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L.A. theater openings, Sept. 27-Oct. 4: ‘Wicked Lit’ and more

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This week: Halloween comes early with spooky shows for every taste.

Attack of the Rotting Corpses All-new terror tale set in a San Fernando Valley apartment complex. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Sun., 7:30 p.m.; ends Nov. 1. $15. 818-202-4120.

Ghoulmaster’s Haunted Playhouse Intimate Halloween-themed comedy-fantasy stage show; for mature audiences. The Hudson Theatre Mainstage, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Sun., next Sun., 7 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Oct. 31. $25, $30. (323) 960-7724.

The Gospel at Colonus Return engagement of Ebony Repertory Theatre’s Ovation Award-nominated staging of this amalgam of Greek tragedy and Pentecostal church service; Tony winner Roger Robinson stars. Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, 4718 W. Washington Blvd., L.A. Today, 7 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Oct. 4. $25-$65. (323) 964-9768.

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The Okee Dokee Brothers Grammy-winning duo celebrates American folk music and the great outdoors in this family-friendly show. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Samueli Theater, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Sun., 1 and 3:30 p.m. $20 and up. (714) 556-2787.

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Season Launch Jamboree Sacred Fools, Theatre of NOTE and Bootleg Theater hold a joint fundraiser featuring live entertainment. Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd., L.A. Sun., 5 to 11 p.m. $10 in advance; $20 at the door. www.sacredfools.org.

Wild Kratts Live Family-friendly stage show based on the animated series. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Sun., 1 and 4:30 p.m. $25-$55. (800) 982-2787.

Visualizing the Invisible Stage Raw presents local theater producers, critics and others in a panel discussion on the future of performing-arts coverage. Rogue Machine, 5041 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. Mon., 7:30 p.m. Free; reservations at www.eventbrite.com.

Lobby Hero Kenneth Lonergan’s four-character morality play set in the lobby of a Manhattan apartment building. Theatre 68 @ NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood. Wed.-Thu., 8 p.m.; ends Nov. 5. $15-$20. www.theatre68.com.

The Sound of Music All-new production of the beloved Rodgers & Hammerstein musical about a would-be nun who becomes the governess for a large family in pre-WWII Austria. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A. Wed.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; ends Oct. 31. $25-$130. (213) 972-4400.

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Forbidden Broadway Touring production of this long-running show that satirizes such musicals as “Wicked,” “Chicago” and “The Book of Mormon.” Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Samueli Theater, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Thu.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 6:30 p.m.; ends Oct. 4. $79 and up. (714) 556-2787.

Full Gallop Oscar and Tony winner Mercedes Ruehl portrays former Vogue editor Diana Vreeland in this one-woman show. The Old Globe, San Diego, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego. Thu.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends Oct. 25. $36 and up. (619) 234-5623.

The Money Fi$h Writer-performer John Cox details his journey from Army Ranger to commercial fisherman on the Bering Sea in this new solo show. The Hudson Theatres, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Nov. 22. $20. (323) 960-7780.

Nosferatu: A Symphony in Terror World-premiere multimedia show inspired by F.W. Murnau’s silent-era vampire film features dance, classical music, special effects and more. Crown City Theatre, St. Matthew’s Church, 11031 Camarillo St., North Hollywood. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Nov. 8. $20, $30. (818) 605-5685.

Private Eyes Married actors find their relationship upended when they rehearse a play about infidelity in Steve Dietz’s comedy. Little Fish Theatre, 777 Centre St., San Pedro. Thu, 8 p.m.; ends Oct. 22. $22-$27. (310) 512-6030.

Cat on a Hot Tin Roof The Group Rep stages Tennessee Williams’ classic drama about a wealthy Southern cotton farmer, his adult son, the son’s wife, et al. Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Nov. 14. $20, $25. (818) 763-5990.

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Detroit ’67 West Coast premiere of Dominique Morrisseau’s drama about a brother and sister, the mysterious woman who enters their lives, and the 1967 riots. Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Oct. 18. $24-$37. (866) 811-4111.

Dragula An unsuspecting couple sneaks into Dracula’s castle in Transylvania in this new musical. The Ruby Theatre at the Complex, 6476 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m. $20. (800) 838-3006.

Green Day’s American Idiot — Reloaded DOMA Theatre Company encores its recent production of the hit musical based on the punk-rock band’s Grammy-winning 2004 album. The MET Theatre, 1089 N. Oxford Ave., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Oct. 18. $30-$40. (323) 802-9181

Happy Armenians World premiere of Aram Kouyoumdjian’s fantasy comedy about an L.A. school teacher transported to an alternate reality. NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 7 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Oct. 25. $30-$45. (626) 869-7328.

Night of the Living Dead Stage adaptation of George A. Romero’s gruesome 1968 zombie thriller. Maverick Theater, 110 E. Walnut, Fullerton. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 7 and 9 p.m.; ends Nov. 1. $22. (714) 526-7070.

Twilight Zone UnScripted Impro Theatre improvises tales inspired by Rod Serling’s classic 1960s TV series. Impro Studio, 1727 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Oct. 17. $30. (323) 401-6162.

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uCarmen South Africa’s Isango Ensemble returns with a supernatural spin on Bizet’s tragic opera “Carmen.” The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. Fri.. 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Oct. 10. $50-$100. (310) 434-3200.

Urban Death Tour of Terror Immersive Halloween-themed theatrical attraction. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd. North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8, 9, 10 and 11 p.m.; midnight.; ends Oct. 31. $13. (818) 202-4120.

Wicked Lit 2015 Unbound Productions presents the new adaptations “The Grove of Rashomon” and “The Ebony Frame,” plus the classic Edgar Allan Poe thriller “The Fall of the House of Usher.” Mountain View Mausoleum and Cemetery, 2300 N. Marengo Ave., Altadena. Fri.-next Sun., 7:30 p.m.; ends Nov. 14. $35-$75. (323) 332-2065.

A Bright New Boise Samuel D. Hunter’s Obie-winning dark comedy about a down-on-his-luck fellow who gets a job at a chain store. Chance Theater, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Oct. 25. $30, $35. (714) 777-3033.

Breaking Up Is Hard to Do 1960s-set musical about two gal pals from Brooklyn features the songs of Neil Sedaka. Stage Door Repertory Theatre, 1045 N. Armando St., Anaheim. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Oct. 24. $20, $25. (714) 630-7378.

Breathing Room World premiere of playwright, composer and violinist Mary Lou Newmark’s musical exploration of technology’s role in modern life. Greenway Court Theatre, 544 N. Fairfax Ave., L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Oct. 25. $25, $35. (323) 655-7679.

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Ded! New multimedia play inspired by the Mexican tradition of Día De Los Muertos. The Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave., L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Oct. 25. $20, $25. (800) 838-3006.

See Jane Sing! “Glee’s” Jane Lynch performs show tunes and standards for the Carpenter Center’s inaugural President’s Gala. Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Cal State Long Beach, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach. Sat., 8 p.m. $75 and up. (562) 985-7000.

Peter Alsop 4 Adults: Songs of Love, Sex and Gender The singer-songwriter and friends present an evening of music and comedy; for mature audiences only. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Sat., 7:30 p.m. $20. (310) 455-3723.

Something Truly Monstrous World premiere of Jeff Tabnick’s comedy based on an old Tinseltown tale involving Humphrey Bogart, Peter Lorre and the corpse of John Barrymore. The Blank’s 2nd Stage Theatre, 6500 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Nov. 8. $30. (323) 661-9827.

Tell Mr. Poulos World premiere of Donald Wollner’s comedy about a mysterious man who enters the lives of an unhappily married couple. The Dorie Theatre at the Complex , 6476 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 5 p.m.; ends Oct. 25. $10. (866) 811-4111.

The War of the Worlds Celebrity guests take part in a live re-creation of Orson Welles’ 1938 radio adaptation of H.G. Wells’ Martian-invasion thriller. Trepany House, Steve Allen Theater, 4773 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Oct. 31. $20, $35. (800) 595-4849.

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Watching O.J. David McMillan’s new drama explores how Angelenos of different races and social classes viewed the outcome of Simpson murder trial. Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA, 3269 Casitas Ave. L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Nov. 8. $19.95. (818) 858-0440.

Appropriate West Coast premiere of Branden Jacobs-Jenkins’ Arkansas-set drama about estranged siblings reunited by the passing of the family patriarch. Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A. Next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Nov. 1. $25-$85. (213) 628-2772. Story on Page F1

Ghost Light Deborah Puette stars in Tommy Smith’s 30-minute solo fantasy-drama about love and loss. Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave., Atwater Village. Next Sun., 8:45 p.m.; ends Oct. 10. $10; free with program from concurrent production “American Falls.” (310) 307-3753.

The Edwards Twins The duo impersonates celebrities such as Elvis, Barbra Streisand, Sonny & Cher, etc. Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Cal State Long Beach, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach. Next Sun., 2 p.m. $38 and up. (562) 985-7000.

An Evening of Magic Family-friendly fundraiser for the Group Rep features Henry Holden, Dennis Forel and Dave Cox. Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Next Sun., 7 p.m. $10. (818) 763-5990.

Healing Wars Writer-choreographer Liz Lerman’s multidisciplinary, multimedia show explores how combatants and healers cope with the mental and physical wounds of war; part of the Without Walls Festival. La Jolla Playhouse, Mandell Weiss Forum, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. Next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Oct. 25. $20 and up. (858) 550-1010.

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An Homage to Vasili Grossman Dramatic readings from the Soviet-era journalist’s epic novel “Life and Fate.” Beyond Baroque, 681 Venice Blvd., Venice. Next Sun., 7:30 p.m. $6, $10. (310) 822-3006.

Peking Dreams The National Circus and Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China perform. Valley Performing Arts Center, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. Next Sun., 3 p.m. $30-$65. (818) 677-3000.

Seven Spots on the Sun West Coast premiere of Martín Zimmerman’s drama about a doctor battling a plague that is ravaging the children of a war-torn village in Latin America. Boston Court, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena. Next Sun., 5 p.m.; ends Nov. 1. $29, $34. (626) 683-6883.

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