Theater Listings

For the week of Nov. 16-22

Comments (0) By L.A. Weekly Theater Critics, Compiled by Derek Thomas Monday, Nov 12 2007

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GO THE CHICAGO CONSPIRACY TRIAL Director Frank Condon brings back the courtroom docudrama (co-written by Condon and Ron Sossi) that put this theater on the map almost 30 years ago. This political equivalent of The Jerry Springer Show depicts the kangaroo court that tried defendants for conspiring to disrupt the 1968 Democratic National Convention. The event is an utterly compelling and dispiriting clash between belligerent soldiers on both sides, within an infirm justice system. ODYSSEY THEATRE ENSEMBLE, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., W.L.A.; Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; thru Dec. 16 (some Sun. and Wed. perfs, call for schedule). (310) 477-2055. (SLM) See News feature.

CINDERELLA Chris DeCarlo and Evelyn Rudie’s adaptation of the fairy tale. SANTA MONICA PLAYHOUSE, 1211 Fourth St., Santa Monica; Fri., 6 p.m.; thru Dec. 14. (310) 394-9779.

CRIMES OF THE HEART Sisters struggle in Beth Henley’s comic drama. LONG BEACH PLAYHOUSE, Studio Theatre, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach; call for schedule; thru Nov. 24. (562) 494-1014.

DANGEROUS CORNER J.B. Priestley’s “psychological drawing-room comedic whodunit.” THEATRE 40 AT REUBEN CORDOVA THEATER, 241 Moreno Dr., Beverly Hills; in rep, call for schedule; thru Nov. 9. (310) 364-0535.

GO THE HASTY HEART In John Patrick’s sentimental play, produced on Broadway in 1945, director Michael Rothhaar offers such a restrained yet detailed staging, the three acts move swiftly. In a British army hospital in Burma during World War II, Yank (Keith Stevenson), Digger (Nathan Mobley), Kiwi (Michael Balsley) and Tommy (Ron E. Dickinson) cheerfully endure tropical heat and slow recoveries until the arrival of Lachy (the excellent Scott Jackson), a laconic, grumpy Scot. Only hard hearts will be able to resist the playwright’s belief in the redemptive power of friendship. PACIFIC RESIDENT THEATER, 703 Venice Blvd., Venice; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; thru Nov. 18. (310) 822-8392. (David Mermelstein)

LIBERATING JESUS! Leonard Jacobson’s one-man play about Christ returned. EDGEMAR CENTER FOR THE ARTS, 2437 Main St., Santa Monica; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.; thru Nov. 11. (800) 838-3006 or www.liberatingjesustheplay.com.

NUNSENSE Nuns put on a show, in Dan Goggin’s madcap musical comedy. GEORGE NAKANO THEATER, 3330 Civic Center Dr., Torrance; Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 & 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.; thru Nov. 11 (no 2 p.m. perf Nov. 10). (310) 781-7171.

THE PRISONER OF SECOND AVENUE New York couple’s life unravels, in Neil Simon’s black comedy. BEVERLY HILLS PLAYHOUSE, 254 S. Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; thru Dec. 1. (310) 358-9936 or www.camelotartists.com.

RETURN OF THE PLAY OF THE DEAD Written by Caroline Marshall, Marnie Olson, Jennifer Chun and Wendy Belcher. PSYCHIC VISIONS THEATRE, 3447 Motor Ave., W.L.A.; Sat., 8 p.m.; thru Nov. 17. (310) 535-6007.

SCREWBALLS John Edelman’s body-switching takeoff on classic comedies. ODYSSEY THEATRE, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., W.L.A.; Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 7 p.m.; thru Dec. 15. (310) 477-2055.

SPIN Don Webster’s look at the seductive nature of politics. THEATRE 40 AT THE REUBEN CORDOVA THEATER, 241 Moreno Dr., Beverly Hills; in rep, call for info; thru Nov. 11. (310) 364-0535.

THIS LIME TREE BOWER Irish playwright Conor McPherson writes about aimless men who drink too much, sleep with the wrong women and puzzle over their lives. His triptych of intertwined monologues evolves in a sleepy seaside town where three brothers and their sister’s fiancé reside. Under Alan Miller’s direction, the performers are positioned in separate crannies of the stage, each spinning his tale with few of the crescendos that would give these involving stories the emotional strength they deserve. ODYSSEY THEATRE ENSEMBLE, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., W.L.A.; Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.; (some added perfs, call for schedule); thru Nov. 11. (310) 477-2055. (DK)

Special Events

BADGE Celebrity reading of Matthew Schneck’s dark comedy about an over-age Boy Scout. THE HAYWORTH, 2509 Wilshire Blvd., L.A.; Mon., Nov. 12, 8 p.m. (213) 389-9860.

BOTANICUM SEEDLINGS Reading of Yard Sale Signs by Jennie Webb. WILL GEER THEATRICUM BOTANICUM, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga; Sun., Nov. 11, 2 p.m. (310) 455-2322 or www.theatricum.com.

COLOR BONITA Interactive art dialogue by Christopher Ramirez. CAL STATE L.A., Arena Theatre, 5151 State University Dr., E.L.A.; Wed., Nov. 14, 6 p.m. (323) 343-5001.

DANCING QUEEN Cabaret dinner theater history of the Queen Mary cruise liner. Aboard the QUEEN MARY, 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach; Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 7 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.; thru Nov. 18. (562) 435-3511 or www.tibbiescabaret.com.

FROST AND FIRE Multimedia adaptation of Ray Bradbury’s short story, produced by Bethune Dance Company. ALEX THEATRE, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale; Fri., Nov. 9, 8:30 p.m.; Sat., Nov. 10, 2:30 & 8:30 p.m.; Sun., Nov. 11, 2:30 & 7:30 p.m. (818) 243-2539 or www.alextheatre.com.

INTERVIEWING THE AUDIENCE Zach Helm interviews, yes, the audience. BOOTLEG THEATER, 2220 Beverly Blvd., L.A.; Wed.-Fri., Nov. 14-16, 8:30 p.m. (213) 389-3856 or www.bootlegtheater.com.

THE NEED TO KNOW Former intelligence analyst April Fitzsimmons' take on Cold War bureaucracy. A benefit performance for Iraq Veterans Against the War. WHITEFIRE THEATRE, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks; Sun., Nov. 11, 8 p.m. (310) 880-0911.

NO SHAME THEATRE Fifteen scripts go from page to stage an hour before showtime. POWERHOUSE THEATRE, 3116 Second St., Santa Monica; Fri., Nov. 9, 11 p.m. (310) 396-3680.

SPONTANEOUS FANTASIA J. Walt Adamczyk’s musical-visual-theatrical extravaganza. GLENDALE COMMUNITY COLLEGE PLANETARIUM, 1500 N. Verdugo Rd., Glendale; Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 6:30 & 8 p.m.; thru Nov. 10. (626) 688-0778 or www.spontaneousfantasia.com.