SoCal theater, Nov. 26-Dec. 3: Audra McDonald, ‘Secret Garden,’ ‘Don’t Tell My Mother’ and more
Theatre, musicals, cabaret, drag, comedy, poetry, spoken word, storytelling, books & lit and more for LA & OC
Welcome to the latest TV or Not TV newsletter spotlighting live events on local stages all around Southern California this coming week. I’m Matt Cooper, former listings coordinator for the LA Times’ Calendar section.
And be sure to check out SoCal Holidays Shows 2023, our super-sized roundup of “Christmas Carols,” “Nutcrackers,” Messiahs and other seasonal fare on offer in LA and OC in the coming days and weeks, updated regularly.
Theatre
Opening…
‘Love Actually Live’ The tune-filled celebration of the 2003 rom-com returns; for ages 13 and older; contains adult content, brief nudity. The Wallis, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. Various times, Nov. 22 thru Dec. 30. $69-$139. (310) 746-4000. thewallis.org
South Coast Rep’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ Longtime company member Richard Doyle portrays Scrooge in Dickens’ classic fable. SCR, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Various times, Nov. 24 thru Dec. 24. (714) 708-5555. scr.org
‘An Evening with … Rainn Wilson’ The former co-star of “The Office” discusses his life and career and gives a dramatic reading. Ventura Center for Spiritual Living, 101 S. Laurel St., Ventura. 8 p.m. Tuesday, Nov. 28. $20, $39.50. (805) 667-2900. rubicontheatre.org
‘AIDS Threads: From Epidemic to Eco-Disaster’ Co-presented by QueerWise, this commemoration of World AIDS Day includes personal stories and remembrances; for mature audiences only. Skylight Theatre Company, 1816 ½ N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz. 7 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30. $20. (213) 761-7061. skylighttheatre.org
Also at Lineage Performing Arts Center, 920 E. Mountain St., Pasadena. 4 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. $20. (626) 844-7008. lineagepac.org
‘The Sound of Music’ The Jewish Women’s Repertory Company presents an all-female production of the classic Rodgers & Hammerstein musical; for female audiences only. Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, 4718 W. Washington Blvd., L.A. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30; 8 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2; 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. Dec. 3. $40-$55. jwrcla.org
A Noise Within’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ The hit staging of Dickens’ classic fable returns; for ages 5 and up; babies and toddlers not admitted. ANW, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Various times, Dec. 1 thru 24. $29 and up; student rush, $18; pay what you choose ($10 and up), Dec. 2 only. (626) 356-3100. anoisewithin.org
‘Mary Poppins’ P.L. Travers’ practically perfect nanny returns in this musical based on the 1964 Disney film; for ages 5 and up. Rose Center Theater, 14140 All American Way, Westminster. 7:30 p.m. Fridays, Dec. 1-2 and 15-16; 2 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 3 and 17; also 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Dec. 14. $20-$45. (714) 793-1150. rosecentertheater.com
Audra McDonald The six-time Tony winner graces the stage for a night of show tunes, standards and more backed by the LA Opera Orchestra and a small trio. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A 7:30 p.m. Saturday, Dec. 2. $29 and up. (213) 972-8001. laopera.org
‘Ring of Fire: The Music of Johnny Cash’ The country music legend known as the Man in Black is saluted in this musical revue. Ensemble Theatre Company at the New Vic, 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara. 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays; 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays; 2 and 7 p.m. Sunday; other dates; Dec. 2 thru 17. $25-$86. (805) 965-5400. etcsb.org
‘The Secret Garden — The Musical’ A young British orphan is sent to live with her reclusive uncle and his invalid son in this adaptation of Frances Hodgson Burnett’s beloved children’s novel. Chance Theater, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim. 7:45 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays, Dec. 2 thru 23. $25-$49. (888) 455-4212. chancetheater.com
Continuing...
‘All’s Well That Ends Well’ The Porters of Hellsgate open their season with Shakespeare’s fable about an arranged marriage gone wrong. The Broadwater Black Box, 6322 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. $10, $15. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 18 thru Dec. 3; also 8 p.m. Nov. 21 and 30. $10, $15. portersofhellsgate.com
‘Beautiful: The Carole King Story’ Tony-winning bio-musical about the singer-songwriter who found solo success with her Grammy-winning 1971 album “Tapestry.” La Mirada Theatre, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 11 thru Dec. 3. $19-$90. (562) 944-9801. LaMiradaTheatre.com
‘Dog Man: The Musical’ He’s half canine, half cop and he’s here to take a bite out of crime in this tune-filled tale based on Dav Pilkey’s children’s books. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. Various dates & times, Nov. 21 thru Jan. 7. (213) 628-2772. centertheatregroup.org
‘A Family Business’ A couple hosts a dinner party for their respective parents in Matt Chait’s new comedy. Hudson Mainstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 17 thru Dec. 31; dark Dec. 22-24. $35. onstage411.com
‘Freight: The Five Incarnations of Abel Green’ J. Alphonse Nicholson reprises his off-Broadway role in the West Coast premiere of Howard L. Craft’s fable about a Black everyman’s travels through time. Fountain Theatre, 5060 Fountain Ave., L.A. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and Mondays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 12 thru Dec. 16. $25-$45. (323) 663-1525. fountaintheatre.com
‘Frozen Fluid’ Gender identity, climate change and more are explored in this new Antarctica-set fable by Fly Jamerson and presented by Coeurage Ensemble; appropriate for all ages. Los Angeles LGBT Center’s Davidson/Valentini Theatre, 1125 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 18 thru Dec. 17; no shows Nov. 24-26 and 30. 30–$45; limited pay what you want tickets available for each performance. coeurage.org
‘A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder’ Kentwood Players presents a double-cast staging of the Tony-winning musical comedy. Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., L.A. 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 10 thru Dec. 9; dark Nov. 24-26. $26, $30. (310) 645-5156. kentwoodplayers.org
‘The Half-Light’ Theatre 40 stages the West Coast premiere of Monica Wood’s new dramedy about overcoming grief and finding human connection. Mary Levin Cutler Theatre, Beverly Hills High School, 241 S. Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 16 thru Dec. 17. $35. (310) 364-0535. theatre40.org
‘Inherit the Wind’ Alfred Molina heads the cast of Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee’s classic drama about the controversial 1925 Scopes “Monkey” Trial and the teaching of evolution in public schools; onstage courtroom-style seating available. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. 8 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays, extended thru Dec. 3. $35 and up. (626) 356-7529. pasadenaplayhouse.org
‘Lewis and Tolkien’ “Chronicles of Narnia” author C.S. Lewis and “Lord of the Rings’” J.R.R. Tolkien converse in Dean Batali’s new drama. Actors Co-op Theatre Company, Crossley Theater, 1760 N. Gower St., Hollywood. 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays, other dates thru Dec. 10. $25-$35. (323) 462-8460. ActorsCo-op.org
‘Love, Sex, and Misery’ The ins and outs of human relationships are explored in short plays by Jeff Gould and Jake Gould; contains mature themes. 905 Cole Theatre, 905 N. Cole Ave., Hollywood. 8 p.m. Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays thru Dec. 10; dark Thanksgiving weekend. $40. onstage411.com
‘Mama Mama Can’t You See’ Coin & Ghost stages this fantastical new tale co-written by Stan Mayer and Cecilia Fairchild and based on Mayer’s experiences as a Marine in combat; contains graphic language and imagery; for ages 16 and older. Studio/Stage, 520 N. Western Ave., L.A. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 10 thru Dec. 10. $5-$35. (818) 925-4928. coinandghost.org
‘Mamma Mia’ The hit romantic musical set to the songs of Swedish pop group ABBA returns. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 14 thru Dec. 3. $45 and up; recommended for ages 6 and up; ages 5 and younger will not be admitted. (323) 468-1770. broadwayinhollywood.com
‘Methusalem or The Eternal Bourgeois’ Ivan Goll’s 1920s-era German Expressionist fable. Actors’ Gang Theater, 9070 Venice Blvd., Culver City. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays, 9 p.m. Saturdays thru Dec. 16. $25, $34.99; pay what you can, Thursdays beginning Oct. 26. (310) 838-4264. theactorsgang.com
‘Radical or, are you gonna miss me?’ IAMA Theatre Company presents this new drama by Isaac Gómez about a fractious Mexican American family divided by politics. Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave., Atwater Village. 8 p.m. Thursdays, Nov. 16 and Dec. 7 only; 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays and Mondays; 2 p.m. Sundays; Nov. 16 thru Dec. 11. $40. (323) 380-8843. iamatheatre.com
‘70, Girls, 70’ The Group Rep stages the Kander & Ebb musical comedy about senior citizens banding together to save their home. Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, Nov. 10 thru Dec. 17. $35, $40. (818) 763-5990. thegrouprep.com
‘Spring Awakening’ East West Players stages the Tony-winning coming-of-age rock musical. David Henry Hwang Theater, 120 Judge John Aiso St., Little Tokyo, downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 5 p.m. Sundays, extended thru Dec. 19. $39-$69. (213) 625-7000. eastwestplayers.org
‘The Talented Tenth’ A Black radio executive faces challenges in his personal and professional lives in the Robey Theatre Company’s staging of Richard Wesley’s 1989 drama. Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays, Nov. 11 thru Dec. 10. $25-$50. (213) 489-7402. therobeytheatrecompany.org
‘Turkeys! The Musical’ The truth about Thanksgiving proves hard to swallow for our fine feathered friends in the return of Ian Michaels’ hit musical comedy. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. 8:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, Nov. 17 thru Dec. 2. $20, $25. zombiejoes.com
Comedy & storytelling
‘Don’t Tell My Mother’ “Grey’s Anatomy’s” E.R. Fightmaster, “Hacks’” Johnny Sibilly, et al. share true-life tales guaranteed to make your mama blush in this LGBTQ-friendly storytelling series hosted by Nikki Levy and featuring music by Abby Posner. The Crow, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica. 8 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30. $25. donttellmymother.com
‘Josh Thomas: Let’s Tidy Up’ The Aussie comic waxes domestic in this new show co-written by playwright Lally Katz. Scherr Forum, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 30. $35, $45. (805) 449-2787. bapacthousandoaks.com
‘Colin Mochrie & Brad Sherwood: Scared Scriptless’ Those cutups from TV’s “Whose Line is it Anyway?” improvise comedic sketches based on audience suggestions. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine. 8 p.m. Friday, Dec. 1. $85-$135. thebarclay.org
Leslie Jones The “SNL” alum graces the stage for a night of standup comedy. Kavli Theatre, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. 7 p.m. Sunday, Dec. 3. $45 and up. (805) 449-2787. bapacthousandoaks.com