L.A. theater openings, Oct. 16-23: ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and more

This week: A Shakespearean frolic and a Strindbergian hell-scape, plus a brand-new magical-realist fable set in Highland Park.

Shine Storytellers share true-life tales of the inexplicable. Promenade Playhouse, 1404 3rd St., Santa Monica. Sun., 7 p.m. $10; discounts available. (310) 452-2321.

Thanks a Lot – My Gratitusical! Co-creator Rebecca Larsen’s parody of a one-woman cabaret show. Sacred Fools Theater Company, 1076 Lillian Way, Hollywood. Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Nov. 13. $10. (310) 281-8337.

Varla Jean Merman: A Little White Music The drag artist returns with a satirical take on popular song. Cavern Club Theater, 1920 Hyperion Ave., L.A. Sun., 6 and 8 p.m. $25. (800) 838-3006.

Politics in Play East West Players’ new series of staged readings includes “After Orlando: an international theatre action” (Mon.) and Mike Daisey’s “The Trump Card” (next Sun.). David Henry Hwang Theater, 120 Judge John Aiso St., L.A. Mon., next Sun., 7 p.m. Free. RSVP at www.eastwestplayers.org.

Trial by Jury: The Case of the N-Word Parents file a lawsuit against their daughter’s school after she learns a controversial term during a Black History Month lesson in this interactive drama. The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. Mon., 7:30 p.m. $25 and up. (310) 434-3200.

Foxfire Staged reading of Hume Cronyn and Susan Cooper’s drama about a 79-year-old Appalachian widow. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre, Blvd., Sierra Madre. Mon., 7 p.m. Free; donations appreciated. (626) 355-4318.

Attrape-moi! (Catch Me!) Quebec-based acrobatic troupe Flip FabriQue performs. Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. Tue., 7:30 p.m. $22-$45. (310) 506-4522. Also, Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 4 p.m. $22-$60 (949) 854-4646.

Transitions Celebration Theatre offers a reading of John Anastasi’s drama about a lesbian couple. West Hollywood City Chambers, 625 N. San Vicente, West Hollywood. Tue., 7:30 p.m. Free; donations appreciated. www.celebrationtheatre.com.

Dinner With Friends Immersive, site-specific dinner-theater production of Donald Margulies’ award-winning relationship drama. Address provided to ticket holders, Arts District, downtown L.A. Wed., 7 p.m. $85. www.eatfeastly.com.

The Model Apartment The past catches up with a retired couple living in Florida in Donald Margulies’ dark drama. Geffen Playhouse, Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood. Wed.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends Nov. 20. $60-$76. (310) 208-5454.

Voices Impressionist and voice artist Carla Delaney’s solo comedy. Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. Thu., 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 394-9779.

It’s Time Writer-performer Paul Linke’s new autobiographical solo show. Ruskin Group Theatre, 3000 Airport Ave., Santa Monica. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 5 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 4. $20, $25. (310) 397-3244.

La Verdad de Judas Writer-performer Pablo Figueroa’s fact-based solo drama about a pedophile priest; in Spanish, without translation. The Found Theatre, 599 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach. Fri., 8:30 p.m.; next Sun., 6:30 p.m.; ends Oct. 23. $15. (562) 852-5554.

Life Without Parole West Coast premiere of Warren John Doody’s drama about a woman imprisoned for killing her abusive husband. Edgemar Center for the Arts, Theater B, 2437 Main St., Santa Monica. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Nov. 5. $35. (310) 392-7327.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Independent Shakespeare Co. stages the Bard’s magical romantic fable. Independent Shakespeare Co. Studio, 3191 Casitas Ave., #168, L.A. Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Nov. 20. $20, $35; some free tickets available. (818) 710-6306.

1984 Interactive adaptation of George Orwell’s classic dystopian novel. Greenway Court Theatre, 544 N. Fairfax Ave., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Nov. 19. $10, $20. (323) 655-7679.

Other People’s Money A small factory in New England faces a hostile takeover in Jerry Sterner’s comedy-drama. Pico Playhouse, 10508 W. Pico Blvd., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Nov. 20. $27, $32. (818) 765-8732.

Poppy Fields The drag artist stars in her first-ever solo comedy with music. Cavern Club Theater, 1920 Hyperion Ave., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 9 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Oct. 23. $15. (800) 838-3006.

Silent Return engagement of Irish writer-performer Pat Kinevane’s Olivier Award-winning solo drama about a mentally ill homeless man and his Rudolph Valentino-inspired reveries. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A. Fri., 8 p.m.; ends Oct. 28. $25; discounts available. (310) 477-2055.

Suppressed Desires Early 20th-century satire of Freudian dream theory; part of Pasadena ArtNight. First United Methodist Church, 500 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Fri., 7 p.m. Free. www.fumcpasadena.org

Sylvia Tanna Frederick directs and stars as the titular canine in A.R. Gurney’s hit comedy about a middle-aged married couple and their adopted dog. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 18. $20, $30. (800) 838-3006.

Bill & Ted’s Spooky Halloween Spooftacular All-new send-up of a controversial 2013 theme-park show that was inspired by a hit 1989 comedy. UCB Theater Franklin, 5919 Franklin Ave., L.A. Sat., 10 p.m. $10. (323) 908-8702.

Destiny of Desire Two girls who were switched at birth cross paths decades later in West Coast premiere of Karen Zacarías’ telenovela-inspired farce; José Luis Valenzuela directs. 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 Nov. 13. $22 and up. (714) 708-5555.

An Evening of Classic Lily Tomlin The actress-comedian revisits favorite characters and monologues. Segerstrom Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Sat., 7:30 p.m. $49 and up. (714) 556-2787.

Ghost Sonata A young student travels to an infernal realm in Steven Sabel’s new adaptation of Strindberg’s dark drama. Archway Studio/Theatre, 10509 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Nov. 20. $28. (818) 980-7529.

Goodnight Moon and the Runaway Bunny Stage adaptations of these kid-friendly favorites with puppet troupe Mermaid Theatre of Nova Scotia. Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. Sat., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. $10, $15. (310) 506-4522.

Here & Now: The Legacy of Luther Vandross Vocalist Terry Steele pays tribute to the late, great R&B singer. Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, 4718 W. Washington Blvd., L.A. Sat., 8 p.m. $25-$65. (323) 964-9766.

Johnny Got His Gun Beau Bridges and his son Ezekiel read a stage adaptation of Dalton Trumbo’s classic anti-war novel. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Sat., 6 p.m. $10-$38.50; children 4 and under, free. (310) 455-3723.

Latino Theater Company 10th Annual Gala The company hosts a “Dia de los Muertos”-themed fundraiser. The Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., L.A. Sat., 6 p.m. $300. (866) 811-4111.

Lend Me a Tenor Broadway’s Davis Gaines (“The Phantom of the Opera”) stars in Ken Ludwig’s 1930s-set farce about an opera company. La Mirada Theatre, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Nov. 13. $20-$70. (562) 944-9801.

Memphis Musical Theatre West stages the Tony-winning musical about the early days of rock ’n’ roll. Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; other dates; ends Nov. 6. $20 and up. (562) 856-1999.

Sparkles and the Black Weeping Woman A young Latina deals with life, love and family in Alicia Madrid’s new magical-realist tale set in in Highland Park. McCadden Place Theatre, 1157 N. McCadden Pl., Hollywood. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Nov. 13. $15, $20. (800) 838-3006.

The Storyteller Writer-performer Antonio Sacre explores his art in this solo show. Asylum Studio C, 6448 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. Sat., 3 p.m.; ends Oct. 29. $15. www.theencoreawards.com

Tribute to Rosemary Clooney & Mel Tormé With Debby Boone and Steve March-Tormé. Lewis Family Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga. Sat., 8 p.m. $43-$50. (909) 477-2752.

Forbidden Broadway Send-up of hit musicals including “Les Miz,” “Wicked” and “The Book of Mormon.” Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. Next Sun., 7 p.m. $22 and up. (310) 506-4522.

Fritz Coleman’s Defying Gravity The weatherman/comic salutes the baby-boomer generation. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Next Sun., 2:30 and 6:30 p.m. $25-$30. (626) 355-4318.

Piaf! The Show Anne Carrère portrays legendary French chanteuse Edith Piaf in this bio-musical. Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz, Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles, 10361 W. Pico Blvd., L.A. Next Sun., Mon., 7:30 p.m.; ends Oct. 24. $25, $40. (310) 286-0553.

That Laurence Fishburne Play Staged reading of Jonathan Josephson’s comedy about a struggling playwright and his encounters with assorted celebrities. South Pasadena Women’s Club, 1424 Fremont Ave., South Pasadena. Next Sun., 3 p.m. Free. www.eventbrite.com.