L.A. theater openings, Sept. 21-28: ‘The 39 Steps’ and more

A classic Hitchcock thriller is spoofed in “The 39 Steps” at Long Beach Playhouse, “Lost the Musical” sends up the hit TV series at the Lillian Theatre, and life is a “Cabaret” at North Hollywood’s Crown City Theatre. Plus, Cicely Tyson reprises her Tony-winning role in “The Trip to Bountiful” at the Ahmanson.

Kiss Me, Kate Wayne Brady stars in the Cole Porter classic about a madcap musical production of Shakespeare’s “The Taming of the Shrew.” Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Sun., 5 p.m.; Tue.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 4 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends Oct. 12. $47-$125. (626) 356-7529.

Marjorie Prime World premiere of Jordan Harrison’s drama about an elderly woman (Lois Smith) at an assisted-living facility who comes to terms with her life with the help of her daughter, her son-in-law and a mysterious stranger. Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A. Sun., 7 p.m.; Tue.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2:30 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; ends Oct. 19. $25-$70. (213) 628-2772.

Lost the Musical: We Have to Go Back The audience gets to vote for one of three alternate endings in this world-premiere parody of the hit TV series. Elephant Stages’ Lillian Theatre, 1076 N. Lillian Way, Hollywood. Mon., Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Oct. 26. $20, $25. (323) 960-1055.

Drag Queen Bingo Charlene Tilton (“Dallas”) hosts this fundraiser for SkyPilot Theatre Company; features adult humor. Viva Cantina, 900 W. Riverside Drive, Burbank. Tue., 7 p.m. $20 suggested donation. (323) 229-2753.

Affluence World premiere of Steven Peterson’s dark comedy about a once-wealthy family brought low by the recent recession. Theatre 40, 241 S. Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills. Thu., Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Oct. 20. $26. (310) 364-0535.

Cabaret The classic Kander & Ebb musical about a Berlin nightclub at the beginning of the Nazi era. Crown City Theatre, 11031 Camarillo St., North Hollywood. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Oct. 26. $30. (818) 605-5685.

Weird On Top The improv-comedy troupe performs. Eclectic Company Theatre, 5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood. Thu., 8 p.m. $10. (818) 508-3003.

Bronies: The Musical World-premiere musical explores the phenomenon of male fans of the cartoon series “My Little Pony.” Third Street Theatre, 8115 W. Third St., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m. $25-$30. (888) 718-4253.

Ceremony A middle-aged man heads to the Andes on a mystical journey of self-discovery in Michael Kass’ solo show. Bootleg Theatre, 2220 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m. $15, $20. (213) 389-3856.

4000 Miles Amy Herzog’s comedy-drama about a twentysomething who reconnects with his elderly grandmother; not recommended for children under 16. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 p.m.; ends Nov. 8. $15-$25. (626) 355-4318.

Choir Boy A vocally gifted African American youngster navigates life at an all-boys prep school in the West Coast premiere of Tarell Alvin McCraney’s gospel music-infused drama. Gil Cates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends Oct. 26. $39-$79. (310) 208-5454.

Ghost in the Meadow Two sisters buy a haunted country house in this thriller. Little Fish Theatre, 777 Centre St., San Pedro. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. $22 and up. (310) 512-6030.

Maple and Vine L.A.-area premiere of Jordan Harrison’s comedy about a modern-day married couple who escape into a 1950s-style fantasy world. Chance Theater, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim Hills. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Oct. 19. $20-$35. (714) 777-3033.

Melissa Arctic West Coast premiere of Craig Wright’s re-imagining of Shakespeare’s “The Winter’s Tale,” set in small-town Minnesota. The Road on Magnolia at the NoHo Senior Arts Colony, 10747 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Nov. 15. $34. (866) 811-4111.

Ms. Neile Adams in Nowadays The showbiz veteran performs. Cavern Club Theater, 1920 Hyperion Ave., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. $20, $25. (800) 838-3006.

On the Razzle Tom Stoppard’s comedy about the romantic misadventures of two grocer’s assistants in turn-of-the-last-century Vienna. Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. W., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Nov. 2. $15-$25. (323) 851-7977.

The Trip to Bountiful Tony winner Cicely Tyson, Vanessa Williams and Blair Underwood reprise their Broadway roles in this revival of Horton Foote’s drama. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 p.m.; ends Nov. 2. $25-$115. (213) 972-4400.

Young Frankenstein DOMA Theatre Company stages Mel Brooks’ musical based on his 1974 horror spoof. Met Theatre, 1089 N. Oxford Ave., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Nov. 16. $20-$34.99. (323) 802-9181.

The 39 Steps A handful of actors play all the roles in this Tony-winning send-up of the classic Hitchcock thriller. Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Oct. 25. $14-$24. (562) 494-1014.

Cirque Peking The National Acrobats of the People’s Republic of China perform. Valley Performing Arts Center, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. Sat., 8 p.m. $25-$65. (818) 677-3000.

The Importance of Being Earnest A duplicitous bachelor carries on under an assumed name in Oscar Wilde’s classic satire. A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Nov. 22. $40 and up; student rush, $20. (626) 356-3100.

Noises Off Michael Frayn’s hit comedy about an acting troupe staging a bedroom farce. Morgan-Wixson Theatre, 2627 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Oct. 19. $18-$20. (310) 828-7519.

Boss: The Untold Tony Danza Story Damien Luvara portrays the sitcom star; followed by the ’80s-themed variety show “The ExtravaDANZA.” Asylum Lab, 1076 N. Lillian Way, L.A. Sat., 10 p.m. $15. (323) 962-1632.

Bright Star World premiere of Steve Martin and Edie Brickell’s new musical about a soldier from North Carolina who must confront his past when he returns after WWI. The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego. Next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends Nov. 2. $29 and up. (619) 234-5623.

Julius Caesar Classical Theatre Lab offers a staged reading of Shakespeare’s tragedy. Lounge Theatre, 6201 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Next Sun., 2 p.m. Free. (323) 960-5691.

Schoolhouse Rock Live! Family-friendly celebration of the educational 1970s Saturday-morning cartoon series. Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. Next Sun., 2 p.m. $17. (310) 506-4522.