L.A. theater openings, Jan. 17-24: Segerstrom’s Off Center Festival and more

This week: Segerstrom’s annual Off Center Festival gets underway and includes the multimedia shows “Ada/Ava” and “Kid Koala’s Nufonia Must Fall Live.”

Artists at Adler A discussion with playwright, journalist and author Patricia Goldstone. Stella Adler Theatre, 6773 Hollywood Blvd., 2nd Floor, Hollywood. Sun., 3 p.m. Free. (323) 465-4446.

The Capitol Steps The comedy-and-music group returns with more political satire. Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Cal State Long Beach, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach. Sun., 2 p.m. $45, $50. (562) 985-7000.

Head Over Heels Coeurage Theatre Company presents a reading of Eric Czuleger’s comedy in this benefit show. The Historic Lankershim Arts Center, 5108 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Sun., 7:30 p.m. Pay what you want. (323) 944-2165.

Reunion of the Champagne Music Makers Former stars of “The Lawrence Welk Show” perform. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. Sun., 3 p.m. $40-$65. (562) 467-8818.

Temptation The subject of temptation is explored in words and music in this new show presented by the Jewish Women’s Theatre. Sun.-Feb. 1. Various dates, times, venues and prices; details at www.jewishwomenstheatre.org.

Twelfth Night New adaptation puts a classic-Hollywood spin on Shakespeare’s comedy. Archway Studio/Theatre, 10509 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Sun., next Sun., Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Feb. 13. (818) 980-7529.

Ada/Ava An elderly woman mourns the loss of her twin in this multimedia show that features actors, puppets, projected imagery and live music; for ages 12 and up; part of the Off Center Festival. Samueli Theater, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tue.-Wed., 7:30 p.m. $25 and up. (714) 556-2787.

If/Then Tony winner Idina Menzel (“Wicked”) stars in this fantasy-musical about a woman leading parallel lives. Segerstrom Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tue.-Wed., 7:30 p.m.; Thu., 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Jan. 24. $25 and up. (714) 556-2787.

6th Annual Company Creation Festival Showcase features unconventional new works by local ensembles, performed in repertory; details at www.sonofsemele.org. Son of Semele Theater, 3301 Beverly Blvd., L.A. Wed.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 5 p.m.; ends Feb. 14. $18, $20. (213) 351-3507.

Samedi détente Writer-performer Dorothée Munyaneza’s multi-disciplinary piece explores the Rwandan genocide; for mature audiences; part of the Off Center Festival. Judy Morr Theatre, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Thu.-Sat., 7:30 p.m. $25 and up. (714) 556-2787.

Two Sisters U.S. premiere of Gail Louw’s drama, set on a kibbutz in Israel in 1996, about siblings in their seventies confronting their shared past. Theatre 40, Reuben Cordova Theatre, 241 S. Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills. Thu., 8 p.m.; Fri., 7 p.m.; Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Feb. 21. $30. (310) 364-0535.

Building Madness An architecture firm accidentally hires the mafia for a construction project in Kate Danley’s new 1930s-style screwball comedy. GTC Burbank, 1111-B W. Olive Ave., Burbank. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Feb. 14. $19.50-$29.50. (800) 838-3006.

Ceremony Michael Kass’ solo show about a spiritual journey to Peru. The Belfry Stage, Upstairs at the Crown, 11031 Camarillo St., North Hollywood. Fri., 8 p.m. $10. (818) 849-4039.

The Nerd A man’s life is upended by a socially inept visitor in Larry Shue’s comedy. Norris Theatre, 27570 Norris Center Drive, Palos Verdes Peninsula. Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Jan. 31. $45-$55. (310) 544-0403.

Safe at Home: An Evening with Orson Bean The veteran actor shares stories from his life and career. Pacific Resident Theatre, 703 Venice Blvd., Venice. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends March 13. $25. (310) 822-8392.

Timber! Quebec’s Cirque Alfonse performs this folk music-fueled lumberjack-styled show. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m. $28-$46. (949) 854-4646.

Under the Streetlamp Vocal quartet sings classic doo-wop, rock and more. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. Fri., 8 p.m. $50-$80. (562) 467-8818.

The Cat in the Hat Family-friendly show based on Dr. Seuss’ beloved book. Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine. Sat., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. $10-$17. (310) 506-4522.

Kid Koala’s Nufonia Must Fall Live Multimedia show uses puppets, miniature sets, projected imagery and live music including turntables and a string quartet to re-create Kid Koala’s wordless graphic novel about a robot who falls in love; part of the Off Center Festival. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Sat., 2 p.m. $25, $39. (714) 556-2787.

Empire Pre-Broadway engagement of Caroline Sherman and Robert Hull’s 1930-set musical about industrialists, laborers, etc., involved in the construction of New York City’s Empire State Building. La Mirada Theatre, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Feb. 14. $20-$70. (562) 944-9801.

Forever House World premiere of Tony Abatemarco’s comedy about a gay couple looking to buy their first home together. Skylight Theatre, 1816 1/2 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Feb. 28. $34. (213) 761-7061.

50 Hour Drive-by Theatre Festival Four all-new mini-plays created in a two-day period. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Sat.-next Mon., 8:30 p.m.; ends Jan. 25. $15. (818) 202-4120.

HAM: A Musical Memoir Broadway veteran Sam Harris shares his story in this solo show. L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s Renberg Theatre, 1125 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Feb. 7. $30. (323) 860-7300.

I Died ... I Came Back ... Whatever Cyanne McClairian’s fantastical solo show about an actress who expires on the operating table. The Belfry Stage, Upstairs at the Crown, 11031 Camarillo St., North Hollywood. Sat., 9:30 p.m. $10. (818) 849-4039.

Inland Empress Mutant Collective presents the world premiere of Tom Cavanaugh’s drama about the recently paroled matriarch of a family-run meth-making operation. Lounge Theatre 2, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Feb. 28. $25. (323) 960-7787.

Pillars of New York Write Act Repertory’s presents the world premiere of Michael Antin’s musical about four couples’ struggles in the wake of the Sept. 11 attacks. The Brickhouse Theatre, 10950 Peach Grove ST., North Hollywood. Sat., 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 1:30 p.m.; ends Feb. 21. $15, $20. (800) 838-3006.

Shine Storytellers share true-life tales of personal awakenings in this installment of the series. Miles Memorial Playhouse, 1130 Lincoln Blvd., Santa Monica. Sat., 8 p.m. $5, $10. (310) 452-2321.

Unemployed. Finally. Heather Dowling’s solo show about having 30 jobs in 30 years. The Belfry Stage, Upstairs at the Crown, 11031 Camarillo St., North Hollywood. Sat., 8 p.m. $10. (818) 849-4039.

Four by Four New show celebrates the music of the Beach Boys, the Beatles, the Bee Gees and Motown. Soka Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo. Next Sun., 4 p.m. $39-$49. (949) 480-4278.

New Shanghai Circus Acrobats, jugglers, etc., from China perform. Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine. Next Sun., 3 p.m. $10-$20. (310) 506-4522.

Pal Joey Musical Theatre West offers a staged reading of the Rodgers & Hart classic. University Theatre, Cal State Long Beach, 1250 N. Bellflower Blvd. (off 7th Street between East and West Campus Drive, Parking Lot 7), Long Beach. Next Sun., 7 p.m. $27, $32. (562) 856-1999.

Sundays of Future Past All-new sketch comedy show. Groundlings Theatre, 7307 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. Next Sun., 7:30 p.m.; ends April 24. $16. (323) 934-4747.