Jazz Club in Bel Air, Los Angeles. For tickets call 310-474-9400 or visit www.vibratogrilljazz.com/music.

“Eisenhower: This Piece of Ground” brings the 34th president, Dwight D. Eisenhower’s remarkable life to the stage in an extraordinary way. Through captivating storytelling and deep historical insight, the performance immerses audiences in Eisenhower’s personal reflections on leadership, war, and peace. With emotional depth and powerful nuance, it unpacks the complexities of a man who shaped the course of history during one of America’s most pivotal eras. A must-see theatrical experience. Written by Richard Hellesen, and directed by Peter Ellenstein, it runs through February 1 at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach. For tickets call 949-497-2787 or visit lagunaplayhouse.com.

“What the Constitution Means to Me” is the award-winning and thought-provoking play that explores the profound relationship between the U.S. Constitution and the lives of American women. Written by Heidi Schreck, and directed by Christian Wolf, it runs through February 1 at the Theatre West in Studio City. For tickets call 323-851-4839 or visit eventbrite.com/e/what-the-constitution-means-to-me-tickets-1920026794829.

“Julius Caesar” A gripping exploration of ambition, loyalty, and betrayal, Julius Caesar examines the rise and fall of one of history’s most iconic figures. As conspirators strike in the name of freedom, the consequences reshape Rome—and immortalize Caesar as a symbol of power whose legacy echoes across centuries. As the opening production of The Stuff of Legends, Julius Caesar sets the tone for a season dedicated to stories that endure - tales whose impact is so extraordinary they can never be forgotten. Written by William Shakespeare, and directed by Glenn Kelman, it runs through February 7 at the Helen Borgers Theatre in Long Beach. For tickets visit lbshakespeare.org.

“Lost in Yonkers” Two brothers, Jay and Arty Kurnitz, are left with their father's estranged family while he hits the road to work off his debt to loan sharks. Little do the boys know that they're about to get a crash course in complex, heartbreaking, and hilarious familial relations in classic Neil Simon style. This Pulitzer Prize winning comedic drama takes the boys - and the audience - on a journey through the laughter and tears that only family can provide. Written by Neil Simon, and directed by Jeremy Palmer, it runs through February 7 at the Westchester Playhouse in Los Angeles. For tickets call 310-645-5156 or visit kentwoodplayers.org.

“Kind Stranger ... a memory play” depicts the poignant journey of Tennessee Williams as the legendary playwright recounts his life, art, and love affairs. Witness his wit and unflinching honesty as he writes his last chapter, revealing how his plays were his life and his life was his plays. Adapted directly from his memoir and using only his words, Kind Stranger could be the last original Tennessee Williams play. Written by Rick Simone-Friedland, and directed by Steven Simone-Friedland, it runs through February 8 at the Zephyr Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets visit theatreplanners.stagey.net/projects/13051?tab=tickets.

“Kid Gloves” This world premiere musical comedy dives into the candy-colored chaos of a reality-TV competition where children's entertainers compete for the chance to win their own show. Fast-paced, hilarious, and sneakily poignant, KID GLOVES skewers the utter depravity of reality TV and how it can corrupt even the most wholesome element of humanity. Written by Matthew Leavitt, with music by Nathan Wang, lyrics by Matthew Leavitt, and directed by Richard Israel, it runs through February 15 at the Skylight Theatre in Los Feliz. For tickets visit kidgloves.ludus.com.

“Sweet Air” Robbie and Galen, two complete strangers on completely different paths in life, have both had a miserable Valentine's Day. They’re both broke, lonely and stranded in a deserted subway station on a freezing cold New York City night, waiting for a train that never seems to be coming. With seemingly nothing to lose, they strike up a conversation, commiserate, bond, unravel the mysteries of the universe and romantic comedies and find a connection in this cruel and heartless world in this post-pandemic, platonic Valentine's Day comedy. Written by Matt Morillo, and directed by Katie Oliver, it runs through February 15 at the McCadden Place Theatre in Hollywood. For tickets visit sweetairplay.com.

“What Opa Did” follows Kate, a young New Yorker, as she confronts her Jewish grandparents’ past in Germany, where they were forced to hide with their baby during the war. As Kate uncovers the truth about her Opa leaving the family to fend for themselves for three years and the choices that he and her Oma had to make to survive, she grapples with the moral complexities of their actions and the impact of secrets on their identities. Written by Christopher Franciosa, and directed by James Paradise, it runs through February 15 at the Theatre Forty, in the Mary Levin Cutler Theatre in Beverly Hills. For tickets call 310-364-0535 or visit theatre40.org.

“The Altruist” A happy, seemingly healthy bachelor discovers via his annual physical, that he has at least two terminal diseases. Seeking positivity, he decides he will donate all his organs (while they are still good) and save multiple lives. But this a not allowed, so he sues the state. The media goes berserk and before you can say The Great White Way, a Broadway producer shows up wanting to turn his story into a great, big money-making musical! Written by Bill Fitzhugh, with music by Richard Allen, and directed by Bruce Kimmel, it runs through February 22 at the Group Rep in North Hollywood. For tickets call 818-763-5990 or visit thegrouprep.com.

“Sweeny Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” Attend the dark, witty, and Tony Award-winning tale of love, murder, and revenge set against the backdrop of 19th-century London. The story follows an unjustly exiled barber (Todd) as he returns to London to seek vengeance against the lecherous judge who framed him and ravaged his young wife. The road to revenge leads Todd to Mrs. Lovett, the resourceful proprietress of a failing pie shop above which he opens a new barber practice. Mrs. Lovett's luck sharply shifts when Todd's thirst for blood inspires the integration of an ingredient into her meat pies that has the people of London lining up for more...and the carnage has only just begun! Written by Hugh Wheeler, from an adaptation by Christopher Bond, with music by Stephen Sondheim, and directed by Jason Alexander, it runs through February 22 at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in La Mirada. For tickets call 562-944-9801 or visit LaMiradaTheatre.com.

“Punish Me” A screenwriter struggling to make it in Hollywood becomes trapped in an increasingly abusive relationship with a narcissist who threatens both his career dreams and his legal status in America. The play explores the complexity of toxic relationships, narcissism, and obsession. It includes adult themes and simulated sex. Inspired by true events. Written by Michael Dukakis, and directed by Monique Sorgen, it runs through February 25 at the Hudson Backstage Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets visit onstage411.com/punishme.

“Brownstone” Unfolding on the second floor of a classic New York brownstone at three distinct moments in its history, Brownstone’s structure is as striking as the architecture that inspired it. Three poignant, often funny stories, set in 1978, 1937 and 1999, take place in the same building, linked through time. Deena and Maureen (Rosie Byrne and Amber Tiara) are a pair of starry-eyed aspiring actresses, newly arrived to New York in the 1970s and struggling to get their big break. We meet Stephen and Davia (Matthew Goodrich and Chelsea Spirito), a pampered, rich young couple of the 1930s who long to move to Paris. Striving for success, Jason and Jessica (Isaac W. Jay and Jade Santana) are a chillingly self-absorbed “power couple” of the new millennium. Written by Catherine Butterfield, and directed by Ron West, it runs through February 28 at the Atwater Village Theatre in Atwater Village. For tickets call 323-882-6912 or visit openfist.org.

“Jewish for Dinner” Ruth Cohen finally finds the perfect man to love, marry, and above all else, bring home to her Conservative family. But she neglected to ask one, small question: Is he Jewish? Or, can he at least fake it? Written by Lou Borenstein, and directed by Jeff Jackson, it runs through March 1 at the Santa Monica Playhouse in Santa Monica. For tickets call 310-394-9779 or visit SantaMonicaPlayhouse.com/Jewish_for_Dinner.

“My Son the Playwright” In his bold and intimate new solo show, L.A. cult icon and Rogue Machine resident playwright Justin Tanner dives headfirst with courage and sharp humor into a story that centers around the strained relationship between a playwright and his estranged father. In his most autobiographical play yet, two men in different apartments prepare for a meeting that they would rather avoid - but desperately need. What begins as a messy and comic struggle against pride and past resentments becomes a reckoning with vulnerability and forgiveness. Written by Justin Tanner, and directed by Lisa James, it runs through March 1 at the Rogue Machine at the Matrix Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets call 855-585-5185 or visit roguemachinetheatre.org.

Photo by Scott Smeltzer/SCR

“God of Carnage” satirizes parenting, marriage and upper-middle class dynamics in an oft-hilarious manner that is as cutting as it is clever. In gentrified Brooklyn, a playground fight between 11-year-old boys brings four parents together to resolve their sons’ conflict. At first, diplomacy rules. But as each parent reveals their demands, the living room peace summit spirals into a riotous free-for-all of opposing parenting styles, conflicting personalities and marital tensions. A brilliant and biting comedy of manners (without the manners). Written by Yasmina Reza, and directed by Marco Barricelli, it runs through March 21 at the South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa. For tickets call 714-708-5555 or visit scr.org.

Photo by Jon White/SCR

“Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?” George and Martha invite a young couple to their home for a nightcap. As the clock ticks into the wee hours, Nick and Honey find themselves submerged in a cocktail of clever mind games, deep-seated resentments and broken promises. Hilarious and harrowing, this unflinching portrait of a marriage ceaselessly astonishes audiences with its razor-sharp dialogue and thrilling performances. Written by Edward Albee, and directed by Lisa Rothe, it runs through March 21 at the South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa. For tickets call 714-708-5555 or visit scr.org.

“Poetry for the People: The June Jordan Experience” Born in Harlem in 1936, Jordan shattered boundaries as a poet, essayist, teacher and activist. Fiercely committed to civil rights, women’s rights, LGBTQ+ visibility and freedom from oppression in all its forms, she authored 27 volumes across genres and contributed to The Progressive, The Village Voice, The New York Times, Ms., Essence and The Nation. With language that embraced both the lyrical and the vernacular, Jordan insisted that poetry belong to the people. In 2019, her legacy was honored with induction on the National LGBTQ Wall of Honor within the Stonewall National Monument. She died from breast cancer in 2002. Written by Raymond O. Caldwell and Adrienne Torf, with music by Adrienne Torf, and directed by Raymond O. Caldwell, it runs through March 29 at the Fountain Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets call 323-663-1525 or visit FountainTheatre.com.