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L.A. theater openings and critics’ choices, June 4-11: ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ and more

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Capsule reviews are by Philip Brandes (P.B.), F. Kathleen Foley (F.K.F.), Margaret Gray (M.G.), Charles McNulty (C.M.), Daryl H. Miller (D.H.M.) and David C. Nichols (D.C.N.)

Openings

The Blank Soirée The theater celebrates the 25th anniversary of its annual Young Playwrights Festival with a benefit featuring live readings and hosted by “Scandal’s” Bellamy Young. Project Club LA, 6356 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Sun., 6 p.m. $125, $250. (323) 871-8018.

End Up Here An afternoon of music and prose with Christopher Reiner. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Sun., next Sun., 4 p.m.; ends June 11. $15. (818) 202-4120.

Hold These Truths Jeanne Sakata’s fact-based solo drama about civil-rights activist Gordon Hirabayashi and the internment of Japanese Americans during WWII. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Sun., 5 p.m.; Thu.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 4 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends June 25. $25-$115. (626) 356-7529.

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I’m Not Famous: A Musical Journey with Barbara Minkus The showbiz veteran stars in this new memoir for the stage. Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. Sun.-next Sun., 3 p.m.; Sat., 7 p.m.; ends July 22. $30; discounts available. (310) 394-9779.

Little Shop of Horrors Hit musical comedy based on the 1960 B-movie about a timid flower shop employee and a man-eating plant. Hillcrest Center for the Arts, 403 W. Hillcrest Drive, Thousand Oaks. Sun., next Sun., 2 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends June 18. $22-$25. (805) 381-1246.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Theatricum’s annual outdoor staging of Shakespeare’s romantic fantasy returns. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Sun., next Sun., 3:30 p.m.; ends Sept. 4. $10-$38.50; children 4 and under, free. (310) 455-3723.

Andronicus! Titus With Ten Clowns Darkly comic reimagining of Shakespeare’s tragedy. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd. North Hollywood. Mon., 9 p.m.; ends June 26. $15. (818) 202-4120.

If All the Sky Were Paper Annette Bening, James Caan, et al., give dramatic readings of real wartime letters by U.S. armed forces members and their families. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. Wed., 7:30 p.m. $35. (213) 972-4488.

Hollywood Fringe Festival 2017 Eighth-annual open-access performing-arts showcase features myriad comedies, dramas, musicals, solo shows, etc., at dozens of area venues. Tickets, info and schedules at www.hollywoodfringe.org. (323) 455-4585.

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30th Anniversary Bridge Awards A celebration of Cornerstone Theater Company includes a staged reading of Michael John Garcés’ “Where I’m From.” Millwick, 800 E. 4th Pl., L.A. Thu., 5:30 p.m. $200 and up. www.cornerstonetheater.org.

Crimes of the Heart Beth Henley’s Pulitzer Prize-winning comedy-drama about three Mississippi sisters coming to terms with their lives. 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 June 25. $47-$55. (562) 436-4610.

It’s Only Life Musical drama about the choices artists make in their work and their personal lives; with composer and pianist John Bucchino performing opening weekend. Chromolume Theatre, 5429 W. Washington Blvd., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends July 9. $35, $42. (323) 320-2898.

Dead Man’s Cellphone A stranger’s ringing phone sends a woman on a strange odyssey in Sarah Ruhl’s dark comedy. The Studio at Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach. Sat., 8 p.m.; ends July 8. $14-$20; opening night only, $27. (562) 494-1014.

Syncopation Ensemble Theatre Company teams with State Street Ballet for Allan Knee’s drama about a meatpacker in 1911 New York City who finds romance with his new dance partner, a shy seamstress. The New Vic, 33 W. Victoria St., Santa Barbara. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends June 25. $20-$70; discounts available. (805) 965-5400.

The Conduct of Life Hero Theatre stages Maria Irene Fornés’ drama about women living under a totalitarian regime; José Luis Valenzuela directs. The Rosenthal Theatre at Inner City Arts, 720 Kohler St., L.A. Next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends June 25. $25, $35. (800) 838-3006.

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StoryTime Personal stories of joy, sadness and humor; for ages 14 and up. The Group Rep, Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Next Sun., 7 p.m. $12. (818) 763-5990.

Critics’ Choices

The Absolute Brightness of Leonard Pelkey If you’re the kind of person who enjoys human-centered stories, who can’t resist a detective yarn and who enjoys watching an actor impersonate a town full of kooky yet hilariously recognizable characters, James Lecesne’s off-Broadway sleeper about the disappearance of a teen whose fabulousness doesn’t conform to restrictive Jersey Shore gender expectations is what you’ve been waiting for. (C.M.) Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Next Sun., 5:30 p.m.; ends June 25. $60-$65; 21 and under, free (ID required). (949) 497-2787.

Man of La Mancha Set against a gritty, contemporary backdrop, this accomplished revival reminds us why the 1964 musical adaptation of the Don Quixote story endures as one of the most substantive entries in the musical theatre canon. (P.B.) A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Ends Sun., 2 p.m. $25 and up; student rush, $20. (626) 356-3100.

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