SoCal theatre, April 29-May 6: Culture Clash, ‘Netflix is a Joke,’ ‘What the Constitution Means to Me’ and more

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

Ric Salinas, left, Herbert Sigüenza and Richard Montoya of Culture Clash (Estevan Oriol)

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…

---

Theatre

Opening this week…

‘Distractions at the Crash Site’ West Coast premiere of this collection of short plays by Steve Yockey. Theatre of NOTE, 1517 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays and Mondays, 7 p.m. Sundays, May 2 thru June 1. $20, $25; pay what you can, May 13 and 20. theatreofnote.com

‘The Hope Theory’ Illusionist and storyteller Helder Guimarães returns with another brain-bending new show; Frank Marshall directs. Geffen Playhouse’s Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood. 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays, May 2 thru June 30, with Spanish-language performances 8 p.m. May 8 & 16 and June 7, 2 p.m. May 19 and 7 p.m. May 26. $30-$129. (310) 208-2028. geffenplayhouse.org

Matt Doyle The Tony winner (“Company”) shares songs and stories from his career in a three-night engagement. Segerstrom Center’s Samueli Theater, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Saturday, May 2-4. $79 and up. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org

‘Sex Anyone: The Musical’ A sex addict searches for real love in John Freed’s tune-filled tale inspired by his own life. Hudson Backstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, May 3 thru 11. $40-$60. sexanyonethemusical.com

The 2024 Pacific Playwrights Festival The annual showcase continues with a weekend of staged readings of new plays by Ana Nogueira, Keiko Green, Arya Shahi, Else Went and Reggie D. White. South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Various times, Friday thru Sunday, May 3-5. $20 each; series pass, $85. (714) 708-5555. scr.org

‘What the Constitution Means to Me’ A woman looks back on her teenage years taking part in debate competitions all over the country in International City Theatre’s staging of Heidi Schreck’s acclaimed autobiographical comedy-drama. Beverly O’Neill Theater, 330 E. Seaside Way, Long Beach. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, May 3 thru 19. $49-$55. (562) 436-4610. ictlongbeach.org