L.A. theater openings, July 24-31: ‘Baby Doll’ and more

This week: A steamy Tennessee Williams screenplay is adapted for the stage, and actors strip to their skivvies to perform an Oscar Wilde classic. Plus, Shakespeare plays for every taste.

Shakespeare by the Sea Locally touring productions of “Cymbeline” and “Othello.” Various locations; details at www.shakespearebythesea.org. Through Aug. 20. Free. (310) 217-7596

Solo Creation Festival Annual showcase for solo works enters its final week; schedules at www.sonofsemele.org. Son of Semele Theater, 3301 Beverly Blvd. L.A. Sun., next Sun., 5 p.m.; Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends July 31. $15. (213) 351-3507.

TGI Sundays All-new sketch show. Groundlings Theatre, 7307 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. Sun., 7:30 p.m.; ends Oct. 30. $16. (323) 934-4747.

Eleemosynary Reading of Lee Blessing’s play about three generations of brilliant women in the same family. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Mon., 7 p.m. Free. (626) 355-4318.

New Original Works Festival 2016 13th-annual showcase for L.A.-based theater, dance and multimedia artists continues; program details at www.redcat.org. REDCAT, 631 W. 2nd St., L.A. Thu.-Sat., 8:30 p.m.; ends Aug. 6. $16, $20; festival pass, $40. (213) 237-2800.

Baby Doll A Mississippi cotton-gin owner’s teenage bride becomes a pawn in his conflict with a business rival in the West Coast premiere of this stage adaptation of Tennessee Williams’ screenplay for the 1956 film. The Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Ave., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Sept. 25. $15-$35; Mondays, pay what you can. (323) 663-1525.

A Chorus Line Tony-winning musical about dancers auditioning for a Broadway show; with Mario Lopez, Krysta Rodriguez, et al. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7:30 p.m.; ends July 31. $14-$189. (323) 850-2000.

Fairy Tales Against Humanity New interactive improv-comedy show. The Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave., L.A. Fri., 8 p.m. $10, $15. (323) 650-0878.

The Gay Guide to Tinseltown Writer-performer Jon Manganello reprises his solo show. The Actors Company, 916 N. Formosa Ave., West Hollywood. Fri., 8:30 p.m. $10. (323) 455-4585.

The Importance of Being Earnest Actors clad only in Victorian-era undergarments perform Oscar Wilde’s classic romantic farce. Archway Studio/Theatre, 10509 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Aug. 28. $28. (818) 980-7529.

One of Us Performers in a carnival freak-show stage a revolt in Anna Mavromati’s dark fable. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd. North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 11 p.m.; ends Aug. 13. $15. (818) 202-4120.

The Pirates of Penzance Gilbert and Sullivan’s classic musical-comedy swashbuckler. West Valley Playhouse, 7242 Owensmouth Ave., Canoga Park. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 p.m.; ends Aug. 28. $28, $30. (818) 884-1907.

The Second City’s Free Speech! (While Supplies Last) The Chicago-based comedy troupe returns with an election-themed show. La Jolla Playhouse, Mandell Weiss Forum, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 3:30 and 8:30 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7:30 p.m.; ends Aug. 21. $10-$40. (858) 550-1010.

Traffic School A fledgling instructor deals with a diverse group of violators in John Sturgeon’s new comedy. The Found Theatre, 599 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 p.m.; ends Aug. 28. $15. (562) 433-3363.

Twelfth Night Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles’ staging of the Bard’s comedic fable sets the action in the aftermath of the “Great Los Angeles Air Raid” of 1942. Santa Monica College, Main Stage on the Quad, 1900 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Aug. 21. $20-$70; free for active military, veterans, their families and caregivers. (213) 481-2273.

Blueprint for Paradise Laurel M. Wetzork’s new drama, inspired by actual events, about a wealthy white couple who hire a noted African American architect to design a compound for Nazi sympathizers in 1940s L.A. The Hudson Theatres, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Sept. 4. $25. (323) 960-4412.

Much Ado About Nothing Shakespeare’s romantic comedy, set to a rock ’n’ roll song score. T.U. Studios, 10943 Camarillo Ave., North Hollywood. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7:30 p.m.; ends Aug. 21. $25. (310) 366-5505.

Shame on Me! Writer-performer Debra Ehrhardt revisits her sexual history in this new solo show; for mature audiences. Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. Sat., 4 p.m.; next Sun., 6 p.m.; ends Sept. 11. $40. (800) 838-3006.

Stand Up! A Night of Comedy With Debra DiGiovanni, et al. Malibu Playhouse, 29243 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. Sat., 8:30 p.m. $15, $20. www.malibuplayhouse.org

The Tempest Independent Shakespeare Co. stages the Bard’s fantasy tale about a magician and others on a mystical isle as part of the annual Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival. The Old Zoo at Griffith Park, 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, L.A. Sat.-next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Sept. 4. Free. (818) 710-6306.

Theatre 40 Season Preview Readings from plays in the company’s upcoming season. Westwood Public Library, 1246 Glendon Ave., Westwood. Sat., 1 p.m. Free. www.theatre40.org

Titus Andronicus Futuristic reimagining of Shakespeare’s dark saga of politics and revenge; for mature audiences. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Sat.-next Sun., 7:30 p.m.; ends July 30-Oct. 1. $15-$38.50; children 4 and under, free. (310) 455-3723.

Suburban Showgirl Writer-performer Palmer Davis plays multiple roles in this solo comedy with music. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Aug. 7. $17-$25. (626) 355-4318.

Summer Playwrights Festival Seventh-annual showcase at two venues features 38 plays in eight days. The Road on Lankershim, 5108 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Also, The Road on Magnolia, 10747 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood. Next Sun.; ends Aug. 7. Suggested donation, $15; festival pass, $60. www.roadtheatre.org

Whatever Your Heart Desires Ed Asner and June Squibb star in a staged reading of Christine Rosensteel’s drama about an elderly couple targeted by scammers. Theatre 40, 241 S. Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills. Next Sun., 7 p.m. $20. (310) 364-3606.