L.A. theater openings, March 1-8: ‘Circles’ and more

A man and woman go around in “Circles” in a world-premiere drama, an Israeli agent probes a failed terrorist bombing in “The English Bride,” and that rascal “Figaro” is up to his old tricks in Pasadena.

Emeritus College Acting Troupe Showcase A selection of comedic and dramatic scenes. The Edye at the Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. Sun., 1 p.m. Free. (310) 434-4306.

Tales From the Underground Stories of love, hate, horror and inspiration. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Sun., next Sun., 7 p.m. $12. (818) 202-4120.

Sunday Wrestling Federation All-new sketch comedy show. Groundlings Theatre, 7307 Melrose Ave., L.A. Sun., next Sun., 7:30 p.m.; ends April 19. $16. (323) 934-4747.

Circles World premiere of Lisa Harris’ drama about a couple grappling with the complexities of love; for mature audiences. Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd., L.A. Thu.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; ends March 28. $20, $25. (213) 389-3856.

Old Jews Telling Jokes SoCal debut of this off-Broadway musical-comedy revue. Scherr Forum 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 p.m.; ends March 15. $45-$55. (805) 449-2775.

The English Bride West Coast premiere of Lucile Lichtblau’s fact-based drama about an Israeli agent interrogating an Englishwoman and her Arab lover about the attempted bombing on an airliner. The Road on Magnolia at the NoHo Senior Arts Colony, 10747 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood. Thu., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends April 26. $17.50, $34. (818) 761-8838.

Kikiricaja: Una Historia de Payasos (Cock-a-doodle-doo Box: A History of Clowns) Family-friendly fable performed entirely in Spanish (fluency in Spanish not required). La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. Fri., 10:30 a.m., 6:30 p.m.; Sat., 1 and 3:30 p.m.; next Sun., 11 a.m. $9, $15. (858) 550-1010.

Buddy — The Buddy Holly Story Bio-musical salutes the rock ’n’ roll legend. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m. $35 and up. (562) 467-8818.

The Diary of Anne Frank Stage adaptation of the story of a Jewish girl and her family hiding from the Nazis in an Amsterdam attic during WWII. Norris Pavilion, 501 Indian Peak Road, Rolling Hills Estates. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m. $25-$35. (310) 544-0403.

Einstein Is a Dummy Family-friendly musical comedy imagines the legendary physicist’s days as a young schoolboy. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd, Sierra Madre. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 p.m.; ends April 12. $12-$25. (626) 355-4318.

The Moon, the Sun & the Empty Space Little Tree Theatre and ClownMa dell’Arte explore the human experience in fables told through movement, puppetry, mask and shadow. Studio at Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 6 p.m. $15. (562) 494-1014.

Taking Sides Ronald Harwood’s historical drama about a German orchestra conductor being interrogated by the Allies in Berlin at the end of WWII. Little Fish Theatre, 777 Centre St., San Pedro. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends April 4. $22 and up. (310) 512-6030.

Tiger by the Tail The Group Rep presents the West Coast premiere of Frawley Becker’s drama about a middle-aged therapist and a young prisoner who correspond via mail. Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends April 19. $15-$25. (818) 763-5990.

The Amazing Bubble Man Louis Pearl does tricks with bubbles in this family-friendly show. Edgemar Center for the Arts, 2437 Main St., Santa Monica. Sat., 11 a.m., 1 and 3 p.m.; next Sun., 11 a.m., 1 p.m. $20, $25. (310) 392-7327.

Sleeping Beauty Dreams Puppet-theatre troupe Marionetas de la Esquina presents a family-friendly update of the classic fairytale. Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. Sat., 11 a.m. $10-$15. (310) 506-4522.

John Tartaglia’s ImaginOcean Family-friendly black-light puppet show/musical about a magical undersea adventure. Samueli Theater, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Sat., 1 p.m.; next Sun., 3:30 p.m. $20 and up. (714) 556-2787.

The Odd Couple Neil Simon’s classic about two comically mismatched roommates. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Sat., 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 5:30 p.m.; ends March 29. $41-$61. (949) 497-2787.

Cirque Mechanics: Pedal Punk Circus troupe merges acrobatics and storytelling with mechanical stage effects. Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach. Sat., 8 p.m. $45, $55. (562) 985-7000.

Conversations With Coco Drag performer Miss Coco Peru chats with Emmy winner Allison Janney in this benefit show. L.A. Gay & Lesbian Center’s Renberg Theatre, 1125 N. McCadden Place, L.A. Sat., 8 p.m. $50. (323) 860-7300.

Figaro West Coast premiere of Charles Morey’s adaptation of 18th-century playwright Pierre Beaumarchais’ sequel to his classic satire “The Barber of Seville”; part of L.A. Opera’s “Figaro Unbound” celebration. A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends May 10. $40 and up; student rush, $20. (626) 356-3100.

The Hebrew Hillbilly: Fifty Shades of Oy Vey! Singer-songwriter Shelley Fisher chronicles her life and showbiz career. Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. Sat., 8 p.m. $35. (800) 838-3006.

Next to Normal Tony-winning rock musical about a wife and mother struggling with bipolar disorder. Morgan-Wixson Theatre, 2627 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends April 4. $20-$30. (310) 828-7519.

Charo The legendary entertainer and flamenco guitarist performs in a Las Vegas-style revue. Soka Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo. Next Sun., 3 p.m. $39-$50. (949) 480-4278.

Sandy Hackett’s Rat Pack Musical revue salutes Frank Sinatra, Joey Bishop, Dean Martin and Sammy Davis, Jr. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. Next Sun., 3 p.m. $25 and up. (562) 467-8818.

Molly Ringwald The actress-singer performs new songs and standards in this cabaret show. Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. Next Sun., 7 and 9:30 p.m. $20-$35. (866) 468-3399.