Absolutely Halloween, by Evelyn Rudie, through October 30, Santa Monica Playhouse Main Stage, 1211 Fourth Street, (310) 394-9779, ext. 2.
Gorey Stories, based on the works of Edward Gorey, a theatrical interpretation, Sacred Fools, 660 North Heliotrope, Hollywood, through October 30, with a special Halloween presentation on October 31, (310) 281-8337.
Happy End, Pacific Resident Theatre, written by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, Pacific Resident Theatre, 703 Venice Boulevard, (310) 822-8392.
Simon Nieweg, new photographs, gallery luisotti, through November 5, Bergamot Station, (310) 453-0043.
Puppetolio, a puppet variety show for ages 3 and up, Santa Monica Puppet and Magic Center, 1255 2nd St., runs indefinitely, (310) 656-0483.
Walter Rane Art Exhibit, Los Angeles Temple Visitors Center, 10777 Santa Monica Blvd.,West LA Twenty of Walter Rane’s most famous religious paintings will be on display until November 14. Hours: 9:00 a.m.-9:00 p.m. daily. (310) 474-1549.
Wife Swappers, through Saturday, November 19. Third Stage, 2811 W. Magnolia Blvd. in Burbank. (818) 842-4755.
Openings
Thursday, October 20
The Amanda Foundation’s 12th Annual Comedy Night & Silent Auction, starring Paula Poundstone, Loews Santa Monica Beach Hotel, 1700 Ocean Ave., 8 p.m., for tickets, (310) 278-2935.
Santa Monica Save-The-Playhouse Benefit Series Presents “Hair…not the musical”
one night only. 8 p.m. (310) 394-9779 ext. 1.
Friday, October 21
Betty’s Summer Vacation, by Christopher Durang, Los Angeles premiere, Oct. 21 – Nov. 27, The Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave. Venice.
Cracked: The Art of Linda Sibio, along with her performance troupe in the experimental play, “The Prophet of Doom in the Banana Republic,” Highways Performance Space, 8:30 p.m., also Saturday and Sunday (3:30 p.m.), 1651 18th Street, $15, (310) 315-1459.
Lucid Sound begins a six week run, through Sunday, November 19. Miles Memorial Playhouse, 1130 Lincoln Blvd. in Santa Monica. $20.00 ($15.00 for students, and seniors). (877/986-7336).
Laughter on the 23rd Floor, by Neil Simon, Long Beach Playhouse Studio Theatre, 5021 E. Anaheim Street, through November 26, $25, (562) 494-1014.
Sacred Bridges, a celebration of musical connections between the Orient and the Occident, featuring a capella group The King’s Singers, along with Middle Eastern early music specialists, Ensemble Sarband, UCLA Live, Royce Hall, www.UCLALive.org, (310) 825-2101.
Jay Davis’ third solo exhibition of new work, and Kathy Butterfly’s “Body Language,” Shoshana Wayne Gallery, Bergamot Station, through December 3, (310) 453-7535.
Saturday, October 22
Howard L. Bingham: Witness, MB Fine Art Gallery, through November 30, 612 N. Almont Drive, West Hollywood, (310) 550-0050.
Frozen by Bryony Lavery, directed by Paul Wager, Ark Theatre, 1647 S. La Cienega Blvd., through November 27.
The Golem, a classic Jewish tale from Prague of what can happen when you wish for something without considering the consequences, Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring, 1525 S. Robertson Blvd., 8 p.m., also Sunday, 2:30 p.m., (310) 552-2007.
Jeff Matsuno’s “Venetian Visions,” Alexandra Jicol’s “Mirror of Life,” and Chase Mitchell’s “Imagination,” BGH Gallery, Bergamot Station, through November 27, opening reception, 6 – 9 p.m., (310) 315-9502.
Jesse Simon’s new work, constructed from the remains of broken surfboards, Patricia Faure Gallery, Bergamot Station, through November 26, (310) 449-1479.
Tattoo: Text and the City, features silkscreens by David K. Thompson, Schomburg Gallery, Bergamot Station, through November 19, (310) 453-5757.
Seiko Tachibana’s “Connection” and Marco Casentini’s “New Paintings,” Ruth Bachofner Gallery, through November 26, Bergamot Station, (310) 829-3300.
Sunday, October 23
Thirteen Days, a screening as part of the Cuban Film Series, Workmen’s Circle/Arbeter Ring, 7 p.m., 1525 S. Robertson Blvd., $3, (310) 552-2007.
Monday, October 24
Otis Speaks – Brainstorms, a series of conversations about our creative future, a conversation between Steven Johnson, author of “Everything Bad is Good For You; How Today’s Pop Culture is Actually Making Us Smarter,” and Paul Holdengraber, Director of Public Programs for the New York Public Library, Skirball Cultural Center, 7:30 p.m., $15, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., (866) 468-3399.
Wednesday, October 26
A Tale of Charles Dickens – L.A. Theatre Works as part of the Play’s the Thing radio series, through Sunday, October 30, Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., (310) 827-0889 or www.latw.org.
Shelley Lazarus’ “Moments,” and Betty Sheinbaum’s “As Far as you Can Go, Views of Santa Monica and Venice,” The Artists Gallery, 2903 Santa Monica Blvd., through November 19, (310) 829-9556.