L.A. theater openings, May 11-18: ‘Letters From Zora’ and more

Vanessa Bell Calloway delivers “Letters from Zola” at Pasadena Playhouse. And South Coast Rep revisits its inaugural production, Moliere’s “Tartuffe,” to close out its 50th anniversary season.

Letters From Zora Vanessa Bell Calloway portrays African American writer Zora Neale Hurston. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Sun., 2 p.m.; Thu.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 4 p.m., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m. $40-$100. (626) 356-7529.

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FOR THE RECORD

An earlier version of this post included a photo and listing for “Entershamement.” The show doesn’t open until Thursday, May 22, at 8 p.m. It also included a listing for “In My Corner.” That show plays one night only, Saturday, May 31.

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Momentum Place Circus acts, aerialists dancers and musicians perform. Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Sun., 2 p.m. $10-$30. (310) 455-2322.

An Intimate Conversation With Leslie Caron The actress discusses her career, followed by a free screening of her 1953 film “Lili” at 7 p.m. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Sun., 5:30 p.m. $25. (949) 497-2787.

Different Words for the Same Thing World premiere of Kimber Lee’s drama about intertwined lives in a small Idaho town. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. Sun., 6:30 p.m.; Tue.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 p.m., 6:30 p.m.; ends June 1. $20-$55. (213) 628-2772.

An Evening With Fritz Coleman: Baby Boomer Support Group The weatherman-comic performs in this benefit show. A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Mon., 8 p.m. $40. (626) 356-3100.

The Book of Mormon Tony-winning musical comedy about a pair of missionaries in Africa; contains explicit language. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tue.-Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m., 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 1 p.m., 6:30 p.m.; ends May 25. $34.75-$124.75. (714) 556-2787.

Chasing the Song Workshop production of a new musical about the early-1960s music scene. Sheila and Hughes Potiker Theatre, La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. Tue.-Wed., 7:30 p.m.; Thu.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m., 7 p.m.; ends June 15. $15 and up. (858) 550-1010.

Green Day’s American Idiot Musical based on the band’s Grammy-winning 2004 album. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Tue.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 p.m., 6:30 p.m. $25 and up. (800) 982-2787.

Loch Ness Staged reading of a new family-friendly musical about the Loch Ness monster. Chance Theater, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim Hills. Tue., 8 p.m. $15. (714) 777-3033.

Emma Goldman: Love, Anarchy and Other Affairs McCready Baker portrays the activist-anarchist in Jessica Litwak’s drama. Civic Center Studios, 207 S Broadway, L.A. Wed.-Sat., 8 p.m. $20; half-off on May 15 for women under 21. (800) 838-3006.

Letting Go SHINE presents true stories of bad habits, bad relationships, etc. YWCA Santa Monica/Westside, 2019 14th St., Santa Monica. Thu., 7:30 p.m. $10 suggested donation. (310) 452-3881.

American Night: The Ballad of Juan Jose L.A. Theatre Works records Culture Clash co-founder Richard Montoya’s fantastical comedy for its radio program. James Bridges Theater, UCLA, 235 Charles E. Young Drive, Westwood. Thu.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 p.m., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m. $15-$60. (310) 827-0889.

A Big Gay North Hollywood Wedding Two grooms navigate their nuptials and reception in this interactive comedy. Crown City Theatre, 11031 Camarillo St., North Hollywood. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends July 6. $30. (818) 605-5685.

Passages One-act plays created by Theatre Unleashed members but starring actors from other companies. Upstairs at the Crown, 11031 Camarillo St., North Hollywood. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends May 24. $10. (818) 849-4039.

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

Entershamement Amy G uses music, comedy and slapstick to deconstruct the concept of shame. The Carrie Hamilton Theatre at the Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Fri.-next Sun., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 9:30 p.m.; ends May 31. $25-$30. (626) 356-7529.

Blood Relations Sharon Pollock’s drama about alleged 19th century axe-murderer Lizzie Borden. Raven Playhouse, 5233 N. Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends June 15. $15, $20. (323) 860-6569.

The Book of Oded: Chapter 2 Workshop performances of this fact-based tale of one man’s life journey from Israel to L.A. Two Roads Theatre, 4348 Tujunga Ave., Studio City. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends May 31. $10. (323) 743-8877.

Games on a Bombed-Out Beach World premiere of Shirl Hendryx’s drama about tangled relationships on a film shoot in Greece. Macha Theatre, 1107 N. Kings Road, West Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends June 22. $25. (323) 960-4429.

The Gondoliers New adaptation of Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic opera sets the tale in 1950s England. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 p.m.; ends June 21. $12-$28. (626) 355-4318.

The Hollow Kentwood Players stage the Agatha Christie murder-mystery. Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Westchester. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends June 21. $18, $20. (310) 645-5156.

The Other C Words Rasika Mathur looks at relationships in this solo show; for women only. Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Fri., 8 p.m. $20. (818) 990-2324.

Queer and Now Dave Trudell’s examination of sexual mores in the 21st century. Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica. Fri., 8:30 p.m. $15, $20. (310) 315-1459.

In My Corner Joe Orrach’s autobiographical show about boxing, dance and growing up in the Bronx. The Carrie Hamilton Theatre at the Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Fri.-next Sun., 9:30 p.m.; Sat., 7:30 p.m.; ends May 31. $25-$30. (626) 356-7529.

The Ugly Duckling & the Tortoise and the Hare Lightwire Theater presents family-friendly adaptations of these two classic tales. Samueli Theater, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Sat., 1 p.m.; next Sun., 1 p.m., 3:30 p.m. $20. (714) 556-2787.

The Way of the World Classical Theatre Lab presents a staged reading of William Congreve’s Restoration-era comedy. West Hollywood Library, 625 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood. Sat., 2 p.m. Free; reservations recommended. (323) 960-5691.

Tartuffe Moliere’s classic satire about a con artist posing as a man of faith. South Coast Repertory, Segerstrom Stage, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Sat., 2:30 p.m., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 p.m., 7:30 p.m.; ends June 8. $22 and up. (714) 708-5555.

The Music Man Tune-filled classic about a con artist trying to scam a small Iowa town. Glendale Centre Theatre, 324 N. Orange St., Glendale. Sat., 3 p.m., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends July 5. $18-$28. (818) 244-8481.

Tom Rubin -- Success Guru Rubin sends up motivational speakers. Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Sat., 8 p.m. $25. (818) 990-2324.

The Guardsman New adaptation of Ferenc Molnar’s classic farce about a famous stage actor and his starlet wife. NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends June 22. $25. (323) 960-4418.

Hit World premire of Alice Tuan’s L.A.-centric comedy about a young mixed-race woman’s chaotic life. Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends June 8. $20, $40. (866) 811-4111.

Red Ensemble Theatre Company stages John Logan’s Tony-winning bio-drama about painter Mark Rothko. The New Vic, 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m., 7 p.m.; ends June 1. $20-$65. (805) 965-5400.

Intimacies Michael Kearns’ six-character solo piece explores the lives of people living with HIV/AIDS. Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica. Sat., 8:30 p.m. $15, $20. (310) 315-1459.

La Familia Emanuel Emanuel Larca’s solo show about a journey of self-discovery; in Spanish. Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Next Sun., 7:30 p.m. $20. (818) 990-2324.