SoCal theatre, April 15-22: Patti LuPone, ‘Jersey Boys,’ the LA Times Festival of Books and more

Theatre, musicals, cabaret, drag, standup comedy, poetry, spoken word, storytelling, and books & lit for LA & OC

Patti LuPone (Douglas Friedman)

Welcome to the latest TV or Not TV newsletter spotlighting live theater, standup comedy, etc. on stages all around Southern California this coming week. I’m Matt Cooper, former listings coordinator for the LA Times’ Calendar section.

The curtain rises…

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Theatre

Opening this week…

‘Beetlejuice’ That house is haunted — haunted, I tells ya! — in this hit musical based on Tim Burton’s kooky 1988 horror comedy. Segerstrom Center’s Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays, April 16 thru 28. $49 and up. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org

‘En Mi Jardín (In My Garden) — Healing With Our Stories Short Play Festival’ A collection of 10-minute plays by 13 playwrights; contains strong language. Casa 0101 Theater, 2102 E. 1st St., Boyle Heights. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays, April 19 thru May 12. $20 and up. casa0101.org

‘The Green Book Wine Club Train Trip’ A Black woman out on a weekend excursion inadvertently travels back in time to Jim Crow-era Missouri in the West Coast premiere of Michelle Tyrene Johnson’s fantastical drama. Loft Ensemble, 11031 Camarillo St., North Hollywood. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays, April 19 thru May 5. Donate what you want. (818) 452-3153. loftensemble.org

‘King’ Acclaimed writer-performer Pat Kinevane portrays an agoraphobic Elvis impersonator in Cork, Ireland, in this solo drama presented by Fishamble; for ages 14 and up. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, April 19 thru May 5. $15–$30; Fridays, pay what you can. (310) 477-2055. odysseytheatre.com

SkyPilot One-Act Festival This showcase for short plays returns with two distinct programs exploring this year’s theme, “What If …?” SkyPilot Theatre Company, the 905 Cole Theatre, 905 Cole Ave., L.A. 8 p.m. Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 5 p.m. Sundays, April 19 thru 28. $25. skypilottheatre.com

‘Jenna Esposito: The Sixties Chicks’ The New York-based cabaret artist celebrates the songs of female pop stars and girl groups of the 1960s. James R. Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. 8 p.m. Saturday, April 20. $28-$38. (310) 378-8100. torrancearts.org