L.A. theater openings, July 27-Aug. 3: ‘Taming of the Shrew’ and more

Independent Shakespeare Co. is livin’ la dolce vita with its new staging of “The Taming of the Shrew” in Griffith Park. Plus, Neil Simon’s “Broadway Bound” is bound for the Odyssey Theare in a new revival directed by Jason Alexander, and an all-star production of “Hair” takes over the Hollywood Bowl.

HYPERBOLE: bard Rogue Artists Ensemble celebrates all things Shakespeare in this family-friendly show; tickets at www.newswanshakespeare.com. UC Irvine, Gateway Commons, next to Aldrich Park, Irvine. Sun., next Sun., 5 p.m.; ends Aug. 24. $20.

Summer Playwrights Festival The Road Theatre Company presents new works by emerging and established artists. Lankershim Arts Center, 5108 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Today, 7 p.m.; Mon.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat.-next Sun., 2 and 8 p.m.; ends Aug. 4. Also, the Road on Magnolia at the NoHo Senior Arts Colony, 10747 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood. Tue.-Fri., 8 p.m. $15 suggested donation. (866) 506-1248.

Ghost: The Musical Stage adaptation of the hit 1990 romantic fantasy starring Patrick Swayze and Demi Moore. 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 Aug. 10. $25-$92.50. (714) 556-2787.

Barnardine Staged reading of a new play inspired by a character from Shakespeare’s “Measure for Measure.” Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Wed., 7 p.m. Free. (818) 325-2055.

Eclect-A-Fest Festival of new short plays, presented in two alternating programs. Eclectic Company Theatre, 5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Valley Village. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Sept. 7. $18 per program; $25 for both. (818) 508-3003.

Man of La Mancha The classic musical inspired by Cervantes’ tales of the medieval knight-errant Don Quixote. The San Pedro Theatre Club, 624 S. Pacific Ave., San Pedro. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Aug. 24. $30-$55. (310) 773-4964.

Quartet Ronald Harwood’s comedy about former opera singers at a home for retired musicians. The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego. Thu.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends Aug. 24. $29 and up. (619) 234-5623.

New Original Works Festival The annual showcase for locally created theater, music, dance and multimedia performance pieces continues. REDCAT, 631 W. 2nd St., L.A. Thu.-Sat., 8:30 p.m.; ends Aug. 9. $16-$20; festival pass, $40. (213) 237-2800.

6 Rms Riv Vu Two strangers get trapped in a Manhattan apartment they each hope to rent in Bob Randall’s romantic comedy. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 p.m.; ends Sept. 6. $12-$25. (626) 355-4318.

Broadway Bound “Seinfeld’s” Jason Alexander directs Neil Simon’s semi-autobiographical tale about two brothers trying to make it as comedy writers. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 5 p.m.; ends Sept. 21. $30. (310) 477-2055.

Consider the Match Maggie Boles and Katie Faris’ new comedy-drama explores the complexities of human existence in a series of vignettes. Found Theatre, 599 Long Beach Blvd., Long Beach. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 p.m.; ends next Sun. $10. (562) 433-3363.

Frederick Douglass Writer-performer Roger Guenveur Smith portrays the pioneering abolitionist in this solo show. Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Aug. 24. $10, $15. (213) 389-3856.

Hair The hit rock musical about the hippie counterculture, anti-war movement and sexual revolution of the 1960s; with Kristen Bell, Beverly D’Angelo and “Glee’s” Amber Riley and Jenna Ushkowitz. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7:30 p.m. $13-$177. (323) 850-2000.

I Wanna Hold Your Hand World premiere of Erik Patterson’s dramedy about a woman whose fiance suffers a brain aneurysm. Theatre of NOTE, 1517 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Aug. 30. $20, $25. (323) 856-8611.

Just Imagine Tim Piper stars in this musical tribute to John Lennon. West Valley Playhouse, 7242 Owensmouth Ave., Canoga Park. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 p.m.; ends Aug. 24. $28, $30. (818) 884-1907.

The Max Factor Factor Two leading men from rival 1930s movie studios fall in love in this world-premiere musical. NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Aug. 31. $34; senior and student discounts available. (818) 506-8500.

OPC Summer New Works Festival Ojai Playwrights Conference’s 17th annual event features new-play workshops and special performances; tickets and info at www.ojaiplays.org. Matilija Auditorium, 703 El Paseo Road, Ojai; also, Zalk Theater at Besant Hill School, 8585 Ojai-Santa Paula Road, Ojai. Sat.-Aug. 10. $25. (805) 640-0400.

The Taming of the Shrew Independent Shakespeare Co. puts a “La Dolce Vita”-style spin on the Bard’s comedy. Griffith Park (Old Zoo), 4730 Crystal Springs Dr., L.A. Sat., 7 p.m.; ends Aug. 29. Free. (818) 710-6306.

Damn Yankees 3-D Theatricals presents the classic musical comedy about a baseball fan who makes a deal with the devil. Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Aug. 10. $35-$65. (714) 589-2770.

The Echo One Acts 2014 Six world-premiere short plays from award-winning American playwrights. Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave., L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Aug. 24. $25. (310) 307-3753.

Moon Over Buffalo Ken Ludwig’s showbiz farce about a formerly famous acting couple working the theater circuit in 1953. Grove Theater Center, 1100 W. Clark Ave., Burbank. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Sept. 14. $25. (323) 960-7721.

Festival of Living Art Theatrical spectacular brings famous paintings and sculptures to life. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Sat., 11 p.m.; ends Sept. 6. $15. (818) 202-4120.

Eclectic Voices Festival Readings of new works by company members. Eclectic Company Theatre, 5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Valley Village. Next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Aug. 12. Free. (818) 508-3003.

Meet & Greet One-act comedy about four actresses vying for the same part in a new sitcom. The Elephant Space, 6322 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. Next Sun., 4 p.m.; ends Sept. 21. $20-$30. (323) 962-1632.

It Happened in Roswell Workshop production of a new sci-fi musical comedy. NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood. Next Sun., 8 p.m.; ends Aug. 25. $20. (818) 506-8500.