Morna Martell

LOS ANGELES WOMEN’S THEATRE FESTIVAL – Hollywood

The overall theme of the festival this year is CELEBRATION! as the LAWTF returns to live in-person theater performances this month! This will mark 30 years of shows with nearly 700 solo performers from USA and around the globe, such as Australia, Brazil, Canada, England, France, Holland, Russia and India. Repertoire includes theatre, dance, storytelling, poetry, performance art, song, music and even stand-up comedy.

The Champagne opening GALA and Awards Ceremony will take place Thursday, March 23 and will be hosted by Hattie Winston (Becker) and Ted Lange (The Love Boat) They will honor “women of exceptional achievement and contribution to the world of theatre.” There will be live performances in addition to the awards presentation to launch this 4-day program. Performances run through the weekend at Barnsdall Art Park Gallery Theatre, 4800 Hollywood Blvd, Los Angeles. Reservations at (818) 760-0408 or go to http://www.lawtf.org

HAROLD AND MAUDE – North Hollywood

Colin Higgins’ wonderful film was about Harold, a seriously troubled 19-year-old, who finally learns how to truly live when he meets Maude, a delightfully wacky and deliciously eccentric octogenarian. His attachment to Maude, whom he meets at a funeral (a mutual passion) is what ultimately saves him and what thoroughly captivated audiences. This stage version promises to delight both aficionados of the film and newcomers to the story.

The roles of Harold and Maude are double cast: Landon Beatty and Clara Rodriguez perform together, as do John Ledley and Janet Wood, at scheduled performances. Directed by Larry Eisenberg and produced by Lloyd Pedersen for The Group Rep. At Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd, North Hollywood. Free parking on street. Tickets: 818.763.5990 or thegrouprep.com

DID YOU SEE WHAT WALTER PAISLEY DID TODAY? – La Mirada

In this World Premiere musical, a struggling beatnik sculptor in San Francisco stumbles upon a new style of art that thrusts him into fame, fortune, and perhaps inevitably some big trouble! Heading an all-star creative team with book, music and lyrics is award-winner Randy Rogel (Steven Spielberg’s Animaniacs on HULU; Disney-TV’s Peter Pan, Cinderella, Tarzan, etc) who serves up a score of cool jazz, Petula Clark-like knockouts, and Neil Sedaka bubble-gum pop!

Developed and directed by BT McNicholl who was on the original Broadway creative team for Spamalot, Billy Elliot, and Cabaret, while choreography is by Connor Gallagher of Broadway’s Beetlejuice. Musical direction is by Andrew Orbison. At Theatre for the Performing Arts, 14900 La Mirada Blvd, La Mirada. Free Parking. Tickets: (562) 944-9801 or (714) 994-6310 or online atwww.LaMiradaTheatre.com

KEN LUDWIG’S BASKERVILLE: A SHERLOCK HOLMES MYSTERY – Westchester

The play’s afoot! Comedic author Ken Ludwig transforms Arthur Conan Doyle’s classic The Hound of the Baskervilles into a murderous adventure with Sherlock Holmes on the case. The male heirs of the Baskerville line are being dispatched one by one. To find their ingenious killer, Holmes and Watson must brace the desolate moors before a family curse dooms its newest heir. Watch a dizzying web of clues, silly accents, disguises, and deceit as five actors deftly portray more than forty characters. Does a wild hellhound prowl the moors of Devonshire? Can our heroes discover the truth in time? Join the fun and see how far from elementary the truth can be!

Directed by Susan Stangl, the cast features Aaron Frank as Sherlock Holmes, Zachary Macias as Doctor Watson, and Chris Morrison, John O’Brien and Mikkel Simons playing more than a dozen characters! At Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave., Los Angeles. Parking on street. Tickets: (310) 645-5156 or online at www.kentwoodplayers.org