L.A. theater openings, April 17-24: ‘Father Comes Home From the Wars’ and more

This week: The West Coast premiere of a Civil War-era drama by Pulitzer Prize winner Suzan-Lori Parks, plus return engagements for Cornerstone Theater Company’s “Urban Rez,” 3-D Theatricals’ “The Full Monty” and the Tony-winning revival of “Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella.”

As You Were: Stories and Songs for GIs in WWII Parson’s Nose presents tales by Mark Twain, Walt Whitman and O. Henry, plus songs from the 1940s; for ages 12 and up. Lineage Performing Arts Center, 89 S. Fair Oaks, Pasadena. Sun., next Sun., 3 p.m.; Sat., 7 p.m.; ends May 8. Pay what you will ($5-$25). (626) 403-7667.

Father Comes Home From the Wars (Part 1, 2 & 3) West Coast premiere of Suzan-Lori Parks’ Civil War-era drama about a slave who’s offered the chance to win his freedom. Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A. Sun., 7 p.m.; Tue.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2:30 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; ends May 15. $25-$85. (213) 628-2772.

Kamikaze Fireflies Family-friendly vaudeville-style show includes stunts, stilt-walking and juggling. Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. Sun., 2 p.m. $17-$35. (310) 506-4522.

Shine Storytellers share true-life tales on the theme of taking chances in this installment of the series. Promenade Playhouse, 1404 3rd St., Santa Monica. Sun., 7 p.m. $10; discounts available. (310) 452-2321.

On the Roof Celebration Theatre offers a reading of Donna Hoke’s drama about the denizens of a 1950s gay bar/cabaret. West Hollywood City Chambers, 625 N. San Vicente, West Hollywood. Tue., 7:30 p.m. Free; donations appreciated. www.celebrationtheatre.com.

Rodgers and Hammerstein’s Cinderella Tony-winning 2013 revival of the classic musical based on the beloved fairy tale. Segerstrom Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tue.-Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; ends May 1. $25 and up. (714) 556-2787.

No, I Won’t Take You to the Airport! Writer-performer Courtney Abbiati’s solo comedy about one very dissatisfied young woman. The Hudson Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Wed., 8 p.m.; ends June 8. $20. (323) 960-7724.

Abducted — The Show Writer-performer William Riedmann plays multiple characters in this solo drama. Hudson Mainstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Thu., 8 p.m.; ends May 19. $25, $35. (323) 960-7780.

The Fantasticks Classic off-Broadway musical about two young lovers and their meddling fathers. Crown City Theatre, St. Matthew’s Church, 11031 Camarillo St., North Hollywood. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends June 5. $20, $30. (818) 605-5685.

Urban Rez Cornerstone Theater Company presents an immersive, outdoor staging of Larissa FastHorse’s new one-act fable co-created with members of L.A.’s Native American community. University High School, Kuruvungna Springs Cultural Center, 1439 S. Barrington Ave., L.A. Thu.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 4 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends May 1. Pay what you can ($5-$35). (800) 578-1335.

You Oughta Be in Pictures Actor-singer Nathan Lee Graham (“Zoolander 2”) performs in this cabaret show. Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. Thu., 8:30 p.m. $25, $30. (866) 468-3399.

Electricity Two men who had a one-night stand in 1983 reconnect once every 10 years in Terry Ray’s new comedy-drama. Two Roads Theatre, 4348 Tujunga Blvd., Studio City. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends May 22. $25. (800) 838-3006.

The Gary Plays — Part 2 Second installment of Murray Mednick’s eight-play cycle about an out-of-work L.A. actor. Greenway Court Theatre, 544 N. Fairfax Ave. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends April 24. $20. www.openfist.org.

The Leather Apron Club A media analyst is tapped to join a centuries-old secret society in Charlie Mount’s new thriller. Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. W., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends May 15. $5-$20. (323) 851-7977.

Pacific Playwrights Festival 19th showcase includes staged readings of new plays by Noah Haidle, Kemp Powers, Rachel Bonds, Meg Miroshnik and Jen Silverman; details at www.scr.org. South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Fri.-next Sun.; ends April 24. $17. (714) 708-5555.

Table Manners Family members disrupt a planned tryst between a woman and her brother-in-law in Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy. Little Fish Theatre, 777 Centre St., San Pedro. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends May 21. $23-$27. (310) 512-6030.

The Box Brothers Netherlands-based ensemble Percossa presents this family friendly musical fable. Samueli Theater, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Sat., 1 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 3:30 p.m.; ends April 24. $20. (949) 553-2422.

The Full Monty 3-D Theatricals stages the musical about six unemployed Buffalo steelworkers preparing to bare all in a strip show. Plummer Auditorium, 201 E. Chapman Ave., Fullerton. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends May 8. $20-$95. (714) 589-2770.

Joe & Marilyn: A Love Story Willard Manus’ new two-character drama about baseball great Joe DiMaggio and screen legend Marilyn Monroe. Write Act Rep at the Brickhouse Theatre, 10950 Peach Grove St., North Hollywood. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends May 22. $25. (800) 838-3006.

Mirette Family-friendly tale, set in 1890s Paris, about a young girl who dreams of becoming a high-wire artist. Lewis Family Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga. Sat., 4 p.m.; ends May 8. $16, $18. (909) 477-2752.

Murder, Lust & Madness Star-studded commemoration of the 400th anniversary of Shakespeare’s death features Patrick Stewart and Michael York. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Bram Goldsmith Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. Sat., 7:30 p.m. Sold out; standby list available. (800) 838-3006.

A Nice Family Gathering The ghost of an African American family’s recently deceased patriarch attends Thanksgiving dinner in a re-imagining of Phil Olson’s comedy; for ages 10 and up. Upstairs at Group Rep, Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Sat., 2 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends May 29. $17-$20. (818) 763-5990.

The Story of Alice New musical puts a modern spin on Lewis Carroll’s classic tale about a young girl trapped in a fantastical land. The Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave., L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends May 29. $30. www.plays411.net.