L.A. theater openings, May 29-June 5: ‘42nd Street’ and more

This week: Come and meet those dancing feet... again!... with the return of the mother-of-all backstage musicals. Plus, Shakespeare’s back in season at Theatricum Botanicum in Topanga.

Booty Underground Variety show features drag, burlesque, cabaret and more. Cavern Club Theater, 1920 Hyperion Ave., L.A. Tue., 8 p.m. $15, $20. (800) 838-3006.

42nd Street National touring company performs this classic backstage musical based on Busby Berkeley’s 1933 movie about a small-town gal with big showbiz dreams; children under 5 not admitted. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Tue.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; ends June 19. $29 and up. (800) 982-2787.

Excavating Venice of America Theater artists Richard Montoya and Roger Guenveur Smith take part in a discussion of their new work-in-progress. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. Wed., 8 p.m. $5. (213) 628-2772.

The Blank Theatre’s 24th Annual Young Playwrights Festival Four-week showcase features new plays by aspiring young writers from all over the country. Stella Adler Theatre, 6773 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends June 26. $14, $20; passes, $48, $68. (323) 661-9827.

Hedda Gabler Antaeus’ final production at their currrent venue is a partner-cast staging of Ibsen’s classic drama about one seriously dissatisfied wife. The Antaeus Theatre Company, 5112 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends July 17. (818) 506-1983.

tokyo fish story A traditional sushi restaurant in Tokyo struggles to keep up with changing tastes in Kimber Lee’s fable. The Old Globe, San Diego, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego. Thu.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; ends June 26. $29 and up. (619) 234-5623.

Un fil à la patte (Cat Among the Pigeons) Feydeau’s classic romantic farce; in French with no subtitles. Théâtre Raymond Kabbaz, Le Lycee Francais de Los Angeles, 10361 W. Pico Blvd., L.A. Thu.-Fri., 7:30 p.m. $10, $15. (310) 286-0553.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid in Concert Sara Bareilles, Tituss Burgess, Rebel Wilson, Darren Criss and John Stamos lend their voices to a live-to-screen presentation of the animated 1989 musical. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; also Mon., June 6, 8 p.m. $32.50-$350. (800) 653-8000.

In Case of Emergency Chalk Repertory Theatre presents Ruth McKee’s new site-specific play about about a single woman whose efforts at disaster preparedness are hindered by a visit from her younger sister. Garage at a private home, address provided to ticket holders, Montrose. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m. Also in Atwater Village (June 10-12) and Pasadena (June 24-July 3). Week 1, $20; week 2, $25; week 3, $30; week 4, $35. www.chalkrep.com.

Live and More: Jennifer Donna Summer Jennifer Dohn re-creates a concert by the late disco diva Donna Summer. Cavern Club Theater, 1920 Hyperion Ave., L.A. Fri.-Sat., 9 p.m. $15, $20. (800) 838-3006.

Parallel Worlds A live rock band is tasked with composing a score for a big-screen romance in this new multimedia musical fantasy created by Brandon Beckner. Club Parallel at CAP Studio, 13752 Ventura Blvd., Sherman Oaks. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends June 26. $40. (818) 990-2001.

Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead American Coast Theater Company stages Tom Stoppard’s “Hamlet”-inspired comedy, in repertory with Shakespeare’s “Hamlet” (opens June 10). Vanguard University’s Lyceum Theater, 55 Fair Drive, Costa Mesa. Fri.-Sat., 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends July 3. $15, $19. www.ACTCtickets.com.

A Thorn in the Family Paw Garry Michael Kluger’s new drama follows a married couple from the 1940s to the 1990s. Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. West, L.A. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends June 26. $5-$20. (323) 851-7977.

Buyer & Cellar Emerson Collins stars in Jonathan Tolins’ solo comedy about a struggling actor who gets an unusual job working at Barbra Streisand’s Malibu home. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. Sat., 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 1 and 5:30 p.m.; ends June 26. $48-$61. (949) 497-2787.

Disney’s The Little Mermaid Stage adaptation of the animated 1989 musical based on Hans Christian Anderson’s beloved fairytale. La Mirada Theatre, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends June 26. $20-$70. (562) 944-9801.

Rat Pack Tribute The Cherry Poppin’ Daddies celebrate the songs of Sinatra and company. Lewis Family Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga. Sat., 8 p.m. $43-$55. (909) 477-2752.

Romeo and Juliet East Jerusalem serves as the setting for an updated take on Shakespeare’s tragic love story. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Sat., 7:30 p.m.; ends Oct. 2. $10-$38.50; children 4 and under, free. (310) 455-3723.

Seedfolks Children’s Theatre Company presents an adaptation of Paul Fleischman’s Newberry-winning short novel about various characters at a community garden in an immigrant neighborhood; for ages 8 and up. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Lovelace Studio Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd, Beverly Hills. Sat.-next Sun., noon and 2:30 p.m.; ends June 5. $15. (310) 746-4000.

Stopping By Writer-performer Barbara Tarbuck’s solo show about an elderly woman who takes her late husband’s ashes to the annual Burning Man festival in the Nevada desert. Edgemar Center for the Arts, 2437 Main St., Santa Monica. Sat., 8 p.m.; ends June 25. $20. (310) 392-7327.

The Wiz Classic musical puts an African American spin on L. Frank Baum’s fantasy tale “The Wonderful Wizard of Oz.” Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends July 10. $18-$25. (805) 583-7900.

A Midsummer Night’s Dream Theatricum Botanicum’s annual staging of Shakespeare’s romantic fantasy returns. Will Geer’s Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. Next Sun., 3:30 p.m.; ends Sept. 23. $10-$38.50; children 4 and under, free. (310) 455-3723.