L.A. theater openings, Feb. 23-March 2: ‘Cry, Trojans!’ and more

E.L. James’ naughty and knotty bestseller is spoofed in “50 Shades! The Musical” at the Kirk Douglas Theatre, Impro Theatre tackles Tennessee Williams at South Coast Rep, and the Wooster Group reworks the Bard’s “Troilus & Cressida” in the world premiere of “Cry, Trojans!” at REDCAT.

The Glorious Music of Andrew Lloyd Webber Dale Kristien and Bill Hutton perform. Soka Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo. Sunday, 3 p.m. $28-$33. (949) 480-4278.

The Vagina Monologues Eve Ensler’s hit show, accompanied by American Sign Language, is presented as a benefit for deaf victims of violence. More info at www.tvmasl.com. Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Sunday, next Sun., 7:30 p.m. $35. (404) 500-8242.

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White Scotland’s Catherine Wheels Theatre Company presents a family-friendly fable set in a world without color. Lovelace Studio Theatre, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. Wed., 2:30 p.m.; Thu., 10 a.m., noon, 2:30 p.m.; Fri., 10 a.m., noon; Sat., 10 a.m., noon, 2:30 p.m.; next Sun., 10 a.m., noon.; ends March 23. $25. (310) 746-4000.

50 Shades! The Musical — The Original Parody L.A. premiere of this unauthorized send-up of E.L. James’ steamy bestseller. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. Wed.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 5 and 9 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; ends March 30. $30-$60. (213) 972-4488.

A Nice Indian Boy East West Players presents the world premiere of Madhuri Shekar’s comedy about love, marriage and being gay in Indian culture. David Henry Hwang Theater, 120 N. Judge John Aiso St., L.A. Wed.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends March 23. $26-$36; discounts for students, seniors, groups; Feb. 27, pay what you can. (213) 625-7000.

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Tennessee Williams UnScripted Impro Theatre improvises full-length tragicomedies in the style of the legendary playwright; part of the Studio SCR series. South Coast Repertory, Nicholas Studio, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Thu., 7 p.m.; Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m. $15, $25. (714) 708-5555.

The Best of SHINE The storytelling series marks its one-year anniversary. YWCA Santa Monica/Westside, 2019 14th St., Santa Monica. Thu., 8 p.m. $10 suggested donation. (310) 452-2321.

Cry, Trojans! World premiere of the Wooster Group’s Native American-themed reimagining of Shakespeare’s “Troilus & Cressida.” REDCAT, 631 W. 2nd St., L.A. Thu.-Sat., 8:30 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends March 9. $40, $50. (213) 237-2800.

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Getting to Know Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella New version of the classic musical designed specifically for young performers. Eclectic Company Theatre, 5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Valley Village. Fri.-Sat., 7 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends March 23. $15. (818) 508-3003.

Boeing-Boeing The Group Rep stages the Tony-winning comedy about a Parisian playboy dating three flight attendants. Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends April 13. $17, $22. (818) 763-5990.

Closely Related Keys An African American attorney discovers she has an Iraqi half-sister in the world premiere of Wendy Graf’s drama. Lounge Theatre, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends March 30. $25, $30. (323) 960-7774.

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The Pianist of Willesden Lane Return engagement of Mona Golabek’s one-person show inspired by her mother’s experiences in Nazi-occupied Europe. Gil Cates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends March 9. $37-$77. (310) 208-5454.

Pygmalion “Mad Men”-inspired version of the George Bernard Shaw comedy about the making of a lady. Archway Studio/Theatre, 305 S. Hewitt St., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends April 5. $18. (213) 237-9933.

Stand-off at Hwy. #37 World premiere of Vickie Ramirez’s drama about a confrontation on a reservation in upstate New York. Wells Fargo Theater at the Autry National Center, 4700 Western Heritage Way, L.A. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends March 16. $12, $20. (323) 667-2000.

CRITICS’ PICKS: What to watch, where to go, what to eat

The Amazing Bubble Man Louis Pearl does tricks with bubbles in this family-friendly show. Edgemar Center for the Arts, 2437 Main St., Santa Monica. Sat.-next Sun., 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m. $15, $20. (310) 392-7327.

Hope: Part II of A Mexican Trilogy The Latino Theater Company presents a reading of Evelina Fernandez’s drama set in 1960s Arizona. Upstairs@KDT, Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. Sat., 1 p.m. $10. (213) 628-2772.

Artisans Union: Love Variety showcase features young actors, comics and musicians. Fremont Centre Theatre, 1000 Fremont Ave., South Pasadena. Sat., 8 p.m. $10. (866) 811-4111.

Gene Kelly: The Legacy — An Evening with Patricia Ward Kelly Kelly’s widow shares memories, memorabilia and rare and classic clips of the late, great actor-dancer-director. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m. $15-$150. (626) 356-7529.

The Graduate L.A. Theatre Works presents the stage adaptation of the Charles Webb novel that was also the basis for the classic 1967 film. Plaza del Sol Performance Hall, Cal State Northridge, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. Sat., 8 p.m. $35-$40. (818) 677-3000.

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Much Ado About Nothing 1930s-styled take on Shakespeare’s romantic comedy. Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends March 29. $14-$24. (562) 494-1014.

Schick Machine CAP UCLA presents the Paul Dresher Ensemble and percussionist Steve Schick in Dresher’s musical fable. Freud Playhouse, 405 Hilgard Ave. MacGowan Hall, UCLA Campus, Westwood. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m. $20-$30. (310) 825-2101.

Susan Egan The star of Broadway’s “Beauty and the Beast” performs. Arcadia Performing Arts Center, Arcadia High School 188 Campus Drive, Arcadia. Sat., 8 p.m. $29.50-$59.50. (626) 821-1781.

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The Wizard of Oz American Family Theater’s new version of the musical fantasy. La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. Next Sun., 1 and 3:30 p.m. $8, $12. (562) 944-9801.

The Emperor’s New Clothes World-premiere, kid-friendly musical based on the Hans Christian Andersen fable. Assistance League Playhouse, 1367 N. St. Andrews Place, Hollywood. Next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends March 23. $12. (323) 469-1970.