L.A. theater openings, March 20-27: ‘Casa Valentina’ and more

This week: A classic Roman tale gets a Mexican-melodrama makeover, the Bard’s tragedy of the Moor of Venice is revisted, and “Mad Men”-era men slip into something a little more comfortable in a new comedy from Harvey Fierstein.

Audition! The Musical Tenth-anniversary revival of this sendup based on true-life tales of Tinseltown. Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. Sun., next Sun., 3:30 p.m.; Sat., 7:30 p.m.; ends April 24. $24.50, $29.50. (310) 394-9779.

Casa Valentina West Coast premiere of Harvey Fierstein’s 1960s-set comedy about a private retreat in the Catskills where straight men could vacation as their female alter-egos. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Sun., 5 p.m.; Tue.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends April 10. $25-$125. (626) 356-7529.

Dirt West Coast premiere of Bryony Lavery’s drama about life, death and environmental degradation. The Raven Playhouse, 5233 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Sun., next Sun., 2 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends April 17. $25. (800) 838-3006.

Shine The storytelling series presents true-life tales of overcoming adversity. Promenade Playhouse, 1404 3rd St., Santa Monica. Sun., 7 p.m. $10; discounts available. (310) 452-2321.

Wanting Miss Julie New musical, set in the Hamptons and inspired Strindberg’s classic tale of loneliness and desire; for mature audiences. Loft Ensemble, 929 E. 2nd St., L.A. Mon., 8 p.m.; Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends May 8. $10, $25. (213) 680-0392.

The Book of Mormon Tony-winning musical comedy about a mismatched pair of missionaries in Africa; contains explicit language. 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 April 3. $36 and up. (714) 556-2787.

Gershwin Sings Gershwin Alexis Gershwin, niece of George and Ira Gershwin, performs some of the songwriting duo’s classic tunes in this cabaret show. Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. Tue., 8:30 p.m. $20, plus dinner or a two-drink minimum. (323) 466-2210.

A Gentleman’s Guide to Love & Murder The potential heir to a sizable family fortune seeks to eliminate his competition in this Tony-winning musical. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A. Wed.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; ends May 1. $25-$130. (213) 972-4400.

Stopping By The Echo Theater Company presents Barbara Tarbuck’s new solo show about attending the annual Burning Man festival. Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave., L.A. Wed., 8 p.m.; ends April 13. $10. (310) 307-3753.

Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival 23rd annual showcase for female solo performers. Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice. Thu., 7 p.m.; Fri., 8 p.m. Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends March 27. $10-$50. (818) 760-0408.

Ragtime Tony-winning musical based on E.L. Doctorow’s bestseller about life in turn-of-the-last-century New York City. Fred Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Thu., 7:30 p.m.; Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends March 27. $29 and up. (800) 745-3000.

Waiting for Johnny Depp West Coast premiere of this one-woman musical about an actress desperately seeking a movie role. The Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Fri., 8 p.m.; ends June 10. $25; opening night only, $50. (800) 838-3006.

Dreamgirls Tony-winning musical about the rise of a 1960s R&B group. La Mirada Theatre, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends April 17. $20-$70. (562) 944-9801.

It’s Magic Magic and variety acts from around the world. Lewis Family Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga. Sat., 8 p.m. $28-$36. (909) 477-2752.

La Olla The Latino Theater Company presents the world premiere of Evelina Fernandez’s comedy with music, based on a tale by the Roman playwright Plautus and set in a 1950s Mexican nightclub; in English with some Spanish. Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., L.A. Sat. 8 p.m.; ends April 24. $15-$42. (866) 811-4111.

Othello Independent Shakespeare Co. presents a new adaptation of Shakespeare’s tragic tale of the Moor of Venice. Independent Studio, 3191 Casitas Ave., #168, L.A. Sat., 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends May 7. $20, $35; limited number of free tickets available for each performance. (818) 710-6306.

Red Velvet West Coast premiere of Lolita Chakrabarti’s drama about an African American actor playing Shakespeare’s Othello in 19th century London. Atwater Theatre Village, 3191 Casitas Ave., L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 5 p.m.; ends April 30 $20, $25. (800) 838-3006.

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For the Record
March 18, 11:00 a.m.: An earlier version of this post said “Red Velvet” is playing at the Atwater Village Theatre at 3269 Casitas Ave. It is at the Atwater Playhouse at 3191 Casitas Ave.
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A Singular They World premiere of Aliza Goldstein’s drama about a high school student who is not biologically male or female. The Blank’s 2nd Stage Theatre, 6500 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends May 1. $30. (323) 661-9827.

Stand Up! A Night of Comedy With Tony Baker (NBC’s “Last Comic Standing”) and others. Malibu Playhouse, 29243 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu. Sat., 8:30 p.m. $15, $20. www.malibuplayhouse.org.