SoCal theatre, Jan. 22-29: ‘POTUS,’ ‘Love’s Labour’s Lost,’ ‘12 Angry Jurors’ and more

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

The cast of “POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive” (Justin Bettman)

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.

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A NOTE TO READERS:

Beginning this week, the Theatre and Music & Dance roundups will start covering Monday through the following Monday, instead of Sunday to the following Sunday. This will tighten up the newsletters a bit and tidy up a few issues with how to list openings and performances that span any given weekend. The two newsletters will continue to go out on Saturdays.

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Theatre

Opening this week…

‘Kate’ Veteran comedian Kate Berlant portrays multiple characters as she looks back on her life and career in this acclaimed one-woman show directed by fellow comic Bo Burnham. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Opening night, 7 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 21; 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays, thru Feb. 11. $39 and up. (626) 356-7529. pasadenaplayhouse.org

L.A. Writers’ Workshop Festival The annual showcase returns with a weekend of brand spanking new works by playwrights including by Inda Craig-Galván, Isaac Gómez and Jasmine Sharma. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. 7 p.m. Friday, Jan. 26; 11 a.m., 3 and 7 p.m. Saturday, Jan. 27; 11 a.m. and 3 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 28. $15; passes, $45. 213.628-2772. centertheatregroup.org

‘Love, Sex and the I.R.S.’ The Playhouse’s Studio Collaborative series continues with this new farce about two struggling musicians pretending to be a married couple for the tax breaks. Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday, Jan. 26-28. $20. (562) 494-1014. lbplayhouse.org

‘Love’s Labour’s Lost’ The Long Beach Shakespeare Company launches its 22nd season with the Bard’s romantic fable. Helen Borgers Theatre, 4250 ½ Atlantic, Long Beach. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 26 thru Feb. 10. $15, $25. LBShakespeare.org

‘The Musical of Musicals’ This affectionate satire imagines how Broadway composers from Rodgers & Hammerstein to Sondheim might tackle the same material. Ophelia’s Jump, 2009 Porterfield Way, Upland. 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m Fridays-Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 26 thru Feb. 8. $40, $45; Thursdays, pay what you can (minimum $20). (909) 734-6565. opheliasjump.org

‘POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive’ Female staffers at the White House are tasked with putting out fires large and small in the Los Angeles premiere of Selina Fillinger’s D.C.-set satire. Geffen Playhouse, Gil Cates Theater, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood. 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays, Jan. 26 thru Feb. 18. $30-$129. (310) 208-2028. geffenplayhouse.org