“Dragon Mama” Broadway star Sara Porkalob returns to Geffen Playhouse for the second installment of The Dragon Cycle. In this next chapter, Maria Porkalob, Jr. dreams of a bigger, gayer life beyond Bremerton, WA. But when an unexpected chance to escape arises, she faces an impossible choice—stay with her struggling family or chase freedom in the wilds of Alaska. Packed with ghosts, Filipino gangsters, and a killer ’90s R&B soundtrack, this award-winning, high-octane solo show is a raw, hilarious, and deeply moving story of resilience, queer love, and what it takes to break free and find home. Written by Sara Porkalob, and directed by Andrew Russell, it runs March 4 through April 12 at the Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater at Geffen Playhouse in Westwood. For tickets call 310-208-2028 or visit www.geffenplayhouse.org.

“Antony and Cleopatra” this bold reimagining of William Shakespeare’s tragedy strips away spectacle to reveal the raw human core beneath the legend. Rome and Egypt do not merely clash as superpowers — they fracture inside the hearts of two rulers trying to be everything at once: warrior and lover, sovereign and soul. The political machine surrounding them is equally formidable. Justin Valine embodies the calculating precision of Octavius Caesar. Julianne Holmquist portrays Octavia, whose quiet strength underscores the personal cost of political alliance. Connor Bowen appears as Domitius Enobarbus, Antony’s loyal confidant and moral compass, whose choices echo with devastating consequence. At its heart, Antony and Cleopatra is an exploration of love and duty — and how devotion to one demands the sacrifice of the other. The greatest soldier of the ancient world and its most powerful queen bind their empires — and their fates — together, chasing a fleeting sense of eternity found only in the quiet of midnight. Written by William Shakespeare, adapted by Christian Lee Navarro, and directed by Christian Lee Navarro, it runs March 7 through March 22 at the Helen Borgers Theatre in Long Beach. For tickets visit www.LBShakespeare.org.

“You Can't Take It with You” is a classic American comedy that celebrates individuality, love, and the joy of living life on your own terms. Set in 1930s New York, the play follows the eccentric Sycamore family, whose quirky hobbies and free-spirited lifestyle stand in sharp contrast to societal norms. Chaos and hilarity ensue when their daughter Alice brings her straight-laced fiancé and his conservative parents home for dinner. The play is a timeless reminder that happiness isn't found in wealth or status. With sharp wit and heartwarming moments, it highlights the beauty of embracing one's passions and differences. As the two families clash and connect, the story unfolds with charm, laughter, and unexpected wisdom. You Can't Take It with You remains a beloved theatrical gem that inspires audiences to live fully and authentically. Written by George S. Kaufman and Moss Hart, and directed by Cate Caplin, it runs March 7 through March 29 at the Morgan-Wixson Theatre in Santa Monica. For tickets call 310-828-7519 or visit www.morgan-wixson.org.

“The Shark Is Broken” The first summer blockbuster movie is being filmed - but no one working on the film would know it. Dive deep into the tumultuous, murky waters of the making of a major motion picture with testy, feuding co-stars, unpredictable weather, and a shark prop whose constant breakdowns are looking like an omen for the future of the movie. In this comedy co-written by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon, the short tempers of Jaws stars Robert Shaw (father of co-writer Ian Shaw), Richard Dreyfuss, and Roy Scheider take center stage as they bond, argue, drink, gamble, and pray for an end to the shoot, not knowing it will change their lives forever. Written by Ian Shaw and Joseph Nixon, it runs March 8 through March 22 at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach. For tickets call 949-497-2787 or visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com.

“MALICE: Stories of Injustice” a series of monologues inspired by true stories of families and communities affected by ICE. Tuesday night will be performed in English, Wednesday night will be performed in Spanish. Written by Vivianne Nacif and Juan Pablo Oubina, and directed by Vivianne Nacif, it runs March 10 through March 11 at the Odyssey Theatre in West Los Angeles. For tickets call 310-477-2055 Ext. 2 or visit OdysseyTheatre.com

“The Color Purple” tells the powerful story of Celie, a young Black woman in rural Georgia, who endures immense abuse from men in her life but finds her voice, strength, and self-love over 40 years (1909–1949). She discovers hope and healing through deep friendships with courageous women as she navigates heartbreak, betrayal, and eventually finds independence, all set to a vibrant score of gospel, blues, jazz, and ragtime. The show opened on Broadway in 2005 and received 10 Tony Award nominations. It was revived in 2015, winning the Tony for Best Revival of a Musical. Written by Marsha Norman, with music by Brenda Russell, Allee Willis, and Stephen Bray, and directed by Elijah Green, it runs March 13 through March 29 at the Zephyr Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets visit www.chrtheatre.com.

“Jesus Christ Superstar” retells the last week of Jesus's life from the perspective of Judas Iscariot, focusing on the political and personal struggles between Jesus, Judas, and Mary Magdalene. Initially released as a successful concept album in 1970, its popularity led to a Broadway debut in 1971, becoming a global phenomenon known for its rock score and anachronistic, modern sensibility. Written by Tim Rice, with music by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice, and directed by Justin Meyer, it runs March 13 through April 26 at the Nocturne Theatre in Glendale. For tickets visit thenocturnetheatre.com/box-office.

“The Play That Goes Wrong” What could possibly go wrong? Absolutely everything - in the most hilarious way imaginable! THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG is a sidesplitting farce where a cast of earnest actors struggle to keep their disaster of a murder mystery on track. Expect collapsing sets, missed cues, and nonstop laughter from start to finish. Written by Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields, and directed by Larry Raben, it runs March 13 through March 29 at the Scherr Forum Theatre at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks. For tickets call 805-449-2787 or visit www.5startheatricals.com.

Photo by Jeff Lorch

“Fairview” At the Frasier household, preparations for Grandma’s birthday party are underway. Beverly is holding onto her sanity by a thread to make sure this party is perfect, but her sister can’t be bothered to help, her husband doesn’t seem to listen, her brother is MIA, her daughter is a teenager, and maybe nothing is what it seems in the first place. Written by Jackie Sibblies Drury, and directed by Oz Scott, it runs March 14 through April 19 at the Rogue Machine at the Matrix Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets call 855-585-5185 or visit www.roguemachinetheatre.org.

“The Unexpected Guest” Lost in the fog, a stranger seeks refuge in a nearby house, only to find a man shot dead and his wife standing over him with a smoking gun. But the woman’s dazed confession is anything but convincing, and the unexpected guest decides to help. Remarkably, the police clues point to a man who dies two years previously, but as the ghosts of a past wrong begin to emerge, a tangled web of lies reveals family secrets and chilling motives, where the real murderer turns out to be the greatest mystery of all. Written by Agatha Christie, and directed by Warren Davis, it runs March 19 through April 19 at the Theatre Forty, in the Mary Levin Cutler Theatre in Beverly Hills. For tickets call 310-364-0535 or visit theatre40.org.

“Sex, Lies and Harold Pinter” an evening of two rarely staged Pinter one-acts—both darkly comic, both unmistakably unsettling. In Party Time, affluent guests at a chic London gathering (John Coady, Larry Eisenberg, Michelle Ghatan, Brenda James, Isaac W. Jay, Paul Marius, Michelle McGregor, Christopher Louis Parker and Mouchette Van Helsdingen) trade gossip and brag about wealthy pursuits while, just beyond the half-open door, an unjust regime enforces “order” with brutal force. In the second half of the evening, the tone shifts with The Lover. Susan Priver, who previously appeared at the Odyssey in Tennessee Williams’ Kingdom of Earth and A Streetcar Named Desire and in Pinter’s A Slight Ache (the latter two directed by Heller), stars as Sarah opposite Ron Bottitta, recently seen in Fatherland at the Fountain and Corktown ’39 at Rogue Machine, as Richard. A married couple, Sarah and Richard enliven their relationship by exchanging intimate accounts of their affairs—until Pinter’s sly, bittersweet twist reveals how fragile the boundaries between fantasy, power and desire truly are. Written by Harold Pinter, and directed by Jack Heller, it runs March 20 through April 26 at the Odyssey Theatre in West Los Angeles. For tickets call 310-477-2055 Ext. 2 or visit OdysseyTheatre.com.

“Steel Magnolias” Heartfelt, humorous, and moving, this sharp comedy celebrates the unbreakable bond of friendship and the search for family, not necessarily by blood. Set in a small-town Louisiana beauty salon, six strong, witty, Southern women navigate life’s triumphs and tragedies with humor, sarcasm, support and grace. Written by Robert Harling, and directed by Kathleen R. Delaney, it runs March 20 through April 26 at the Group Rep Theatre – Main Stage in North Hollywood. For tickets call 818-763-5990 or visit thegrouprep.com.

“My Uterus: A Womb with a View” In My Uterus: A Womb with a View, Dina digs deep into her pelvic cavity to explore what the Uterus really is, what it means to own one, and to probe and examine how and why it continues to get screwed over, again and again, by those who have no business being in there. Written by Dina Morrone, and directed by Peter Flood, it runs March 21 through March 22 at the Theatre West in Studio City. For tickets call 323-851-4839 or visit theatrewest.org.

“Cast Out” What does a pirate submarine, a rigged chariot race, a priest searching for absolution from a fallen angel, a lonesome love train and a doomed wedding have in common? Only renowned film maker Sanjay Ratnam knows, and he’s not telling. Yet. Have faith in the chaos as you delve into the workings of a unique creative process. And if you understand even a little bit of Hindi, you’ll be privy to some special secrets much earlier on than anyone else.​ Written by Evelyn Rudie, with music by Sergei Stern, and directed by Chris DeCarlo, it runs March 23 through March 24 at the Santa Monica Playhouse in Santa Monica. For tickets visit www.SantaMonicaPlayhouse.com/Cast-Out.html.

“Death of a Salesman” unfolds over a single, combustible 24-hour period in the life of an American family on the brink. Aging salesman Willy Loman has spent his life chasing the promise of success, believing that charisma and ambition would guarantee prosperity and respect. But as financial pressures mount and his career collapses into obsolescence, the widening gap between Willy’s dreams and reality threatens to consume him and everyone he loves. Written by Arthur Miller, and directed by Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, it runs March 28 through April 19 at A Noise Within in Pasadena. For tickets call 626-356-3100 or visit anoisewithin.org.

“Somebody to Love: A New Musical” is set to the soundtrack of a generation: this funny, heartfelt new jukebox musical follows four friends who meet freshman year of college and vow to change the world, and to be there for each other… always. This World Premiere rock ‘n’ roll musical is a timely story about the choices we make, the trials, triumphs, and turning points that define a lifetime – and the one thing that matters most – somebody to love. Written by Robert Sternin and Prudence Fraser, and directed by Sean Daniels, it runs March 28 through April 12 at the Karyn Jackson Theater in Ventura. For tickets call 805-667-2900 or visit www.rubicontheatre.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 through March 1 at the Rubicon's Karyn Jackson Theatre in Ventura. For tickets call 805-667-2900 or visit rubicontheatre.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.

“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 through March 1 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. For tickets call 562-856-1999 or visit musical.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 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 through March 8 at the International City Theatre in Long Beach. For tickets call 562-436-4610 or visit InternationalCityTheatre.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 through March 8 at A Noise Within in Pasadena. For tickets call 626-356-3100 or visit anoisewithin.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 through March 8 at the Gil Cates Theater at Geffen Playhouse in Westwood. For tickets call 310-208-2028 or visit geffenplayhouse.org.

“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 through March 11 at the Whitefire Theatre in Sherman Oaks. For tickets visit whitefire.stagey.net/projects/13156.

“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 March 14 at the Atwater Village Theatre in Atwater Village. For tickets call 323-882-6912 or visit openfist.org.

“Lifeline” In the aftermath of an unforeseen, life-changing event, Patti, a well-meaning mother, becomes a volunteer at a suicide hotline. Over the course of the intense and emotional training, through laughter and tears, a new understanding bridges the divide between people from very different perspectives and walks of life. Written by Robert Axelrod, and directed by Ken Sawyer, it runs through March 14 at the Road Theatre in North Hollywood. For tickets call 818-761-8838 or visit ci.ovationtix.com/35065/production/1258741.

“Off Key” Set in a smoky, late-night jazz club, the play follows Candi (Maliaka S. Mitchell), a once-celebrated matchmaker whose business - and confidence - are falling apart. As Marvin (Marvin Dexter Moore) the jazz piano player underscores the action, she juggles a series of disastrously mismatched dates, each couple revealing more about her own fears of failure, loneliness, and control. When fantasy collides with reality, Candi’s trainee Doreen (Joslyn Marquez) is forced to confront a painful truth - she has been searching for love instead of living inside it. Through music and honesty, Doreen’s journey culminates in an unexpected revelation about her own life. Between improvised music and overheard confessions, the matchmaker begins to realize that her obsession with perfect pairings has kept her from listening to the messy human rhythms of real connection. By the final set, the club becomes a place not of romance solved, but of vulnerability shared - and a chance for Candi to start over. Written by Christopher Ureña, and directed by Greg Shane, it runs through March 14 at the Blue Door Theater in Culver City. For tickets visit www.artsupla.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 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.

“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 through March 15 at the Victory Theatre Center in Burbank. For tickets call 818-841-5421 or visit ci.ovationtix.com/35020/production/1262804.

“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 through March 15 at the Company of Angels in Boyle Heights. For tickets call 323-270-6325 or visit companyofangels.org.

“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 16 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.

“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 through March 22 at the Ruskin Group Theatre in Santa Monica. For tickets call 310-397-3244 or visit ruskingrouptheatre.com.

“Octopus’s Garden” follows two marine biologists and a struggling composer whose lives are upended when an octopus in their cephalopod lab composes a piece of music of unparalleled beauty. As ambitions collide and creative egos fray, the characters are drawn into a richly theatrical fable that questions what it means to confront the unknown. Innovative puppetry brings the titular octopus to life, heightening the play’s blend of humor and heart. Written by Weston Gaylord, and directed by Jessica Kubzansky, it runs through March 29 at the Boston Court Pasadena in Pasadena. For tickets call 626-683-6801 or visit bostoncourtpasadena.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.

“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 through March 29 at the Miles Memorial Playhouse in Santa Monica. For tickets call 323-821-2449 or visit wcjt.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 through March 29 at the City Garage in Santa Monica. For tickets visit ticketleap.events/tickets/city-garage/uncle-vanya.

Photo by Ian Cardamone

“The Price” In Arthur Miller’s 1968 tour de force masterwork, The Price, two brothers reunite in the attic of a New York brownstone to sort through their late father’s possessions. What begins as a long overdue reunion becomes an intense exploration comparing the price of professional success to the cost of personal integrity, as four indelible characters struggle to make sense of the past and create a future. Written by Arthur Miller, and directed by Elina de Santos, it runs through April 12 at the Pacific Resident Theatre in Venice. For tickets call 310-822-8392 or visit pacificresidenttheatre.org.