L.A. theater openings, May 28-June 4: ‘Mystery Lit: Holmes, Sherlock and the Consulting Detective’ and more

This week: The world’s greatest detective is on the case in a new mash-up. Plus, tales of a Japanese American civil-rights activist and a famous composer’s talented sister.

Escape to Margaritaville A singer/bartender falls for a beautiful tourist in this world-premiere musical featuring the songs of Jimmy Buffett. La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Dr., La Jolla. Sun., 7 p.m.; Tue.-Wed., 7:30 p.m.; Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends July 9. $85 and up. (858) 550-1010.

Donna McKechnie: Same Place, Another Time The Tony winner (“A Chorus Line”) performs with special guests. Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. Sun., 7:30 p.m. $25-$55; food and drink minimums apply. (866) 468-3399.

The Bodyguard Musical based on the 1992 Whitney Houston-Kevin Costner film about about a famous singer and the former Secret Service agent hired to protect her; with Deborah Cox (select performances only). Segerstrom Hall, 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.; June 11. $29 and up. (714) 556-2787.

The Book of Mormon Hit musical comedy about two Mormon missionaries posted to Africa. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Tue.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; ends June 4. $35 and up; children under 5 not admitted. (800) 982-2787.

To My Children’s Father Staged reading of Gary Goldstein’s new dramedy about an dying man’s final days with his family. Writers Guild of America West HQ, 7000 W. Third St., L.A. Tue., 7:30 p.m. Free. RSVP at diversity@wga.org.

The Blank Theatre’s 25th Annual Young Playwrights Festival Four-week showcase features new plays by aspiring young writers. Stella Adler Theatre, 6773 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends June 25. $15, $25; passes, $50, $80. (323) 661-9827.

Episode de la vie d’un auteur (Episode in the Life of an Author) Jean Anouilh’s Absurdist comedy; in French with no subtitles. Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz, Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles, 10361 W. Pico Blvd., L.A. Thu.-Fri., 7:30 p.m. $10, $15. (310) 286-0553.

Future St. Alexandro Segade’s multimedia-enhanced sci-fi fable explores gender, sexuality, conformity and government oppression in a dystopian California. The Broad, Oculus Hall, 221 S. Grand Ave., L.A. Thu.-Fri., 8:30 p.m. $25. (213) 232-6200.

The Imaginary Invalid Fiasco Theater’s brand-new reimagining of Molière’s classic satire about a hypochondriac who schemes to marry his daughter to a doctor. The Old Globe, San Diego, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego. Thu.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends July 2. $29 and up. (619) 234-5623.

Below the Belt Richard Dresser’s comedy about three men working for a mysterious multi-national company. Young Actors Space, 5918 Van Nuys Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends June 25. $25. www.YAStheatre.net.

Dogfight After Hours Theatre Company stages this musical based on the 1991 film about a young Marine and the seemingly ordinary young woman he meets the night before he ships out for Vietnam. Hudson Mainstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m. $40. www.plays411.com.

The Laodamiad Staged reading of Chas LiBretto’s drama with music inspired by “Protesilaos,” Euripides’ long-lost tragedy about love, loss and the Trojan War. Getty Villa Auditorium, 17985 Pacific Coast Highway, Pacific Palisades. Sat.-next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends June 4. Free; reservations required. (310) 440-7300.

Little Shop of Horrors Hit musical comedy based on the 1960 B-movie about a timid flower shop employee and a man-eating plant. Hillcrest Center for the Arts, 403 W. Hillcrest Dr., Thousand Oaks. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends June 18. $22-$25. (805) 381-1246.

Perfect Wedding Robin Hawdon’s farce about a bridegroom who wakes up next to a strange girl the morning after his bachelor party. West Valley Playhouse, 7242 Owensmouth Ave., Canoga Park. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 p.m.; ends June 25. $26, $28. (818) 884-1907.

Santu Deliria: Inductio Immersive late-night terror experience. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd. North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 11 p.m.; ends June 24. $15. (818) 202-4120.

The Last Five Years Dance is incorporated in a new staging of Jason Robert Brown’s Off-Broadway musical about a couple’s relationship. Lineage Performing Arts Center, 89 S. Fair Oaks Ave., Pasadena. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends June 18. $20-$30. www.LineagePAC.org.

Man of La Mancha Broadway’s Davis Gaines stars in this classic musical about Cervantes’ knight-errant Don Quixote. La Mirada Theatre, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends June 25. $20-$70. (562) 944-9801.

The Merchant of Venice Shakespeare’s tragicomedy about a merchant in debt to a despised Jewish moneylender. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Sat., 7:30 p.m.; ends Oct. 1. $10-$38.50; children 4 and under, free. (310) 455-3723.

Mystery Lit: Holmes, Sherlock and the Consulting Detective Unbound Productions presents this immersive, site-specific theatrical mash-up of three stories featuring Sir Arthur Conan Doyle’s famed sleuth; for ages 12 and up. The Santa Anita Train Depot, Los Angeles County Arboretum & Botanic Garden, 159 S. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. Sat.-next Sun., 8 p.m.; ends July 1. $40-$60. (323) 332-2065.

Nicky Coeurage Theatre Company stages Boni B. Alvarez’s new Chekhov-inspired play about assorted characters in present-day Palm Springs. The Greenway Court Theatre, 544 N. Fairfax Ave., L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; ends July 1. Pay what you want. (323) 673-0544.

The Other Mozart Writer-performer Sylvia Milo’s drama with music profiles the Austrian composer’s lesser-known but likewise musically gifted older sister. Rubicon Theatre Company, 1006 E. Main St., Ventura. Sat., 7 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends June 18. $50, $55; opening night, $99. (805) 667-2900.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Young spellers compete in this hit musical comedy that includes audience participation. Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends July 9. $18-$25. (805) 583-7900.

End Up Here An afternoon of music and prose with Christopher Reiner. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd. North Hollywood. Next Sun., 4 p.m.; ends June 11. $15. (818) 202-4120.

Hold These Truths Jeanne Sakata’s fact-based solo drama about civil-rights activist Gordon Hirabayashi and the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Next Sun., 5 p.m.; ends June 25. $25-$115. (626) 356-7529.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Theatricum Botanicum’s annual staging of Shakespeare’s romantic fantasy returns. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Next Sun., 3:30 p.m.; ends Sept. 4. $10-$38.50; children 4 and under, free. (310) 455-3723.