L.A. theater openings, Nov. 16-23: ‘FDR’ and more

Emmy winner Ed Asner portrays the 32nd U.S. president in a solo show at Laguna Playhouse, Hershey Felder salutes yet another music legend at the Geffen, and a classic British farce comes to the Mark Taper Forum.

The Tempest Aquila Theatre Company presents Shakespeare’s fantasy tale about a banished duke and his daughter on a magical isle. Valley Performing Arts Center, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. Today, 3 p.m. $45, $55. (818) 677-3000.

Gal Invincible Carla Cackowski’s new one-person show; part of the second annual Solo Collective. VS Theater, 5453 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. Today, next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Dec. 14. $17. (323) 739-4411.

Triumph of Love Musical Theatre Guild stages the chamber musical based on Marivaux’s 18th-century classic set in ancient Greece. Moss Theater at New Roads School, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica. Today, 7 p.m. $45. (818) 848-6844.

Gentlemen Staged reading of David Jette’s off-color update of Shakespeare’s “Two Gentlemen of Verona.” Studio A, 2306 Hyperion Ave., Silver Lake. Today, 7:30 p.m. Free. (213) 290-2782.

Bare — Reunion Concert L.A. cast members reunite to perform songs from the rock musical. Rockwell: Table & Stage, 1714 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. Today, 8 p.m. $20-$35. (323) 669-1550.

Penned and Played: From Pen to Stage in Under a Day Six newly created short plays. Eclectic Company Theatre, 5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Valley Village. Today, 8 p.m. $15. (818) 508-3003.

Charming: A Tale of an American Prince Bret Shuford shares songs and stories in this cabaret show. Rockwell: Table & Stage, 1714 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. Mon., 8 p.m. $15-$25. (323) 669-1550.

Tradition, the Jewish Legacy of Broadway The Actors Fund presents a song-filled celebration featuring Hal Linden, Loretta Devine, Peter Marshall and many more. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Mon., 8:30 p.m. $125. (323) 330-2428.

Dueling Drag Divas Variety show with Joanna, Chi Chi Rones and more. Cavern Club Theater, 1920 Hyperion Ave., L.A. Tue., 8 p.m. $20, $25. (800) 838-3006.

The Hollywood Jane Revue: We’re Just Drawn to That Musical celebration of classic animated characters. Rockwell: Table & Stage, 1714 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. Tue., 8 p.m. $10-$15. (323) 669-1550.

20,000 Leagues Under the Sea Portland-based puppet-theatre troupe Tears of Joy presents a family-friendly, steampunk-inspired adaptation of Jules Verne’s sci-fi adventure tale. Theatre Raymond Kabbaz, 10361 W. Pico Blvd., L.A. Wed., 7:30 p.m. $10, $15. (310) 286-0553.

FDR Ed Asner portrays the 32nd U.S. president in this historical drama. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Wed.-Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m.; next Sun., 1 p.m. $41-$61. (949) 497-2787.

Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin Felder salutes the quintessential American songwriter of such classics as “Puttin’ on the Ritz” and “White Christmas.” Gil Cates Theater at the 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 Dec. 21. $39-$84. (310) 208-5454.

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The family-friendly musical returns. The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego. Thu.-Fri., 7 p.m.; Sat.-next Sun., 11 a.m., 2 and 5 p.m.; ends Dec. 27. $24 and up. (619) 234-5623.

SHINE The monthly storytelling series offers true-life tales about finding bravery. YWCA Santa Monica/Westside, 2019 14th St., Santa Monica. Thu., 7:30 p.m. $10 suggested donation. (310) 452-2321.

The Brick and the Rose Professional actors and at-risk youth share the stage in this anti-drug tale. Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m. $25. (800) 838-3006.

Flare Path Terence Rattigan’s drama about a romantic triangle between a British airman, his American wife and a fading movie star during WWII. Theatre 40, 241 S. Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills. Thu., Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 15. $13, $26. (310) 364-0535.

Astroglyde 2014 Annual holiday show features all-new tales of truth, terror and titillation. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri., 8:30 p.m.; ends Dec. 19. $15. (818) 202-4120.

Caught In the Net Ray Cooney’s sequel to his comedy “Run For Your Wife” about a bigamist cab driver in England. West Valley Playhouse, 7242 Owensmouth Ave., Canoga Park. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 p.m.; ends Dec. 21. $26, $28. (818) 884-1907.

Dysfunctional Family Christmas Paul Storiale’s holiday farce returns. BrickHouse Theatre, 10950 Peachgrove St., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 20. $20. (818)-302-3448

Train to Zakopane World premiere of Henry Jaglom’s fact-based drama, set in the 1920s, about a Jewish businessman from Russia who finds himself attracted to a Polish nurse; Tanna Frederick stars. Edgemar Center for the Arts, 2437 Main Street, Santa Monica. Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 5 p.m.; ends March 29. $34.99. (310) 392-7327.

Ubu L.A.-based troupe Four Clowns teams with the CSULB University Players for a modern retelling of 19th-century French playwright Alfred Jarry’s “Ubu Roi.” Studio Theatre, Cal State Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach . Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; ends Dec. 7. $12, $15. (562) 985-5526.

Vox Lumiere — The Phantom of the Opera The classic 1925 silent film serves as the backdrop for this musical multimedia mash-up. Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. $20-$75. (844) 869-7625.

WestFest Annual showcase for new plays continues. Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. W., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 7. $5-$20. (323) 851-7977.

A Christmas Carol Dickens’ classic is presented in its original text. Grove Theater Center, 1111-B W. Olive Ave., Burbank. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Dec. 20. $24.50-$34.50. (800) 838-3006.

The Magnificent Dunbar Hotel Robey Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Levy Lee Simon’s drama about African American life along L.A.’s Central Ave. in the 1930s and ’40s. Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 21. $20, $30. (866) 811-4111.

Blithe Spirit The Classical Theatre Lab presents a staged reading of the Noel Coward comedy. Lounge Theatre, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Next Sun., 2 p.m. Free. (323) 960-5691.

What the Butler Saw Joe Orton’s classic farce set in a private psychiatric clinic. Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A. Next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Dec. 21. $25-$70. (213) 628-2772.