L.A. theater openings, Aug. 14-21: ‘My Girlfriend Is an Alien! by Keith DeFacto’ and more

This week: A nun and a priest walk into an award-winning drama, a suburban mom sings of her mental illness in a hit musical, and a man romances an extraterrestrial in a new sci-fi comedy.

A Phoenix Too Frequent Theatre 40 presents a reading of Christopher Fry’s 1946 drama about a Roman soldier, a grieving widow and her servant. Greystone Mansion, 905 Loma Vista Drive, Beverly Hills. Today, 6 p.m. $12, $15. (310) 285-6830.

Shakespeare by the Sea Locally touring productions of the Bard’s “Cymbeline” and “Othello.” Various locations; details at www.shakespearebythesea.org. Today through Saturday. Free. (310) 217-7596.

A Mexican Trilogy Free readings of excerpts from Evelina Fernández’s upcoming play, plus a Q&A with the cast. Benjamin Franklin Library, 2200 E. First St., L.A. Tue., 6 p.m. (323) 263-6901. Also, Malabar Library, 2801 Wabash Ave., L.A. Wed., 6 p.m. (323) 263-1497; Robert Louis Stevenson Library, 803 Spence St., L.A. Thu., 6 p.m. (323) 268-4710; and Santa Monica Main Library, 601 Santa Monica Blvd., Santa Monica. Fri., 6 p.m. (310) 458-8600.

Fully Committed One actor portrays 40 characters in Becky Mode’s one-act comedy. Rubicon Theatre Company, 1006 E. Main St., Ventura. Tue., 7 p.m. Free; suggested donation, $10. (805) 667-2900.

The Pirates of Penzance Shakespeare Orange County stages the classic Gilbert & Sullivan musical comedy. Garden Grove Amphitheater, 12762 Main St., Garden Grove. Thu.-next Sun., 8 p.m.; ends Aug. 28. $25. (714) 590-1575.

Doubt John Patrick Shanley’s Tony- and Pulitzer-winning psychological drama about a nun/principal who suspects a priest of inappropriate behavior with a young student. International City Theatre, Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Sept. 11. $47, $49; opening night only, $55. (562) 436-4610.

Medea A scorned wife plots bloody revenge in Euripides’ classic Greek tragedy. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd. North Hollywood. Fri., 8:30 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Sept. 11. $15. (818) 202-4120.

My Girlfriend Is an Alien! by Keith DeFacto The search for love takes an otherworldly turn in Neil McGowan’s new sci-fi comedy, directed by Guillermo Cienfuegos. Pacific Resident Theatre, 703 Venice Blvd., Venice. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Oct. 2. $20. (310) 822-8392.

Next to Normal Pulitzer- and Tony-winning rock musical about a suburban wife and mother struggling with bipolar disorder. The Pico Playhouse, 10508 W. Pico Blvd., L.A. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Sept. 25. $32-$36.99. (800) 838-3006.

Back to the Garden: The Music of Joni Mitchell, Carole King and Laura Nyro The three 1960s and ’70s-era singer-songwriters are celebrated in this musical revue. Rubicon Theatre Company, 1006 E. Main St., Ventura. Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Aug. 21. $69.50. (805) 667-2900.

Drama Queens from Hell Three diverse characters vie for the lead role in a remake of the classic Billy Wilder film “Sunset Boulevard” in Peter Lefcourt’s new satirical comedy. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends Sept. 25. $25, $30. (323) 960-7787.

Love’s Labor’s Lost A king and his compatriots are distracted from their studies in Shakespeare’s courtly romantic comedy, directed by Tony winner Kathleen Marshall. The Old Globe, San Diego, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego. Sat.-next Sun., 8 p.m.; ends Sept. 18. $29 and up; discounts available. (619) 234-5623.

One Night Only: The Future Is Bright The Mama Bares and TaikoProject are among the performers slated for this East West Players fundraiser. David Henry Hwang Theater, 120 Judge John Aiso St., L.A. Sat., 7:30 p.m. $100-$250. (213) 625-7000.

Please Don’t Ask About Becket A woman is still haunted by the disappearance of her twin brother many years earlier in Wendy Graf’s new family drama. Sacred Fools, Black Box Theater, 6322 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Sept. 18. $25. (323) 960-7745.

Sam Pancake An evening of comedy, music and drag, etc. Cavern Club Theater, 1920 Hyperion Ave., L.A. Sat.-next Sun., 9 p.m.; ends Aug. 21. $20, $25. (800) 838-3006.

Beyond Imagination Gala launch for the Imagine Project, a new children’s theater company. The Colony Theatre, 555 N. 3rd St., Burbank. Next Sun., 5 p.m. Free; registration required. www.imagineprojectca.com/eventbrite.

Bury Me Reading of Brynne Frauenhoffer’s new issues-driven drama set in a working-class town in Missouri. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Next Sun., 11 a.m. Free; donations accepted. (310) 455-3723.

The Heidi Chronicles Santa Monica Rep presents a staged reading of Wendy Wasserstein’s comedy-drama about the changing roles of women in society from the 1960s to the ’80s. The Edye at the Broad Stage, 1310 11th St. Santa Monica. Next Sun., 2 p.m. $25. (310) 434-3200.

Shine Storytellers, singer-songwriters, etc., share true-life tales about the power of music. Promenade Playhouse, 1404 3rd St., Santa Monica. Next Sun., 7 p.m. $10; discounts available. (310) 452-2321.

What to Send Up When It Goes Down Aleshea Harris’ performance piece uses parody, song, movement, etc., to explore racial violence against black people; a moderated discussion follows each performance. Boston Court, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena. Next Sun., 6 p.m.; next Mon., 7:30 p.m.; ends Aug. 22. Free; reservations recommended. www.bostoncourt.com.