L.A. theater openings, Jan. 15-22: ‘God Bliss (In the Name of Semelah)’ at REDCAT and more

This week: Indonesian shadow theater at REDCAT, five short plays by Samuel Beckett at the Odyssey, and Segerstrom’s Off-Center Festival continues.

Chapatti Two animal lovers in Dublin connect in Christian O’Reilly’s romantic comedy. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Sun., 5:30 p.m.; Wed., 7:30 p.m.; Thu., 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 5:30 p.m.; ends Jan. 29. $40-$65. (949) 497-2787.

A Touch of the Poet Return engagement of Eugene O’Neill’s drama set in early 19th century New England. Pacific Resident Theatre, 703 Venice Blvd., Venice. Sun., next Sun., 3 p.m.; Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; other dates; ends Jan. 29. $25-$30. (310) 822-8392.

The Best Friends Club #1: A Great Idea New sketch show inspired by “The Baby-Sitters Club” book series. Upright Citizens Brigade Theater, 5919 Franklin Ave., L.A. Tue., 9:30 p.m. $7. www.losangeles.ucbtheatre.com

Matilda — The Musical Orange County premiere of this Tony-winning adaptation of Roald Dahl’s children’s book about a mischievous schoolgirl. Segerstrom Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tue.-Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; ends Jan. 29. $29 and up. (714) 556-2787.

Saturday Night Fever — The Musical Stage adaptation of the disco-themed 1977 drama that starred John Travolta. The Granada Theatre, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. Tue.-Wed., 7:30 p.m. $33 and up. (805) 899-2222.

27th Annual LA Stage Alliance Ovation Awards Ceremony Includes musical performances by DOMA Theatre Company. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A. Tue., 7:30 p.m. $100. www.OvationAwards.com

Adler & Gibb U.S. premiere of Tim Crouch’s drama about two conceptual artists in late 20th century New York. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. Wed.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; ends Jan. 29. $25-$70. (213) 628-2772.

Amy Snowden & Friends An evening of comedy. Comedy Central Stage @ The Hudson, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. Wed., 8 p.m. Free; reservations required. (323) 960-5519.

Bassem Youssef: The Joke Is Mightier Than the Sword CAP UCLA presents the Egyptian comic and TV host. Royce Hall, UCLA, 340 Royce Drive, Westwood. Wed., 8 p.m. $19-$39. (310) 825-2101.

7th Annual Company Creation Festival New works by local ensembles, performed in repertory; details at www.sonofsemele.org. Son of Semele Theater, 3301 Beverly Blvd., L.A. Wed.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 5 p.m.; ends Feb. 12. $18. (213) 351-3507.

fellowship Cornerstone Theater Company presents this immersive work in which audience members are invited to help prepare sack lunches to feed the hungry in L.A.; details at www.CornerstoneTheater.org. Various locations, L.A. Thu.-Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 5 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Feb. 12. Pay what you can (suggested donation, $20). (800) 578-1335.

Late Company A Canadian couple hosts a small dinner party a year after the suicide of their gay son in the U.S. premiere engagement of Jordan Tannahill’s drama. Theatre 40, Reuben Cordova Theatre, 241 S. Moreno Dr., Beverly Hills. Thu., 8 p.m.; Fri., 7 p.m.; Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Feb. 19. $30. (310) 364-0535.

Latin Standards Marga Gomez explores her life as a comic, a lesbian, and daughter of a famed Cuban entertainer in this solo show; for mature audiences; part of the Off-Center Festival. Judy Morr Theater, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Jan. 21. $25. (714) 556-2787.

Time of Women Belarus Free Theatre presents this docudrama about three women imprisoned for protesting election results in Belarus in 2010; in Russian with English subtitles; 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.; ends Jan. 21 $25. (714) 556-2787.

Whose Stories? Who Tells Them? Series of five panel discussions on writers and diversity. Various venues in Pasadena, Altadena and Sierra Madre. Thursdays, 7 p.m.; ends Feb. 18. Free. www.sierramadreplayhouse.org

Dina Martina The drag artist presents music, comedy and more. Cavern Club Theater, 1920 Hyperion Ave., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 and 10 p.m.; ends Jan. 28. $25. (800) 838-3006.

The MisMatch Game Host Dennis Hensley returns with a new edition of his off-color send-up of the 1970s-era game show. L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s Renberg Theatre, 1125 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. $15. (323) 860-7300.

Rose and the Rime A young woman seeks the witch who murdered her parents in the West Coast premiere of this dark fable. Sacred Fools Theater Company, 1076 Lillian Way, Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Feb. 7 p.m. $25. (310) 281-8337.

Under the Streetlamp Vocal quartet sings classic doo-wop, pop, rock and more. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. Fri., 8 p.m. $50-$85. (562) 467-8818.

What If? Jenny Jacobs’ new autobiographical cabaret show. The Found Theatre, 599 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach. Fri.-Sat., 7 p.m.; next Sun., 4 p.m.; ends Jan. 22. $20. (562) 433-3363.

Beckett5 The KOAN Unit presents five short plays by Absurdist playwright Samuel Beckett: “Krapp’s Last Tape,” “Come and Go,” “Footfalls,” “Act Without Words II” and “Catastrophe.” Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 5 p.m.; ends March 5. $25-$34. (310) 477-2055.

Drumline Celebration of the marching-band style popularized at historically black colleges and universities. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. Sat., 8 p.m. $45-$85. (562) 467-8818.

The Found Dog Ribbon Dance Dominic Finocchiaro’s new romantic comedy about a woman trying to return a lost dog to its owner. Echo Theater Company, Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave., L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 4 p.m.; ends Feb. 26. $20, $34. (310) 307-3753.

Justin Roberts & The Not Ready for Naptime Players Roberts and company perform kid-friendly rock songs. Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu. Sat., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. $10, $15. (310) 506-4522.

King Hedley II An African American man returns home to Pittsburgh after a stint in prison in August Wilson’s 1980s-set drama. The Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave., L.A. Sat., 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Feb. 12. $35. www.eventbrite.com.

The Last Five Years Jason Robert Brown’s romantic musical charts the relationship between an aspiring author and a struggling actress. La Mirada Theatre, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Feb. 12. $20-$70. (562) 944-9801.

Morgan’s Journey Family-friendly interactive show about a young clown’s adventures; for ages 4 to 8. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Lovelace Studio Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills. Sat.-next Sun., noon and 2:30 p.m.; ends Jan. 22. $20. (310) 746-4000.

God Bliss (In the Name of Semelah) New work from Eko Nugroho and his Indonesian shadow theater ensemble Wayang Bocor tells the story of how Islam came to Java and Indonesia. REDCAT, 631 W. 2nd St., L.A. Next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Jan. 22. $20, $25. (213) 237-2800.

Hansel & Gretel: A Wickedly Delicious Musical Treat Multimedia-enhanced all-ages rock musical based on the Brothers Grimm fairytale. Valley Performing Arts Center, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. Next Sun., 3 p.m. $38 and up. (818) 677-3000.

David Sedaris: A Work in Progress The author and humorist workshops material for an upcoming book in this CAP UCLA presentation. Little Theater at Macgowan Hall, UCLA, 245 Charles E. Young Dr. East, Westwood. Next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Jan. 28. $59. (310) 825-2101.