L.A. theater openings, Nov. 17-24: ‘The Lion King’ returns

“The Lion King” roars back into the Pantages, the musical “In the Heights” lands in Boyle Heights, and the Grinch is up to his old tricks at San Diego’s Old Globe.

A Family Affair Staged reading of an adaptation of Alexander Ostrovsky’s classic satire of Moscow’s merchant class. The Lounge Theatre, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. Sunday, 2 p.m. Donation. (323) 960-5691.

Shadows Round the Moon Kate Burton reads a one-woman play about “Frankenstein” novelist Mary Wollstonecraft Shelley as a benefit for Women in Film. The Actors’ Gang, 9070 Venice Blvd, Los Angeles. Sunday, 2:30 p.m. $25-$50. (323) 935-2211.

CHEAT SHEET: Fall arts preview

Beethoven and Misfortune Cookies Return engagement of this fact-based one-person show about a fired Arkansas music professor who finds his way to Hollywood. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A. Sunday, next Sun., 5:30 p.m.; ends Dec. 15. $20, $25. (323) 960-4418.

Side Show Updated version of the fact-based musical about conjoined twin sisters who took their act from the circus to the stage; Bill Condon directs. La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. Sunday, 7 p.m.; Tue.-Wed., 7:30 p.m.; Thu.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends Dec. 15. $15 and up. (858) 550-1010.

Wonderful Town Musical Theatre Guild opens its 18th season with a concert-staged reading of this Tony winner about two Ohio sisters who find themselves in 1930s NYC. Moss Theater at New Roads School, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica. Sunday, 7 p.m. $22.50-$45. (818) 848-6844.

We’re Gonna Die CAP UCLA presents the L.A. premiere of Young Jean Lee’s pop-tinged musical theater work about the shared human condition. The Actors’ Gang at the Ivy Substation, 9070 Venice Blvd., Culver City. Wed.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m. $40. (310) 825-2101.

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! The family-friendly holiday 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. 28. $24 and up. (619) 234-5623.

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Citizen Twain Val Kilmer portrays author and humorist Mark Twain in this one-person show. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Thu.-Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m. $65. (949) 497-2787.

An Evening with Martin Short The “SCTV” and “SNL” funnyman reprises some of his classic characters in this one-person show. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Thu., 8 p.m. $39. (714) 556-2787.

The God Question Storytellers explore spiritual matters in this entry in SHINE’s monthly series. YWCA Santa Monica/Westside, 2019 14th St., Santa Monica. Thu., 8 p.m. $5-$10 donation. (310) 452-2321.

Light Up the Sky Moss Hart’s classic backstage comedy about a young playwright’s first big success. Theatre 40, 241 S. Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills. Thu., Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 22. $24, $26. (310) 364-0535.

Pretty Chicas All in a Row Drag trio Chico’s Angels returns in this musical comedy-mystery. Cavern Club Theater, 1920 Hyperion Ave., L.A. Thu., 8 p.m.; Fri., 9 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 9 p.m.; next Sun., 3 and 8 p.m.; ends Nov. 26. $30, $35. (323) 662-4255.

Starr Quality Musicologist Rick Starr is saluted in song in this benefit for the Actors Fund. Catalina’s Jazz Club, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. Thu., 8 p.m. $30, $50. (323) 466-2210.

Anton, Neko, Kuri Experimental Tokyo-based theater company Faifai makes its West Coast debut with this multidisciplinary, multimedia exploration of human relationships; in Japanese with English supertitles. REDCAT, 631 W. 2nd St., L.A. Thu.-Sat., 8:30 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m. $12-$25. (213) 237-2800.

In the Heights Tony-winning musical set in a Dominican American neighborhood in NYC. New Casa 0101 Theater, 2102 E. 1st St., Boyle Heights. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 5 p.m.; ends Dec. 22. $20-$50. (323) 263-7684.

Lilies of the Field A traveling handyman is enlisted by a group of nuns to help build a church in the desert in this adaptation of William E. Barrett’s novel. West Valley Playhouse, 7242 Owensmouth Ave., Canoga Park. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 p.m.; ends Dec. 22. $26-$28. (818) 884-1907.

Limousine, Midnight Blue Writer-performer Jamey Hecht’s multimedia exploration of the JFK assassination. New Center for Psychoanalysis, 2014 Sawtelle Blvd., L.A. Fri., 8 p.m. $15, $25. (310) 478-6541.

The Lion King The Tony-winning musical based on the animated Disney film returns. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; ends Jan. 12. $25 and up. (800) 982-2787.

Suburban Showgirl A Las Vegas magician’s assistant comes to a career crossroads in writer-performer Palmer Davis’ one-person show. Malibu Playhouse, 29243 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Dec. 1. $30. (323) 960-7711.

MythBusters: Behind the Myths The stars of the Discovery Channel series perform on-stage experiments and share behind-the-scenes stories. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Sat., 7:30 p.m. $60-$195. (714) 556-2121.

Prince Siddhartha — The Life of the Buddha Hacienda Heights’ Hsi Lai Temple presents a musical exploration of the travels and teachings of the Buddha. Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena. Sat., 7:30 p.m. $40-$120. (626) 449-7360.

Christmas 2 World premiere of Jeff Goode’s satirical reimagining of the nativity story. T.U. Studios, 10943 Camarillo St., North Hollywood. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Dec. 22. $20. (800) 838-3006.

Storefront Church West Coast premiere of John Patrick Shanley’s drama about a Bronx politician forced into a confrontation with a local minister. NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Dec. 21. $20, $25. (323) 960-5068.

Story Pirates Greatest Hits Show Sketch-comedy musical for ages 4 and up. La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. Next Sun., 1 and 3:30 p.m. $8-$12. (562) 944-9801.

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