8:30 pm: Theater

The Los Angeles premiere of “A Table for a King,” by internationally respected playwright Martin Sherman (“Bent”), and starring Susan Tyrrell, opens today at Highways in Santa Monica. Set on a Greek island in the 1960s, the seriocomic play is about a young poet’s gay coming-of-age, observed by an eccentric woman of the world.

* “A Table for a King,” Highways, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica. Thursdays-Sundays, 8:30 p.m. Ends Aug. 30. $16-$20. (213) 660-8587.

All day Film Festival

The second annual Hollywood Film Festival kicks off today with a slew of panel discussions led by movie industry professionals, including “Deep Impact” director Mimi Leder, producers David Permut (“Face/Off”), Robert Kosberg (“12 Monkeys”) and many others, at the Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel. Seminars continue through Sunday, and the films, including the premiere of Robert DeFranco’s “Telling You,” which stars Jennifer Love Hewitt, will screen on the Paramount Studios lot Friday through Sunday. The festival will wrap on Monday evening with a gala awards ceremony at the Beverly Hilton hotel. Actress Shelley Winters, director Norman Jewison and producers Richard Zanuck and David Brown, as well as others, will be honored.

* Hollywood Film Festival, Hollywood Roosevelt Hotel, 7000 Hollywood Blvd., and Paramount Studios, 5555 Melrose Ave., Hollywood. Tonight-Sunday. See special screenings listings for complete schedule. Screenings, $8; Festival pass, $50; Hollywood Conference passes, $100-$295. (310) 288-1882. The Gala Awards Ceremony will be cybercast live on Monday: https://www.hollywoodlive.com

8 pm: Popular Culture

From “Like a Virgin” to “Dick Tracy,” “Evita” and “Papa Don’t Preach,” Madonna is pop culture’s most adept chameleon. Now, just in time for her 40th birthday, “The Blonde Exhibition” will document the Material Girl’s performance history. From her first turn on the dance floor in 1983 to her current CD, “Ray of Light,” every look will be portrayed by a cast of Madonna impersonators in this Vegas-style revue. Proceeds benefit the L.A.-based charity Aid for AIDS.

* “The Blonde Exhibition,” El Rey Theatre, 5515 Wilshire Blvd., Hollywood. $34.95-$44.95. (213) 960-9477 for information; (888) ETM-TIXS for tickets.