L.A. theater openings, Jan. 24-31: ‘Dream Catcher’ and more

This week: The dramas “Dream Catcher,” “Dream Boy” and “The Dodgers” debut on area stages.

Building Madness An architecture firm accidentally hires the mafia for a construction project in Kate Danley’s new 1930s-style screwball comedy. GTC Burbank, 1111-B W. Olive Ave., Burbank. Sun., next Sun., Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Feb. 14. $19.50-$29.50. (800) 838-3006.

Celia, A Slave Staged reading of Barbara Seyda’s fact-based drama. Los Angeles Theatre, 514 S. Spring St., L.A. Today, 3 p.m. Free; $10 suggested donation. (213) 489-7402.
Four by Four New show celebrates the music of the Beach Boys, the Beatles, the Bee Gees and Motown. Soka Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo. Sun., 4 p.m. $39-$49. (949) 480-4278.

New Shanghai Circus Acrobats, jugglers, etc., from China perform. Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine. Sun., 3 p.m. $10-$20. (310) 506-4522.

Pal Joey Musical Theatre West offers a staged reading of the Rodgers & Hart classic. University Theatre, Cal State Long Beach, off 7th Street between East and West Campus Drive (Parking Lot 7), Long Beach. Sun., 7 p.m. $27, $32. (562) 856-1999.

Pillars of New York Write Act Repertory presents the world premiere of Michael Antin’s musical about four couples’ struggles in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks. The Brickhouse Theatre, 10950 Peach Grove St., North Hollywood. Sun., next Sun., 1:30 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; ends Feb. 21. $15, $20. (800) 838-3006.

Sundays of Future Past All-new sketch comedy show. Groundlings Theatre, 7307 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. Sun., 7:30 p.m.; ends April 24. $16. (323) 934-4747.

Christine Ebersole: Big Noise from Winnetka The Tony winner sings show tunes, standards and more. Lovelace Studio Theater, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills. Mon.-Thu., 7 p.m. $50-$75. (310) 746-4000.

Mamma Mia! Hit romantic musical built around the songs of the Swedish pop group ABBA. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Tue.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; ends Jan. 31. $29 and up; children under 5 not admitted. (800) 982-2787.

The Alley Cats A cappella group performs classic doo-wop tunes in this cabaret show. Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Cal State Long Beach, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach. Wed.-Thu., 7 p.m. $43 and up. (562) 985-7000.

The Money Shot L.A. Theatre Works records Neil LaBute’s satirical showbiz drama for its radio program; with Eric McCormack, Jennifer Westfeldt and Amber Tamblyn. James Bridges Theater, UCLA, 235 Charles E. Young Drive, Westwood. Thu.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 4 p.m.; ends Jan. 31. $15-$60; student discounts available. (310) 827-0889.

Sell/Buy/Date Tony winner Sarah Jones plays multiple roles in this new show about the commercial sex industry; for mature audiences; part of the Off Center Festival. Studio Performance Space, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Thu.-Sat., 7:30 p.m. $25 and up. (714) 556-2787.

The Unauthorized Musical Parody of The Devil Wears Prada Send-up of the hit 2006 comedy set in the fashion world; Drew Droege and John Flynn alternate in the role of tyrannical magazine editor Miranda Priestly. Rockwell: Table & Stage, 1714 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., noon; ends April 30. $20-$45. www.rockwell-la.com.

Weird on Top Improv-comedy troupe performs. Eclectic Company Theatre, 5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood. Thu., 8 p.m. $10. (818) 508-3003.
Banned in Burbank: Uncle Eddy’s Big Time Burlesque 1940s-style show features exotic dancers, music and comedy. The Mayflower Club, 11110 Victory Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. $30, $40.(800) 838-3006.

Dream Boy L.A. premiere of Eric Rosen’s drama about a romance between two teenage boys in 1970s North Carolina. Celebration Theatre @ the Lex, 6760 Lexington Ave., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m., next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends March 20. $30, $35. (323) 957-1884.

A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum Cabrillo Music Theatre stages the classic farce set in ancient Rome, with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. Scherr Forum, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Feb. 14. $30-$69. (800) 745-3000.

Nufonia Must Fall CAP UCLA presents this multimedia show that uses puppets, miniature sets, projected imagery and live music including turntables and a string quartet to re-create Kid Koala’s wordless graphic novel about a robot who falls in love. Royce Hall, UCLA, 340 Royce Drive, Westwood. Fri., 8 p.m. $19-$49. (310) 825-2101.

A Rose by Any Other Name Terra Taylor Knudson’s new solo show inspired by Shakespeare’s poetry. The Studio at Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Jan. 31. $15. (562) 494-1014.

Save to Draft A romantic triangle takes several twists and turns in David Watson’s one-act comedy-drama. The Lyric-Hyperion Theater & Café, 2106 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 7 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Feb. 21. $20. (800) 838-3006.

War and Peace: The One Man Show Brad Griffith puts a comedic spin on Tolstoy’s classic novel. The Belfry Stage, Upstairs at the Crown, 11031 Camarillo St., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. $10. (818) 849-4039.

The Aeroplane or How Low: An Autobiography (sort of) World premiere of writer-director Mitch Rosander’s fantastical exploration of addiction, recovery and self-identity; for mature audiences. Loft Ensemble, 929 E. 2nd St., L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends March 6. $10, $20. (213) 680-0392.

A Cole Porter Songbook Tenor Jonathan Mack, accompanied by pianist Vicki Ray, shares songs by and stories about the legendary songwriter. Pasadena Presbyterian Church, 585 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Sat., 7:30 p.m. Free; donations accepted. (626) 793-2191.

The Dodgers The Vietnam draft upends the lives of members of a 1960s rock band in Diana Amsterdam’s new drama; with Emmy winner Eric Nelsen and “High School Musical’s” Corbin Bleu. Hudson Mainstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Feb. 28. $34.99. (323) 960-7712.

Dream Catcher The discovery of Native American artifacts in the Mojave Desert disrupts a solar-energy project as well as a budding romance in Stephen Sachs’ new drama. The Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Ave., L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends March 21. $15-$34.95; Mondays, pay what you can. (323) 663-1525.

FairyTales UnScripted Impro Theatre improvises family-friendly fables; for ages 7 and up. Lewis Family Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga. Sat., 4 p.m.; next Sun. 1 p.m.; ends Feb. 14. $16, $18. (909) 477-2752.

Mary’s Wedding A couple’s burgeoning romance is cut short by WWI in Stephen Massicotte’s fantastical drama. Malibu Playhouse, 29243 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Feb. 21. $10-$75. www.malibuplayhouse.org.

Red Abstract-expressionist painter Mark Rothko and his new assistant explore the meaning of art and the role of the artist in John Logan’s drama. South Coast Repertory, Segerstrom Stage, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Sat., 2:30 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; ends Feb. 21. $30-$77. (714) 708-5555.

See Rock City Cast members from Rubicon’s 2015 production of “Last Train to Nibroc” reprise their roles in this 1940s-set sequel to Arlene Hutton’s romantic drama. Rubicon Theatre Company, 1006 E. Main St., Ventura. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Feb. 14. $44-$54; opening night, $95. (805) 667-2900.

Swarm Cell Two homeless women forge an alliance in a near-future dystopia in the world premiere of Gabriel Rivas Gomez’s drama. Greenway Court Theatre, 544 N. Fairfax, L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Feb. 28. $10-$30. (323) 655-7679.

Talking to Terrorists Robin Soans’ fact-based drama uses the actual words of terrorists, victims, politicians and others. The Art of Acting Studio, 1017 N. Orange Drive, L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends March 5. $18 in advance, pay what you can at the door. (323) 601-5310.

Can’t We Talk About Something More Pleasant? CAP UCLA presents cartoonist and storyteller Roz Chast in this show based on her graphic novel about the loss of her elderly parents. Royce Hall, UCLA, 340 Royce Drive, Westwood. Next Sun., 4 p.m. $19-$49. (310) 825-2101.

Fly West Coast premiere of Trey Ellis and Ricardo Khan’s tap dance-inflected drama about the African American WWII fighter pilots known as the Tuskegee Airmen. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Next Sun., 5 p.m.; ends Feb. 21. $25-$125. (626) 356-7529.

The School for Wives Parson’s Nose stages Molière’s classic 17th-century satire; for ages 12 and up. Lineage Performing Arts Center, 89 S. Fair Oaks, Pasadena. Next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Feb. 28. Pay what you will ($5-$25). (626) 403-7667.