Theater Listings

THE DEADLY GAME James Yaffe's mystery-thriller reflects the bleak view of its source material, Friedrich Dürenmatt's novel Trapps. In a chalet in the Swiss Alps, a group of retirees acts out trials of their own devising — assuming that everyone is guilty of something. Unfortunately the thrills are few, and director Autumn Browne's production often fizzles. Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.; thru Feb. 3. (562) 494-1014. (NW)

A FEMININE ENDINGPlays about music are notoriously disappointing, and Sarah Treem's wry meditation on the challenges facing a young "classical" composer about to marry a pop star proves no exception. Treem aims for profundity, but only truisms emerge from her intermittently engaging discourse on talent and compromise. The shortcomings are elemental, for we never learn why Amanda (a perky Brooke Bloom) wants to write symphonies and concertos, or what she hopes to express through music — only that she wants to be famous. And why is Amanda an oboist? Most composers play the piano or a string instrument. Amanda's scrumptious fiancé, Jack (the hunky Peter Katona), exists mostly as eye candy, parading around in black briefs for one, um, arresting scene. His rival, Billy (Jedadiah Schultz in Dennis Miller mode), is little more than a plot device, albeit a welcome funny one. Only the radiant Amy Aquino — as Amanda's mother, Kim — truly enlivens things. Overbearing but loving, Kim tries to get Amanda to chart her own course and not make the same mistakes she did. Director Timothy Douglas moves both actors and props easily about SCR's typically well-appointed stage, but he never makes us believe a thing. SOUTH COAST REPERTORY, 655 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa; Tues.-Sun., 7:45 p.m.; Sat. & Sun., 2 p.m.; thru Jan. 27. (714) 708-5555. (David Mermelstein).

ORSON'S SHADOW The tale of two Hollywood giants, Orson Welles and Laurence Olivier, written by Austin Pendleton. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena; Tues.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 4 & 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 & 7 p.m. thru Feb. 17. No perfs Feb. 6 & Feb. 13, 8 p.m.; added perf Feb. 6, 2 p.m. (626) 356-PLAY, www.pasadenaplayhouse.org.

TRANCED Playwright Bob Clyman poses the question of what it takes to make Americans care about troubles in remote Africa. Interestingly, in his attempt to meet this challenge, he imagines that over-earnest psychological drama is the answer. After a series of panic attacks, a educated, westernized African woman (Eric Tazel) seeks help from a psychiatrist (Thomas Fiscella) to cope with a heinous atrocity committed by an African president who's an American puppet — or is she lying? Under Jessica Kubzansky's efficient direction, the entire enterprise devolves into a polemic devoid of emotion. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, Sat.-Sun., 2 p.m.; Tues.-Sat., 8 p.m.; thru Feb. 3. (949) 497-2787. (TP)

GO WICKED In this musical riff on the witches of Oz (by Stephen Schwarz and Winnie Hollzman), Joe Mantello directs a marvelous spectacle that looks like a diversion but is actually quite the opposite. Eden Espinoza as the green-skinned, bespectacled girl-witch Elphaba has a contagiously smart appeal. After recognizing that Elphabas not going to power-play along with the Wizard's (John Rubinstein) Stalinist shenanigans, Mrs. Morrible (the delightful Carol Kane), starts a witch hunt for the girl, and the whole thing starts to resemble some of the tawdrier chapters in American history. Pantages Theater, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., L.A.; Tues.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 & 8 p.m.; Sun., 1 & 6:30 p.m. (213) 365-3500. (SLM)

Smaller Theaters

Hollywood, West Hollywood, Downtown

ALL THIS, & HEAVEN TOO"I stopped believing in things when Diana Ross started playing rodeos," laments aging queen Terry (Sammy Williams), who along with his band of gay brothers has seen better days. Now all over 40, they've assembled to honor the just-deceased Boomie (James Warnock). Over the course of Dick DeBenedictis' 10 breezy musical numbers, they mourn the end of the disco era and wax nostalgic for the bathhouses of yore. Though its heart is in the right place, Bill Dyer's play seems like a time capsule, a comfort food buffet of soft shoe numbers and references to the Andrews Sisters. Macha Theatre (formerly the Globe Playhouse), 1107 N. Kings Road, West Hollywood. Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; thru Jan. 27. www.­plays411.com/heaventoo. (323) 960-7829. (AN)

ANYTHING In Tim McNeil's comedy, Early Landry (McNeil) is a transplanted Southerner still grieving for his wife, while also tamping down the demons that have caused him to attempt suicide four times. His next-door transvestite prostitute neighbor Freda (Louis Jacobs) has just been dumped by her more-or-less straight boyfriend (Max Williams). The rebounding Early and Freda take a while to reach eye level for the romance that inevitably follows. McNeil and Jacobs are personable actors, but David Fofi's direction doesn't nudge them off their single-note performances. An Elephant Theater Company production. Lillian Theatre, 1076 Lillian Way, L.A.; Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 7 p.m.; thru Jan. 26. (323) 960-4410, www.plays411.com/anything. (SM)

GO AS MUCH AS YOU CAN Paul Oakley Stovall's extended one-act looks at an African-American family that's been affected, over time, by its various members' homosexuality, light skin and dubious parenthood. Instead of a potboiler, Stovall delivers a quiet, achingly humorous study. Director Krissy Vanderwalker has assembled a sparkling and self-confident cast. Celebration Theatre, 7051-B Santa Monica Blvd., L.A.; Wed.-Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 3 p.m.; thru Jan. 27. (323) 957-1884, www.celebrationtheatre.com. (SM)