L.A. theater openings, June 14-21: ‘California: The Tempest’ and more

This week: A Golden State-themed makeover of a Shakespearean fantasy, an ancient Greek tragedy with a gospel twist, and a new adaptation of a classic French farce.

Hellion Loop Five short thrillers by Shayne Eastin. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Sun., next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends June 28. $15. (818) 202-4120.

Hollywood Fringe Festival 2015 Sixth-annual showcase featuring 200-plus comedies, dramas, solo shows, etc., continues at dozens of area venues. Through June 28. (323) 455-4585. www.hollywoodfringe.org.

Road Show Musical Theatre Guild closes its season with this Stephen Sondheim tale about two enterprising brothers in the early 1900s. Moss Theatre at New Roads School, 3131 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica. Sun., 7 p.m. $45. (818) 848-6844.

Shine Storytellers explore the topic of being lost. Promenade Playhouse, 1404 3rd St., Santa Monica. Sun., 7 p.m. $10. (310) 452-2321.

The Snail Fabio Zito’s dark comedy about a transgender youth; part of Hollywood Fringe. The Elephant Space, 6322 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Sun., 7 p.m.; Tue., 10:30 p.m.; Sat., 8:30 p.m.; ends June 27. $10. (323) 455-4585.

Sutton Foster The two-time Tony winner is joined by Seth Rudetsky for an evening of songs and stories. The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. Sun., 5 and 8 p.m. $75-$125. (310) 434-3200.

The Upperclassmen Improv comedy troupe. The Studio at Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach. Sun., 7 p.m. $5, $10. (562) 494-1014.

Without Annette Showbiz satire set in an improv-comedy class. Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. W., L.A. Sun., next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Aug. 30. $5-$25. (323) 851-7977.

An Evening of Classic Broadway With singers from Broadway, TV and film. Rockwell Table & Stage, 1714 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz. Tue., 8 p.m. $10-$20, plus a two-item food minimum. (323) 669-1550.

Motown the Musical Tune-filled celebration of the Detroit record label that spawned such stars as Smokey Robinson, Marvin Gaye, the Supremes and the Temptations. Segerstrom Hall, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Tue.-Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; ends June 28. $29 and up. (714) 556-2787.

Bad Jews A devout woman and her less-observant cousin battle over a family heirloom in the West Coast premiere of Joshua Harmon’s comedy. Gil Cates Theater, Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood. Wed.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat, 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends July 19. $39-$79. (310) 208-5454.

Fifth Annual Political Players Radio Show Long Beach Playhouse’s fifth-annual fundraiser. Offices of Keesal, Young & Logan, 400 Oceangate Ave., Long Beach. Wed., 5:30 p.m. $85. (562) 494-1014.

How to Be a Rock Critic Erik Jensen portrays music writer Lester Bangs in this solo show co-written by Jensen and Jessica Blank. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. Wed.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; ends June 28. $30. (213) 628-2772.

The Many Adventures of Don Juan New adaptation of Moliere’s comedy about the legendary ladies’ man. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Wed., 8 p.m.; ends July 1. $15. (818) 202-4120.

Speaking in Tongues Australian Theatre Company presents a staged reading of this drama that inspired the film “Lantana.” The Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave., L.A. Wed., 7 p.m. Free. RSVP at [email protected].

California: The Tempest Cornerstone Theater Company presents Alison Carey’s Golden State-themed reimagining of Shakespeare’s fantasy tale. Grand Park, 200 N. Grand Ave., L.A. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m. Free. (800) 578-1335.

Kikiricaja: Una Historia de Payasos Inmigrantes Teatro of Baja California performs this family-friendly fable; in Spanish (fluency in Spanish not required). South Coast Repertory, Nicholas Studio, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Thu.-Fri., 7 p.m.; Sat., 11 a.m. and 2 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends June 21. $7, $15. (714) 708-5555.

Love Struck Revival of Odalys Nanin and Marie Barrientos’ comedy about two Latinas in love; for mature audiences. Macha Theatre, 1107 N. Kings Road, West Hollywood. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends June 27. $34. (323) 314-6332.

The Whipping Man L.A. Theatre Works records Matthew Lopez’s drama, set in the aftermath of the Civil War, for its radio program. James Bridges Theater, UCLA, 235 Charles E. Young Drive, Westwood. Thu.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 4 p.m.; ends June 21. $15-$60. (310) 827-0889.

Celebration: Steel Drums, Ballet Slippers and Resilience! The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival presents six female solo performers. The Ivy Substation, 9070 Venice Blvd., Culver City. Fri., 8 p.m. $18-$25. (818) 760-0408.

The Heir Apparent A young man and his wily servant scheme to claim an inheritance in the L.A. premiere of David Ives’ adaptation of Jean-François Regnard’s classic farce. International City Theatre, Long Beach Performing Arts Center, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends July 12. $46-$54. (562) 436-4610

Macbeth Daniel Kucan (“Extreme Makeover: Home Edition”) stars in Shakespeare’s tragedy. The Art of Acting Studio, 1017 N. Orange Drive, L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends July 11. $18 in advance, pay what you can at the door. (323) 601-5310.

Recorded in Hollywood World-premiere musical about an African American record-store owner who was an unsung hero in the development of rock ’n’ roll in the 1950s; an LA Times Critics’ Choice. Hudson Mainstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends July 26. $34.99. (323) 960-4443.

Suicide Notes: In Their Own Words Four actors read from the final missives of suicide victims; part of Hollywood Fringe. Theatre Asylum, 6320 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. Fri., 8 p.m.; ends June 28. $15, $20. (800) 273-8255.

Astro Boy and the God of Comics West Coast premiere of this multimedia salute to Japanese animator Osamu Tezuka and his famous creation. Sacred Fools Theater, 660 N. Heliotrope, Hollywood. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends July 25. $20. (310) 281-8337.

August: Osage County Tracy Letts’ Pulitzer-winning dramedy about a dysfunctional Oklahoma family. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Sat., next Sun., 7:30 p.m.; ends Sept. 27. $27, $39.50; discounts available. (310) 455-3723.

The Gospel at Colonus Ebony Repertory Theatre stages this amalgam of Greek tragedy and Pentecostal church service, with Tony winner Roger Robinson as the ill-fated king Oedipus. Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, 4718 W. Washington Blvd., L.A. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends July 19. $45-$65. (323) 964-9766.

Oxymorons Ed Asner and Mark Rydell star in a benefit performance of Brian Connors’ comedy about two curmudgeonly brothers; contains strong language. Malibu Playhouse, 29243 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. Sat., 7 p.m. $75. (310) 589-1998.

Scenes and Songs From the Magnificent Dunbar Hotel Robey Theatre Company offers highlights from its recent production of Levy Lee Simon’s drama about African American life in L.A. in the 1930s and ‘40s. Dunbar Hotel, 4225 S. Central Ave., L.A. Sat., 7 p.m. $50. (213) 489-7402.

Curious Cabaret 2 Comedy, puppetry, magic, burlesque and more. The Eclectic Company Theatre, 5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Valley Village. Next Sun., 7 p.m. $12. (818) 508-3003.

Henry Prego Sings Frank Sinatra Musical salute to Ol’ Blue Eyes. Colony Theatre, 555 N. 3rd St., Burbank. Next Sun., 7 p.m. $39-$59. (818) 558-7000.

The Women of The Hat ... a duet for one Updated version of Melissa R. Randel’s music and dance-filled drama; part of Hollywood Fringe. Theatre of NOTE, 1517 N. Cahuenga Blvd., L.A. Next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends June 26. $15. (323) 455-4585.