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L.A. theater openings, Oct. 11-18: ‘Uncle Vanya’ and more

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This week: A visit from “Uncle Vanya,” the return of Cirque du Soleil, and not one but two shows featuring Sherlock Holmes.

The Ugly Duckling Lightwire Theater’s family-friendly take on Hans Christian Andersen’s classic fable. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, Lovelace Studio Theater. Sun., next Sun., noon and 2:30 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., noon; ends Oct. 18. $15. (310) 746-4000.

Annie: The Musical National touring production of the Tony-winning classic about the irrepressible Depression-era orphan; children under 3 not admitted. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Tue.-Thu., 8 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; ends Nov. 1. $25 and up. (800) 982-2787.

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Guards at the Taj West Coast premiere of Rajiv Joseph’s darkly comic fable about two men tasked with keeping watch over India’s newly constructed Taj Mahal. Geffen Playhouse, Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood. Wed.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends Nov. 15. $76, $82. (310) 208-5454.

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Love Letters “Love Story’s” Ali MacGraw and Ryan O’Neal reunite for A.R. Gurney’s two-character romantic drama. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Bram Goldsmith Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills. Wed.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends Oct. 25. $29-$110. (310) 746-4000.

Veils Reading of Tom Coash’s drama about two women in Egypt on the eve of the Arab Spring. Theatre 40, Reuben Cordova Theater, 241 Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills. Wed., 7:30 p.m. $5 suggested donation. Reservations at playwrightworks@aol.com.

2015 Live Arts Exchange (LAX) Festival Third annual showcase, held at two separate venues, features local artists in contemporary theater, dance, music and cross-genre performance. The Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd., L.A., and Automata, 504 Chung King Court, L.A. Oct. 15-25. $15-$20. Program details at www.liveartsexchange.org.

Cake Theatre Unleashed presents the world premiere of Wendy Gough Soroka’s multi-character comedy about family, friends, lovers and baked goods. The Belfry Stage, Upstairs at the Crown, 11031 Camarillo St., North Hollywood. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Nov. 21. $10-$25. (818) 849-4039.

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Kurios – Cabinet of Curiosities Cirque du Soleil returns with a new Victorian era-themed, steampunk-inspired show. OC Fair & Event Center, 88 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. Thu., 8 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 4:30 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 5 p.m.; ends Nov. 29; also at Dodger Stadium, Dec. 10-Feb. 7. $50-$165. (877) 924-7783.

The Mitzvah Project Roger Grunwald’s solo show about men of Jewish descent who fought for the Nazis during WWII; followed by a lecture and Q&A. Pomona College, Seaver Theatre, 300 E. Bonita, Claremont. Thu., 7 p.m. Free. (909) 607-4375.

Sherlock Holmes David Arquette stars as Arthur Conan Doyle’s famous sleuth in this new thriller. The Montalbán Theatre, 1615 Vine Street, Hollywood. Thu., 8 p.m.; Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 5:30 p.m. ; ends Oct. 18. $39.95-$119.95. www.SherlockHolmesonstage.com.

Uncle Vanya West Coast premiere of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright Annie Baker’s adaptation of Chekhov’s classic tragicomedy, presented in partner-cast staging. Antaeus Theater, 5112 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Thu.-Sat, 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 6. $30, $34. (818) 506-1983.

Arsenic and Old Lace Classic comedy about two elderly women with a penchant for poisoning lonely men. Glendale Centre Theatre, 324 N. Orange St., Glendale. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Nov. 21. $20-$32. (818) 244-8481.

Caged World-premiere drama by Dermot Davis about two strangers, a man and a woman, trapped in an elevator after hours. Theatre Banshee, 3435 W. Magnolia Blvd., Burbank. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Nov. 22. $20. (800) 838-3006.

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Carmilla David MacDowell Blue’s update of Sheridan LaFanu’s 19th century lesbian-vampire thriller sets the action in WWII-era Austria. Lyric-Hyperion Theatre & Cafe, 2106 Hyperion Ave., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Nov. 8. $15. (800) 838-3006.

Cipher Singer-composer Samita Sinha explores a variety of sonic landscapes in this theatricalized work. REDCAT, 631 W. 2nd St., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8:30 p.m. $20, $25. (213) 237-2800.

Damn Yankees Cabrillo Music Theatre stages the classic musical about a baseball fan who makes a deal with the devil. Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Oct. 25. $30-$75. (805) 449-2787.

Disconnection Return engagement of Allen Barton’s drama based on his experiences in the Church of Scientology. Beverly Hills Playhouse, 254 S. Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills. Fri., 8:30 p.m.; Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Nov. 8. $30-$34. (213) 761-7061.

Groundlings Stakeout! All-new sketch comedy show. Groundlings Theatre, 7307 Melrose Ave., West Hollywood. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 8 and 10 p.m.; ends Nov. 21. $20. (323) 934-4747.

Hound of the Baskervilles Sherlock Holmes investigates a suspicious death in this adaptation of Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic thriller. Actors Co-op, Crossley Theatre, 1760 N. Gower St., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 p.m.; ends Nov. 22. $20-$30. (323) 462-8460.

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Inhale Harmonica SkyPilot Theatre Company presents Nathan Wellman’s new drama about a Kentucky family forced to confront long-buried secrets. Studio/Stage, 520 N. Western Ave., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Nov. 15. $20. (800) 838-3006.

Marilyn: Forever Blonde Sunny Thompson portrays Marilyn Monroe in Greg Thompson’s solo play with music. El Portal Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends Oct. 18. $56, $66. (818) 508-4200.

Sondheim on Sondheim L.A. premiere of this song-filled celebration of the award-winning Broadway composer. 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 Nov. 8. $46-$54. (562) 436-4610.

All My Sons Arthur Miller’s classic, Tony-winning post-war drama about family, morality and the American Dream. A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Nov. 21. $44 and up; student rush, $20. (626) 356-3100.

Amazing Animals Family-friendly show features the Olate Dogs from “America’s Got Talent,” the San Diego Zoo’s Dr. Zoolittle with live animals, and more. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 12700 Center Court Drive, Cerritos. Sat., 3 p.m. $25, $35. (562) 467-8818.

Bat Boy: The Musical Satirical show based on an outrageous tabloid tale. Long Beach Playhouse, Studio Theatre, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach. Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Nov. 14. $14-$24. (562) 494-1014.

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Cirque Zuma Zuma Pan-African troupe of acrobats, jugglers, etc., celebrates African history and culture. Carpenter Performing Arts Center, Cal State Long Beach, 6200 Atherton St., Long Beach. Sat., 8 p.m. $42 and up. (562) 985-7000.

The Complete History of Comedy (abridged) The Reduced Shakespeare Company explores humor from Aristophanes to “The Daily Show.” Beckman Auditorium, Caltech, 1200 E. California Blvd., Pasadena. Sat., 8 p.m. $10-$38; rush, $25. (626) 395-4652.

The Fab Faux Musical group re-creates the Beatles’ legendary 1960s-era concerts at the Hollywood Bowl and Dodger Stadium. Valley Performing Arts Center, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. Sat., 8 p.m. $40-$140. (818) 677-3000.

Late Nite Catechism 3: Til Death Do Us Part Kathryn Gallagher plays Maripat Donovan’s know-it-all nun in this satirical show. Norris Theatre, 27570 Norris Center Drive, Palos Verdes Peninsula. Sat., 8 p.m. $48-$58. (310) 544-0403.

Miranda July: New Society The performance artist explores time, love and group dynamics in this CAP UCLA presentation. UCLA Freud Playhouse, 405 Hilgard Ave., Westwood. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 4 p.m.; ends Oct 18. $29-$49. (310) 825-2101.

Kansas City Choir Boy Courtney Love and Todd Almond star in the West Coast premiere of Almond’s musical drama about love and loss. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. Next Sun, 6:30 p.m.; ends Nov. 8. $25-$70. (213) 628-2772.

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A Lovely Lineage Kristin Towers-Rowles shares songs and stories about growing up in Hollywood in this cabaret show. The El Portal Theatre’s Monroe Forum, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Next Sun., 7 p.m. $30. (818) 508-4200.

Oxymorons Ed Asner and Mark Rydell star in a benefit performance of Brian Connors’ one-act comedy; a second one-act, “Park Strangers,” features Marilu Henner. The Group Rep, Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Next Sun., 6 p.m. $50-$75. (818) 763-5990.

Shine Storytellers explore fears and phobias in “Spooked.” Promenade Playhouse, 1404 3rd St., Santa Monica. Next Sun., 7 p.m. $10. (310) 452-2321.

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