L.A. theater openings, May 31-June 7: Shakespeare, Fringe and more

This week: Two Shakespeare plays in the sylvan confines of Theatricum Botanicum, and the Hollywood Fringe Festival gets off to an early start with a handful of new shows.

The Homecoming Harold Pinter’s dark comedy about family, power, sex and gender. Pacific Resident Theatre, 703 Venice Blvd., Venice. Sun., next Sun., 3 p.m.; Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends July 26. $25-$34. (310) 822-8392.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Shakespeare’s beloved fantasy-comedy. Glendale Centre Theatre, 324 N. Orange St., Glendale. Sun., 3 p.m.; Mon.-Tue., 7:30 p.m.; ends June 2. $15-$25. (818) 244-8481.

Lulu Staged reading of Peter Barnes’ adaptation of two Frank Wedekind tragedies. A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Wed., 7 p.m. Free. (626) 356-3100.

Murder for Two Featuring the original two-person cast of the hit Off-Broadway musical-comedy-mystery. Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater, Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood. Wed.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends July 5. $59-$74. (310) 208-5454.

The Blank Theatre 23rd Annual Young Playwrights Festival New plays by aspiring writers ages 12 to 19. Stella Adler Theatre, 6773 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends June 28. $14, $20; passes, $48, $68. (323) 661-9827.

The Claw World-premiere farce about a young man who falls in love with a med student while trying to clone his deceased father. Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. W., L.A. Thu.- Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends June 21. $5-$25. (323) 851-7977.

Got Musical 2015 Excerpts from new musicals by up-and-coming writers. Colony Theatre, 555 N. 3rd St., Burbank. Thu., 7:30 p.m. $15, $50. (818) 506-8500.

The Halfwits’ Last Hurrah Four Clowns’ comedic fable about a fame-hungry showman and his troupe; part of Hollywood Fringe. Lillian Theatre, 1076 Lillian Way, Hollywood. Thu., 8:30 p.m.; ends June 26. $10-$15. (323) 455-4585.

Marry Me a Little Good People Theater Company stages this celebration of the songs of Stephen Sondheim; part of Hollywood Fringe. Lillian Theatre, 1076 Lillian Way, Hollywood. Thu., 7 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends June 28. (323) 455-4585.

Avenue Q Tony-winning, adult-themed puppet-musical about young people in the big city. Maverick Theater, 110 E. Walnut, Fullerton. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 6 p.m.; ends July 19. $15, $28. (714) 526-7070.

Fugitive Songs 2Cents Theatre presents the West Coast premiere of this music-fueled drama about six troubled souls wandering the American landscape; part of Hollywood Fringe. Three Clubs, 1123 Vine St., Hollywood. Fri., 8 p.m.; ends June 28. $18. (323) 455-4585.

Green Day’s American Idiot: The Musical DOMA Theatre Company stages the hit show based on the band’s Grammy-winning 2004 album. The MET Theatre, 1089 N. Oxford Ave., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends July 12. (323) 802-9181.

John Cantwell’s Fade to Connie Cantwell returns as his alter-ego Love Connie in this movie-centric comedy show. Cavern Club Theater, 1920 Hyperion Ave., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 9 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends June 14. $20, $25. (800) 838-3006.

The Mandrake A playboy tries to seduce a lawyer’s trophy wife in this updated take on Machiavelli’s 16th-century comedy. Archway Studio/Theatre, 10509 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends June 28. $18. (818) 980-7529.

The Mermaid Wars SkyPilot Theatre Company stages the world premiere of Adam Hahn’s fantastical satire; part of Hollywood Fringe. Studio/Stage 520 N. Western Ave., L.A. Fri.-next Sun., 8 p.m.; ends June 28. $15. (800) 838-3006.

The Vagina Monologues Benefit performances of Eve Ensler’s hit show, with a rotating all-star cast. Atwater Village Theatre Speakeasy, 3269 Casitas Ave., L.A. Fri., 8 p.m.; ends June 13. $25. www.vdaylosangeles.com.

Into the Woods Actors’ Repertory Theatre of Simi stages James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim’s musical reimagining of classic fairytales. Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends July 12. $18-$25. (805) 583-7900.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Shakespeare’s romantic fantasy-comedy, performed in an outdoor setting. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Sat., 3:30 p.m.; ends Sept. 25. $10-$39.50; children 6 and under, free. (310) 455-3723.

Miserable with an Ocean View Oscar nominee Patty McCormack (“The Bad Seed”) stars in Howard Skora’s new comedy about a man’s relationship with his difficult, wheelchair-bound mother. Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Sat., 8 p.m.; ends July 18. $25. (800) 838-3006.

On Tidy Endings Harvey Fierstein’s one-act about a gay man and a straight woman mourning a shared loss; part of Hollywood Fringe. The Complex’s East Theatre, 6468 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. Sat., 10:30 p.m.; next Sun., 6:30 p.m.; ends June 27. $12. (323) 455-4585.

One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest Adaptation of Ken Kesey’s novel about the denizens of a mental institution. Loft Ensemble, 929 E. 2nd St., L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends July 19. $10, $20. (213) 680-0392.

A Permanent Image West Coast premiere of Samuel D. Hunter’s Idaho-set drama about estranged family members reunited for a funeral. Rogue Machine, 5041 Pico Blvd., L.A. Sat., 5 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends July 20. $30-$35. (855) 585-5185.

The Taming of the Shrew Queer Classics’ “I Love Lucy”-styled take on Shakespeare’s comedy; part of Hollywood Fringe. The Other Space at the Actors Company, 916 N. Formosa Ave., L.A. Sat., 7 p.m.; ends June 21. $10, $20. (323) 455-4585.

Thinking Shakespeare Live! Globe artistic director Barry Edelstein and a trio of actors explore the language of the Bard. The Old Globe, San Diego, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego. Sat., 11 a.m. $10, $15. (619) 234-5623.

As You Like It Civil War-themed, folk music-infused take on Shakespeare’s fable. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Next Sun., 3:30 p.m.; ends Sept. 26. $10-$39.50; children 6 and under, free. (310) 455-3723.

The Best of Albuquerque Fringe 2025 Kitchen-sink sendup of theater festivals; part of Hollywood Fringe. Elephant Space, 6320 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. Next Sun., 5:30 p.m.; ends June 28. $14. (323) 455-4585.

The Load-In New comedy about a hapless rock band; part of Hollywood Fringe. Three Clubs, 1123 Vine St., Hollywood. Next Sun., 8 p.m.; ends June 27. $13. (323) 455-4585.

Matilda: The Musical National touring production of this Tony-winning adaptation of Roald Dahl’s children’s book about a mischievous schoolgirl. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A. Next Sun., 4 p.m.; ends July 12. $25-$130. (213) 972-4400.

Waterfall World-premiere romantic musical about a young Thai student who falls in love with the American wife of a Thai diplomat during the war-torn 1930s. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Next Sun, 5 p.m.; ends June 28. $47-$87. (626) 356-7529.