L.A. theater openings, March 27-April 3: ‘Rain,’ ‘Future Thinking’ and more

This week: A new musical set in the South Pacific and a new comedy that takes place at Comic-Con.

Community Staged reading of Nancy Beverly’s new comedy about an aging actor. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Mon., 7 p.m. Free. (626) 355-4318.

Ragtime Tony-winning musical based on E.L. Doctorow’s bestseller about life in turn-of-the-last-century New York City. The Granada Theatre, 1214 State St., Santa Barbara. Tue.-Wed., 7:30 p.m. $33 and up. (805) 899-2222. Also, Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m. $40-$68. (562) 467-8818.

Historia de Amor Chile’s TeatroCinema stages the U.S. premiere of this multimedia work inspired by a graphic novel about a teacher who abducts a young woman; in Spanish with English supertitles; for mature audiences. REDCAT, 631 W. 2nd St., L.A. Thu.-Sat., 8:30 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends April 3. $20-$30. (213) 237-2800.

Stella’s Last J-Date New York singles try to connect in Andy Rooster Bloch’s new romantic comedy; contains strong language; for ages 18 and up. Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Thu., 8 p.m.; ends May 5. $25. (800) 838-3006.

Weird on Top Improv-comedy troupe performs. Eclectic Company Theatre, 5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood. Thu., 8 p.m. $10. (818) 508-3003.

Assisted Living: The Musical Musical-comedy revue about life in a retirement community. El Portal Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends April 3. $44, $49. (818) 508-4200.

David’s Friend Writer-performer Nora Burns recalls the nightclub scene in 1970s NYC in this solo show. Cavern Club Theater, 1920 Hyperion Ave., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 9 p.m. $10, $15. www.NoraBurns.net.

Far Away Places Two-time Tony winner Patti LuPone performs show tunes, standards and more. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Bram Goldsmith Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. $49-$149; sold out; standby list available. (310) 746-4000.

He’s Back… One More Time! An evening with veteran performer Arthur Duncan (“The Lawrence Welk Show”). El Portal’s Monroe Forum Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends April 3. $35; two-person tables, $40 each. (818) 508-4200.

Lea Salonga The Tony winner (“Miss Saigon”) performs. Valley Performing Arts Center, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. Fri., 8 p.m. Sold out; standby list available. (818) 677-3000. Also, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Sat., 8 p.m. $39 and up. (714) 556-2787.

Mrs. Warren’s Profession Theatre Palisades stages George Bernard Shaw’s classic satire about a brothel owner and her adult daughter in Victorian England. Pierson Playhouse, 941 Temescal Canyon Road, Pacific Palisades. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends May 8 $18, $20. (310) 454-1970.

New Works Festival 2016 Staged readings of three new plays. Long Beach Playhouse, Studio Theatre, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. $10. (562) 494-1014.

Our Many Ghosts Inaugural production by the collective Animal Show features short plays, music and dance. Nomad, 1993 Blake Ave., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8:30 p.m.; ends April 9. $10, at the door only.

Rain World-premiere musical adaptation of W. Somerset Maugham’s short story about a scandalous woman in 1920s Western Samoa; contains strong language and adult content. 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 May 1. $36 and up. (619) 234-5623.

The Real Housewives of Toluca Lake: The Musical Sendup of the reality-TV franchise, with book, music and lyrics by Molly Bell. Falcon Theatre, 4252 Riverside Drive, Burbank. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 4 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 4 p.m.; ends April 24. $29-$59. (818) 955-8101.

The Revisionist West Coast premiere of Jesse Eisenberg’s drama about a young author who encounters an elderly relative, a Holocaust survivor, while on a trip to Poland. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Lovelace Studio Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends April 17. $40-$55. (310) 746-4000.

School For Wives New staging of Moliere’s classic satire sets the action in the 1960s. Archway Studio/Theatre, 10509 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends May 7. $28. (818) 980-7529.

Super Identity Crisis Two costumed superheroes have a rough time in Magnus MacDomhnaill’s new spoof. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd. North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8:30 p.m.; ends April 23. $15. (818) 202-4120.

The Toxic Avenger OC premiere of this off-Broadway musical comedy inspired by the 1980s-era B-movie. Maverick Theater, 110 E. Walnut, Fullerton. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends May 7. $15, $28. (714) 526-7070.

Varla Jean Merman’s Big Black Hole The drag performer sends up all things science fiction in a new solo comedy with music. L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s Renberg Theatre, 1125 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends April 3. $25. (323) 860-7300.

The Vagina Monologues Benefit performances of Eve Ensler’s hit show. The Federal Bar, 5303 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. $20. www.ticketweb.com.

We Are Family Members of the Orange County gay-men’s chorus MenAlive share their personal stories in this 15th-anniversary show. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m. $39, $49. (949) 854-4646.

Dinner at Home between Deaths World premiere of Andrea Lepcio’s darkly-comic thriller inspired by the Bernie Madoff scandal. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends May 8. $30. (323) 960-4429.

Future Thinking World premiere of Eliza Clark’s comedy about a middle-aged man obsessed the young female star of a sci-fi TV show. 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 24. $22 and up. (714) 708-5555.

No Place to Be Somebody A black bartender in NYC runs afoul of a local mob boss in Robey Theatre Company’s revival of Charles Gordone’s Pulitzer-winning off-Broadway play. Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends May 8. $20, $30. (866) 811-4111.

Six Characters in Search of an Author The titular half-dozen derail a rehearsal at A Noise Within in an updated take on Pirandello’s classic meta-play. A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends May 14. $44 and up; student rush, $20. (626) 356-3100.

Who Could Ask for Anything More? The Music of George and Ira Gershwin The songwriting duo is saluted in this show created by Robert Israel. Rubicon Theatre, 1006 E. Main St., Ventura. Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends April 3. $69.50. (805) 667-2900.