L.A theater openings, March 26-April 2: ‘Red Velvet’ and more

This week: A play about an African American actor playing Othello is the thing at the Old Globe. Plus, Don Quixote tilts at windmills at A Noise Within, and a sci-fi tale by Kurt Vonnegut lands at Sacred Fools.

Battle of the Bitches Drag performers Jackie Beat and Sherry Vine share the stage in an off-color sing-off. Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Renberg Theatre, 1125 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood. Sun., 7 p.m. $30. (323) 860-7300.

Silent Slapstick Pianist Ben Model improvises lives scores to classic comedies by Chaplin, Laurel and Hardy, et al., in this family-friendly show. La Mirada Theatre, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. Sun., 1 and 3:30 p.m.; ends March 26. $12. (562) 944-9801.

Tribute to Glenn Miller & the Vocal Groups With the Tex Beneke Orchestra, the Four Aces, et al. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. Sun., 3 p.m. $35-$65. (562) 467-8818.

In the Mood Celebration of the Big Band era features singers, dancers and a live band. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine. Mon., 2 and 7:30 p.m. $44-$55. (949) 854-4646.

Speakeasy Cabaret Song stylists perform in this intimate show with onstage seating. La Mirada Theatre, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. Wed., 8 p.m. $15-$45. (562) 944-9801.

A Conversation with Cheech Marin The comic and actor talks with the L.A. Times’ Carolina A. Miranda about his life and his career. The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. Thu., 7:30 p.m. $60 and up. (310) 434-3200.

An Evening with Neil Gaiman The sci-fi/fantasy author (“American Gods”) shares stories and takes part in a Q&A. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Thu., 8 p.m. $29 and up. (714) 556-2787.

Red Helen A powerful woman rules her three adult daughters with an iron fist in Jennifer Barclay’s new dark comedy; in repertory with “Supper” (opens April 6). Theatre of NOTE, 1517 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood. Thu., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends May 20. $20, $25. (323) 856-8611.

Roar Revue celebrates protest songs in rock and folk music; with Davitt Felder and the First Amendments. Crown City Theatre, St. Matthew’s Church, 11031 Camarillo St., North Hollywood. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends May 7. $20, $30. (818) 605-5685.

The Accidental Club West Coast premiere of writer-performer Sherrie Scott’s musical comedy-drama about a rock star who ODs and the famous singers she meets upon her demise. The Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Fri., 8 p.m.; ends April 28. $25. (800) 838-3006.

Anarchy Chiapas A playwright travels to rural Mexico and gets caught up in a revolution in Rick Mitchell’s new drama. Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica. Fri.-Sat., 8:30 p.m. $15, $20. (310) 315-1459.

The Complete History of Comedy (abridged) Fast-paced survey of humor from the ancient Greeks to the present day. Falcon Theatre, 4252 Riverside Drive, Burbank. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 4 p.m.; ends April 23. $30-$45. (818) 955-8101.

Crime and Pun-ishment Interactive 1920s-style comedy-mystery, with onstage seating. La Mirada Theatre, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. Fri., 8 p.m. $25. (562) 944-9801.

The Hound of the Baskervilles Sherlock Holmes is on the case in this adaptation of the Arthur Conan Doyle detective tale. West Valley Playhouse, 7242 Owensmouth Ave., Canoga Park. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 p.m.; ends April 23. $26, $28. (818) 884-1907.

The Inventor and the Escort A sex worker and her reclusive client make an unexpected connection in Matt Morillo’s comedy. The Lounge Theatre, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m; next Sun., 5 p.m.; ends April 23. $25. (323) 960-4443.

LBP New Works Festival Staged readings of two new plays: Steven Haworth’s “The Other Genius” (Fri.) and Alan Goodson’s “On a Raw Moose Day” (Sat.). The Studio at Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. $10. (562) 494-1014.

MenAlive: Swing Out! The Orange County Gay Men’s Chorus performs show tunes, standards and more. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m. $39, $49. (949) 854-4646.

Pie in the Sky A Texas mother shares life lessons with her daughter while the two bake an apple pie together in Lawrence Thelen’s two-character comedy. The Little Victory Theatre, 334 W. Victory Blvd., Burbank. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 4 p.m.; ends May 21. $24-$34. (818) 841-5422.

Red Velvet Lolita Chakrabarti’s fact-based drama about an African American actor playing Shakespeare’s Othello in early 19th-century London. The Old Globe, San Diego, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends April 30. $29 and up. (619) 234-5623.

Romeo and Juliet Shakespeare’s classic tale of star-crossed love. Elysium Conservatory Theatre, 729 S. Palos Verdes St., San Pedro. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends April 23. $10-$25. (800) 838-3006.

The Sirens of Titan Updated version of Stuart Gordon’s 1970s adaptation of Kurt Vonnegut’s darkly comic sci-fi fable. Sacred Fools Theater, 1076 Lillian Way, L.A. March 31-May 6. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends May 6. $25. www.sacredfools.org.

South of The 8 La Jolla Playhouse and theatre group Ping Chong + Company present this play based on the stories of real peole living in neighborhoods south of Interstate 8. City Heights Performance Annex, 3795 Fairmount Ave., San Diego. Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; ends April 1. $15. (858) 550-1010.

Defending the Caveman Long-running solo comedy explores the battle of the sexes. La Mirada Theatre, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. Sat., 8 p.m. $15-$35. (562) 944-9801.

Doktor Kaboom: Live Wire Interactive, kid-friendly one-man science/variety show. Samueli Theater, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Sat., next Sun., 1 p.m.; ends April 2. $20. (714) 556-2787.

He Had It Coming Tony winner Alan Cumming helps the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles kick off its 38th season with a selection of recent and classic show tunes. Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m. $20-$90. (818)-243-2539.

The Hotel Play Playwrights’ Arena presents this site-specific work, created by seven local female playwrights, that uses a 25th high school reunion to explore recent Los Angeles history. The Radisson Hotel Midtown at USC, various rooms, 3540 S. Figueroa St., L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 and 7 p.m.; ends April 16. $20, $40. (800) 838-3006.

Man of La Mancha Classic musical about the misadventures of Spanish novelist Cervantes’ knight-errant Don Quixote. A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends May 21. $25 and up; student rush, $20. (626) 356-3100.

Mancini Delivered The composer is saluted in this benefit co-hosted by Julie Andrews and featuring appearances by Kristin Chenoweth, Quincy Jones, Matthew Morrison, et al. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Bram Goldsmith Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. Sat., 6:30 p.m. $500 and up. (310) 746-4000.

Postmortem The cast of a 1920s Broadway production of “Sherlock Holmes” becomes embroiled in a mystery in Ken Ludwig’s thriller. Archway Studio/Theatre, 10509 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends April 30. $28; discounts available. (818) 980-7529.

Re-PETE Celebration 2017 Sing-along concert salutes the late folksinger and activist Pete Seeger. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Sat., 1 p.m. $10- $25; children 5 and under, free. (310) 455-3723.

The Siegel A young man is determined to marry his ex-girlfriend in Michael Mitnick’s new comedy; contains adult language; part of the 2017 Pacific Playwrights Festival. 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 April 23. $22-$79. (714) 708-5555.

Urban Death All-new late-night terror tale. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Sat., 11 p.m.; ends April 29. $15. (818) 202-4120.

YoungArts Los Angeles Talented teens take part in a performance incorporating theater, voice and dance. Royce Hall, UCLA, 340 Royce Drive, Westwood. Sat., 8 p.m. $15. (800) 653-8000.

Hollywood Revisited Musical revue features classic numbers as well as original costumes from golden-age films. La Mirada Theatre, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. Next Sun., 2 p.m. $25. (562) 944-9801.

Poems from the Pond Debbie Allen, Frances Fisher, Daphne Zuniga, et al., read selections from Peggy Freydberg’s book. The Edye at the Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. Next Sun., 7:30 p.m. $50, $75. (310) 434-3200.