A Midsummer Night’s Dream, Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, the most magical outdoor setting in Topanga, becomes the enchanted woods of Athens in this second offering of the Theatricum’s repertory season. 8 p.m., through September 24, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd. (310) 455-3723 or www.theatricum.com.
Baby, the musical, Theatre Palisades, 941 Temescal Canyon Road, Pacific Palisades, through July 31, (310) 454-1970.
Beyond Therapy, Christopher Durang’s masterwork. Ruskin Group Theatre, 3000 Airport Dr., near Santa Monica Airport, Fridays and Saturdays at 8, Sundays at 5. (310) 397-3244.
Fashion, a comedy of manners from 1845, with live music and songs of the era. Directed by Ellen Geer, The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga, through October 2, (310) 455-3723 or www.theatricum.com.
Four Short Plays by Padua Playwrights, Shawna Casey’s “The Aegean Sea,” Sharon Yablon’s “The Party,” Wesley Walker’s “Temple Dog” and Guy Zimmerman’s “The Wasps,” through July 31, Lillian Theatre, 1076 Lillian Way, (323) 692-2652 or reservations@paduaplaywrights.com.
Happy End, Pacific Resident Theatre, written by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, Pacific Resident Theatre, 703 Venice Boulevard, (310) 822-8392.
Tom Dudzicka’s “Over the Tavern” at the Playhouse Studio Theatre, through July 23, Long Beach Playhouse Studio Theatre, 5021 East Anaheim Street, (562) 494-1014.
Pecker Patter, the Penis Must Be Heard! Giving voice to the penis (once it gets talking, will ever shut up?), through July 24, The Other Space at Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th Street, (323) 960-1053.
Puppetolio, a puppet variety show for ages 3 and up, Santa Monica Puppet and Magic Center, 1255 2nd St., runs indefinitely, (310) 656-0483.
The Monster Under My Bed Drank My Vodka, original comedy about addiction, neuroses and 12-step dating, for a limited run engagement at Santa Monica Playhouse as part of the Save-the-Playhouse Benefit Series. These are its only local performances prior to its debut in September at the New York International Fringe Festival (Fringe NYC), through July 21 at 8:00 p.m., Tickets $15; All proceeds go to the Save the Playhouse Campaign. 1211 4th Street (between Wilshire & Arizona) (310) 394-9779 ext. 1.
Two Gentlemen of Corona, through July 21, ticket prices are $20 for all performances ($18 Student/Senior discount). Opening Night Gala – $50. Groups of 10 or more are $15. 522 North La Brea Ave., between Melrose and Beverly 323/525-0022 or visit www.wcensemble.org.
Women, featuring the photographs of John Divola, Jacques-Henri Lartigue, Lisette Model and Henry Wessel, Gallery Luisotti, Bergamot Station, through August 20, (310) 453-0043.
Friday, July 15
Oklahomo! Through Saturday, August 20. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm at the Third Stage, 2811 W. Magnolia Blvd. in Burbank. Ticket prices are $18.00 ($5.00 discount for students, seniors and 4-A union members). Tickets are available by calling 818/842-4755.
The Odd Couple, Long Beach Playhouse Mainstage Theatre, 5021 East Anaheim Street, Long Beach, through August, (562) 494-1014.
Kindsight, photographs and Texts by Robert Zuckerman, through September 7th, Edgemar Center for the Arts, 2437 Main Street, (310) 576-7517.
Bent, through Sunday, August 21, 2005. Performances areFridays and Saturdays at 8:00pm; Sundays at 3:00pm at Deaf West Theatre, 5112 Lankershim Blvd. in North Hollywood. Ticket prices are $20.00. Tickets are available by calling 323-960-7740 or by visiting www.plays411.com/bent.
Saturday, July 16
Steven Deo’s new work and Henry Royer’s “Sculpture and Furniture,” Gallery of Functional Art, Bergamot Station, through September 5, (310) 829-6990.
Evolution, features paintings by Alex Beard, Schomburg Gallery, Bergamot Station, through September 7, (310) 453-5757.
New Slang, a group show at Ruth Bachofner Gallery, through September 3, (310) 829-3300.
North by Northwest, a group show, opening reception, 5 – 7 p.m., Hunsaker/Schlesinger Fine Art, Bergamot Station, through August 20, (310) 828-1133.
Sunday, July 17
LA Café Plays, The Ruskin Group Theatre’s L.A. Café Plays have been dubbed the “Fastest Theater in Town” because five short plays go from conception to execution in just 10 1/2 hours , the Ruskin Group Theatre, 3000 Airport Drive at Santa Monica Airport. 9 a.m. the day of the performance, five writers gather at Back on Broadway, a café-restaurant in Santa Monica. Each writer picks, at random, two manila envelopes containing actors’ headshots. They are then given four hours to write a seven- to 10-page one-act play that takes place in a café. The directors then take over, meet their actors, and begin rehearsals. $10. Call (310) 397-3244 or go to http://www.ruskingrouptheatre.com.
Wednesday, July 20Sterling Chow, Following the Tsunami, through Saturday, August 13, The Artists Gallery, 2903 Santa Monica Blvd (at Yale), (310) 829-9556.
