L.A. theater openings, May 4-11: ‘Letters from Zora’ and more

Whitefire Theatre’s Solofest 2014 gets underway, a struggling composer encounters “The Ghost of Gershwin” at Lonny Chapman Theatre, and Vanessa Bell Calloway delivers “Letters from Zola” at Pasadena Playhouse.

Turning Thirty Lisa Phillips Visca’s new romantic comedy about contemporary relationships. The Other Space at Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. Sun., next Sun., 3 p.m.; Sat., 7:30 p.m.; ends June 29. $29. (310) 394-9779.

Vaudeville in the Park Independent Shakespeare Co. presents a variety show to benefit the annual Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival. Griffith Park (Old Zoo), 4730 Crystal Springs Drive, L.A. Sun., 3 p.m. $35 and up. (818) 710-6306.

Jeremy Jordan The Broadway and TV star (“Newsies,” “Smash”) performs. Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. Mon., 7:30 and 10 p.m.; Tue., 8 p.m. $30, $40. (866) 468-3399.

got musical! Highlights from new musicals in development and more. Colony Theatre, 555 N. 3rd St., Burbank. Tue., 8 p.m. $10. (818) 506-8500.

I Never Met a Jerk I Didn’t Like Tiffany Phillips explores the dating scene; part of Solofest 2014. Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Wed., 8 p.m. $20-$35. (818) 990-2324.

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

Unorganized Crime Chazz Palminteri stars in the world premiere of Kenny D’Aquila’s dramedy about mob-family values. The Elephant Studio Theater, 1076 Lillian Way, Hollywood. Thu., 7 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends May 31. $34.99. (800) 595-4849.

Ajax in Iraq Not Man Apart Physical Theatre Ensemble presents Ellen McLaughlin’s mythologically informed examination of sexual assault in the modern-day military. Miles Memorial Playhouse, 1130 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends June 1. $25; $10 student-rush on Thursdays. (818) 618-4772.

110 in the Shade A woman meets a charismatic stranger in a drought-stricken 1930s town in this musical based on “The Rainmaker.” Actors Co-op Crossley Theatre, 1760 N. Gower St., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 p.m.; ends June 15. $25-$34. (323) 462-8460.

Failure Is an Option! Tom Rubin sends up motivational speakers; part of Solofest 2014. Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Fri., 8 p.m. $20-$35. (818) 990-2324.

The Ghost of Gershwin World-premiere musical fantasy about an aspiring composer in present-day Brooklyn. Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends June 22. $17, $22. (818) 763-5990.

Lily Tomlin The Grammy, Emmy and Tony winner revisits classic characters and favorite monologues. Valley Performing Arts Center, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. Fri., 8 p.m. $30-$100. (818) 677-3000.

The Hebrew Hillbilly Shelley Fisher chronicles her life and showbiz career; part of Solofest 2014. Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Sat., 8 p.m. $20-$35. (818) 990-2324.

Holding the Man L.A. premiere of this adaptation of Timothy Conigrave’s memoir about growing up gay in 1970s Melbourne, Australia. Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave., L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends June 29. $34.99. (323) 960-7735.

Silent Witnesses Writer-performer Stephanie Satie’s one-person show based on the stories of child survivors of the Holocaust. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A. Sat., 8 p.m. $20-$30. (310) 477-2055.

Stories by Heart Tony and Emmy winner John Lithgow celebrates the art of storytelling. Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach. Sat., 8 p.m. $65. (562) 985-7000.

Letters from Zora Vanessa Bell Calloway portrays African American writer Zora Neale Hurston. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Opens Next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends May 18. $40-$100. (626) 356-7529.

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

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. Next Sun., 6:30 p.m.; ends June 1. $20-$55. (213) 628-2772.