L.A. theater openings, April 19-26: ‘Side Show’ and more

Conjoined twins shoot to stardom in “Side Show,” two actors play multiple roles in “Murder for Two,” and a wild coyote sets events in motion in “My Barking Dog.”

A Child Left Behind Alan Aymie’s autobiographical solo show about his life as an LAUSD teacher and the father of an autistic child. Malibu Playhouse, 29243 Pacific Coast Hwy., Malibu. Sun., 3 p.m. $10-$25. Tickets at www.malibuplayhouse.org. Also, Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. $20. (818) 763-5990.

SHINE The storytelling series celebrates its move to a new venue with true-life tales of new beginnings. Promenade Playhouse, 1404 3rd Street Promenade, Santa Monica. Sun., 7 p.m. $10. (310) 452-2321.

A Supercalifragilisticexpialidocious Evening With Richard M. Sherman & Friends The veteran songwriter (“Mary Poppins,” “Chitty Chitty, Bang Bang”) is featured in this benefit for Cabrillo Music Theatre. Founders Room in the Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 E. Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Sun., 7 p.m. $75. (805) 497-8613.

One Starry Night ... From Broadway to Hollywood Celebrities including Ed Asner and Renee Zellweger take part in a fundraiser for ALS. Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. Mon., 8 p.m. $75-$250. (818) 865-8067.

Married North Celebration Theatre presents a reading of Hal Corley’s comedy-drama set in the late 1950s. The West Hollywood City Chambers, 625 N. San Vicente Blvd., West Hollywood. Tue., 7:30 p.m. free; donations accepted.

An Evening of Classic Broadway Musical revue features singers from Broadway, TV and film. Rockwell Table and Stage, 1714 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz. Wed., 8 p.m. $10-$20. (323) 669-1550.

Generation Sex Chicago-based all-Latina theatre troupe Teatro Luna’s new interactive comedy; in English with some Spanish; for ages 16 and up. Los Angeles Theatre Center, 514 S. Spring St., L.A. Thu., 7 p.m.; Fri.-Sat., 7 and 9:30 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m.; ends May 17. $10-$34.99. (866) 811-4111.

The Murder Ballad (1938) L.A. theater collective Poor Dog Group’s movement-based work inspired by a Jelly Roll Morton song. REDCAT, 631 W. 2nd St., L.A. Thu.-Sat., 8:30 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m. $16-$25. (213) 237-2800.

Stronger Than the Wind A woman fights to keep her family afloat during a health crisis involving her newborn son in Alice Manning’s autobiographical solo play. Whitefire Theatre, 13500 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Thu., 8 p.m; ends May 28. $20. (818) 687-8559.

Things Being What They Are L.A. premiere of Wendy MacLeod’s comedy about a condo resident who bonds with his brash neighbor. The Road on Lankershim, 5108 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Thu., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends June 21. $17.50, $34. (818) 761-8838.

Weird on Top Improv comedy. Eclectic Company Theatre, 5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd., North Hollywood. Thu., 8 p.m. $10. (818) 508-3003.

5863 Rudi Stroebel’s solo show about a convict in solitary confinement. The Eclectic Company Theatre, 5312 Laurel Canyon Blvd., Valley Village. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends May 17. $18. (818) 508-3003.

18th Annual Pacific Playwrights Festival Staged readings of new plays. South Coast Repertory, Segerstrom Stage, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Fri., 1 and 3:30 p.m.; Sat., next Sun., 10:30 a.m. $17. (714) 708-5555.

The Anarchist Felicity Huffman and Rebecca Pidgeon star in David Mamet’s drama about an imprisoned activist and her parole officer. Theatre Asylum, 6320 Santa Monica Blvd., L.A. Fri.-next Sun., 8 p.m.; ends May 23. $34. (323) 960-7784.

Betrayal Updated take on Harold Pinter’s classic drama about marriage and infidelity features a live, on-stage band. NoHo Arts Center, 11136 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends May 17. $20. (323) 960-7773.

Big Shot: a.k.a. This Is Not The Godfather Theatre Movement Bazaar presents a world-premiere work inspired by the 1972 mafia drama. South Coast Repertory, Nicholas Studio, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2:30 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 p.m.; ends May 3. $20 and up. (714) 708-5555.

Cats Andrew Lloyd Webber’s classic musical based on the writings of T. S. Eliot. Norris Theatre, 27570 Norris Center Drive, Palos Verdes Peninsula. Fri.-Sat. 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends May 10. $45-$55. (310) 544-0403.

Entropy World premiere of Bill Robens’ send-up of the U.S. space program in the 1970s. Theatre of NOTE, 1517 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends May 30. $20, $25. (323) 856-8611.

Gus’s Fashion & Shoes World premiere of Ron Klier’s 1990s-set comedy about various characters who frequent a hip clothing store. Vs. Theatre Company, 5453 W. Pico Blvd., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends May 30. $25. (323) 739-4411.

Joe Posa As Joan Rivers The drag performer salutes the late comic. Cavern Club Theater, 1920 Hyperion Ave., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 9 p.m. $20. (800) 838-3006.

Macbeth Shakespeare’s tragedy about a power-mad Scottish warlord. ZJU Theatre Group, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri., 8:30 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends May 31. $15. (818) 202-4120.

Oh, Baby A fortysomething woman worries she’s running out of time to have a child in Monica Lewis’ comedy. Little Fish Theatre, 777 Centre St., San Pedro. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends May 23. $22 and up. (310) 512-6030.

Rachel Ray Staged reading of Henry Ong’s adaptation of Trollope’s 19th-century romantic novel. Pacific Resident Theatre, 703 Venice Blvd., Venice. Fri., 6:30 p.m. $50. (310) 822-8392.

Murder for Two A pair of actors play multiple roles in the OC premiere of this musical comedy-mystery. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Sat., 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 5:30 p.m.; ends May 17. $41-$66. (949) 497-2787.

My Barking Dog West Coast premiere of Eric Coble’s comedy about two urbanites whose lives are changed by a series of encounters with a wild coyote. Boston Court, 70 N. Mentor Ave., Pasadena. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends May 24. $34; discounts available. (626) 683-6883.

Row After Row & A Small Fire The Echo Theater Company presents two L.A. premieres in repertory: Jessica Dickey’s dark comedy about two Civil War re-enactors, paired with Adam Bock’s drama about a long-married couple coping with the wife’s mysterious illness. Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave., Atwater Village. “Row After Row,” Sat., 5 p.m., and next Sun., 7 p.m.; “A Small Fire,” Sat., 8 p.m., and next Sun., 4 p.m.; both shows end May 31. $25 each; $30 for both. (310) 307-3753.

Side Show 3D Theatricals stages the musical based on the true story of conjoined twins and vaudeville entertainers Daisy and Violet Hilton. Plummer Auditorium, 201 E. Chapman Avenue, Fullerton. Sat., 8 p.m.; Sun., 2 p.m.; ends May 10. $20-$70. (714) 589-2770.

63 Trillion The New American Theatre presents the world premiere of John Bunzel’s dark satire of the financial industry. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends June 7. $30-$34.99. (310) 477-2055.

Sunset Baby West Coast premiere of Dominique Morisseau’s drama about a former Black Power leader, his estranged daughter and her drug-dealing boyfriend. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 5 p.m.; ends June 7. $30, $34.99. (310) 477-2055.

Ferguson Theatre Verité Collective presents a staged reenactment of the Michael Brown shooting using actual grand-jury testimony. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A. Next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends April 29. $65. (310) 477-2055.

Maria Howell The singer and actress (“The Color Purple,” “Devious Maids”) performs in this cabaret show. The Colony Theatre, 555 N. 3rd St., Burbank. Next Sun., 7 p.m. $39-$59. (818) 518-7000.

My Child — Mothers of War Monologues based on the true stories of mothers of U.S. armed-forces members; featuring Frances Fisher, Melina Kanakaredes, Mimi Rogers and Jean Smart on selected nights. Hudson Backstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends May 31. $30; opening night, $50. (818) 963-8219.

The Spring Frolic Independent Shakespeare Co. stages a benefit for the Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival. Barnsdall Gallery Theatre, 4800 Hollywood Blvd., L.A. Next Sun., 2 p.m. $75. (818) 710-6306.

Torn Asunder Staged reading of Christine Rosensteel’s new comedy about a football-obsessed family; with Ed Asner. Theatre 40,241 S. Moreno Drive, Beverly Hills. Next Sun., 2 p.m. Free. (310) 364-3606.