L.A. theater openings, Feb. 9-16: ‘Villon’ premieres

The new drama “Villon” profiles a medieval bandit with a penchant for poetry, or vice versa. Plus, basketball players have a hard time scoring in “Lysistrata Jones, “ and it’s England one, France nil in Shakespeare’s “Henry V.”

Death Takes a Holiday Musical Theatre Guild presents the tune-filled fantasy based on the 1929 play. Moss Theater at New Roads School, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica. Sunday, 7 p.m. $45. (818) 848-6844.

The Recommendation L.A. premiere of Jonathan Caren’s drama about two college roommates from disparate backgrounds whose friendship is severely tested. Theatre Asylum, 6320 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. Sunday, 7 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends March 9. $18, $25. (323) 645-0134.

Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike Christopher Durang’s Tony-winning, Chekov-inspired comedy set in present-day Pennsylvania; David Hyde Pierce directs. Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A. Sunday, 7 p.m.; Tue.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2:30 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; ends March 9. $20-$70. (213) 628-2772.

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Proof Staged reading of David Auburn’s drama about mathematics, madness and a father-daughter relationship. The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. Mon., 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 434-3200.

The Wizard of Oz Adaptation of the classic 1939 musical fantasy, with additional songs by Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tue.-Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; ends Feb. 23. $29-$109. (714) 556-2121.

St. Jude Luis Alfaro’s autobiographical one-person show about coping with a family medical crisis. 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.

How’d All You People Get In My Room? “The O.C.’s” Peter Gallagher performs show tunes and standards in this cabaret show. Samueli Theater, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Thu.-Sat., 7:30 p.m. $79. (714) 556-2121.

Valentine’s Day with Matthew Morrison The “Glee” star performs standards and show tunes with Pacific Symphony. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Thu.-Sat., 7:30 p.m. $35-$185. (714) 755-5799.

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The Winter’s Tale Shakespeare’s fantastical fable mixes comedy, tragedy, romance, adventure and intrigue; with Billy Campbell. 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 16. $29 and up. (619) 234-5623.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Six young students strive to be letter-perfect in this Tony-winning musical comedy. El Portal’s Forum Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends March 1. $30. (866) 811-4111.

Going to St. Ives Lee Blessing’s two-character drama about an African dictator’s mother and an English ophthalmologist. Actors Co-op Crossley Theatre, 1760 N. Gower St., Hollywood. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2:30 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 p.m.; ends March 16. $20-$30. (323) 462-8460.

A Memory, a Monologue, a Rant and a Prayer: Writings to Stop Violence Against Women and Girls Staged reading of pieces by Edward Albee, Maya Angelou and others. Eclectic Company Theatre, 5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Valley Village. Fri., 8 p.m. $12, $15. (818) 508-3003.

My Sketchy Valentine Improv troupe Held2gether sends up romance in comedic sketches. Studio at Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. $10. (562) 494-1014.

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Pieces World premiere of Adam Neubauer’s darkly-comic romantic thriller about a man who resorts to drastic measures after his girlfriend leaves him. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Opens Fri. Fri., 8:30 p.m.; ends March 21. $15. (818) 202-4120.

James and the Giant Peach Roald Dahl’s classic children’s tale. South Coast Repertory, Julianne Argyros Stage, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Sat., 11 a.m., 2 and 4:30 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 4:30 p.m.; ends Feb. 23. $20 and up. (714) 708-5555.

Stuart Little E.B. White’s tale of the mild-mannered mouse; for ages 5 and up. The Edye Second Space, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. Sat., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. $20-$35. (310) 434-3200.

Suzette Who Set to Sea Family-friendly tale about a courageous young girl who builds her own boat. La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. Sat.-next Sun., 1 and 3:30 p.m. $9, $12. (858) 550-1010.

The Ugly One Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA presents the West Coast premiere of Marius von Mayenburg’s satire of societal notions of beauty. The Speakeasy at Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave., Atwater Village. Sat., 5 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends March 24. $25. (323) 644-1929.

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Henry V The Porters of Hellgate stage Shakespeare’s historical drama about the warrior-king. Whitmore-Lindley Theatre Center, 11006 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends March 23. $20. (818) 325-2055.

Lysistrata Jones Basketball players’ girlfriends withhold sexual favors in the West Coast premiere of this modern-day musical comedy inspired by Aristophanes’ classic tale. Chance Theater, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim Hills. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends March 9. $35-$45. (714) 777-3033.

The Music Man Musical Theatre West stages Meredith Willson’s tune-filled classic, with “Phantom of the Opera’s” Davis Gaines as con artist Harold Hill. Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends March 2. $20-$92. (562) 856-1999.

Obama Spy Drama World premiere of this ripped-from-the-headlines musical satire. Acme Comedy Theatre, 135 N. La Brea Ave., L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends March 30. $20-$30. (626) 274-1745.

Sandra Bernhard and the Flawless Zircons: Sandyland The actress-comic-singer returns in her latest one-woman show. Royce Hall, UCLA, 340 Royce Drive, Westwood. Sat., 8 p.m. $25-$60. (310) 825-2101.

Sex and Education A high school English teacher faces a challenge on her last day before retirement in Lissa Levin’s comedy; with Stephanie Zimblast. Colony Theatre, 555 N. 3rd St., Burbank. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends March 16. $20-$49. (818) 558-7000.

Villon World premiere of Murray Mednick’s historical drama about a poet/bandit in medieval France. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends March 23. $30. (310) 477-2055.