L.A. theater openings, Aug. 17-24: ‘Bulrusher’ and more

A young girl with a special gift is at the heart of Eisa Davis’ “Bulrusher” at the Skylight Theatre, and a Jewish family celebrates a Passover different from any other in “The Face in the Reeds” at Ruskin Group Theatre. Plus, “Once” is never enough as the Tony-winning musical moves to Segerstrom Center after a recent stop at the Pantages.

Out There on Fried Meat Ridge Rd. Keith Stevenson’s comedy about the denizens of a small West Virginia town. Pacific Resident Theatre, 703 Venice Blvd., Venice. Sun., next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Sept. 7. $20. (310) 822-8392.

Busker Alley Musical Theatre West presents a staged reading of the Sherman Brothers’ musical about a street performer who falls for an aspiring Broadway star. University Theatre, Cal State Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach. Sun., 7 p.m. $27, $32. (562) 856-1999.

Putting on Your Shorts 3 The Group Rep presents short plays written, directed and performed by company members. Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Sun., next Sun., 7 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m. $10. (818) 763-5990.

Trieu Tran (UnPlugged) The writer-performer recalls his journey from war-torn Vietnam to Hollywood; for mature audiences only. Festival Amphitheatre, 12762 Main St., Garden Grove, Garden Grove. Sun., 8 p.m. $15, $25. (714) 590-1575.

Season Preview Event Segerstrom Center presents performances from upcoming shows including “Pippin,” “Motown the Musical,” “Phantom of the Opera” and “Once.” Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Mon., 7 p.m. $10. (714) 556-2121.

Once Tony-winning musical based on the 2006 indie film about an Irish singer-songwriter and a Czech immigrant who share a passion for music. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tue.-Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; ends Aug. 31. $25-$109. (714) 556-2787.

Puritanical! Staged reading of a new musical comedy about a young Puritan in love with a vampire. NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood. Tue., 8 p.m. $20. (818) 506-8500.

Rise ’n’ Shine with Bette & Juliette Craig Taggart and Chris Pudlo portray Bette Midler and Juliette Lewis, respectively, in this comedy-variety drag show. Cavern Club Theater, 1920 Hyperion Ave., L.A. Tue., 8 p.m. $25. (800) 838-3006.

Weird on Top The improv-comedy troupe performs. Eclectic Company Theatre, 5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Valley Village. Tue., 8 p.m. $10. (818) 508-3003.

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

California: The Tempest Cornerstone Theater Company presents a staged reading of Alison Carey’s Golden State-inspired reimagining of Shakespeare’s fantasy tale. Grand Performances at California Plaza, 350 S. Grand Ave., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. Free.

The Face in the Reeds World premiere of Robin Uriel Russin’s comedy about a quarrelsome Jewish family’s Passover celebration. Ruskin Group Theatre, 3000 Airport Ave., Santa Monica. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Oct. 11. $20-$25. (310) 397-3244.

Golden Girlz Live Drag performer Jackie Beat and company send up the classic sitcom. Cavern Club Theater, 1920 Hyperion Ave., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 and 10 p.m.; next Sun., 7 and 9 p.m.; ends Aug. 24. $23. (800) 838-3006.

It’s Just Sex A friendly get-together turns into something more intimate for three couples in Jeff Gould’s comedy. Secret Rose Theatre, 11246 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7:30 p.m.; ends Oct. 26. $34.95-$39.50. (818) 762-2272.

Trying Joanna McClelland Glass’s fact-based drama inspired by her experiences as personal secretary to a former U.S. attorney general and Nuremberg-trials judge Francis Biddle. International City Theatre at Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Sept. 14. $42-$52. (562) 436-4610.

The Vacancy Three criminals encounter a young couple while hiding out at a motel near the U.S.-Canada border in Jeptha Storm’s drama. Lost Studio, 130 S. La Brea Ave., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Sept. 27. $15, $20. (323) 933-6944.

HYPERBOLE: bard Rogue Artists Ensemble celebrates all things Shakespeare in this family-friendly show. Carlson Park, Braddock Drive at Motor Avenue, Culver City. Sat., 11 a.m. Free.

2 Across A man and a woman with different approaches to life and crossword puzzles meet on a BART train in Jerry Mayer’s comedy. Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. Sat., 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 3:30 p.m.; ends Sept. 28. $15-$29.50. (310) 394-9779

Thoroughly Modern Millie Tony-winning musical based on the 1967 film about a small-town gal turned flapper in 1920s New York. Glendale Centre Theatre, 324 N. Orange St., Glendale. Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Oct. 4. $18-$28. (818) 244-8481.

Bulrusher L.A. premiere of Eisa Davis’ fantastical drama about a clairvoyant, multiracial orphan girl in a predominantly white California town in the 1950s. Skylight Theatre, 1816 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Sept. 28. $30. (213) 761-7061.

Botanicum Seedlings Staged readings of two new plays: Paul Hufker’s drama “belly wild, sharon rich” and Stephanie Swirsky’s dark comedy “Jew Kamp.” Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd, Topanga. Next Sun., 11 a.m.; ends Aug. 31. Free. (310) 455-3723.