L.A. theater openings, Sept. 18-25: ‘Watch What Happens -- Live on Stage!’ and more

This week: A sendup of a well-known cable-TV personality, a Mel Brooks musical, and more.

(Give) Back to School Show! The Mad Jackrats improv troupe performs in this benefit for homeless children in L.A. Sacred Fools, Second Stage, 6322 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Sun., 7:30 p.m. $12, $16. www.lpnsimprov.com

Peter & the Starcatcher Tony-winning musical prequel to “Peter Pan.” Morgan-Wixson Theatre, 2627 Pico Blvd., Santa Monica. Today, next Sun., 2 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Oct. 9. $28 and up. (310) 828-7519.

Shine Storytellers share true-life tales about the power of art to change lives, accompanied by visual projections. Promenade Playhouse, 1404 3rd St., Santa Monica. Sun., 7 p.m. $10; discounts available. (310) 452-2321.

Wild Kratts — Live! Family-friendly stage show based on the animated series. Segerstrom Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Sun., 1 and 4:30 p.m. $29.75. (714) 556-2787.

The Woody Guthrie Story Salute to the great Depression-era songwriter. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Sun., 1 p.m. $10, $20; children 4 and under, free. (310) 455-3723.

Simply Shakespeare Tom Hanks, Martin Short, et al., perform a condensed version of the Bard’s “Much Ado About Nothing” as part of the Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles’ annual benefit show. Freud Playhouse, UCLA, 405 Hilgard Ave., Westwood. Mon., 8 p.m. $500 and up. (310) 559-9334.

Back Porch Swing Vocal group Marquee Five performs classic tunes by the Gershwins, Irving Berlin, et al. Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 E. Atherton St., Long Beach. Wed.-Thu., 7 p.m. $45, $55. (562) 985-7000.

Moral Imperative Two academics plot against their university’s despised president in Samuel Warren Joseph’s new mystery drama. Theatre 40, Reuben Cordova Theatre, 241 S. Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills. Thu., 8 p.m.; Fri., 7 p.m.; Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Oct. 17. $30. (310) 364-0535.

October Sky West Coast premiere of this musical inspired by the fact-based 1999 film about a rocket-building high-school student in 1950s West Virginia. The Old Globe, San Diego, 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 Oct. 22. $37 and up. (619) 234-5623.

Celebrity Autobiography Benefit performance of this hit show features Fred Willard, Florence Henderson, et al. Creative Artists Agency, 2000 Avenue of the Stars #100, Century City. Fri., 8:15 p.m. $125, $275. www.straycatalliance.org

The Ithaca Ladies Read Medea Five faculty wives explore Euripides’ classic tragedy in Arthur M. Jolly’s new comedy-drama set during the “Red Scare” of the 1950s. Little Fish Theatre, 777 Centre St., San Pedro. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Oct. 22. $23-$27. (310) 512-6030.

Nadya Ginsburg The female drag artist and celebrity impersonator returns, with special guests. Cavern Club Theater, 1920 Hyperion Ave., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. $20, $25. (800) 838-3006.

Watch What Happens — Live on Stage! Song-filled satire about Bravo’s Andy Cohen and assorted reality TV stars. Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8:30 p.m. $25-$40. (866) 468-3399.

Young Frankenstein All-new production of Mel Brooks’ musical adaptation of his hit 1974 horror spoof. Norris Theatre, 27570 Norris Center Drive, Palos Verdes Peninsula. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Oct. 9. $55-$65. (310) 544-0403.

Bars and Measures Two brothers — one Christian, the other Muslim, both musicians — try to stay connected after one is jailed on terrorism charges in Idris Goodwin’s new drama. Boston Court, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Oct. 23. $20-$39. (626) 683-6883.

Davis Gaines: Broadway and Beyond “The Phantom of the Opera” star performs in the inaugural entry in Musical Theatre West’s “Broadway in Concert” series. Beverly O’Neill Theatre, Long Beach Convention Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. Sat., 8 p.m. $40 and up. (562) 8546-1999.

The Hound of the Baskervilles Stage adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic Sherlock Holmes thriller. Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach. Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Oct. 22. $14-$27. (562) 494-1014.

The Maids Jean Genet’s classic drama about two household servants whose elaborate role-playing games take a dark turn. A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Nov. 12. $44 and up; student rush, $20. (626) 356-3100.

A Night of Revels The Old Globe’s annual black-tie gala features a cabaret performance by Tony-winner and “Hamilton” costar Leslie Odom Jr. The Old Globe, San Diego, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego. Sat., 6 p.m. $800 and up. (619) 684-4146.

Stand Up! A Night of Comedy With “Conan’s” Ian Edwards and others. Malibu Playhouse, 29243 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. Sat., 8:30 p.m. $15, $20. www.malibuplayhouse.org.

Promises, Promises Musical Theatre Guild stages this 1968 musical created by Burt Bacharach, Hal David and Neil Simon and based on Billy Wilder’s 1960 comedy “The Apartment.” The Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. Next Sun., 7 p.m. $45. (818) 243-2539.