Ascension, through Sunday, October 9. Performances are Thursdays, Fridays and Saturday evenings at 8:00pm; Sundays at 7pm at the Electric Lodge Theatre, 1416 Electric Ave. in Venice. $20.00 ($15.00 for students and seniors). There is free on-site parking. (310) 823-0710.
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.
A Year With Frog And Toad – Southern California Premiere – International City Theatre Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 East Ocean Blvd., Long Beach, $30.00 -$60.00, through October 3, (562) 436-4610, www.ictlongbeach.com.
Buddies, through September 11, $25 for Fridays and Saturdays; $20, Celebration Theatre, 7051B Santa Monica Blvd. in Hollywood. For Tickets, please call 323/957-1884.
Beyond Therapy, Christopher Durang’s comic masterwork. Through October 1. Ruskin Group Theatre, 3000 Airport Dr., Santa Monica Airport, Fridays and Saturdays at 8, Sundays at 5. (310) 397-3244.
Fashion, a comedy of manners from 1845, live music and songs of the era played, 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.
Happy End, Pacific Resident Theatre, written by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, Pacific Resident Theatre, 703 Venice Boulevard, (310) 822-8392.
Lessons, starring Mare Winningham and Hal Linden, will end its run Saturday, August 27. $25 for all performances. Groups of 8 or more receive a $3.00 discount. Lee Strasberg Institute’s Marilyn Monroe Theatre, 7936 Santa Monica Blvd. in West Hollywood. For Tickets, please call 323-650-7777 or visit www.westcoastjewishtheatre.org.
Messages and Memorials, work by Joan Vaupen and Ruth Lercher Bornstein, though September 25, The Gallery Wall, Forbes Hall, 1721 Arizona Ave., (310) 829-5436.
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 Ride Down Mt. Morgan runs Saturdays at 8 pm, through September 24, The Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 North Topanga Canyon Blvd. in Topanga, (310) 455-3723 or visit online at www.theatricum.com.
7 Redneck Cheerleaders, Lillian Theatre, 1076 Lillian Way (between Vine & Cahuenga, 8PM (Closing Performance), through September 10, $15, (323) 960-7784.
Tobacco Road, directed by the critically acclaimed Justin Tanner, through Sunday, October 9. Third Stage, 2811 W. Magnolia Blvd. in Burbank. $18.00 ($5.00 discount for students, seniors and 4-A union members). (818) 842-4755.
Two plays by Steve Stajich, “Soap” and “Raincoat,” as part of the Blue Sphere Alliance Third Annual Short Play Festival. The Avery Schreiber Theater, 11050 Magnolia Blvd… between Vineland and Lankershim, in North Hollywood, also Sunday Sept. 11, and Friday Sept. 16. (866) 811-4111.
“When They Speak of Rita” through September 12.. Performances are Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm. Pacific Resident Theatre is located at 705 1/2 Venice Blvd., Venice, CA. Tickets are $18-$23.50 and can be purchased by calling the box office directly at (310) 822-8392.
Thursday, September 8
Daniel Mendel-Black’s “Diseased Love,” Sixteen: One Gallery, 2116 Pico Blvd., Unit B, through October 8, (310) 450-4394.
Larry Fink: Under the Surface, Stephen Cohen Gallery, through November 5, opening reception, 7 – 9 p.m., 7358 Beverly Blvd. (323) 937-5525.
Moss Hart’s Light up the Sky, presented by the Kentwood Players, through October 15, 8301 Hindry Ave., Westchester, (310) 645-5156.
Wallace Berman’s Semina, an exhibition of 36 reproduced pages from the Beat artist, The Skirball Cultural Center, through November 13, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., (310) 440-4500.
Rebecca Campbell: Crush, new paintings, LA Louver, through October 8, 45 N. Venice Blvd., (310) 822-4955.
Murder by the Book, Long Beach Playhouse Studio Theatre, through October 15, 5021 East Anaheim Street, $20.00. $18.00 for seniors and students. $10 Student Rush tickets available 10 minutes prior to performance. (562) 494-1014.
Friday, September 9
Lynda Benglis: Ceramic Sculpture, Frank Lloyd Gallery, through October 8, Bergamot Station, (310) 264-3866.
Robbert Flick’s “Trajectories,” Rosegallery, Bergamot Station, through October 29, (310) 264-8440.
Nicholas Hondrogen’s “Fractal Ellipse Series 2001 – 2005,” Arena 1, 3026 Airport Ave., through October 22, (310) 397-7456.
David Allan Peters’ “May the Road Rise with You,” and Alex Couwenberg’s “Tussenruimte,” Ruth Bachofner Gallery, through October 15, Bergamot Station, (310) 829-3300.
Justin de Leon’s (b) ellas: Sharing One Secret, new photography, and Eloy Torrez’ “Light from a Dark Perspective,” Patricia Correia Gallery, through October 8, Bergamot Station, (310) 264-1760.
New Work by William Pajaud, never-before-seen oil pastels and mixed media painting, M. Hanks Gallery, through October 29, 3008 Main Street, (310) 392-8820.
Jeanne Silverthorne, new solo exhibition, Shoshana Wayne Gallery, through October 14, Bergamot Station, (310) 453-7535.
Virginia Katz’ “Observations Toward Clarity,” works on paper, d.e.n. contemporary, 6023 Washington Blvd., through October 22, (310) 559-3023.
Katsushige Nakahashi, Zero Project (2000 – 2004), Sherry Frumkin Gallery, through October 15, 3026 Airport Ave., Studio 21, (310) 397-7493.
Rick Oginz’ “New Works,” Gallery of Functional Art and Lois Lambert Gallery, Bergamot Station, through November 6, (310) 829-6990.
MAK Day, the MAK Center will dedicate its annual free day for presentations and discussions on contemporary life, architecture, preservation and the future, 11:00 am – 6:00 p.m. Free and open to the public, 835 North Kings Road, (323) 651-1510.
Sunday, September 11
Lecture and Book Signing for New Book on Celebrating Venice’s Centennial. The Santa Monica Historical Society Museum will host a free, public lecture and book signing by Delores Hanney, author of her new book, Venice, California: A Centennial Commemorative In Postcards 1905-2005, 2:30 pm. (310) 395-2290.
