The best of the season

Theater

My Favorite Year Musical Theatre Guild presents the musical based on the film about a young television writer assigned the task of taking care of a dissolute Hollywood star. Alex Theatre, Glendale, Sept. 20. Also, Scherr Forum Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, Oct. 3.

Poor Theater The Wooster Group presents the West Coast premiere of director Elizabeth LeCompte’s exploration of Jerzy Grotowski’s book “Towards a Poor Theater” and the work of choreographer William Forsythe. REDCAT at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Sept. 22-26.

Take Me Out In Richard Greenberg’s play, a popular baseball star, living the life of an all-American hero, calls a news conference in which he “comes out” to the public. Geffen Playhouse at the Brentwood Theatre, West L.A., Sept. 22-Oct. 24.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels John Lithgow heads the cast in the world-premiere, film-based musical. Jack O’Brien directs; music is by David Yazbek, book by Jeffrey Lane. Old Globe Theatre, San Diego, Sept. 22-Oct. 24.

Peter Pan Cathy Rigby stars in the musical version of the J.M. Barrie classic. La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, Sept. 24-Oct. 10. Also, Pantages Theatre, Hollywood, Nov. 9-21.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream The Shakespeare classic, directed by Geoff Elliott & Julia Rodriguez Elliott. A Noise Within, Glendale, Sept. 24-Dec. 3.

Golf with Alan Shepard Season-opening comedy features Charles Durning, Jack Klugman, Paul Dooley and Granville Van Dusen as four curmudgeonly golf partners in search of meaning and the location of their tee shots. Falcon Theatre, Burbank, Sept. 24-Oct. 10.

Nothing but the Truth John Kani’s family drama set in post-apartheid South Africa. Directed by Janice Honeyman. Mark Taper Forum, Sept. 26-Nov. 7.

The Ten Commandments BCBGMAXAZRIA Entertainment presents Val Kilmer in a pop musical that tells the 3,300-year-old story of Moses’ exodus from Egypt. Kodak Theatre, Hollywood, Sept. 27-Oct. 31.

ALMA Taking place in the classic downtown theater, Joshua Sobol’s interactive work explores the life of Alma Mahler-Werfel, whose relationships with many of the 20th century’s greatest creative spirits -- including Mahler, Gropius and Klimt -- influenced contemporary art. Los Angeles Theatre, Sept. 30-Dec. 5.

Fiction A new play by Steven Dietz examines a couple who thrive on the give and take of their honest relationship. But when they decide to share their diaries, the boundaries between fact and fiction, trust and betrayal begin to break down. Old Globe Theatre, San Diego, Sept. 30-Oct. 31.

OCTOBER

The Retreat from Moscow West Coast premiere of William Nicholson’s play about a man who drops a bombshell on his wife after 35 years of marriage that has consequences for everyone involved, including the couple’s son. Directed by Martin Benson. South Coast Repertory, Costa Mesa, Oct. 1-17.

Late Nite Catechism 2 Maripat Donovan is back as Sister in this sequel to the long-running comedy. Hermosa Beach Playhouse, Oct. 5-Oct. 17. Also, El Portal Theatre, North Hollywood, Oct. 20-31.

The Homecoming In Harold Pinter’s drama, the prodigal son returns to his birthplace, his new wife in tow, and language becomes the menacing weapon of choice. The wife’s presence rekindles long-dormant and deadly rivalries. Directed by Sabin Epstein. A Noise Within, Glendale, Oct. 8-Dec. 5.

Hairspray The Tony-winning musical based on the John Waters film makes its way to Orange County. Orange County Performing Arts Center, Segerstrom Hall, Costa Mesa, Oct. 12-24.

Side by Side by Sondheim Sporting a cast of veteran professionals that has changed since the production’s premiere at the Rubicon Theatre, this revival delves into psychological and emotional nuances in a retrospective of Stephen Sondheim’s early songwriting career. Pasadena Playhouse, Oct. 12-Nov. 21.

Othello The British theater company Cheek by Jowl’s modern version of the Shakespeare classic is the opening production of UCLA Live’s International Theatre Festival. Freud Playhouse, UCLA, Oct. 14-17.

Grand Hotel Peter Schneider directs the Tony Award-winning musical based on Vicki Baum’s novel about the staff and guests of a Berlin hotel in 1928. Colony Theatre Company, Burbank, Oct. 16-Nov. 14.

Night of the Iguana Tennessee Williams’ classic features Efrem Zimbalist, Jr., and daughter Stephanie. Rubicon Theatre Company at the Laurel, Oct. 16-Nov. 7.

Jersey Boys World premiere musical. Book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, music by Bob Gaudio. Directed by Des McAnuff. A group of blue-collar boys from the wrong side of the tracks becomes the Four Seasons. La Jolla Playhouse, Oct. 17-Nov. 21.

For an End to the Judgment of God / Kissing God Good-bye Director Peter Sellars stages his own translation of controversial writer Antonin Artaud’s hallucinogenic and prophetic final text coupled with poet June Jordan’s work. REDCAT at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Oct. 20-24.

The Swallow Song Commissioned in partnership with the National Theatre of Greece, the play combines texts by Homer, Euripides and other playwrights with music and dance to bring to life scenes of childhood from ancient Greece. Presented in conjunction with the Getty’s premiere exhibition “Coming of Age in Ancient Greece: Images of Childhood from the Classical Past.” Harold M. Williams Auditorium at the Getty Center, L.A., Oct. 21-24.

Habeas Corpus Alan Bennett’s comedy, about a lustful doctor, his son, wife and a naughty vicar, takes place as England’s swingin’ ‘60s yield to the permissive ‘70s. South Coast Repertory, Costa Mesa, Oct. 22-Nov. 21.

Around the World in a Bad Mood Based on her book of the same title, real life flight attendant Rene Foss takes a humorous look at her profession and the airline industry. Hermosa Beach Playhouse, Oct. 26-Nov. 7.

La Casa de Rigoberto Mira al Sur UCLA Live’s International Theatre Festival continues with a production of Aristides Vargas’ play by Nicaragua’s El Teatro Justo Rufino Garay. In Spanish, with English supertitles. Freud Playhouse, UCLA, Oct. 26-31.

A Flea in her Ear Farcical times call for farcical measures in Georges Feydeau’s classic romp exposing the indiscreet charms of the bourgeoisie. Directed by Geoff Elliott & Julia Rodriguez Elliott. A Noise Within, Glendale, Oct. 29-Dec. 1.

Wrong Turn at Lungfish Hector Elizondo stars in this comedy by Garry Marshall and Lowell Ganz. Falcon Theatre, Burbank, Oct. 29-Nov. 14.

NOVEMBER

Flow UCLA Live’s International Theatre Festival presents the hip-hop, urban musical written and performed by Will Power and directed by Danny Hoch. Macgowan Little Theater, UCLA, Nov. 2-7.

4:48 Psychosis Playwright Sarah Kane’s last work, a journey through the throes of depression. Part of UCLA Live’s International Theatre Festival. Freud Playhouse, UCLA, Nov. 4-7.

4 Guys Named Jose ... and una mujer named Maria West Coast premiere of the off-Broadway musical comedy revue by David Coffman and Dolores Prida about four Latinos from different countries who meet in Nebraska and decide to put on a song-and-dance show at the local VFW. International City Theatre at Long Beach Performing Arts Center, Nov. 5-Dec. 5.

Constant Star West Coast premiere of a play by Tazewell Thompson about turn-of-the-century suffragist and anti-lynching activist Ida B. Wells. Laguna Playhouse, Laguna Beach, Nov. 6-Dec. 5.

A Perfect Wedding Center Theatre Group inaugurates its new space, the 300-seat Kirk Douglas Theatre, with the premiere of Charles Mee’s comedy. Center Theatre Group’s artistic director Gordon Davidson directs. Kirk Douglas Theatre, Culver City, Nov. 7-27.

As Vishnu Dreams East West Players and Cornerstone Theater Company present the premiere of a play by Shishir Kurup, an adaptation of the epic Hindu poem “The Ramayana.” David Henry Hwang Theater, L.A., Nov. 10-Dec. 5.

Caroline, Or Change Tony Kushner’s musical comes to L.A. starring Tonya Pinkins. Ahmanson Theatre, L.A., Nov. 14-Dec. 26.

Modern Prometheus LLC Los Angeles-based osseus labyrinth in collaboration with electro-mechanical installation artist Barry Schwartz (a.k.a. Dr. Pank) in a new work commissioned by UCLA Live as part of its International Theatre Festival. UCLA, Nov. 17-20.

Fools Neil Simon’s comedy about 19th century villagers cursed with foolishness and a schoolmaster’s plot to break the spell and win the woman he loves. Rubicon Theatre Company at the Laurel, Nov. 20-Dec. 12.

The Scottish Play Premiere of Lee Blessing’s lampoon, about a director whose plan to rejuvenate his career with an epic production of “Macbeth” leads to calamitous toil and trouble for all concerned. Opens the new Potiker Theatre at La Jolla Playhouse, Nov. 21-Dec. 19.

Macbeth (A Modern Ecstasy) CalArts’s Center for New Theater presents a musical reimagination of the text of the Shakespeare classic directed by Travis Preston and featuring Stephen Dillane, with original compositions by Vinny Golia. REDCAT at Walt Disney Concert Hall, Nov. 24-Dec. 12.

Redhead The Musical Theatre Guild presents the Tony Award-winning murder mystery musical. Alex Theatre, Glendale, Nov. 22. Also, Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Long Beach, Nov. 29.

Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas! Jack O’Brien directs the seventh annual production of the holiday classic, with book and lyrics by Timothy Mason and music by Mel Marvin. Old Globe Theatre, San Diego, Nov. 26-Dec. 31.

DECEMBER

Paint Your Wagon A new adaptation by David Rambo of the Lerner and Loewe musical, directed by Geffen producing director Gilbert Cates. Geffen Playhouse at the Brentwood Theatre, West L.A., Dec. 1-Jan. 9.

A Christmas Carol Circus performers add a playful twist to the old Scrooge story. International City Theatre at Long Beach Performing Arts Center, Dec. 3-19.

Santa Claus is Comin’ to Motown Troubadour Theater Company and Falcon Theatre team to present this latest twist on a holiday classic. Falcon Theatre, Burbank, Dec. 3-23.

Les Miserables Broadway/L.A. presents the hit Broadway musical based on Victor Hugo’s classic novel of a man’s struggle and redemption during revolutionary France. Pantages Theatre, Hollywood, Dec. 7-19.

Forbidden Christmas or The Doctor and the Patient UCLA Live’s International Theatre Festival concludes with Rezo Gabriadze’s absurdist drama set in a remote Soviet Georgian town in the early 1950s. With Mikhail Baryshnikov and Jon DeVries. Freud Playhouse, UCLA, Dec. 8-12.

The School for Scandal Richard Brinsley Sheridan’s classic comedy skewers the affectation and pretentiousness of aristocratic Londoners of the 1770s. Mark Taper Forum, Dec. 9-23.

A John Waters Xmas The film auteur and Baltimore native brings his Christmas show to L.A. A UCLA Live presentation. Royce Hall, Dec. 9.

The Nisei Widows Club on Thin Ice East West Players presents a holiday variety show. David Henry Hwang Theater, L.A., Dec. 10-19.

La Posada Magica The 11th annual production of the holiday play about an angry and sad teenage girl who regains her Christmas spirit during a magical neighborhood procession commemorating Joseph and Mary’s search for lodging. By Octavio Solis, with music by Marcos Loya. South Coast Repertory, Costa Mesa, Dec. 10-23.

The Life & Adventures of Santa Claus Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre presents the premiere of a musical based on L. Frank Baum’s classic tale of how Santa discovered his true calling. Laguna Playhouse, Laguna Beach, Dec. 10-19.

Carrolling The creators of “A Wilde Holiday,” fairy tales by Oscar Wilde, turn their attention to the witty, wicked and wondrous nooks and crannies of Lewis Carroll’s mind. Directed by Sabin Epstein. A Noise Within, Glendale, Dec. 11-19.

The Paris Letter Jon Robin Baitz’s play by about sex, power and money follows a Wall Street player’s life as it unravels. World premiere. Kirk Douglas Theatre, Culver City, Dec. 12-Jan. 2.

Oliver! Touring version of Lionel Bart’s musical based on Charles Dickens’ classic “Oliver Twist.” Orange County Performing Arts Center, Segerstrom Hall, Costa Mesa, Dec. 21-Jan. 2.