Fall Preview : Our User’s Guide: Still Friendly : Critic’s Picks: Theater

Jeffrey. Can the age of AIDS create raucous comedy? Some say it happens in Paul Rudnick’s play, coming to the Westwood Playhouse with most of the original New York cast. Opens Sept. 28.

The Persians. Peter Sellars attempts to connect the first written play in Western history, Aeschylus’ “The Persians,” with the Gulf War and current disputes in the Middle East, in his staging of Robert Auletta’s adaptation of the classic at the Mark Taper Forum. Sept. 30-Oct. 24.

Conversations With My Father. Judd Hirsch re-creates his Tony-winning performance as an immigrant on Manhattan’s Lower East Side in Herb Gardner’s play at the Doolittle Theatre. Oct. 14-Dec. 19.

The Company of Heaven. South Coast Repertory presents a new play by the company’s literary manager, John Glore, about two strangers who see separate otherworldly visions on the same night. Nov. 5-Dec. 5.

Sunset Boulevard. The U.S. premiere of Andrew Lloyd Webber’s production, starring Glenn Close, plays the Shubert Theatre--not far from Sunset Boulevard. Opens Dec. 2.