“All About Santa,” musical matinee series, Birthday, Holiday and Tea Parties, hosted by one of the gaily costumed Playhouse actors are available in conjunction with the play for every performance. (310) 394-9779 x2. Santa Monica Playhouse is located, 1211 4th Street, through December 18, (310) 394-9779 ext. 2.
Betty’s Summer Vacation, by Christopher Durang, a Los Angeles premiere, through Nov. 27, The Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave. Venice.
Blue Dahlia, stage version of Raymond Chandler’s classic screenplay. Through December 18. Performances are Thursdays thru Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 3pm. Pacific Resident Theatre, 705 1/2 Venice Blvd. in Venice. Tickets are $20-$27, (310) 822-8392.
Crossing Delancey, Pierson Playhouse, 941 Temescal Canyon Road, 2PM at (at Haverford Ave.) in Pacific Palisades, through Decemeber 11, (310) 454-1970.
Frozen, by Bryony Lavery, directed by Paul Wager, through November 27, Ark Theatre, 1647 S. La Cienega Blvd.
Happy End, Pacific Resident Theatre, written by Bertolt Brecht and Kurt Weill, Pacific Resident Theatre, 703 Venice Boulevard, (310) 822-8392.
Haywire! will open with a Gala Halloween Costume Party ($35 performance and party) and run for six weeks through Sunday, December 4 at the art/works theatre, 6569 Santa Monica Blvd in Hollywood (between Highland and Vine). (323) 960-7744 or visit www.plays411.com/haywire.
Laughter on the 23rd Floor, by Neil Simon, Long Beach Playhouse Studio Theatre, 5021 E. Anaheim Street, through November 26, $25, (562) 494-1014.
Lucid Sound, through Sunday, November 19. Miles Memorial Playhouse, 1130 Lincoln Blvd. in Santa Monica. $20.00 ($15.00 for students, and seniors). (877) 986-7336.
Puppetolio, a puppet variety show for ages 3 and up, Santa Monica Puppet and Magic Center, 1255 2nd St., runs indefinitely, (310) 656-0483.
Wife Swappers, will through Saturday, November 19. Third Stage, 2811 W. Magnolia Blvd. in Burbank. (818) 842-4755.
World Premiere of “J.O.B. The Hip-Hopera” explores eternal question:
‘Why do bad things happen to good people, yo?’ Stella Adler Theatre in Hollywood. Through December 11, no performance on November 27. 6773 Hollywood Blvd. in Hollywood. (323) 960-4420 or go to www.sableandbatalion.com.
Thursday, November 17
Tom Wudl, new paintings and works on paper, LA Louver, through December 24, 45 N. Venice Blvd., (310) 823-4955.
Friday, November 18
Cinema’s Legacy: How Great Filmmakers Inspire Great Filmmakers, Alec Baldwin
screens Gus Van Sant’s Elephant, 7:30 p.m. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Boulevard, (310) 440-4500, www.Skirball.org.
Making Beautiful, Music and lyrics by Ryan Scott Oliver, through Saturday, December 10 at the Powerhouse Theatre, 3116 Second Street.
The Loud Red Patrick, Long Long Beach Playhouse Mainstage Theatre, through December 17, 5021 East Anaheim Street, (562) 494-1014.
Saturday, November 19
PXL 15th annual film festival featuring the Fisher Price PXL 2000 toy video camera premieres, 2 different shows 7 & 9pm at Sponto Gallery, 7 Dudley Ave, Venice, 310-306-7330, free admission. Visit:www.indiespace.com/pxlthis and www.81x.com/7dudley/cinema.
Irrational Exhibits 4, curated by Deborah Oliver, 12 Performance Installations, one night only, 8:00 p.m., Track 16 Gallery/Bergamot Station, (310) 264-4678.
Monique Verdin: A Visual Diary of Disaster & Loss in the Bayous, through December 11, opening reception from 5 to 7 p.m. SPARC, 685 Venice Blvd, Venice, (310) 822-9560.
Stephen Aldrich’s “Collages,” and Michael Kenna’s “Japan,” Craig Krull Gallery, Bergamot Station, through January 14, 2006, (310)828-6410.
Ethan Murrow, “Dig a Hole to China: Tenacious Discovery,” graphite on paper drawings and video installation, Obsolete, 232 Main Street, Venice, through December 21, (310) 399-2155.
12 Steps to Success for Artists in Los Angeles, a one-night-only new video installation, 6 – 8:30 p.m., 18th Street Arts Gallery, 1639 18th Street, (310) 453-3711.
What We Think Now, works by Jonathan Hollingsworth, 18th Street Arts Gallery, through January 20, 18th Street Arts Gallery, 1639 18th Street, (310) 453-3711.
Santa Monica Fine Art Studios, reception/open house/silent auction, also November 20, 6 – 9 p.m., 1834 Franklin Street, (310) 453-3632.
The Way of Light, photographs by John Goss and Ed Heckerman, Bolivar Café and Gallery, 1741 Ocean Park Blvd., through December 24, (310) 581-2344.
Sunday, November 20
Artists for the Children Special Art Exhibition and Sale – Portion of Proceeds to be donated to Childrens Hospital Los Angeles New Hospital Building Fund, 1 – 6 pm.
Visitors will receive a coupon for a free T-Mobile Blackberry or Sidekick 2. For more information, please call (949) 464-9301.
Tuesday, November 22
Little Drummer Bowie – this Christmas season, the “Troubies” put their topsy-turvy spin on the classic story The Little Drummer Boy with the music of rock legend David Bowie, The Falcon Theatre, 4252 Riverside Drive, in Burbank, call (818) 955-8101.
Wednesday, November 23
Judy Howells’ “Postcards Home,” Lee Webster Shaw’s “On Common Paths,” Cornelia Ford’s “New Landscapes,” tag, The Artists Gallery, through December 24, 2903 Santa Monica Blvd., (310) 829-9556.