SoCal theatre, March 18-25: ‘MJ — The Musical,’ ‘Drag: The Musical,’ Independent Shakespeare Co. and more
Theatre, musicals, cabaret, drag, standup comedy, poetry, spoken word, storytelling, books and lit for LA & OC
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…
‘MJ — The Musical’ Pop music icon Michael Jackson is rememered in this stage spectacular. 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, March 19 thru 31. $49 and up. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org
‘iambic lab 2024: Hamlet, Undiscovered Country’ Independent Shakespeare Co.’s annual celebration of all things theatrical includes company co-founder David Melville’s solo exploration of the Bard’s tale of the melancholy Dane, plus staged readings, workshops, salons and a screening of Tom Stoppard’s 1990 film adaptation of his play “Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.” ISC Studio, 3191 Casitas Ave., Atwater Village. Various dates and times, March 21 thru April 9. $27.50 and up; some free events. (818) 710-6306. iscla.org
‘Drag: The Musical’ New Kids on the Block’s Joey McInytre rejoins the cast in the return of this tune-filled fable co-created by drag diva Alaska Thunderfuck a.k.a. Alaska 5000. The Bourbon Room, 6356 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 7 and 10 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, March 22-23 and 29-30. $69-$125. dragmusical.com
‘Tribute to the Hollywood Icons’ A salute to the celebrities of yore features Frank Ferrante as Groucho Marx, Raymond Michael as Elvis, etc. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos. 8 p.m. Friday, March 22. $45-$70. (562) 916-8500. cerritoscenter.com
‘Unnerving Berlin’ The “Music at the Odyssey” series continues with this fantastical solo show starring Taubert Nadalini as legendary songwriter Irving Berlin. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A. 8 p.m., Friday, March 22. $30. (310) 477-2055. OdysseyTheatre.com
‘L.A Short Play Festival: L.A. Unmasked’ This showcase returns with eight new short plays by L.A.-based playwrights. Company of Angels, 1350 San Pablo St., L.A. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays, March 23 thru April 14. $15, $20. companyofangels.org
‘Plays in a Day’ The Playhouse’s Studio Collaborative series continues with this showcase featuring new works written, rehearsed and performed in a single day. Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach. 8 p.m. Saturday, March 23. $10. (562) 494-1014. lbplayhouse.org
‘The University of Wonder & Imagination’ The mysterious Professor Bamberg facilitates this intimate and interactive family-friendly theatrical experience. Segerstrom Center’s Samueli Theater, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 1 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, March 23-24. $20 and up. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org
‘The Witness Room’ Four NYPD officers and a veteran prosecutor go head-to-head in Pedro Antonio Garcia’s new drama exploring police corruption, racism, etc. Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. 8 p.m. Saturdays, March 30 thru April 27. $25, $40. (818) 687-8559. whitefiretheatre.com
‘My Uterus: A Womb With a View’ Writer-performer Dina Morrone probes matters personal, political and gynecological in this new solo show. Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. West, L.A. 2 p.m. Sunday, March 24. $35, $40. (323) 851-4839. theatrewest.org
‘Tea for Three: Lady Bird, Pat & Betty’ Emmy winner Elaine Bromka portrays former first ladies Lady Bird Johnson, Pat Nixon and Betty Ford in this solo drama. La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. 2 p.m. Sunday, March 24. $15-$37. (562) 944-9801. lamiradatheatre.com
‘Oops … Alaska Did It Again’ The aforementioned drag diva salutes pop music’s Britney Spears in this all-ages show. The Regent Theater, 448 S. Main St., downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Monday, March 25. $49.99. regentdtla.com
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