L.A. theater openings, Feb. 21-28: ‘The Mystery of Love & Sex’ and more

This week, romance is in the air in “The Mystery of Love & Sex,” “Sex, Faith and Jason Wexler” and the classic farce “The Importance of Being Earnest.”

Backstory Spoken-word series features stories and poems on theatrical themes. The Victory Theatre Center, 3326 W. Victory Blvd., Burbank. Sun., 7:30 p.m. $10. (818) 841-5422.

The Best of Shine The storytelling series encores its top tales from 2015. Promenade Playhouse, 1404 3rd St., Santa Monica. Sun., 7 p.m. $10; discounts available. (310) 452-2321.

Celebrity Autobiography Fred Willard, Florence Henderson, et al., read excerpts from memoirs by Jennifer Lopez, Donald Trump and others in a benefit performance of this hit show. Acme Comedy Theatre, 135 N. La Brea Ave., L.A. Sun., 7 p.m. $40-$150. (800) 838-3006.

A Class Act Musical Theatre Guild stages this musical inspired by the life of composer-lyricist Edward Kleban (“A Chorus Line”). Alex Theatre, 216 N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. Sun., 7 p.m. $45. (818) 243-2539.

DNA New Work Series Staged readings of six new plays; program details at www.LaJollaPlayhouse.org. La Jolla Playhouse, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla. Sun., next Sun., 3 p.m.; Mon., Thu., Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 3 p.m.; ends Feb. 29. Free; reservations required. (858) 550-1010.

The Mystery of Love & Sex Two college students, friends since childhood, embark on an interracial romance in the West Coast premiere of Bathsheba Doran’s family drama; with “Parenthood’s” Mae Whitman and “NYPD Blue’s” Sharon Lawrence. Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A. Sun., 7 p.m.; Tue.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2:30 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; ends March 20. $25-$85. (213) 628-2772.

The Illusionists — Live From Broadway Stage spectacular features magic, stunts, and more; children under 5 not admitted. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Tue.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; ends March 13. $29 and up. (800) 982-2787.

Jersey Boys Hit bio-musical about 1960s chart-toppers Frankie Valli & the Four Seasons. Fred Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Tue.-Thu., 7:30 p.m.; Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; ends Feb. 28. $39 and up. (800) 745-3000.

In the Mood: A 1940s Musical Revue Celebration of the Big Band era features singers, dancers and a 13-piece band. Soka Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo. Wed., 7:30 p.m. $44-$59. (949) 480-4278.

Golden Girlz Drag show celebrates the hit 1980s-90s sitcom. Cavern Club Theater, 1920 Hyperion Ave., L.A. Thu.-Sat., 8 and 10 p.m.; next Sun., 7 and 9 p.m.; ends March 6. $23, $25. (323) 662-4255.

The Mongoose World premiere of Will Arbery’s fantastical tale about a dysfunctional Dallas family. The Road on Magnolia, NoHo Senior Arts Colony, 10747 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood. Thu., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends April 17. $17.50, $34. (818) 761-8838.

The Stinky Cheese Man and Other Fairly Stupid Tales Family-friendly send-up of classic fables. Chance Theater, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim. Thu., 7 p.m.; Sat.-next Sun., 11 a.m., 2 and 6 p.m.; ends March 6. $20-$25. (714) 777-3033.

Disney’s Beauty and the Beast 3D Theatricals stages the hit musical based on the animated 1991 film inspired by the classic fairy tale. Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 E. Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Feb. 28. $25-$95. (714) 589-2770.

No Wake West Coast premiere of William Donnelly’s dramedy about a divorced couple brought back together by an unexpected tragedy. VS. Theatre, 5453 W. Pico Blvd., L.A. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 4 p.m.; ends March 19. $20, $25. (323) 739-4411.

Sex, Faith and Jason Wexler Double-cast production of Dan Frischman’s comedy about a secular Jewish twentysomething who finds himself falling in love with a devout Catholic woman. Two Roads Theatre, 4348 Tujunga Ave., Studio City. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends April 3. $25. (800) 838-3006.

Utopia City Players stages this new drama about two longtime friends who quarrel over a police-brutality case while preparing to open an art gallery. Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends March 5. $10, $25. www.bootlegtheater.org.

The Amazing Bubble Man Louis Pearl does tricks with bubbles in this family-friendly show. Edgemar Center for the Arts, 2437 Main St., Santa Monica. Sat.-next Sun., 11 a.m. and 1 p.m. $20, $25. (310) 392-7327.

Dragonfly Orchestra Acrobats, dancers, musicians, etc., from China perform. Lewis Family Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga. Feb. 27. Sat., 8 p.m. $32-$40. (909) 477-2752.

Einstein’s Girl Singer-actress Gia Mora explores love and theoretical physics in this cabaret show. Malibu Playhouse, 29243 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. Sat., 8 p.m. $25, $35. www.malibuplayhouse.org.

The Importance of Being Earnest Actors’ Repertory Theatre of Simi stages Oscar Wilde’s classic farce. Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends April 3. $18-$25. (805) 583-7900.

Pygmalion George Bernard Shaw’s classic satire about a phonetics professor who attempts to school a Cockney flower girl. Long Beach Playhouse, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach. Sat., 8 p.m.; ends March 26. $14-$24. (562) 494-1014.

That’s Life! A Toast to Sinatra on His 100th Birthday With singers Scott Coulter, Lee Lessack and John Boswell. Soka Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo. Next Sun., 3 p.m. $39-$49. (949) 480-4278.