“Dead Boys” It’s the end of the world. Two millennials are trapped in the basement of their old high school – the only gay kid in school and the guy who used to beat him up. Provocative, hilarious and heartbreaking, “Dead Boys” is about two modern American young men who have no choice but to face fate, race, sexuality – and each other.

Written by Matthew Scott Montgomery and directed by Christopher James Raymond, it runs through July 31 at the Celebration Theatre in Hollywood. For tickets, call (323) 957-1884 or visit www.CelebrationTheatre.com.

“The Swords of Sorrow – BURAI II” Takeshige, chamberlain of the Matsugoe clan and master of the Shintou Eigou style of sword combat, is unjustly sentenced to death after his master Lord Tagami has been captured. Daiji, the local executioner, slays Takeshige and his wife, but with his dying breath, Takeshige swears vengeance from beyond the grave, stating “Even if my body gets rotten, my soul shall live to take your life.”

Takeshige exacts bloody revenge as his ghost possesses and dominates the bodies of others.

Written and directed by Naoki Fujiyama, it runs July 6 through July 22 at the Edgemar Center for the Arts in Santa Monica. For tickets, call (310) 392-7327 or visit www.edgemarcenter.org.

“A Midsummer Night’s Dream” It’s hard to tell where reality ends and dreams begin in this intoxicating joyride of a play. Otherworldly creatures, lovers on the run, and a group of amateur actors all converge in a deep forest outside of Athens. When their worlds collide, chaos ensues and nothing but magic has the power to set things right before the sun comes up.

Written by William Shakespeare and directed by Melissa Chalsma, it runs July 7 through Sept. 2 at the Old Zoo at Griffith Park in Los Angeles. For tickets, call (818) 710-6306 or visit www.iscla.org.

“Three Days in the Country” A handsome new tutor brings reckless, romantic desire to an eccentric household. Over three days one summer the young and the old will learn lessons in love: first love and forbidden love, maternal love and platonic love, ridiculous love and last love; the love left unsaid and the love which must win out.

Written by Patrick Marber and directed by Andrew Paul, it runs July 12 through Aug. 26 at the Kiki & David Gindler Performing Arts Center in Glendale. For tickets, call (818) 506-1983 or visit www.Antaeus.org.

“Daddy’s Dyin’ Who’s Got the Will” Set in a small Texas town, this comedy stages the reunion of a family gathered to await the imminent death of its patriarch, who has recently suffered a physically as well as mentally disabling stroke. It is not so much the story of the impending demise of the father or of the drafting of his will, but of a rebirth of the spirit of the family unit.

Written by Del Shores and directed by Kirk Larson, it runs July 13 through Aug. 18 at the Westchester Playhouse in Westchester. For tickets, call (310) 645-5156 or visit www.kentwoodplayers.org.

“Mary Poppins” is practically perfect in every way and includes all of your favorite songs including, “Spoonful of Sugar,” “Chim Chim Cher-ee,” and “Let’s Go Fly a Kite!” Mary Poppins is breathtakingly beautiful and full of dancing and heart.

Written by Julian Fellowes, based on a book by P.L. Travers, with music by Richard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman, it runs July 13 through Aug. 25 at the Glendale Centre Theatre in Glendale. For tickets, call (818) 244-8481 or visit www.GlendaleCentreTheatre.com.

“Arrival & Departure” A deaf man and a hard-of-hearing woman, two married strangers, meet accidentally in a New York City subway station. As their casual friendship develops into something deeper, each is forced to confront how their simmering relationship could forever change their lives — and the lives of those they love.

Written by Stephen Sachs, inspired by the screenplay “Brief Encounter” and directed by Stephen Sachs, it runs July 14 through Sept. 30 at the Fountain Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets, call (323) 663-1525 or visit www.FountainTheatre.com.

“Cry It Out” Cooped up on maternity leave and eager for conversation, Jessie invites the funny and forthright Lina for coffee in their neighboring backyards. They become fast friends, quickly bonding over their shared “new mom” experience – and arousing the interest of a wealthy neighbor hoping for a similar connection.

Written by Molly Smith Metzler and directed by Lindsay Allbaugh, it runs July 14 through Aug. 19 at the Atwater Village Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets, call (310) 307-3753 or visit www.EchoTheaterCompany.com.

“The Motherf**ker with the Hat” Jackie is a former drug dealer out on parole who is trying to stay clean. His girlfriend is coke-addicted Veronica, whom he has loved since eighth grade. Visiting her, he sees a man’s hat in her apartment, a hat that does not belong to him. He surmises who the man might be and visits him with a gun (a violation of Jackie’s parole, among other things). Jackie asks his supportive cousin Julio to hide his gun. Jackie also visits his 12-step sponsor Ralph, whom he believes to be a friend. Will Jackie reconcile with his true love Veronica? Will he be able to stay out of jail? What will Ralph do?

Written by Stephen Adly Guirgis and directed by Gloria Gifford, it runs July 14 through Aug. 25 at the Gloria Gifford Conservatory in Hollywood. For tickets, call (310) 366-5505 or visit www.tix.com.

“Mutt House” Featuring 20 original songs and a cast of 10, “Mutt House” is the story of quirky outsider Eddie Corbin. Bullied all his life, Eddie has finally found a place to call home — a neglected downtown animal shelter. When the city threatens to close the shelter, Eddie must do something he’s never done before: stand up for himself and fight for what’s right. With the help of six zany mutts, he faces his fears and makes an unexpected human connection in the process. This life-affirming musical, in the tradition of “Annie,” is filled with singing and dancing fun for the whole family.

Written by Tony Cookson, with music by John Daniel, Tony Cookson, Robb Curtis Brown, and directed by Ryan Bergmann, it runs July 15 through Aug. 5 at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. For tickets, call (213) 628-2772 or visit www.MuttHouseTheMusical.com.

“The Jungle Book” From Mowgli to Baloo the Bear, Kaa the snake and more, this “Jungle Book” re-imagines Kipling’s classic stories and brings to life the known and loved characters, while also introducing some of the other colorful inhabitants of Kipling’s books, and even today’s urban jungle. Through eye-popping video, interactive technology and the whimsical and soulful stories, poems and songs from the original novel, this time-honored tale transports audiences of all ages world of adventure in the jungle.
Written and directed by Craig Francis and Rick Miller, it runs July 17 through July 29 at the Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena. For tickets, call (626) 356-7529 or visit www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org.

“Screwball Comedy” The year is 1938, and newly laid-off perfumier Mary Hayes is trying to break into the male-dominated world of newspaper journalism. Editor-In-Chief Bosco Godfrey sets a competition between his egotistical star reporter Jeff Kincaid and plucky Mary assigning them to cover a society wedding. If Jeff writes the better story, he gets to keep his job. If Mary wins, she will replace the ace newshound. Super-rich lady Delores suspects that her son Chauncey’s fiancée Gloria is a golddigger. Can Jeff or Mary dig up the dirt?
Written by Norm Foster and directed by Howard Storm, it runs July 19 through Aug. 19 at the Theatre 40, in the Reuben Cordova Theatre in Beverly Hills. For tickets, call (310) 364-0535 or visit www.theatre40.org.

“Beauty and the Beast” Susan Egan stars in this much-anticipated production that will transform your spirit, leaving you captivated by adventure, revenge, true friendship and love that knows no limitations.
Written by Linda Woolverton, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Howard Ashman and Tim Rice, and directed by Yvette Lawrence, it runs July 20 through July 29 at the Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza in Thousand Oaks. For tickets, call (800) 745-3000 or visit www.5startheatricals.com.

“Famous” Through the eyes of Hollywood’s biggest star, Jason Mast, we witness a world fueled by sex, money and power, where image is everything. On the heels of Jason’s first Oscar nomination, he plans a hot party to celebrate. The night unfolds with an adrenaline-rushed pace, ultimately revealing one of Jason’s darkest secrets. His attempt to control the outcome ignites a chain of events that pushes the boundaries of real friendship and reveals the true cost of fame.
Written and directed by Michael Leoni, it runs July 20 through Aug. 19 at the 11:11 in West Hollywood. For tickets, call (323) 378-6969 or visit www.FamousThePlay.com.

“Mayakovsky and Stalin” is a dramatic character study incorporating historical footage and photos to explore two distantly connected relationships: that of Soviet dictator Joseph Stalin and his wife Nadya, and of Soviet poet Vladimir Mayakovsky and his married lover and “muse” Lilya Brik.
Written and directed by Murray Mednick, it runs July 21 through Aug. 19 at the Lounge Theatre in Hollywood. For tickets, call (323) 960-4443 or visit www.plays411.com/stalin.

“Annie” The classic story of a young girl overcoming adversity features a beloved score of hits (including “Tomorrow” and “It’s the Hard Knock Life”) and is a delightful experience for the entire family.
Written by Thomas Meehan, with music by Charles Strouse, lyrics by Martin Charnin, and directed by Michael Arden, it runs July 27 through July 29 at the Hollywood Bowl in Hollywood. For tickets, call (323) 850-2000 or visit www.hollywoodbowl.com.

Enjoy life more – see a show tonight!

Steve Zall and Sid Fish of Scene in L.A. know a lot about L.A. theatre and are ready to share with CV Weekly readers. You can read more at CVWeekly.com/LEISURE.

  Sid FISH, Steve ZALL