L.A. theater openings, Jan. 26-Feb. 2: National tour of ‘Chicago’

Myriad musicals hit local stages, including “Chicago” at Segerstrom Center, “The Light in the Piazza” at South Coast Rep, “Forever Plaid” at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza and “The Producers” at Fullerton’s Plummer Auditorium.

The Blur New play-reading series kicks off with this drama about procreation and parenthood. The Production Company Workspace, 14731 Oxnard St., Van Nuys. Sunday, 7 p.m.; Mon., 8 p.m. Free. (800) 869-7546.

Siddhartha, The Musical Concert performances of this musical fable inspired by Herman Hesse’s novel about the young prince who became the Buddha. Herb Alpert’s Vibrato Grill Jazz Restaurant, 2930 Beverly Glen Circle, Bel Air. Mon.-Tue., 8 p.m. $65 (includes dinner). (212) 203-9986.

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Chicago Kander & Ebb’s Tony-winning musical about two Jazz-Age murderesses; with John O’Hurley and Paige Davis. 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. $29 and up. (714) 556-2787.

LA Party A fanatical vegan falls off the wagon in Phil Soltanoff’s multimedia tale; part of the Off Center Festival. Studio Performance Space, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Wed.-Fri., 7:30 p.m. $25. (714) 556-2787.

Bethany West Coast premiere of Laura Marks’ drama about a woman trying to get her life back on track. 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 Feb. 23. $29 and up. (619) 234-5623.

Don’t Tell My Mother! Writers and performers share embarrassing true-life tales. Cafe-Club Fais Do-Do, 5257 W. Adams Blvd., L.A. Thu., 8 p.m. $15, $20. (323) 931-4636.

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Keep Culture and Clash On: 30 Years of Revolutionary Comedy Remastered World premiere of Chicano/Latino performance troupe Culture Clash’s anniversary show; contains mature subject matter; part of the Off Center Festival. Founders Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m. $25. (714) 556-2787.

Night Watch Lucille Fletcher’s whodunit set in a Manhattan townhouse. Theatre 40, 241 S. Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills. Thu., Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Feb. 23. $24, $26. (310) 364-0535.

Salome L.A. Theatre Works records Oscar Wilde’s take on the biblical tale of John the Baptist for its radio program; with James Marsters. James Bridges Theater, UCLA, 235 Charles E. Young Drive, Westwood. Thu.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 4 p.m. $15-$60. (310) 827-0889.

10 Minute Benders SkyPilot Theatre Company presents nine short one-act plays. The Young Actors Studio, 5215 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Feb. 22. $20. (800) 838-3006.

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Belfry West Coast premiere of Billy Roche’s Ireland-set drama about a middle-aged man’s affair with a married woman. Malibu Playhouse, 29243 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends March 9. $30. (310) 589-1998.

A Cat Named Mercy World premiere of Josefina Lopez’ dark comedy about a nurse facing her own health crisis. New Casa 0101 Theater, 2102 E. 1st St., Boyle Heights. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 5 p.m.; ends Feb. 23. $15-$20. (323) 263-7684.

Forever Plaid Cabrillo Music Theatre stages this tune-filled tale of an ill-fated 1950s/60s-era vocal group. Fred Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Feb. 9. $30-$65. (805) 449-2787.

If We Only Have Love Singer-songwriter Amanda McBroom (“The Rose”) performs in a cabaret show that also features the music of Jacques Brel. Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. $20, $25. (626) 683-6883.

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Lovecraft: Nightmare Suite The Visceral Company presents six terror tales based on the author’s writings. The Lex Theatre, 6760 Lexington Ave., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends March 2. $23. (323) 871-1150.

Old Black Magic: A Haunted Musical The ghosts of John Barrymore, Jayne Mansfield, Edgar Allen Poe, et al., are trapped in limbo in this Olio Theatre Works presentation. Studio at Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Feb. 9. $15. (562) 494-1014.

The Producers 3-D Theatricals stages Mel Brooks’ Tony-winning musical comedy about a pair of scheming Broadway producers; contains strong language, adult humor. Plummer Auditorium, 201 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Feb. 16. $28-$60. (714) 589-2770.

Becoming … Unusual: The Education of an Eclectic Rinde Eckert’s solo show mixing music, monologues, lecture and video; part of the Off Center Festival. Samueli Theater, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Fri.-Sat., 8:30 p.m. $25. (714) 556-2787.

The Light in the Piazza A young woman finds romance while on vacation in Italy in Craig Lucas and Adam Guettel’s musical. 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 Feb. 23. $25 and up. (714) 708-5555.

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Noises Off Michael Frayn’s comedy about an acting troupe staging a bedroom farce. Rubicon Theatre Company, 1006 E. Main St., Ventura. Sat., 7 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Feb. 23. $25-$49. (805) 667-2900.

Pure Imagination: The Musical World of Anthony Newley and Leslie Bricusse Revue celebrates the 1960s songwriting duo behind the hit show “Stop the World — I Want to Get Off.” Pacific Resident Theatre, 703 Venice Blvd., Venice. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends March 2. $20-$28. (310) 822-8392.

The Real Thing Tom Stoppard’s Tony-winning comedy about a playwright whose personal life begins to resemble the new play he’s been working on. Two Roads Theatre, 4348 Tujunga Ave., Studio City. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends March 9. $15. (323) 822-7898.