Here are some great new shows opening soon in our local theater scene!
The information presented in this column is the latest available at the time of printing, however you should verify it with the theater to confirm it before making definite plans. Here are the shows that have announced opening dates for this month, or are already running:
OPENING
“Boston Marriage” Set in the late Victorian era; Anna and Claire are involved in a “Boston marriage”—a 19th-century term for two women living together independently of men… often as lovers. Anna, prone to poetic fits of passion, has become the mistress of a wealthy man who supports her luxurious lifestyle, which she hopes can woo her longtime companion Claire to move in with her. However, the cool-yet-lascivious Claire has become infatuated with a much younger woman and wants to enlist a jealous Anna’s help to arrange a rendezvous. One of, if not THE most obscure of Pulitzer Prize-winning playwright David Mamet ‘s plays was written, as theater legend tells it, to prove that he could, in fact, write for women and write heightened language. It remains one of the few plays written by a male playwright that exclusively includes lesbian characters. Mamet’s play gives us his trademark blunt language and scheming characters, set rather unusually among the Victorian female intellectual set. Written by David Mamet, and directed by Bernardo Cubría, it runs October 2 through October 24 at the European House LA in Studio City. For tickets visit www.ticketsource.com/boston-marriage.
“The Feel Good Story America Needs Right Now” It’s a year after six brave Americans escaped the Hand of God, the most notorious group of terrorists on the planet. The heroes have gathered for a reunion on a 60 Minutes type of news magazine. We’ll come to find out that not all was it seems during their captivity. In addition, the hostages are making demands that could scuttle the broadcast. Will they get to tell their harrowing story to America or not? Written by Mark Wilding, and directed by Charlie Mount, it runs October 2 through November 8 at the Theatre West in Studio City. For tickets call 323-851-4839 or visit theatrewest.org.
“Outside Mullingar” In the mist-shrouded farmlands of rural Ireland, Anthony and Rosemary live side by side, bound by family legacies, stubborn pride, and an unspoken longing that has lasted a lifetime. Anthony has spent his days quietly tending his father’s cattle farm, uncertain of his future and haunted by what might have been. Rosemary, his strong-willed neighbor, has waited years for him to see what’s been right in front of him all along. Written by John Patrick Shanley, and directed by Matthew Leavitt, it runs October 2 through October 25 at the Sierra Madre Playhouse in Sierra Madre. For tickets call 626-355-4318 or visit www.sierramadreplayhouse.org.
“The Dance and the Railroad” Leonard Wu (Disney’s American Born Chinese) and Scott Keiji Takeda (Flower Drum Song at East West Players) star as Lone and Ma, immigrant laborers building the transcontinental railroad during the Chinese Railroad Workers’ Strike of 1867. The two men form an unexpected bond through their shared love of Chinese opera. Together, they practice the ancient art form atop a mountain in the Sierra Nevada, finding connection and a sense of possibility even as their fellow workers below confront brutal labor conditions, isolation and cultural displacement. Written by David Henry Hwang, and directed by Katherine Chou, it runs October 3 through November 1 at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in Los Angeles. For tickets call 213-489-0994 or visit latinotheaterco.org.
“Forever in There or F*ck Around and Find Out” Two amateur conflict journalists who were kidnapped for ransom during an ill-advised trip to an active war zone are released after years of captivity. They struggle to adjust to “normal life” while navigating their complex feelings for each other, the enormous debts they owe their loved ones, and the weird ramifications of what happens after you f*ck around and find out. Written by Ashley Rose Wellman, and directed by Spenser Davis, it runs October 8 through November 7 at the Theatre of NOTE in Hollywood. For tickets visit theatreofnote.ludus.com.
“Les Misérables” Set against the backdrop of 19th-century France, LES MISÉRABLES tells an unforgettable story of love, redemption, and revolution. Featuring iconic songs like “I Dreamed a Dream,” “On My Own,” and “One Day More,” this epic musical masterpiece continues to move audiences around the world… Written by Alain Boublil and Claude-Michel Schönberg, based on the novel by Victor Hugo, with music by Claude-Michel Schönberg, lyrics by Herbert Kretzmer, and directed by Doug Kreeger, it runs October 9 through October 18 at the Bank of America Performing Arts Center in Thousand Oaks. For tickets call 805-449-2787 or visit www.5startheatricals.com.
“The Best Medicine” A free spirit who has long prized her independence, Rachel has finally found a relationship worthy of commitment. Then the universe decides to test her. That “in sickness and in health” vow becomes a distant memory when Rachel’s husband is diagnosed with a progressive, incurable disease, and she’s thrust into the job she’s least suited for: self-sacrificing caregiver. A stand-up comedy class becomes her salvation and a portal to a transformative truth about life and connection. More than a romantic comedy, The Best Medicine is a hilarious, poignant and unexpected exploration of love, purpose and meaning. Written by Robin Gerber, and directed by Jane E. Unger, it runs October 10 through November 15 at the Odyssey Theatre in West Los Angeles. For tickets call 310-477-2055 or visit OdysseyTheatre.com.
“Come From Away” the award-winning Broadway musical based on a remarkable true story of kindness in the wake of crisis. When 38 planes were diverted to the small town of Gander, Newfoundland on September 11, 2001, its residents opened their homes to thousands of stranded strangers. With an infectious score and a spirit of generosity at its core, this uplifting, Olivier Award-winning musical is a testament to the best aspects of human nature. Written by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, with music by Irene Sankoff and David Hein, and directed by Julia Rodriguez-Elliott, it runs October 10 through November 1 at A Noise Within in Pasadena. For tickets call 626-356-3121 or visit anoisewithin.org.
“Haunted Soiree 2026” Haunted Soiree’s 2026 season is inspired by the haunting true crime of Pennsylvania’s 1928 Hex Hollow Murder. Nearly a century after a suspected warlock was killed over a mysterious book of German-American folk magic, the secretive Autumn Society keeps certain ritualistic traditions alive through an eccentric festival of drink, music, masks, ghost stories and games known as HauntOberfest.
It all seems like part of the fun—until guests begin to realize that every toast they’ve raised, game they’ve played and tradition they’ve followed has been part of something much older. They didn’t come to a festival. They came to a ritual–and they can’t stop until it’s finished. For two unforgettable hours, every room reveals another chapter of the story—blending Oktoberfest traditions, craft beverages, and immersive theatre into a Halloween experience unlike anything else.
Produced by the team at Meyer2Meyer, it runs October 10 through October 31 at the Nocturne Theatre in Glendale. For tickets visit tickets.thenocturnetheatre.com.
TICKETS:
SilverMeister – Includes:
- Admission to HauntOberfest: 2 Hours
- One Complimentary Drink Discovered During Your Adventure
- Hansel & Gretel’s Trick or Treat Experience
- Interactive Experiences, Roaming Characters, Live Performances
- Access To Themed Snacks and Beverages Available for Purchase
GoldMeister – Includes:
- Everything In SilverMeister PLUS:
- One Additional Complimentary Beverage from the Featured Menu (Beer, Liqueur, or Mocktail)
- Larger Serving Cup for Upgraded Bigger Pours All Night
PlatinumMeister – Includes:
- Everything In GoldMeister PLUS:
- Expedited Check-In
- First Entry
- Theme Souvenir Glass Cup to Take Home
“Yamel Cucuy” a girl on the threshold of adulthood who is pursued by immigration agents and tormented by specters drawn from Mexican folklore. As she crosses the shadowy frontier between life and death, Yamel must summon the courage and wisdom to confront both inherited fears and present-day violence. Written by Indigo Rael, Caroline Reck and Gricelda Silva, with music by Paul Piñon, and directed by Caroline Reck, it runs October 10 through November 1 at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in Los Angeles. For tickets call 213-489-0994 or visit latinotheaterco.org.
“Alex in Wonderland” The family-friendly production follows Alex as he tumbles down the rabbit hole into a topsy-turvy world filled with unforgettable characters, including the White Rabbit, the Mad Hatter, the March Hare, the Caterpillar, the Cheshire Cat, and, of course, the Queen of Hearts! Written and directed by Laurie Grant, with music by Laurie Grant and Devin Weitz, it runs October 16 through October 25 at the Blue Door in Culver City. For tickets visit www.artsupla.org.
“Convention” It’s 1944. The world is at war. The president is dying. And waiting in the wings to assume the presidency is Vice President Henry A. Wallace. An FDR Democrat with a forward-looking progressive vision. Wallace champions equality for women. Equality of race. Healthcare for all. Sound familiar? Wallace will presumably take the reins. For when the war is over and America emerges on top, the next president will establish the global order for the century to come. And Democrats, at the height of power, are about to make a fateful decision. Written and directed by Danny Rocco, it runs October 16 through November 3 at the Industry Loft in Los Angeles. For tickets visit www.conventionplay.com.
“Rorschach” A funny, inventive, and surprisingly tender new play about the art and science of perception, the courage to be seen for who we truly are, and the mysterious, blotted shape of love itself. RORSCHACH invites audiences to laugh, fall in love, and ask themselves the question that changes everything: What do you see? Written by Kelly Younger, and directed by Cameron Watson, it runs October 17 through November 22 at the Skylight Theatre in Los Feliz. For tickets visit www.skylighttheatre.org.
“Speaking in Tongues” The setting is a Pentecostal church on the edge of a cornfield in Earlimart, a California town off Highway 99 in Tulare County. Hermana Romie (Evelina Fernández), Hermana Cubby (Lucy Rodríguez), Hermano Mando (Sal López) and Hermano Tico (Geoffrey Rivas) share chisme, food, and their devotion to the Apostolic faith. Hermana Romie’s husband was the pastor of their church — until he disappeared eight weeks ago. Hermana Romie has secretly authored his sermons for years while hiding her own gifts to uphold the church’s patriarchal traditions. As immigration raids threaten the community and their daughter (Esperanza América) prepares to leave for a secular life in Los Angeles, Hermana Romie claims her own authority, uniting religious devotion with activism and leading the congregation toward collective resilience. Written by Luis Alfaro, and directed by Jose Luis Valenzuela, it runs October 17 through November 15 at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in Los Angeles. For tickets call 213-489-0994 or visit latinotheaterco.org.
“Letter from David” A young magician’s quest to work with his idol David Bowie leads to a wild ride of self-discovery… and a big surprise in this true story that’s part memoir and part love letter to the 70s and 80s glam rock era. Teenage magician Albie Selznick, whose steadfast determination propels him on a comedic journey amidst LA’s ever-changing cultural zeitgeist, stars in Letter from David at the Santa Monica Playhouse. With a little ingenuity, a lot of moxie, and a ton of help from his infamous performance troupe The Mums, Selznick shares how he mimed, juggled, and tightrope walked his way through the theatre, club and rock scenes to reach his hero. This solo theatrical show performed by Selznick features narrative appearances by the likes of Andy Warhol and other highly celebrated cultural icons from that era. Written by Albie Selznick & Laura Maccabee, and directed by Laura Maccabee, it runs October 18 through December 20 at the Santa Monica Playhouse in Santa Monica. For tickets visit events.leapevents.com/event/letter-from-david.
“Blind Runner” Blind Runner interweaves the destinies of three Iranians. At the insistence of his wife, a political prisoner, a man agrees to help a blind woman train for a race in Paris. After placing third, they take on a second challenge. Can they run the 38-kilometer Channel Tunnel from France to the UK in a few hours to avoid being hit by the first train of the morning? Performed in Persian with English supertitles. Written and directed by Amir Reza Koohestani, it runs October 23 through November 8 at the South Coast Repertory Julianne Argyros Stage in Costa Mesa. For tickets call 714-708-5555 or visit www.scr.org.
“Hamlet in the American Revolution” It’s 1776. A time of revolution in America and across the Atlantic, but the Enlightenment’s bright rays haven’t illuminated some of Denmark’s darkest and most shameful secrets. Hamlet is tasked by his father’s ghost to avenge his murder and to bring democracy to the country. The escaped slave Fortinbras leads a rebellion against the monarchy. Angry young Ophelia joins the insurrection and dies on the barricades. Horatio is an Enlightenment woman of science. Claudius, Polonius and Gertrude believe Hamlet’s passion for democracy has made him insane. The words of Patrick Henry, Thomas Jefferson, Phillis Wheatley and Thomas Paine thunder through Elsinore. Who’s America’s Secret Founding Father? William Shakespeare! Written and directed by Paul Hoan Zeidler, it runs October 24 through November 22 at the McCadden Place Theater in Hollywood. For tickets visit lightningrodtheater.ludus.com.
“What Had Happened Was…” follows Marcellus Turner, a passionate Los Angeles City Councilman and community advocate determined to create meaningful change for the people he represents. Told through a documentary-style blend of interviews, memories and reflections, the play traces Marcellus’ personal and political journey—from his early relationship with AV, the woman who becomes his wife, inspires and loves him, to his rise as a public figure fighting for his community. When a powerful university expansion threatens to displace longtime residents and reshape the neighborhood, Marcellus must decide how far he is willing to go to defend the people who trusted him. As he challenges powerful institutions and navigates the complicated world of politics, he is forced to confront questions about progress, power, loyalty, and the sacrifices required to stand by one’s values and principles while dealing with the deceit and hypocrisy of some in leadership positions. Written by Reginald Edmund, and directed by Ben Guillory, it runs October 24 through November 15 at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in Los Angeles. For tickets visit www.therobeytheatrecompany.org/upcoming.
“Confederates” Sara, an enslaved woman who becomes a Union spy during the Civil War, opposite Sarah Scott Davis (previously seen at the Fountain in Last Summer at Bluefish Cove) as Sandra, a tenured political science professor at a prestigious university in the year 2026. Their lives might be separated by more than 150 years, but the forces they navigate around race, gender, power and institutional betrayal prove disturbingly similar. Written by Dominique Morisseau, and directed by Raymond O. Caldwell, it runs October 30 through December 13 at the Fountain Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets call 323-663-1525 or visit FountainTheatre.com.
“Dear Evan Hansen” is a modern classic with a message that has resonated with audiences around the world: “You Will Be Found.” Seventeen-year-old Evan Hansen has felt invisible his entire life. But when a tragedy shocks his community and thrusts him into the center of a rapidly evolving controversy, Evan is given the opportunity of a lifetime: the chance to be somebody else. As his web of well-intentioned lies begins to unravel, though, Evan is forced to confront the fact that the price of belonging may be far steeper than he bargained for. Written by Steven Levenson, with music by Benj Pasek and Justin Paul, and directed by Stephen C. Anthony, it runs October 31 through November 22 at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in La Mirada. For tickets call 562-944-9801 or visit www.LaMiradaTheatre.com.
CONTINUING
“Warhol/Frankenstein 4D” Tackling multiple roles, the play features Andrew Goetten as Andy Warhol, Jordan Mullins as Edie Sedgwick and The Bride, Danny McCarthy as Lou Reed and Baron Frankenstein, Emma Jansen as Valerie Solanas and Bridgid Berlin, and JJ Phillips as Warhol’s coconspirator Paul Morrissey. Steeped in 60’s songs from the Velvet Underground, David Bowie and Bob Dylan, the stage is awash with projections of Warhol’s psychedelic art films, and period newsreels, as the charismatic cast recreate Warhol’s doomed “Superstars.” The theater’s first row is designated a Splatter Zone, with rain ponchos offered on loan, as the campy spectacle’s gratuitous nudity and mayhem soon enough devolves into carnage and bloodshed. Did we mention it’s a comedy? Written and directed by Steven Vlasak, it runs through November 28 at the Hobgoblin Playhouse in Los Angeles. For tickets visit events.thestagecrafts.com/projects/15294.