L.A. theater openings, Feb. 15-22: ‘End of the Rainbow’ and more

Judy Garland is remembered in “End of the Rainbow” at International City Theatre in Long Beach, A Noise Within presents the Brecht-Weill classic “The Threepenny Opera” in Pasadena, and Deaf West Theatre stages David Mamet’s “American Buffalo” at Cal State L.A.

The Musical Adventures of Flat Stanley Family-friendly show based on the children’s book. La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. Sun., 1 and 3:30 p.m. $10, $15. (562) 944-9801.

Human Identity Actor and mime Christopher Vened explores the human predicament in this solo show. Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Sun., 7 p.m. $20. (800) 838-3006.

Kristin Towers-Rowles: A Lovely Lineage The actress-singer shares songs and stories about growing up in Hollywood. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra Madre. Sun., 7 p.m. $22, $25. (626) 355-4318.

The Cruise Reading of Jonathan Ceniceroz’s 1990s-set comedy about passengers on a Caribbean cruise. Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., L.A. Mon., 7:30 p.m. Free. (213) 489-0994.

DNA New Work Series Two-week festival features staged readings of six new plays. La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. Mon.-Wed., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 3 p.m.; ends March 1. Free. (858) 550-1010.

Up, With a Twist Comedy-and-music duo Todd & Heather perform with special guests. Rockwell: Table & Stage, 1714 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. Mon., 8 p.m. $10-$20. (323) 669-1550.

Washer/Dryer East West Players presents the world premiere of Nandita Shenoy’s farce about a newlywed couple, their neighbors and others in a New York apartment building. David Henry Hwang Theater, 120 N. Judge John Aiso St., L.A. Wed.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends March 15. $28-$38; discounts available; pay what you can, Feb. 19. (213) 625-7000.

The Best of SHINE The storytelling series presents the winners of its annual competition. YWCA Santa Monica/Westside, 2019 14th St., Santa Monica. Thu., 7:30 p.m. $10 suggested donation. (310) 452-2321.

7 Redneck Cheerleaders Revival of Louis Jacobs’ comedy about a novice playwright struggling to mount his first play. Lillian Theatre, 6322 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends March 8. $25. (323) 960-4429.

Shawn Ryan The “America’s Got Talent” semi-finalist performs with special guest Joanne Tatham. Rockwell: Table & Stage, 1714 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. Thu., 8 p.m. $15-$35. (323) 669-1550.

The Twenty-Seventh Man West Coast premiere of Nathan Englander’s drama about a group of Yiddish writers imprisoned in Soviet Russia in 1952; with Hal Linden. The Old Globe, 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 March 22. $29 and up. (619) 234-5623.

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

Alternate Endings SkyPilot Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Jonathan Price’s apocalypse-themed comedy-drama. Studio Stage Theatre, 520 N. Western Ave., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends March 1. $15. (800) 838-3006.

Attack of the 50-Ft. Sketch Show Improv-comedy troupe Held2gether performs. Studio at Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. $15. (562) 494-1014.

Billy Elliot: The Musical Tony-winning musical, with music by Elton John, about a working-class British lad with a passion for ballet. Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Feb. 22. $25-$100. (818) 243-2611.

End of the Rainbow Peter Quilter’s play with music imagines the final days of the legendary Judy Garland. International City Theatre, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends March 15. $46-$54. (562) 436-4610.

Finding Nick World premiere of writer-performer Nicholas Guest’s song-filled autobiographical show set in the late 1960s. Zephyr Theatre, 7456 Melrose Ave., L.A. Fri., 8 p.m.; ends March 27. $25. (323) 960-4420.

Niagara Falls World premiere of Steve Yockey’s dark comedy about newlyweds whose honeymoon takes a fantastical turn. Theatre of NOTE, 1517 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends March 28. $20, $25. (323) 856-8611.

The Other Place L.A. premiere of Sharr White’s drama about a neurologist, wife and mother whose life begins to unravel. The Road on Magnolia at the NoHo Senior Arts Colony, 10747 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends April 11. $17.50, $3. (818) 761-8838.

Speechless Participants must give speeches based on PowerPoint presentations they’ve never seen before in this comedy show. The Improv, 8162 Melrose Ave., Hollywood. Fri., 8 p.m. $10, $15. (323) 651-2583.

Tungsten (artery) Automata and Los Angeles Performance Practice present a contemporized, multimedia take on the myth of Persephone. Getty Villa, 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m. $7. (310) 440-7300.

Dontrell, Who Kissed the Sea World premiere of Nathan Alan Davis’ drama about a teenager’s search for an ancestor lost to the slave trade. Skylight Theatre, 1816 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz. Fri., 8:30 p.m.; Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends March 29. $30. (213) 761-7061.

Gustafer Yellowgold Morgan Taylor mixes storytelling, music and animation in this family-friendly fable about an extraterrestrial explorer. Samueli Theater, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Sat., 1 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 3:30 p.m. $20 and up. (714) 556-2787.

Closer Than Ever Good People Theater Company stages Maltby and Shire’s musical revue about life, love and growing older. Treibitz Memorial Hall at Hollywood Piano, 323 S. Front St., Burbank. Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends March 15. $12.50, $25. (818) 990-6691.

American Buffalo Deaf West Theatre and Cal State L.A.’s Dept. of Music, Theatre and Dance present David Mamet’s drama about three small-time crooks, performed simultaneously in English and American Sign Language; for mature audiences. State Playhouse, Cal State L.A., 5151 State University Drive, L.A. Sat., 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends March 8. $12-$25. (818) 762-2998.

British Rock Royalty Laser Spectacular Multimedia show with live musicians celebrates the music of Pink Floyd, Led Zeppelin, Queen and the Who. La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. Sat., 8 p.m. $15-$65. (562) 944-9801.

Hello Bluebird: Celebrating the Music of Judy Garland With jazz vocalist Jane Monheit. Valley Performing Arts Center, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. Sat., 8 p.m. $45-$80. (818) 677-3000.

The Price Two estranged brothers reunite to settle their late father’s estate in Arthur Miller’s classic drama. Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; ends March 22. $25-$85. (213) 628-2772.

The Threepenny Opera Michael Feingold’s translation of Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill’s dark, Weimar-era musical fable. A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends May 9. $40 and up; student rush, $20. (626) 356-3100.

The Hebrew Hillbilly — Fifty Shades of Oy Vey! Singer-songwriter Shelley Fisher’s solo musical play. Gardenia Supper Club, 7066 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. Sat., 9 p.m. $15 plus 2 item minimum. (323) 467-7444.

Tribute to Glenn Miller and the Band Leaders Featuring Peter Marshall, the Tex Beneke Orchestra, the Mills brothers and the Chordettes. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. Next Sun., 3 p.m. $40 and up. (562) 467-8818.