Ascension, through Sunday, October 9. 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, 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.
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.
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.
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.
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.
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 22
American abstract painter Tremain Smith presents a new collection of encaustic and mixed media works. Southern figurative painter Gail Foster presents her first one-woman show and Tom Swanston’s colorful oil and wax works, Lowe Gallery, 2034 Broadway, 6 – 9 p.m., through November 20th. (310) 449-0184.
Smallest Witnesses – the Crisis in Darfur through Children’s Eyes, an exhibition organized by Human Rights Watch, Museum of Tolerance, 1399 S. Roxbury Drive, through September 27, (310) 553-9036.
The Monster Under My Bed Drank My Vodka, written and performed by Lisa David Dean, Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th Street, 8 p.m., (310) 394-9779.
Friday, September 23
Barbra’s Wedding, Written by Daniel Stern, through Sunday, October 9th, $25 – $27.50, $30 – $37.50, The Falcon Theatre, 4252 Riverside Drive, in Burbank, (818) 955-8101.
Santa Monica Gem Show, $7, Santa Monica Civic Auditorium, 1855 Main Street
Through September 25, (561) 998-1995.
Saturday, September 24
Behold, the Pacific! California Coastal Views, The California Heritage Museum, through February 26, 2006, 2612 Main Street, (310) 392-8537.
A German Romance, 8 P.M. sharp (One Night Only!) Admission $18, EpoxyBox Gallery, 602 Venice Blvd., Venice, (310) 497-1538 or agermanromance@yahoo.com.
L.A. – Amsterdam – Kyoto, an exhibition of found paper collage by Bruce Meade, through October 1, Sponto Gallery, 7 Dudley Ave., Venice, (310) 399-2078.
Sunday, September 25
Arachnids Inspire Wonder at Natural History Museum, through November 6, Safely watch spiders in their natural habitat as docents guide small groups through the Natural History Museum’s new Spider Pavilion. Adults $3; Students/Seniors $2; Children (5-12) $1. 900 Exposition Blvd., www.nhm.org or call (213) 763-DINO.
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.
Monday, September 26
Working will perform on Monday, September 26 at 8:00pm. Ticket prices are $60.00 for all tickets ($30 of which is tax-deductible). For tickets, please call the UCLA Central Ticket Office at 310/825-2101.
Tuesday, September 27
Up Close and Tuned by Cynthia Kagan, Oils on Canvas; Deconstructing The Heart by Camey McGilvray, wood/metal wall sculptures, through October 24, Abbot Kinney Art Gallery, 1301 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice (310) 664-9030.
Edges, featured artists m. Rheuban and Marylyn English, works on paper and canvas. Through November 20, Abbot Kinney Art Gallery, 1301 Abbot Kinney Blvd., Venice (310) 664-9030.
Wednesday, September 28
Deborah Kaplan Evans’ Head On and Ellen Starr’s Trees, The Artists Gallery, 2903 Santa Monica Blvd., through October 22, (310) 829-9556.
