L.A. theater openings, Jan. 18-25: ‘Clean Start’ and more

Casa 0101 makes a “Clean Start” to begin its 15th season, REDCAT resounds with “Early Shaker Spirituals” courtesy of the Wooster Group, and the annual Off Center Festival is off and running at Segerstrom.

Revival Lucid Dramatics presents the world premiere of Carla Neuss’ play about a bartender’s search for a magical liqueur. Acting Artists Theatre, 7313 Santa Monica Blvd., West Hollywood. Sun., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; ends Feb. 7. $25. (949) 616-9726.

Brickman Brando Bubble Boom Barcelona’s Agrupacion Señor Serrano explores the concept of home in this multimedia work; in Spanish and English with English supertitles; part of the Off Center Festival. Samueli Theater, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Wed.-Sat., 7:30 p.m. $25. (714) 556-2787.

Potted Potter: The Unauthorized Harry Experience Family-friendly sendup of the book-and-movie franchise about a boy wizard. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine. Wed.-Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m. $38, $48. (949) 854-4646.

Timeloss Iran’s Mehr Theatre Group makes its West Coast debut with Amir Reza Koohestani’s drama about two actors who reunite after a decade; in Farsi with English supertitles; part of the Off Center Festival. Judy Morr Theater, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Wed.-Thu., 7:30 p.m. $25. (714) 556-2787.

Early Shaker Spirituals: A Record Album Interpretation A 1976 LP of hymns, testimony, etc., serves as the basis for the Wooster Group’s new production; with Frances McDormand and Suzzy Roche. REDCAT, 631 W. 2nd St., L.A. Wed.-Sat., 8:30 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Feb. 1. $40-$50. (213) 237-2800. Story on Page FX

Great Falls A troubled teen and her stepfather take a calamitous road trip in Lee Blessing’s drama. The Art of Acting Studio, 1017 N. Orange Drive, L.A. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Feb. 28. $18 in advance; pay what you can at the door. (323) 601-5310.

Margaret M. Spirito — The Sounds of Dirty Jersey The actress-singer performs in this cabaret show. Rockwell: Table & Stage, 1714 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. Thu., 8 p.m. $15-$20. (323) 669-1550.

Mutant Olive Mitch Hara’s solo show about an actor confronting his own father-son issues during an audition for “Death of a Salesman.” Lounge Theatre, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Feb. 28. $25. (323) 960-7861.

Coming Home: Exotic Tales From the East or When I Lived in Philly Jenny Jacobs shares songs and stories in this cabaret show. Found Theatre, 599 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach. Fri.-Sat., 7 p.m. $20. (562) 433-3363.

Lovebirds Writer-performer Marga Gomez portrays multiple characters searching for love in this solo show; part of the Off Center Festival. Studio Performance Space, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m. $25. (714) 556-2787.

The Best of Dina Martina The veteran drag artist performs in this comedy-variety show. Cavern Club Theater, 1920 Hyperion Ave., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m., 10 p.m.; ends Jan. 31. $22, $25. (818) 505-0835.

Clean Start World premiere of Josefina Lopez and Kathy Fischer’s comedy about a broke Beverly Hills socialite who moves in with her Latina housekeeper. New Casa 0101 Theater, 2102 E. 1st St., Boyle Heights. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 5 p.m.; ends Feb. 15. $15-$20. (323) 263-7684.

Company Cabrillo Music Theatre presents an intimate staging of Stephen Sondheim’s Tony-winning musical about a thirtysomething bachelor and his friends and lovers. Scherr Forum Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Feb. 8. $30-$69. (800) 745-3000.

Love, Sex and the I.R.S. Billy Van Zandt and Jane Milmore’s farce about roommates who must pretend to be a married couple. Norris Center for the Performing Arts, 27570 Norris Center Drive, Rolling Hills Estates. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Feb. 8.

Scott Bradlee & Postmodern Jukebox The retro-styled group puts a vintage spin on current pop hits; part of the Off Center Festival. Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Fri., 8 p.m. $25-$45. (714) 556-2787.

There Is a Happiness That Morning Is Two college professors face the fallout from their very public romantic encounter in Mickle Maher’s comedy. Sacred Fools Theater, 660 N. Heliotrope Drive, Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Feb. 28. $20. (310) 281-8337.

Timepiece World premiere of Charles A. Duncombe’s absurdist comedy about love, life and death. City Garage at Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave. Building T1, Santa Monica. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 5 p.m.; ends March 1. $20, $25; Sundays, pay what you can. (310) 453-9939.

A Walk in the Woods An American diplomat negotiates with her Soviet counterpart in Lee Blessing’s Cold War-themed comedy-drama. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 p.m.; ends Feb. 21. $12-$25. (626) 355-4318.

The Last Five Years Jason Robert Brown’s pop musical about two twentysomething New Yorkers in love. Rubicon Theatre Company, 1006 E. Main St., Ventura. Sat., 7 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Feb. 15. $35-$64. (805) 667-2900.

Anna Christie Zoe Perry, her father Jeff Perry (“Scandal”) and Kevin McKidd (“Grey’s Anatomy”) star in Eugene O’Neill’s drama about the fallen daughter of a coal barge captain. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends March 8. $20, $34.99. (310) 477-2055.

Betty Buckley: Ghostlight The Tony winner (“Cats”) performs songs from her new album. Bram Goldsmith Theater, the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. Sat., 8 p.m. $39-$89. (310) 746-4000.

Disconnection Skylight Theatre Company presents the world premiere of Allen Barton’s drama based on his experiences in the Church of Scientology. Beverly Hills Playhouse, 254 S. Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends March 1. $30-$34. (213) 761-7061.

Into the Weiss Broadway veteran Sasha Weiss performs. Rockwell: Table & Stage, 1714 N. Vermont Ave., L.A. Sat., 8 p.m. $15-$35. (323) 669-1550.

Night Fever — An Evening With the Bee Gees Tribute band celebrates the Australian pop group. The Lewis Family Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga. Sat., 8 p.m. $28-$35. (909) 477-2752.

Reborning L.A. premiere of Zayd Dohrn’s darkly-comic thriller about a young artist who crafts custom-made dolls. Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Ave., Hollywood. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends March 15. $15-$34.95. (323) 663-1525.

SHINE The story-telling series presents tales of inspiration; part of the sixth annual Fireside at the Miles. Miles Memorial Playhouse, 1130 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica. Sat., 8 p.m. $5, $10. (310) 458-8634.

Simply Complicated Actress-singer Charlotte Cohn traces her journey from a kibbutz in Israel to Broadway. Colony Theatre, 555 N. 3rd St., Burbank. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m. (818) 558-7000.

A Woman Called Truth Sandra Fenichel Asher’s bio-drama about 19th-century African American abolitionist and women’s rights activist Sojourner Truth. The Complex Ruby Theater, 6476 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Sat., 8 p.m.; ends March 1. $17-$22. (310) 604-8158.

50 Hour Drive-by Theatre Festival Five all-new short plays written and staged in a two-day period. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Sat.-next Sun., 8:30 p.m.; ends Jan. 26. $15. (818) 202-4120.