“Ironbound” takes place over the course of 20 years, through three relationships, and in one location - at a New Jersey bus stop. Polish immigrant Darja negotiates for her future with men who can offer her love or security, but never both. Though the world of Ironbound is a world of constant less - less safety, less softness, less margin for error - Darja is determined to build a life that measures in more than just survival. Each negotiation is an act of hope and every win, no matter how small, serves as proof that even in a life defined by “less,” something can still be gained. Written by Martyna Majok, and directed by Kimberly Alexander, it runs May 1 through May 18 at the Madnani Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets visit www.ironboundplay.com.

“Carlota: Alhajero de Secretos” Part melodrama and part comedy, Carlota: Alhajero de Secretos is all corazón. Inside the home of Carlota and her three daughters, time seems to have stood still. But their cloistered world is suddenly shaken when the youngest daughter encounters a handsome stranger in town for his father’s funeral. What follows is a cascade of revelations as long-buried secrets emerge — like precious jewels hidden inside a jewelry box. Echoing the themes of Lorca’s play, in which he examined the abuse of power within a rigid, puritanical household, Carlota offers a sharp and often humorous critique of a moral code that suppresses desire in the name of respectability — a “righteousness” that often proves more hypocritical than virtuous. Written and directed by Rodrigo García and Ugho Badú, it runs May 2 through May 24 at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in Los Angeles. For tickets call 213-489-0994 or visit latinotheaterco.org.

“Hymn” At a moment when public conversation about men’s emotional lives, and the particular pressures facing Black men, has never been more charged, Hymn offers something rare: a portrait of male friendship that is tender, funny, and utterly without apology. Set against a background of R&B rhythms, boxing and rounds of scotch, Hymn stars Jason Delane (Safe Harbor, Bulrusher, Three Sisters After Chekhov at Lower Depth Theatre; One Night in Miami at Rogue Machine) and Chuma Gault (Gem of the Ocean at A Noise Within, The Gun Show at Moving Arts) as “Benny” and “Gill.” The two men meet at a funeral; Gill knew the deceased, Benny did not. Soon they, and their families, have become close. Written by Lolita Chakrabarti, and directed by Gregg T. Daniel, it runs May 2 through June 14 at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets call 310-477-2055 Ext. 2 or visit OdysseyTheatre.com.

“Millennials Are Killing Musicals” With a contemporary pop-rock score, this entirely original musical comedy offers a fierce, funny look at identity in the age of social media. Brenda, a single millennial mom, just wants to do better “adulting” (like the seemingly perfect Jake’s mom at her daughter’s school), when her younger #influencer sister Katrina shows up eight months pregnant and totally unprepared for motherhood. The three women work to shed the Greek Chorus of social media filters on their lives to achieve their dreams. Written by Nico Juber, with music by Nico Juber, and directed by Kristin Hanggi, it runs May 2 through May 17 at the Colony Theatre in Burbank. For tickets visit www.colonytheatre.org.

“Southern Fried Funeral” Dewey Frye is dead. He was a much-loved individual in his small Mississippi town. His sudden demise in embarrassing circumstances leaves the rest of the family to pick up the pieces of the clan’s unfinished business- if they don’t kill each other first. Funerals bring out the worst, the best, and the funniest in people, and the Fryes are no exception. Grieving widow Dorothy is surrounded by loving if neurotic family and friends---except for her snake-in-the-grass brother-in-law Dub, who plans to seize her home and evict her. There may be two individuals who will come to Dorothy’s aid---and they’re the people she’d least expect. Can they save the day? Written by Dietz Osborne and Nate Eppler, and directed by Kerr Lordygan, it runs May 2 through May 10 at the Ahiah Center in Pasadena. For tickets visit www.jewishsgpv.org/calendar/jfed-players-present-southern-fried-funeral.

“Blue Man Group” The beloved production will continue to showcase classic Blue Man favorites along with brand new content including the addition of a new character exclusive to the current Tour. The “Rockstar” is a dynamic multi-instrumentalist with striking blue hair who will join the Blue Men in creating a multi-sensory experience fans can remember for years to come. Featuring pulsing, original music, custom-made instruments, surprise audience interactions, and hilarious absurdity, showgoers will join the Blue Men in a joyful experience that unites audiences of all ages. Blue Man Group continues to redefine live entertainment through their combination of rhythmic artistry, groundbreaking technology, and immersive audience interaction. The upcoming tour showcases over three decades of creative evolution, with the iconic trio continuing their legacy as innovators of experimental performance while consistently delivering their signature blend of musical innovation, visual spectacle and spontaneous humor that has captivated millions of fans worldwide. Written and directed by Blue Man Group, it runs May 8 through May 10 at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks. For tickets visit BroadwayInThousandOaks.com.

“Broadway Bound! A Love Letter to American Musical Theatre” Experience the excitement, emotion, and fun found only on a Broadway stage with songs that make the heart soar from Wicked, Hamilton, Pippin, Hairspray!, Camelot, The Lion King, Mamma Mia!, Waitress, Funny Girl, Dreamgirls, Rent, and MORE! It’s time to raise the curtain and light the lights on the musical event of the season! Written by John A. Goux, and directed by Victoria Lavan, it runs May 8 through May 10 at the Theatre West in Los Angeles. For tickets call 323-851-4839 or visit theatrewest.org.

“The Little Mermaid” A young mermaid risks everything for love and a life beyond the sea in this dazzling, high-fantasy stage spectacle where soaring songs, shimmering magic, and family heart collide beneath the waves. Written by Doug Wright, based on the story by Hans Christian Andersen, with music by Alan Menken; Lyrics by Howard Ashman and Glenn Slater, and directed by Justin Meyer, it runs May 8 through June 28 at the Nocturne Theatre in Glendale. For tickets visit thenocturnetheatre.com/box-office.

“Next to Normal” explores how one suburban household struggles to find normalcy. Next to Normal centers around Diana Goodman, a wife and mother suffering from bipolar disorder, and how the family is impacted by this illness. Can the family unit survive? Written by Brian Yorkey, with music by Tom Kitt, lyrics by Brian Yorkey, and directed by Kirk Larson, it runs May 8 through June 6 at the Westchester Playhouse in Los Angeles. For tickets call 310-645-5156 or visit www.kentwoodplayers.org.

“Exit the King” King Berenger (Henri Lubatti) has ruled with absolute power, so why should the rules of death apply to him? As the king stubbornly denies the inevitable, his crumbling kingdom is held together by an eccentric court: his formidable first wife (Joy DeMichelle), his devoted second wife (Erika Soto), and a band of increasingly bewildered attendants (Lynn Robert Berg, Ralph Cole Jr., and KT Vogt). Absurd, witty, and unexpectedly touching, this modern classic becomes a poignant and surprisingly joyful reminder that even kings must face their final curtain. Written by Eugène Ionesco, translated by Donald Watson, and directed by Michael Michetti, it runs May 9 through May 31 at the A Noise Within in Pasadena. For tickets call 626-356-3100 or visit anoisewithin.org.

“Nine to Five” Set in 1979, this hilarious tale of friendship and revenge in the Rolodex era is outrageous, thought-provoking, and a little romantic. Pushed to the brink, three coworkers plot to get even with their sexist, egotistical boss. In a wild twist, Violet, Judy, and Doralee turn the tables—taking control of the company and transforming it into the workplace they’ve always deserved. Hey, a girl can scheme, can't she? Written by Janet Yates and Patricia Resnick, with music by Janet Yates and Dolly Parton, lyrics by Janet Yates and Dolly Parton, and directed by Amy Coles, it runs May 9 through June 7 at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre in Santa Monica. For tickets call 310-828-7519 or visit Morgan-wixson.org.

“Eleanor” Kandis Chappell brings First Lady Eleanor Roosevelt to vivid life. Candid and commanding, vulnerable and visionary, from the shadows of the White House to the global stage, Eleanor finds her purpose at life’s greatest crossroads, shaping an extraordinary legacy. The play takes audiences from Hyde Park to The White House and beyond and provides a rich personal account of the Roosevelt family, dynasty, and presidency. Written by Mark St. Germain, and directed by David Ellenstein, it runs May 16 through May 31 at the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura. For tickets call 805-667-2900 or visit www.rubicontheatre.org.

“Crossing Delancey” Isabel is a modern young woman who lives alone and works in a book shop. When she is not pining after a handsome author, she is visiting her grandmother (Bubbe) in Manhattan’s Lower East Side. This irascible granny and her friend the matchmaker have found a “good catch” for Isabel, whose initial reluctance gives way to a blossoming romance when she finally meets Sam, the pickle vendor, as the end of the play offers a new beginning. Written by Susan Sandler, and directed by Jonathan Fahn, it runs May 21 through June 21 at Theatre Forty, in the Mary Levin Cutler Theatre in Beverly Hills. For tickets call 310-364-0535 or visit theatre40.org.

“A Time to Kill” This riveting courtroom drama tells the story of a young, idealistic-and-untested lawyer, Jake Brigance, defending a black man, Carl Lee Hailey, for taking the law into his own hands following an unspeakable crime committed against his young daughter. Written by John Grisham, adapted for the stage by Rupert Holmes, and directed by Tom Lazarus, it runs May 22 through June 28 at the Group Rep Theatre – Main Stage in North Hollywood. For tickets call 818-763-5990 or visit www.theGROUPrep.com.

“Ain't Misbehavin'” is a musical tribute celebrating Fats Waller, the international jazz pianist and composer whose passion for his art helped create and define American popular music and swing. The tribute features songs like “Honeysuckle Rose,” “Your Feet’s Too Big,” “Black and Blue,” “I’m Gonna Sit Right Down and Write Myself a Letter,” “The Jitterbug Waltz,” and the title song, “Ain’t Misbehavin’.” Written by Murray Horwitz and Richard Maltby Jr., with music by Fats Waller, and directed by Wren T. Brown, it runs May 23 through June 8 at the Nate Holden Performing Arts Center in Los Angeles. For tickets visit EbonyRep.org.

“Mrs. Doubtfire” Out-of-work actor Daniel Hillard will do anything for his kids. After losing custody in a messy divorce, he creates the kindly alter ego of Scottish nanny Euphegenia Doubtfire in a desperate attempt to stay in their lives. As his new character takes on a life of its own, Mrs. Doubtfire teaches Daniel more than he bargained for about how to be a father. A hysterical and heartfelt story about holding onto your loved ones against all odds, MRS. DOUBTFIRE is the musical comedy we need right now – one that proves we’re better together. Written by Karey Kirkpatrick and John O’Farrell, with music by Wayne Kirkpatrick and Karey Kirkpatrick, and directed by Steve Edlu, it runs May 28 through May 31 at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks. For tickets visit BroadwayInThousandOaks.com.

“Act Your Age!” Things change with the passage of time, and Jake is denying those changes for as long as he can. However, once the star player of the neighborhood Sunday basketball game, Jake struggles to keep up with the younger guys. Jake’s about to become a grandfather and he’s not quite ready for that either. This may have more to do with things other than his advancing age. Will Jake allow his age-denial to threaten his relationships with his wife, daughter, and son-in-law, or will Jake finally act his age? Written by Art Shulman, and directed by Stan Mazin, it runs May 29 through June 21 at the Two Roads Theatre in Studio City. For tickets visit bit.ly/actyourageplay.

“Cassatt” Mary Cassatt (1844-1926) was born in Allegheny, Pennsylvania and became a student at the Pennsylvania Academy of Fine Arts in Philadelphia at the age of fifteen. Determined to make her own way in the world as a painter, she moved to Paris in 1866. Her paintings began to be featured at the Paris Salon. She became the first American woman to be accepted by the new Impressionist Movement and, exhibiting with them in 1879, she established an international reputation. On the grounds of her French country estate Mary Cassatt burns her early paintings. What led this celebrated American Impressionist to destroy such an important part of her legacy? In an age when men dominated the art world, Mary Cassatt made her mark in the salons of Paris, alongside great masters like Degas and Renoir. Her paintings celebrated the dignity and deeper meaning of women's inner lives. Written and directed by Arden Teresa Lewis, it runs May 29 through June 28 at Theatre West in Los Angeles. For tickets call 323-851-4839 or visit www.eventbrite.com/e/cassatt-tickets-1984650603380.

“Amerika or The Man Who Disappeared” In Kafka’s surreal, darkly comic coming-of-age odyssey, 17-year-old Karl Rossmann finds himself banished from Germany in disgrace following a family scandal. Arriving in New York City on a steamer, he experiences a series of increasingly strange and bewildering misadventures that turn his world upside down. Although Kafka's novel can be read as a menacing allegory of modern life, it pulses with youthful energy, unexpected humor and a lively theatricality that makes it uniquely suited for the stage. Written by Dietrich Smith from the novel by Franz Kafka, and directed by Dietrich Smith, it runs through May 3 at the Atwater Village Theatre in Atwater Village. For tickets visit openfist.org.

“Eat Me” Chris loves fine cuisine. He spends hours in a corner of the internet where like-minded foodies share their extraordinary culinary experiences. Stevie doesn’t eat fish with souls, Beatrice and Jen just baked a flax loaf and Cindy might have salad, later. In this wildly imaginative play, everyone is longing for something that makes them feel full—and when the meal is over, maybe they’ll be transformed. Eat Me enjoyed a successful reading at last year’s Pacific Playwrights Festival. Written by Talene Monahon, and directed by Caitlin Sullivan, it runs through May 3 at the South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa. For tickets call 714-708-5555 or visit www.scr.org.

“Level Up!” Desi López, a trans tween, is afraid to come out to her family. In her oversized hoodie, Desi is seen as a boy IRL (in real life). But inside The Proxy, a richly imagined virtual world within the play’s digital realm, Desi discovers the freedom to exist as her true self: a powerful female warrior with enormous butterfly wings who embarks on an epic quest to save her dying dog and reunite with her mother. Written by Gabriel Rivas Gómez, and directed by Fidel Gómez, it runs through May 3 at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in Los Angeles. For tickets call 213-489-0994 or visit latinotheaterco.org.

“Love Struck” Two Latinas, one American and one Cuban, in a hurricane of lust, love, and other devastations. Rachel, the American, and Laura, the Cuban, have been together for three years. The white-hot lust of their early courtship has evolved into a warm domesticity, They energize their love life with role-playing, cosplay, and erotic accessories. Laura, the more successful of the two, has bought a comfortable Los Angeles home where they reside. Rachel wants to become as accomplished as Laura. Rachel is also beginning to feel homesick for her native New York. Will love keep them together? Written by Odalys Nanin and Marie Barrientos, and directed by Odalys Nanin and Angela Nicholas, it runs through May 3 at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets call 310-477-2055 or visit www.eventbrite.com/e/love-struck-tickets-66479031573.

“Mean Girls” Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the wild and vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. How will this naïve newbie rise to the top of the popularity pecking order? By taking on “The Plastics,” a trio of lionized frenemies led by the charming but ruthless Regina George. But when Cady devises a plan to end Regina’s reign, she learns the hard way that you can’t cross a queen bee without getting stung! Written by Tina Fey, with music by Jeff Richmond, lyrics by Nell Benjamin, and directed by Dana Solimando, it runs through May 3 at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in La Mirada. For tickets call 562-944-9801 or visit www.LaMiradaTheatre.com.

“One Million Words – Rilke” tells the story of a writer who, for nearly a year, struggles to create poetry and can only express himself through letters. An actor uses these letters to navigate his own challenges in a place where even his name feels foreign, shaking the foundations of his identity. Together, the poet and the actor explore themes of love, the creative process, and a sense of not belonging, highlighting the importance of being grounded in the present moment, topics that resonate deeply in today's world. Written by Ivo Müller, Inspired by the Work of Poet Rainer Maria Rilke, and directed by Arieta Corrêa, with Darrell Larson co-directing, it runs through May 3 at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra Madre. For tickets call 626-355-4318 or visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.org.

“Twisted” Scilla Claroe, an African American woman, is a writer. She is interviewing Renton Downey, a Death Row inmate and the subject of her next book, Downey awaits execution because he murdered multiple people in a mass shooting. As their discussions continue, Scilla is brought to the chilling realization that Downey is somehow linked to her biracial son, Jason Abernathy.. What does she do now? Written by Chris DiGiovanni, and directed by Marc Antonio Pritchett, it runs through May 3 at the Theatre West in Studio City. For tickets call 323-851-4839 or visit theatrewest.org.

“What Price Freedom” With war looming, John Adams and Benjamin Franklin attempt a covert peace negotiation with Britain, only to find their greatest obstacle is not the Crown, but each other — as the fate of the new nation hangs on whose version of freedom will triumph. Written by Tony Blake, and directed by Darin Anthony, it runs through May 4 at the Moving Arts in Atwater. For tickets visit movingarts.org/project/what-price-freedom.

“Fallen Angels” A champagne-soaked comedy of nerves, Fallen Angels follows best friends Julia and Jane as they brace for the arrival of a former lover they once shared. What begins as nervous anticipation quickly spirals into a hilarious unraveling of propriety, fueled by cocktails, confessions, and mounting panic. Meanwhile, their respectable and unsuspecting husbands remain blissfully unaware of the romantic history that threatens to upend their carefully ordered lives. Written by Noël Coward, and directed by Celia Mandela Rivera, it runs through May 10 at the Little Fish Theatre in Redondo Beach. For tickets visit www.littlefishtheatre.org.

“Master Harold…and the Boys” a gripping, deeply personal drama that unflinchingly confronts the realities of race, power, and betrayal. On a rainy afternoon, Hally, a white teenager, passes the time with Sam and Willie, two Black waiters who have helped raise him by filling the gaps of a broken home with warmth, wisdom, and laughter. But as the day unfolds, playful memories give way to painful truths, and a single moment threatens to shatter the fragile bond between them forever. Written by Athol Fugard, and directed by Emily Mann & Tarell Alvin McCraney, it runs through May 10 at the Gil Cates Theater at Geffen Playhouse in Westwood. For tickets call 310-208-2028 or visit www.geffenplayhouse.org.

“Reefer Madness” Inspired by the original 1936 film of the same name, this raucous musical comedy takes a look at the mass hysteria caused when two clean-cut kids, Jimmy and Mary, fall prey to the frightful toll of the new drug menace currently destroying the youth of America in alarmingly increasing numbers, the insidious and murderous lure of our real public enemy number one, MARIJUANA! It tragically (and hysterically) leads them both into a downward spiral filled with wild jazz, chaos and mayhem, lurid sex and uncontrollable violence. Written by Kevin Murphy & Dan Studney, with music by Dan Studney, lyrics by Kevin Murphy, it runs through May 10 at the Wisteria Theater in North Hollywood. For tickets call 818-237-4643 or visit www.wisteriatheater.com.

“The Young and the Rest of Us” Daytime TV goes off the rails in this wickedly funny murder mystery: stylish, darkly unhinged, and fueled by ambition, power, and deceit. An Emmy is up for grabs. Set during an Emmy nomination celebration for a long-running soap opera, the play begins when a cast member announces she plans to expose everyone’s secrets. 34 minutes later, she’s found dead… and suddenly the glamorous world behind the show is full of suspects. As rivalries, affairs, and hidden agendas surface, the characters scramble to uncover the truth before the scandal destroys them all. Written by Tamir Yardenne, and directed by Douglas Jewell, it runs through May 10 at the Group Rep Theatre – Upstairs in North Hollywood. For tickets call 818-763-5990 or visit thegrouprep.com.

“Blue Kiss” An SAT tutoring session takes a shocking turn when the teacher realizes that his new student has an agenda of her own. BLUE KISS takes place in the present day in a major city, as a routine encounter between teacher and student spirals into something far more unsettling as the instructor realizes his new student is not who she claims to be — and that they share a hidden emotional history. An explosive and deeply personal confrontation unfolds. This gripping drama explores trauma, accountability, and the far-reaching impact of gun violence. Written by Stephen Fife, and directed by Mike Reilly, it runs through May 17 at the Ruskin Group Theatre in Santa Monica. For tickets call 310-397-3244 or visit www.ruskingrouptheatre.com.

“Colored People’s Time: A History Play” The clock ticks…Time moves forward….and so do we. From the end of the Civil War to the beginnings of Jim Crow, we witnessed the grit and resilience of Colored people who simply had no choice but to make the most of living the fear, pain and joy of being Black in America. They found the tenacity and fortitude to win the small everyday battles that allowed them to simply get through another day. Freemen and Women with hope and faith in each other were able to not just survive but triumph when all odds were against them. The heroes like Marcus Garvey and Joe Louis were cause for celebration; Sistas like unknown Nadine, dying of tuberculosis, unable to find the means to get to the hospital herself for treatment, yet finding the empathy to give room so another man does not find himself destitute and in the streets. Then, there’s Alberta and Belle, one puttin’ down the funk to be able to pay the rent, the other to entertain fighting Black men intent on letting this country know we are ready, willing, and able to fight for this country even though this country is fighting tooth and nail to deny them human rights. The clock ticks and we witness the everyday experience of Colored people who through it all are compelled to become the unintended heroes that live through Colored People’s Time. Written by Leslie Lee, and directed by Ben Guillory, it runs through May 17 at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in Los Angeles. For tickets visit therobeytheatrecompany.org.

“The Storyteller of East LA” set in East L.A., where Fernández grew up, the play blends intimate family drama with elements of magical realism to explore themes of memory loss, family dynamics and the complexities of caring for aging loved ones. Written by Evelina Fernández, and directed by Jose Luis Valenzuela, it runs through May 17 at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in Los Angeles. For tickets call 213-489-0994 or visit latinotheaterco.org.

“Hell Mouth” Torn between his Oklahoma parents and the Beverly Hills owners of an unknown Caravaggio hanging of Judas, Tim rediscovers himself while making the art history discovery of the century. Heretical theology, miraculous hair growth, microscopic art theft and a visit to the Valley of Hell. Imagine your own mother on the Worst Dressed Women List. Written by Tom Jacobson, and directed by Ann Hearn Tobolowsky, it runs through May 24 at the Road Theatre in North Hollywood. For tickets call 818-761-8838 or visit ci.ovationtix.com/35065/production/1266509.

“For Want of a Horse” Calvin is devoted to his wife, Bonnie, played by Jenny Soo (recipient of a Stage Raw award for her performance in the Echo’s Gloria). But, as Joey confesses to his best friend, PJ if he’s to move forward, he needs to open up their relationship to include his new romantic partner. One complication: that partner would be Q-Tip — and Q-Tip is a horse. Written by Olivia Dufault, and directed by Elana Luo, it runs through May 25 at the Atwater Village Theatre in Atwater Village. For tickets call 747-350-8066 or visit EchoTheaterCompany.com.

“Fremont Ave.” In 1968, George buys a suburban Southern California home—a stop on his way to something bigger. In 1991, Robert is still living there, itching to start his own life. Thirty years later, Joseph returns home, still struggling with a secret that holds him back. With humor and heart, this multigenerational drama revolves around three Black men, their journeys to choose love and the woman who holds them all together. Written by Reggie D. White, it runs through May 31 at the South Coast Repertory Segerstrom Stage in Costa Mesa. For tickets call 714-708-5555 or visit www.scr.org.