The Los Angeles Times from Los Angeles, California • Page 276

Ak ill mm-m LISTINGS SMALLER THEATERS '-tfontinued from Page 53 566-PEAK). Beth Henley's comedy about three sisters in Mississippi. Fit 8 p.m.; also next Sept. 18, 25, 2:30 p.m. Ends Oct.

1. $12. The Disputation (Tiffany Theatre, 8532 Sunset West Hollywood, (310) 289-2999). Hyam Maccoby's drama based on the Barcelona Disputation of 1263, I wherein the Catholic church tried to convert the Jews of Aragon to Christianity. "Occasionally dusty medieval drama issues a timely warning against the dangers of religious extremism" (F.K.F.).

8 p.m.; 3 p.m. Ends Sept 18. $30. Down the Road (Celebrity Centre Theatre, 5930 Franklin Hollywood, (213) 960-3100). Lee Blessing's exploration of psychopathic murderers and society.

8 p.m. Ends Sept 17. $10. Dressing Room Divas (Actors Circle Theatre, 7313 Santa Monica West Hollywood, (310) 281-3305). Hollywood parody by Sal Emmino and Dane Hall.

"The improbable is made ludicrous when five celebrities Taylor, Collins, Streep, Midler, Andrews share a dressing room during a charity event Only the least discriminating will find these sexist caricatures worth the show's length" (R.S.). 9:30 p.m. Indefinitely. $15. Dying for Laughs (see Critics' Choices).

The Dysfunctional Show (Hudson Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd. Hollywood, (213) 850-7573). TV talk-show parody, with Dan Rosen as host of sleaze, Whitey Fjord. Sat, 10:30 p.m. Indefinitely.

$7. 8 10 (Theatre Geo, 1229 N. Highland Hollywood, (213) 466-1767). Eight 10-minute plays, winners of the Actors Theatre of Louisville Competition, plus one new play. 7 p.m.

Ends next Sun. $12. For Marrleds Only (NoHo Studios, 5215 Lankershim North Hollywood, (818) 798-2185). Comedy by J. Tom Graham.

"A bride armed with a sex manual on her wedding night may be a quaint idea for a sketch but here it's unfortunately expanded into two grueling acts" (R.L.). 8 p.m.; 4 p.m. Ends SepL 18. $10. Gertrude Stein and a Companion (Playbox Theatre, 1955 Cahuenga Hollywood, (213) 660-8587).

Win Wells' play about Stein and Alice B. Toklas. "A tasteful recapitulation of an exciting era in literary history, set in a perfect little jewelry case of a theater, which we can well imagine is Stein's famous Paris salon" (F.K.F.). Sat, 8 p.m.; 3 p.m. Ends next Sun.

$15. Goodrich Price and tha Child (Chandler Studio, 12443 Chandler North Hollywood, (818 508-6714). Lu Leonard, in her solo show remembering her parents' vaudeville days. Directed by David Galli-gan. "Leonard's smart and funny re-enacted reminiscences evoke a simpler time with the compelling impact of well-told personal narrative" (P.B.).

8 p.m.; 3 p.m. Ends Sept 25. $10. Groundlings Gettin' Soma (Groundling Theatre, 7307 Melrose West Hollywood, (213) 934-9700). "An ideal showcase for the Groundlings improv troupe's versatile skills; the best bits are driven by meticulously detailed characterizations" (P.B.).

8 p.m.; Sat, 8 and 10 p.m. Indefinitely. Tha Head (Actors. Workout Studio, 4735 Lankershim North Hollywood, (818) 506-3903). Bob Nickman's solo satire.

Sat, 10:30 p.m. Ends Sept. 24. $10. Hula Hoop Sha-Boop (Tamarind Theatre, 5919 Franklin Hollywood, (213) 466-1767).

Musical revue of '50s and '60s rock 'n' roll by Larry Deckel and Jon Leicht 8 p.m.; 2 and 7 p.m. Ends Oct 8. MURDER MYSTERY 'Absolutely Spellbinding, Immensely Appealing Place ol Mystery Theatre 1.4. Tlmn WEEKENDS September 17-18 MURDER MYSTERY TRAIN TO WESTOATE HOTEL DINNERS Evtiy Fit Sat Hollywood Yemuhlra SenliMonlct Mideme Wu'j Cult Mm Scotl'i Snlood SAN MOO October 15-16 DANISH COUNTRY INN SOLVAN3 Lrv about a pre-wedding chat between a bride-to-be and her friends. Tues.

only, 8 p.m. Ends Sept. 27. $8. The Letter (Hudson Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Hollywood, (213) 660-8587).

By Rodney Nugent Alternating double -cast includes Vanessa Williams Steven Williams (plays both casts), Cyndi James Gossett and others. "Grandly melodramatic and well-performed, this sometimes overly simplistic period family drama takes on the florid overtones of an old James Cagney gangster movie" (F.K.F.). 8 p.m.; 7 p.m. Ends Sept 25. $15.

Light Sensitive (see Critics' Choices). Mein Kampf (Actors' Gang, 6209 Santa Monica Hollywood, (213 466-1767). U.S. premiere of George Tabori's theological farce about Adolf Hitler and a Jewish bible salesman in a homeless shelter in pre-World War I Vienna. "Shtick meets sick as vaudevillian humor plays out against the backdrop of the Holocaust an unsettling meditation on how humanism, with its noble tolerance, nurtures monsters" (P.B.).

8 p.m. Ends Men on the Verge of a Hls-panlc Breakdown (see Critics' Choices). A Midsummer Night's Dream (Knights-bridge Theatre, Braley Building, 35 S. Raymond Pasadena, (818) 440-0821). 9 p.m.; Sat, 5 p.m.; 8 p.m.

Ends next Sun. $15. A Midsummer Night's Dream (Theatre 40, Beverly Hills High School campus, 241 Moreno Drive, (213) 466-1767). "Five actors play 23 roles in this imaginative, highly theatrical rendering of Shakespeare's durable comedy" (S.C.). 8 p.m.; 2 p.m.

Ends Oct 2. Muhammad All Forever (Complex, 6468 Santa Monica Hollywood, (213) 466-1767). James Otis Brown as the legendary boxer. 7 p.m. Ends Sept 18.

$10. Murder by the Book (Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre (818) 355-4318). Thriller by Duncan Greenwood and Robert King. 8 p.m.; next Sept 18, 25, 2:30 p.m.

Ends Oct 1. $8.50. Not Opera, An Evening of Love and Loathing (Coast Playhouse, 8325 Santa Monica West Hollywood, (213) 466-1767). Michael Panes' comic look at the lengths couples go to sustain a relationship. 8 p.m.

Ends Oct 11. $15. Old Business (see Critics' Choices). Palm Fever (Playwrights' Arena, 5262 W. Pico (213) 466-1767).

Jon Lawrence Rivera directs Jean Colonomos' L.A. sto 818-785-7700 (213)480-3232 714-526-7700 (714)740-2000 213-661-4018 dant wit and ingenious staging empower this fine dramatization of Studs Terkel's oral history of American race relations" (S.C.). 8 p.m.; 7:30 p.m. Ends Sat $15. Red River Rats (Burbage Theatre Ensemble, 2330 Sawtelle West L.A., (310) 478-0897).

Martin Kove heads the cast in Paul Gillette's "preachy and morally simplistic melodrama about a group of former Vietnam pilots who relive their experience as POWs" (S.C.). 9:15 p.m.; 7 p.m. Ends next Sun. $15. i.

Sarita (Dramatic New Arts, Labor Temple Theatre, 42 E. Walnut, Pasadena, (818) 568-9850). Maria Irene Fornes' '40s-era play with music explores a Puerto Rican girl's coming of age. "Threadbare production values and uneven singing voices don't diminish the force of this quirky, compelling quasi-opera" (F.K.F.). 8 p.m.

Ends next Sun. Second City Alumni Jam (Upfront Comedy, 123 Broadway Santa Monica, (310) 319-3477). Improv comedy sketches with Second City alumni. 8 p.m. Indefinitely.

$10. Secrets of tha Celtic Heart (Lionstar Theatre, 12655 Ventura Studio City, (818) 508-6577). Brian Mallon returns in his solo celebration of IrishWelsh poetry and song. "An affectionate, theatrical tribute to language, full of wisdom and innocence" (T.M.). 7 p.m.

Ends Sept. 25. $12. She Stoops to Conquer (Basement Theatre, 464 E. Walnut Pasadena, (818) 799-1171).

Oliver Goldsmith's 18th-century comedy classic. 8 p.m.; 2 p.m. Ends Sept 24. $12. Sight Unseen (Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, 2055 S.

Sepulveda West L.A., (310) 477-2055). L.A. premiere of Donald Mar-gulies' exploration of the rocky life of a famous painter. John Rubinstein heads the cast "Despite some tentative pacing, this remains a play of ideas and emotional complexity" (L.W.). 8 p.m.; 7 p.m.

Ends next Sun. $17.50421.50. b. Song of Singapore (International City Theatre, Long Beach City College campus, Clark Street and Harvey Way, (310) 420-4128, (213) 480-3232, (714) 740-2000). Parody of old movies, in a 1941 cabaret setting.

By Allan Katz, Erik Frandsen, Michael Garin, Robert Hipkens and Paula Lockheart "The play may be cubic zirconium, but it's fun jewelry, and the Tiffany box production values, coupled with a sprightly cast, ensure that the action is mostly diverting" (F.K.F.). Fii-Sat, 8 p.m.; 2 and 7 p.m. Indefinitely. $16. A.

Speaking Parts and Sheer Boredom (Zephyr Theatre, 7456 Melrose West Hollywood, (213 463-7340). Two comedies: Bernard White's behind-the-scenes movie satire and John Viscardi's play about a doorman whose dream of wealth turns into a nightmare. 8 p.m. Ends Sept. 15.

$10. Spolln Players (Upfront Comedy, 123 Broadway, Santa Monica, (310) 319-3477). Improv comedy games, with guest star Dan Castelleneta. 8 p.m. Indefinitely.

$10. Starsky and Sunday (Groundling Theatre, 7307 Melrose West Hollywood, (213) 934-9700). Improv with the Groundlings' Sunday Company. 7:30 p.m. Indefinitely.

$12. Stumps (Odyssey Theatre Ensemble, 2055 California State University, Long Beach tiERB AlPERT -RitaCoolidge N4 jyiARILYN MCCOO Freda Payne IV-' If oh I Couldn't Tell You If I Knew (Burbage Theatre, 2330 Sawtelle West L.A., (310) 478-0897). Eugene Paulish comedy about a woman's midlife crisis. 7:30 p.m. Ends next Sun.

$15. I'd Rather Be a Whore (West Coast Ensemble, 6240 Hollywood Hollywood," (213) 871-1052). Comedy about two ambitious actresses seeking fame and fortune. By Max Mitchell. "The play's amiable wandering wears thin after a while, but its onslaught of insider jokes are sure to tickle anyone connected with show biz" (P.B.).

8 p.m.; 3 p.m. Ends Sept 25. $15. It's All Fun and Games Until Someone Loses an Eya (Le Petit TheatreGallery, Hotel Sofitel Ma Maison, 8555 Beverly (310) 278-5444, Ext 777). A look at the "90s through sketch and improv comedy.

10 p.m. Indefinitely. $12. Ladles In Waiting (6470 Theatre. 6470 Santa Monica Hollywood.

(818) 563-3777). Michele Palermo's comedy Paul Williams a And An All Star Cast In h- if SpNGFoRtqu'l Jm Benefit Gala Premiere Celebrationt 0 ries, told by a multicultural cast "A theatrical melange intended to capture the essence of Los Angeles, the play lacks the FOR THE 1 eccentricity and vibrancy of the city it Richard antj Karen Carpenter would eulogize fir-sat, 8 p.m. I Ends Sept 17. $12. The Postmodernalres (Upfront Comedy ji civruiviviiiNU jrvi.i v-eivieiv I I I Speqal Inaugural performance by1 ,1 Richard Carpenter snowcase, iioj jra aireei rromenaae, Santa Monica, (310) 319-3477).

Improv comedy theater with Second City and Compass alumni. Guest stars Paul Dooley and Lewis Arquette. "Free-association improv games spun with quick, resourceful wit" (R.L.). Sat, 8 p.m. Indefinitely.

$10. Pot Mom (see Critics' Choices). Race (Burbage Theatre, 2330 Sawtelle West (310) 478-0897). "Mor-. 1 1 (171 MARTY I 111 STUART if i iff I ON SCREEN PERFORMANCE BY Karen Carpenter rr 8 vt i 1 Hi Saturday t.

I $350' $500 $1000 S' Includes Show and Pre- and Post-Event Celebrations "Seinfeld's" Jason Alexander Julia Louis-Dreyfus will star in a one-time benefit reading of Bunny Bunny a tender new book by Alan Zweibel detailing bis eccentric friendsbip witb tke late Gilda Radner Thursday, September 8 4:30 the bellamyI A BROTHERS jSll ASLEEP AT thWheel show only a tj: i UK UCAtl lINrUKMAI 1UIN LA1JL (31Q) 985-700 4 n-n Tfwmj- ioT.rArDn.1. Cr.n.tf. 1 i w-" 1 6200 Atherton Street, Long beach Westwood Playb ouse (310) 208-5454 ftoceeJi to kentfit GiloVi Out, community (or cancer patient and their families 3 $4 SUNDAYt SEPTlBEa.i 1994.