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.
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.
Moss Hart’s “Light up the Sky,” presented by the Kentwood Players, through October 15, 8301 Hindry Ave., Westchester, (310) 645-5156.
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.
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.
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.
Speaking in Tongues – A play of seductions and mutual destructions, Critic’s Pick – Backstage West, Runs Fri/Sat 8 p.m., Sun 7 p.m. through October 8. $20 Fridays/Saturdays, pay-what-you-can Sundays Reservations/More. Info: 323-882-6912; www.openfist.org, www.powerhousetheatre.com.
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.
Thursday, September 15
Latino New Works Festival: Que Viva La Evolution! Featuring performance that “speaks to the evolution of L.A.’s established and emerging artists,” Highways Performance Space, through September 17, 1651 18th Street, $17, (310) 315-1459.
Max Liebermann: From Realism to Impressionism, the Skirball Cultural Center, through January 29, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., (310) 440-4500.
Scene Bites is a one-act theater event Come Experience an Evening of Unique Multi-media Entertainment, Edgemar Center for the Arts, 2437 Main Street, also September 22, 7:30 p.m. Complimentary tickets for Industry Professionals, $15, (310) 392-7327.
The World Premiere of Just Us, a political comedy by Writer/Director Chris Merrill, through October 15 at The Elephant Theatre in Hollywood, 6322 Santa Monica Boulevard, (323) 960-7792.
Babes in Arms at Miles Memorial Playhouse, through October 9, 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays and 5 p.m. 1130 Lincoln Blvd., (310) 397-3244 or go to http://www.ruskingrouptheatre.com.
The Monster Under My Bed Drank my Vodka, written and performed by Lisa David Dean, Santa Monica Playhouse, also September 22, 1211 4th Street, 8 p.m., (310) 394-9779.
Saturday, September 17
Scott Heywood, abstract paintings, Hunsaker/Schlesinger Fine Art, through October 29, (310) 828-1133.
Ilios: Saga of the Trojan War, presented by the Aeolian Ballet Theatre/LA, Smothers Theatre, Pepperdine University, Center for the Arts, 24255 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu, 2 and 8 p.m., (310) 506-4522.
Simon Nieweg, new photographs, gallery luisotti, through November 5, Bergamot Station, (310) 453-0043.
Heroes and Villains, original paintings by David Roodzant, “parodies of advertising in themselves.” Picture This Gallery, 4130 Norse Way, Long Beach, (562) 425-4861.
Jennifer Rae Ochs: I.Forward, a solo exhibition of her abstract expressionism, BGH Gallery, through October 16, (310) 315-9502.
Sunday, September 18
Abstracts of Activism/Images of Peace, exploring incidental art of protest, A Shenere Velt Gallery, The Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring, 1525 S. Robertson Blvd., through October 28, (310) 552-2007.
Ecstasy and the Ice Queen, 7 p.m., also October 16, and November 20, 2005. The Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd in Sherman Oaks, $20, www.plays411.com/ice.
Sneak preview of Oliver Twist, Roman Polanski’s new film, American Cinematheque at the Aero, 5 p.m., followed at 9 p.m. by the incomparable Chinatown, 1328 Montana Ave., (323) 466-FILM.
Speedy “L.A. Café Plays” – five short plays go from conception to execution in just 10 1/2 hours, 7:30 p.m. and 9 p.m. at Ruskin Group Theatre, 3000 Airport Drive at Santa Monica Airport. $10. Call (310) 397-3244 or go to http://www.ruskingrouptheatre.com.
