L.A. theater openings, Aug. 23-30: ‘Climax’ and more

This week: Poetry, infidelity, and improvised Sondheim.

Digested Disney Improv group Those Sketchy People presents this new, unauthorized, two-man send-up of classic Disney films; for ages 8 and up. Found Theatre, 599 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach. Sunday, next Sun., 2 p.m., Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Aug. 30. $10. www.digesteddisney.com.

Full Tilt Staged reading of Sarah Pitard’s new drama about one woman’s response to a national tragedy. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Sunday, 11 a.m. Free; donations appreciated. (310) 455-3723.

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Painted in Blood Comedy-mystery in the style of an Agatha Christie whodunit. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Sunday, 7 p.m. $20. (626) 355-4318.

Shine True-life tales about the life-changing effects of music. Promenade Playhouse, 1404 3rd St., Santa Monica. Sunday, 7 p.m. $10. (310) 452-2321.

Walt Whitman Sings Shakespeare Orange County presents this solo play with music starring John Slade as the 19th-century American poet, essayist and journalist. Mike Fountain Stage, Festival Amphitheatre, 12762 Main St, Garden Grove. Sunday, 7 p.m.; ends Aug. 30. $20. (714) 590-1575.

Psycho Beach Party Satirical show puts a Hitchcockian spin on the fun-in-the-sun flicks of the early 1960s; for ages 13 and up. Conejo Players Theatre, 351 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Sept. 19. $16, $18. (805) 495-3715.

Guys and Dolls The classic musical comedy based on Damon Runyan’s tales of gamblers, gangsters, showgirls and others in 1940s NYC. Glendale Centre Theatre, 324 N. Orange St., Glendale. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Oct. 10. $18-$28. (818) 244-8481.

Seatbelts Required Secrets spill forth when three half-sisters reunite in the wake of their mother’s death in Kimberly Demmary’s dramedy. The Primitive Stage, 21610 Ventura Blvd., Woodland Hills. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sunday, 3 p.m.; ends Sept. 19. $10. (818) 685-9907.

Solo Creation Festival: The Remix Encore presentations of two short one-woman plays: Susan Averitt’s “Objectify” and Betsy Moore’s “Freebird Goes to Mars.” Son of Semele Theater, 3301 Beverly Blvd. L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. $15. (213) 351-3507.

Sondheim UnScripted Impro Theatre creates a new comedic musical in the style of the legendary Broadway composer at each performance. Falcon Theatre, 4252 Riverside Drive, Burbank. Fri..-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 4 p.m.; ends Sept. 27. $29-$59. (818) 955-8101.

Stages Musical Theatre Festival Concert readings of six new musicals. 3D Theatricals, 1255 N. Knollwood Circle, Anaheim. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 1, 4 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 and 8 p.m.; ends Aug. 30. Free; donation of $10 or more guarantees seating. Details and reservations at www.nmi.org.

Stand Up! A Night of Comedy With Jimmy Dore, Laura Kightlinger, et al. Malibu Playhouse, 29243 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. Fri., 8 p.m. $10, $15. www.malibuplayhouse.org.

Biloxi Blues Staged reading of Neil Simon’s comedy set in an Army boot camp in 1943. Theatre Palisades, Pierson Playhouse, 941 Temescal Canyon Road, Pacific Palisades. Sat., 8 p.m. Also, Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Westchester. Next Sun., 7 p.m. Pay-what-you-can at the door ($5 suggested donation). www.kentwoodplayers.org.

Climax A married Malibu restaurateur begins an affair with a dangerous woman in the world premiere of Lisa Phillips Visca’s suspense tale; unsuitable for ages 15 and under. Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Nov. 1. $24.50, $29.50. (310) 394-9779.

The MisMatch Game Host Dennis Hensley returns with a new edition of his off-color spoof of the 1970s-era game show. L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s Renberg Theatre, 1125 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Aug. 30. $15. (323) 860-7300.

Theatre 40 Season Preview Company members perform scenes from upcoming shows. Westwood Library, 1246 Glendon Ave., Westwood. Sat., 1 p.m. Free. (310) 474-1739.

Hath Taken Away Staged reading of Jacob Juntunen’s reimagining of the biblical story of Job. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Next Sun., 11 a.m. Free; donations appreciated. (310) 455-3723.

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