L.A. theater openings, July 3-10: ‘right left with heels’ and more

This week: A “Dreamgirls� reunion, a trio of short stories adapted for the stage, and a controversial Holocaust-themed drama from Poland.

EST/LA One Act Festival Three distinct programs of short works by over a dozen writers; schedules at www.estlosangeles.org. Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA, 3269 Casitas Ave., L.A. Thu.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 5 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 and 6 p.m.; ends July 31. $25, $30; festival pass, $50. (818) 839-1197.

Brave the Dark All-new immersive theatrical experience; for ages 15 and up. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 11, 11:20 and 11:40 p.m., midnight and 12:20 a.m.; ends July 23. $15. (818) 202-4120.

Electricity Two gay men reconnect once every 10 years following a one-night stand in 1983 in a return engagement of Terry Ray’s comedy-drama. Two Roads Theatre, 4348 Tujunga Blvd., Studio City. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Aug. 14. $30. (800) 838-3006.

The Gay Guide to Tinseltown Writer-performer Jon Manganello reprises his solo show. The Actors Company, 916 N. Formosa Ave., West Hollywood. Fri., 10 p.m. $10. (323) 455-4585.

How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying Classic musical comedy about a young corporate striver. Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Aug. 6. $14-$24. (562) 494-1014.

Kurt Weill at the Cuttlefish Hotel Tony winner Paul Sand launches his newly formed Santa Monica Public Theatre with a remount of this cabaret-style salute to the Weimar-era composer. Miles Memorial Playhouse, 1130 Lincoln Blvd, Santa Monica. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m; ends July 30. $20-$40. (424) 372-7678.

The Last Tiger in Haiti A young slave in Haiti plans his escape in the world premiere of Jeff Augustin’s folklore-infused drama; a co-production with Berkeley Repertory Theatre. La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends July 24. $20 and up. (858) 550-1010.

Olive and the Bitter Herbs Kentwood Players present Charles Busch’s comedy about a curmudgeonly character actress in NYC who hosts a Passover Seder for her neighbors. Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Westchester. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Aug. 13. $18, $20. (310) 645-5156.

right left with heels U.S. premiere of Sebastian Majewski’s dark, surrealistic fable about life in post-WWII Poland as seen from the perspective of a pair of shoes made from the skin of Holocaust victims. City Garage, Bergamot Station, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Aug. 14. Opening night only, $50; $20, $25; pay what you can on Sundays, at the door only. (310) 453-9939.

The Sunrise Club Young students contemplate the end of life on Earth as they know it in Tara Turnbull’s futuristic fable. Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends July 30. $22. (866) 811-4111.

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee Young folks strive to be letter-perfect in this hit musical. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 p.m.; ends Aug. 21. $20-$35. (626) 355-4318.

A Chorus Line Intimate staging of this Tony-winning musical about dancers auditioning for a Broadway show. Chance Theater, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends July 31. $35-$45. (888) 455-4212.

Dirty Rotten Scoundrels Musical Theatre West presents this stage adaptation of the 1988 Steve Martin-Michael Caine comedy about rival con men on the French Riviera. Carpenter Performing Arts Center, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends July 24. $20 and up. (562) 856-1999.

HAM: A Musical Memoir Broadway veteran Sam Harris shares his story is this solo show. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends July 10. $27-$82. (626) 356-7529.

History Lit: A Festival of Timeless Stories Unbound Productions presents immersive, fully staged adaptations of L. Frank Baum’s “The Girl Who Owned a Bear,� Harriet Beecher Stowe’s “Two Pictures in One� and Katherine Mansfield’s “The Garden Party.� Pasadena Museum of History, 470 W. Walnut St., Pasadena. Sat.-next Sun., 7 p.m; ends July 31. $40-$60. www.HistoryLit.org.

The Imaginary Invalid Ellen Geer plays the title role in Constance Congdon’s adaptation of Molière’s classic satire of romance and the medical profession. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Sat.-next Sun., 7:30 p.m.; ends Oct. 2. $10-$38.50; children 4 and under, free. (310) 455-3723.

King Lear Loft Ensemble stages Shakespeare’s classic tragedy as the first show in the company’s new venue. Loft Ensemble, 13442 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Aug. 14. $20. (818) 616-3150.

A Night at the Black Cat Cabaret Variety show, set in Paris during WWII, features singing, dancing and original music. Edgemar Center for the Arts, 2437 Main St., Santa Monica. Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Sept. 10. $35, $45. (310) 392-7327.

Our Town Parson’s Nose presents a radio-style reading of Thornton Wilder’s classic Pulitzer Prize-winning drama as a part of the year-long “My Pasadena� celebration. Pasadena City Hall Rotunda, 100 Garfield Ave., Pasadena. Sat., 7 p.m. Free. (626) 403-7667.

All Shook Up Jukebox musical, with book by Joe Dipietro, inspired by Shakespeare’s “Twelfth Night� and featuring the songs of Elvis Presley. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Next Sun., 5:30 p.m.; ends Aug. 7. $40-$75. (949) 497-2787.

Broadway Under the Stars Original “Dreamgirls� cast members Sheryl Lee Ralph, Loretta Devine and Jennifer Holliday reunite for a celebration of the hit musical. John Anson Ford Amphitheatre, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood. Next Sun., 8 p.m. $65 and up. (323) 461-3673.

The Grapes of Wrath Santa Monica Rep presents a staged reading of Frank Galati’s adaptation of John Steinbeck’s classic novel. The Edye at the Broad Stage, 1310 11th St. Santa Monica. Next Sun., 2 p.m. $25. (310) 434-3200.

Looking Back, Stepping Forward The Los Angeles Women’s Theatre Festival showcases five female solo performers. The Ivy Substation, 9070 Venice Blvd., Culver City. Next Sun., 7 p.m. $20, $25. (818) 760-0408.

Shine Storytellers share true-life tales of finding themselves at a crossroads in this new installment of the series. Promenade Playhouse, 1404 3rd St., Santa Monica. Next Sun., 7 p.m. $10; discounts available. (310) 452-2321.

Sonnets, Songs and Sorry Will’s Been Dead for 400 Years! Shakespeare Orange County celebrates the Bard in this vaudeville-style show. Garden Grove Amphitheater, 12762 Main St., Garden Grove. Next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Aug. 7. $20, $40. (714) 590-1575.