Last Chance

Theater

“Bradbury X 2”--At 81, Ray Bradbury’s reverence for the limitless imagination of childhood hasn’t dimmed, and that signature theme unites the one-acts paired in “Bradbury X 2” at Theatre West. Adapted by Bradbury from two of his short stories from the 1960s, the pieces showcase different facets of the author’s complex personality. And while they don’t entirely shed their literary DNA in this translation to the floorboards, handsome staging by Charles Rome Smith successfully illuminates the ageless appeal of Bradbury’s expansive spirit.

“To the Chicago Abyss,” the shorter, opening piece, is also the more theatrically accomplished--an eerie sojourn with Bradbury in his futurist nightmare mood....The second piece, “Any Friend of Nicholas Nickleby’s Is a Friend of Mine,” pays affectionate homage to the retro Americana of Bradbury’s youth, reminiscent in tone of Bradbury’s “Dandelion Wine.”

Philip Brandes

*

“Bradbury X 2,” Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. West, L.A., today through Saturday, 8 p.m. $25. (323) 851-7977.

Also closing this weekend:

“Mark Twain’s The Diaries of Adam & Eve”--This adaptation of Mark Twain’s books, “Extracts From Adam’s Diary” and “The Diary of Eve,” starring stage veterans David Birney and Madylon Brans, closes Sunday at the Rubicon Theatre Company at the Laurel, 1006 E. Main St., Ventura, (805) 667-2900.

“Destronelli”--Dennis Miles’ intriguing but sometimes overwrought drama, about a gay man’s relationship with an elderly woman and a flirtation with a stalker, has a fine cast and keen direction. It ends Saturday at Theatre of NOTE, 1517 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood, (323) 856-8611.

“A Hatful of Rain”--Vivid performances bring alive Michael Gazzo’s cautionary tale about addiction, infidelity and the hungry machines of war and commerce. It ends Sunday at the Actors Forum Theatre, 10655 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood, (818) 506-0600.