Theater Listings

 GO CARNIVALE OF THE UNASSUMING See New Reviews.

CHEKHOV MANIA: A RUSSIAN VAUDEVILLE The “Pan-Siberian Touring Co.” brings us three of Chekhov’s broadly comic one-acts (The Marriage Proposal, The Harmful Effects of Tobacco and The Bear — played here as The Boar), complete with vaudevillian interludes and even a dancing bear. The evening is emceed by Yakoff Chekhov (Mike Park), the supposed cousin of Anton, who bears a much stronger similarity to comedian Yakov Smirnoff. Unfortunately, the humor in the plays is so contextual that it is lost on modern audiences, turning comic exchanges into tedious tirades. THE ATTIC THEATRE, 5429 W. Washington Blvd., L.A.; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; thru Oct. 27. (323) 525-0600. (MK)

CINDERELLA New take on the classic tale, music and lyrics by Lloyd J. Schwartz. THEATRE WEST, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. West, Hlywd.; Sat., 1 p.m.; thru March 29. (818) 761-2203.

CITY KID, THE MUSICAL Urban musical about a new kid who wants to fit in, book and lyrics by Adrienne Anderson, music by Peter Bunetta and Rick Chudacoff. HUDSON BACKSTAGE THEATRE, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hlywd.; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; thru Nov. 25. (323) 960-7863 or www.­citykidthemusical.com.

DEAD BRIDE RUNNING Nothing seems quite right about this comedy, from the title’s untopical film reference to its desperate attempt to find a theme, or even a story. Written by Rick Sparks and Alice Vaughn, it’s about John Jr. (Craig Anton) and Jennifer (Tamara Zook), a Florida couple who, after a year’s chaste courtship, approach their wedding day — only to have Jennifer get cold feet and vanish. The plot’s underlying assumptions are so over-the-top that the story scores no points for either political satire or simple laughter. Theater Mambo at the UNDERGROUND THEATER, 1312 Wilton Pl., Hlywd.; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 4 p.m.; thru Nov. 4. (323) 960-5773. (SM)

EAVESDROPPER In Andrew Libby’s slightly funny, messy comedy, the mise en scène is an apartment where a large, clamant group of young people have gathered for some good times. Unbeknownst to the revelers, an uninvited guest (Pedro Shanahan) slips in and hides behind the shower curtain, his sinister presence embellished by a Mohawk hairdo, Goth makeup and drug-addled stare. The scenario is redolent of a wild frat party, with plenty of sex, drugs, booze and hell-raising. The rotating cast of 50-plus can’t do much good with this moribund material. No director is credited, and the reason is obvious. UNDERGROUND ANNEX THEATER, 1308 N. Wilton Pl., Hlywd.; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; indef. (323) 365-8305. (LE3)

EENIE MEANIE See New Reviews.

GO EVEL KNIEVEL THE ROCK OPERA The titular subject of composer Jef Bek’s muscular musical is the motorcycle daredevil (Chuck DiMaria) who was as iconic to 1970s America as leisure suits and shag carpeting. Bek’s score and libretto (Jay Dover provides additional music and lyrics) captures the period’s adrenalized vocals, though there is a detectable sameness about the numbers, with power ballads overwhelmingly favored over the few down-tempo numbers. Nevertheless, the evening is an appropriately supercharged 90 minutes brought to life by an energetic ensemble. BOOTLEG THEATER, 2220 Beverly Blvd., L.A.; Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 5 p.m.; thru Oct. 28. (213) 381-7118 or www.ekrockopera.com.

FALLEN ANGELS–DREAMING AWAKE Story of an abused wife, by Jeannette Brown. ETHOS THEATRE, 1523 N. La Brea Ave., Second Floor, Hlywd.; Thurs., 8 p.m.; thru Nov. 15. (310) 383-4053.

GO THE FASTEST CLOCK IN THE UNIVERSE British playwright Philip Ridley’s venomous comedy finds Captain Tock (Christopher Snell) bustling about, lighting Cougar Glass’ (Justin Shilton) cigarettes and preparing for his vain inamorato’s 19th birthday party by plucking his gray hairs lest they fink his actual age. Ridley’s first act is suffocatingly cruel; his sharp insights on aging and approval seeking are well staged by director Lynn Ann Bernatowicz. Neither Ridley nor Bernatowicz know how to resolve the play’s violent pressure, but there’s still wicked fun in watching it. CELEBRATION THEATRE, 7051-B Santa Monica Blvd., Hlywd.; Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; thru Nov. 18. (323) 957-1884. (AN)

FULL MOON BLUES Linda Hopkins stars as the owner of an L.A. blues club, in Dwayne F. Alexander’s play. JEWEL’S CATCH ONE, 4067 W. Pico Blvd., L.A.; Sat. & Thurs., 8 p.m.; thru Nov. 10. (323) 960-1052 or www.plays411.com/fullmoonblues.

THE GAS HOUSE Don Berlin (Marc Jablon) is a third-rate radio shock jock who’s been bounced from his program because of an on-air freak-out. Don’s visited by his poet wife, Adria (Supatra Hanna), from whom he is, he insists, “separated, not divorced.” It’s a tribute to the talent and passion of Jablon and Hanna, and the skill of director Suzanne Karpinsky, that eventually we do care about these people. But it’s hard to grasp why playwright William Donnelly felt this man was worth his trouble — or ours. SACRED FOOLS THEATER COMPANY, 660 N. Heliotrope Dr., L.A.; Tues.-Wed., 8 p.m.; thru Oct. 31. www.sacredfools.org. (NW)

¡GAYTINO! Dan Guerrero’s solo show. LOS ANGELES THEATER CENTER, Theater 4, 514 S. Spring St, dwntwn.; Fri.-Sat., Oct. 26-27, 8 p.m.; Sun., Oct. 28, 3 p.m. (323) 461-3673.

GLENGARRY GLEN ROSS See New Reviews.

THE GOD COMMITTEE Mark St. Germain’s hospital debate. CROSSLEY TERRACE THEATRE, 1760 N. Gower St., Hlywd.; Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2:30 p.m.; thru Nov. 18 (added perf Oct. 27, 2:30 p.m.). (323) 462-8460.