L.A. theater openings, Sept. 7-14: Gob Squad, Shakespeare and more

British-German troupe Gob Squad shoots video in and around Downtown L.A. then mixes it with live performance in a new multimedia show at REDCAT. Plus, new productions of a pair of Shakespeare classics feature women taking on traditionally male lead roles.

Thanks for the Memories Music-and-comedy revue salutes Bob Hope and the USO. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Sun., 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. $10-$30. (626) 355-4318.

Race David Mamet’s drama about two lawyers defending a wealthy white man charged with sexually assaulting a black woman. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. Sun., 6:30 p.m.; Tue.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; ends Sept. 28. $25-$55. (213) 628-2772.

Broadway Barre Members of the local musical-theater community perform in this cabaret show. Rockwell: Table & Stage, 1714 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. Mon., 8 p.m. $10-$15. (323) 669-1550.

Animals Out of Paper East West Players presents the L.A. premiere of Rajiv Joseph’s comedy-drama about life, love and origami. David Henry Hwang Theater, 120 N. Judge John Aiso St., L.A. Wed.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Oct. 5. $28-$38; discounts available; pay what you can, Sept. 11. (213) 625-7000.

Super Night Shot The British-German theater troupe Gob Squad explores life in Downtown L.A. in this new multimedia performance. REDCAT, 631 W. 2nd St., L.A. Thu.-next Sun., 8:30 p.m. $20-$30. (213) 237-2800.

The Behavior of Broadus New musical about behavioral psychologist and advertising pioneer Dr. John B. Watson. Sacred Fools Theater, 660 N. Heliotrope Drive, L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Oct. 18. $25. (310) 281-8337.

Kingdom City World premiere of Sheri Wilner’s drama about a New York theater director who finds herself helming a high school production of Arthur Miller’s “The Crucible” in a conservative Missouri town. La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends Oct. 5. $15 and up. (858) 550-1010.

One More Time! Song-and-dance man and “Lawrence Welk Show” veteran Arthur Duncan shares music and memories. Monroe Forum at the El Portal Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 and 7 p.m. $40. (818) 508-4200.

Orphans Two abandoned boys living in a rundown row house in Philadelphia have a fateful encounter with a wealthy businessman in Lyle Kessler’s dramedy; contains adult language. Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Westchester. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Oct. 18. $18, $20. (310) 645-5156.

Roar! Contemporary pop songs illustrate tales of love gone wrong in this new immersive musical. Rockwell: Table & Stage, 1714 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Sept. 27. $15-$50. (323) 669-1550.

Schachner vs. Schachner World premiere of solo performer Abby Schachner’s autobiographical dark comedy. Asylum Lab, 1076 Lillian Way, L.A. Fri., 8 p.m.; ends Oct. 24. $10. (323) 962-1632.

The Simpsons Take the Bowl Series creator Matt Groening, select voice-cast members, the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra, the Gay Men’s Chorus of Los Angeles and special guests including Conan O’Brien and “Weird Al” Yankovic celebrate the long-running animated show. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7:30 p.m. $13-$172. (323) 850-2000.

The Storyteller World premiere of Antonio Sacre’s one-person show about his two decades as a solo performer; part of the 2nd annual “Solo Collective.” VS Theater, 5453 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. Fri., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Sept. 28. $17. (323) 739-4411.

You Love That I’m NOT Your Wife World premiere of Joanne Mosconi’s dramedy about modern romance. Avery Schreiber Playhouse, 4934 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Oct. 5. $25. (818) 288-2016.

Cirque Peking The National Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China perform. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Sat., 3 p.m. $16-$69. (714) 556-2787.

Cockfight Play L.A. premiere of Mike Bartlett’s sexually frank, Olivier Award-winning comedy about a romantic triangle; for mature audiences. Rogue Machine at Theatre Theater, 5041 Pico Blvd., L.A. Sat., 5 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Nov. 3. $30. (855) 585-5185.

Stage Door Canteen Long Beach Playhouse celebrates its 85th anniversary with a 1940s-style floorshow, celebrity lookalikes, casino games and more. Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach. Sat., 6:30 p.m. $100. (562) 494-1014.

Man’s Dominion Ten characters reflect on the sad fate of a circus elephant in 1916 Tennessee in David Castro’s one-person play; Tim Powell stars. Asylum Lab, 1076 Lillian Way, L.A. Sat., 7 p.m.; next Sun., 5 p.m.; ends Oct. 5. $10. (323) 962-1632.

Happy Days Samuel Beckett’s existential fable is reimagined as a parable about climate change and environmental catastrophe; “Monk’s” Tony Shalhoub and Brooke Adams star. Boston Court Performing Arts Center, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Oct. 12. $34; discounts available. (626) 683-6883.

Julius Caesar Southern California Shakespeare Festival’s reimagined version of the Bard’s tragedy features artistic director Linda Bisesti in the title role. Studio Theatre, Cal Poly Pomona , 3801 W. Temple Ave., Pomona. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Oct. 5. $12-$15. (909) 869-3900.

Rise and Shine (I Thought I Was White) Ohio native Anil Kumar’s solo show about life in his Punjabi immigrant family. Actors Company, 916A N. Formosa Ave., West Hollywood. Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Oct. 11. $22. (323) 207-8198.

Spring Awakening Deaf West Theatre presents an immersive production of the Tony-winning musical about the trials of youth; performed simultaneously in American Sign Language and English. Inner City Arts, 720 Kohler St., Los Angeles. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Oct. 19. $30, $34. (818) 762-2998.

The Tempest Deborah Strang portrays the magician Prospero in a new production of Shakespeare’s fantasy tale. A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Nov. 22. $40 and up; student rush, $20. (626) 356-3100.

Sweet Smell of Success Musical Theatre Guild stages the Marvin Hamlisch musical inspired by the 1957 movie starring Burt Lancaster and Tony Curtis. Moss Theater at New Roads School, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica. Next Sun., 7 p.m. $45. (818) 848-6844.