Morna Martell

THE PLAY’S THE THING – Beverly Hills

P.G. Wodehouse (1881-1975) is the playwright. Best known for his Jeeves and Wooster stories, he wrote a total of 43 produced plays as well as the books for musicals “Anything Goes” and “Oh, Kay!” In this comedy, adapted from a play by Ferenc Molnar, a playwright comes up with a plan to save the engagement between his nephew Albert and an actress named Ilona after the appearance of an obnoxious actor, her former lover. With only hours to rescue their romance from utter devastation, our playwright goes to work and hilarity ensues.

Cast includes Todd Andrew Ball, Milda Dacys, Eric Keitel, Dan Leslie, Michael Robb, Kristin Towers-Rowles and David Hunt Stafford. Set design by Jeff G. Rack. Directed by Melanie MacQueen and produced by David Hunt Stafford. At Theatre 40, Reuben Cordova Theatre, 241 S. Moreno Dr., Beverly Hills. Free parking. RESERVATIONS: (310) 364-0535 or www.theatre40.org

KING OF THE YEES – Sierra Madre

Written by Lauren Yee, this is a story of a Chinese American young woman who starts off distant from her heritage and Chinese culture, but when her father goes missing, she must plunge into the rabbit hole of San Francisco Chinatown and confront a world both foreign and familiar. As she connects with her heritage, she learns how to embrace it in her own way. But Lauren’s journey is likely to resonate with you, no matter your ethnicity. Cast includes Christopher Chen, Tom Dang, Dennis Dun, Miley Yamamoto and Harmony Zhang.

The play had its World Premiere in Canada in 2016, then was winner of the Ashland New Play Festival Award. Directed by Tim Dang of East West Players and produced by Gary Lamb. At Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd.  Reservations: (626) 355-4318 or http://sierramadreplayhouse.org

THREE TABLES – West Hollywood

Prolific playwright Murray Mednick, age 82, has written and is directing this play where three overlapping conversations take place at separate tables. The first is occupied by a trio of actors (Laura Liguori, Corey Rieger and Michael Uribes); the second by a trio of friends and “theater people” (Eric Stanton Betts, Raquel Cain and Dennis Renard), and the third by a pair of waiters (Steve Apostolina and Matt Gottlieb), who are descendants of Holocaust survivors.

The topics of conversation range from petty animosities to sex, expressions of isolation and loneliness, Jewish history and antisemitism. However, beneath the quick repartee, dark Borscht Belt humor, and theatrical references are the underpinnings of a meditation on the advent of tyranny.

Now playing at Zephyr Theatre, 7456 Melrose Ave., L.A. Reservations at onstage411.com/tables

FUN HOME – Westchester

This musical, based on the graphic novel by Alison Bechdel, was a 2015 Broadway hit that got the Tony Award for Best Musical, Best Original Score, and Best Book. When her father dies unexpectedly, Alison dives deep into her past to tell the story of the volatile, brilliant, one-of-a-kind man whose temperament and secrets defined her family and her life. Moving between past and present, Alison relives her unique childhood at the family’s Bechdel Funeral Home.

The cast are Natalie Cayetano, Nico Fisher, Grant Ruckheim, Julia Sison, Jon Sparks, Amanda Webb, and Dana Weisman. With book and lyrics by Lisa Kron and music by Jeanine Tesori, now directed by Kathy Dershimer, with musical direction by Cheryl Gaul. Produced by Jenny Boone and Harold Dershimer. At the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Avenue, Westchester. Tickets: www.kentwoodplayers.org or (310) 645-5156,

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