L.A. theater openings, Aug. 10-17: ‘Elvis ‘68,’ ‘Bird Lives!’ and more

The King lives again in “Elvis ‘68” at Fullerton’s Maverick Theater, and jazz saxophonist Charlie Parker is saluted in “Bird Lives!” at the Chromolume Theatre at the Attic. Plus, “Dreamgirls’ ” Jennifer Holliday and others give their regards to “Broadway Under the Stars” at the Ford Amphitheatre.

Motor City Magic Musical revue celebrates the Motown sound. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Wed., 7:30 p.m.; Thu., 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 7:30 p.m.; Sun., 1 and 5:30 p.m.; ends Aug. 24. $46-$66. (949) 497-2787.

Oswald — The Actual Interrogation Dramatic re-creation of the questioning of accused JFK assassin Lee Harvey Oswald by a Dallas police captain in November 1963. Little Fish Theatre, 777 Centre St., San Pedro. Thu., 8 p.m.; ends Sept. 4. $22 and up. (310) 512-6030.

Bird Lives! The life and career of jazz giant Charlie Parker are celebrated in Willard Manus’ solo play with music; Montae Russell stars. Chromolume Theatre at the Attic, 5429 W. Washington Blvd., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Sept. 21. $15-$20. (323) 205-1617.

Elvis ’68 Return engagement of writer-director Brian Newell’s song-filled re-creation of the King of Rock and Roll’s landmark 1968 TV special; Casey Ryan stars. Maverick Theater, 110 E. Walnut Ave., Fullerton. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 6 p.m.; ends Sept. 20. $15, $25. (714) 526-7070.

Out There on Fried Meat Ridge Rd. & Fried Meat 3: The Unfryable Meatness of Being Keith Stevenson’s original comedy about the denizens of a small West Virginia town returns, Sundays at 3 p.m. only, paired with the latest installment in the series. Pacific Resident Theatre, 703 Venice Blvd., Venice. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 and 4:30 p.m.; ends Sept. 7. $20; $30 for both. (310) 822-8392.

Three Shorts A trio of one-acts — “Purplish,” “Schism” and “The Straight Bozo” — from playwright Tim McNeil. Stella Adler Theatre, 6773 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Sept. 7. $10, $20. (323) 455-3111.

HYPERBOLE: bard Rogue Artists Ensemble celebrates all things Shakespeare in this family-friendly show. Kings Road Park, 1000 N. Kings Road, West Hollywood. Sat., 2 p.m. Free.

Putting on Your Shorts 3 The Group Rep presents short plays written, directed and performed by company members. Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Sat., 2 p.m.; Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Aug. 24. $10. (818) 763-5990.

One Night Only: Fresh Faces, Golden Voices East West Players kick off their 50th season with dinner and drinks followed by a song and dance-filled fundraiser. David Henry Hwang Theater, 120 N. Judge John Aiso St., L.A. Sat., 6 p.m. $75-$250. (213) 625-7000.

The Art of Murder Interactive mystery-comedy set at a country estate. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Sat., 8 p.m. $20. (626) 355-4318.

Broadway Under the Stars Tony-winner Jennifer Holliday (“Dreamgirls”) and others perform new and classic show tunes in this benefit for the Actors Fund. Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. E., Hollywood. Sat., 8 p.m. $20-$95. (323) 461-3673.

The Face of Jizo: A Hiroshima Story English-language translation of Hisashi Inoue’s drama about a survivor of the atomic bomb blast that devastated Hiroshima, Japan in 1945. Studio Stage Theatre, 520 N. Western Ave., Hollywood. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 5 p.m. $20. (818) 450-4801.

The Tavern Disparate characters meet one dark and stormy night in George M. Cohan’s classic mystery-comedy. Festival Amphitheatre, 12762 Main St., Garden Grove, Garden Grove. Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Aug. 30. $7, $25.; Thursdays, pay what you want. (714) 590-1575.

The Two Gentlemen of Verona Shakespeare’s comedy about two friends who become rivals for the hand of Milan’s most eligible bachelorette. The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego. Sat.-next Sun., 8 p.m.; ends Sept. 14. $29 and up. (619) 234-5623.

Busker Alley Musical Theatre West presents a staged reading of the Sherman Brothers’ musical about a street performer who falls for an aspiring Broadway star. University Theatre, Cal State Long Beach, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach. Next Sun., 7 p.m. $27, $32. (562) 856-1999.

Trieu Tran (UnPlugged) The writer-performer recalls his journey from war-torn Vietnam to Hollywood; for mature audiences only. Festival Amphitheatre, 12762 Main St., Garden Grove, Garden Grove. Next Sun., 8 p.m. $15, $25. (714) 590-1575.