Courtesy photo by John Logue @TO-Cal Stand Out hed:Sprite of summer "Puck — A Midsummer Day's Fairy tale" Gypsies in a Trunk continues its series of free outdoor Fairy Tales in the Park presentations around the county with an original production about Puck, Shakespeare's "shrewd and knavish" sprite. In "Puck — A Midsummer's Day's Fairy Tale," a twist on "A Midsummer Night's Dream," the impish title character tries to sort out and/or stir up confusion in the forest. Performances will take place at 11:30 a.m. Saturday at Foxfield Park, 31965 Foxfield Drive, Westlake Village; 4 p.m. Saturday at Rancho Simi Bicentennial Amphitheatre, Erringer Road and Royal Avenue, Simi Valley; 2 p.m. Sunday at Channel Islands Harbor, Harbor View Park, 3600 S. Harbor Blvd., Oxnard; 11:30 a.m. July 12 at Community Recreation Center, 1605 E. Burnley St., Camarillo; and 4 p.m. July 12 at Barranca Vista Park, 7050 Ralston Ave., Ventura. Seating is on the ground; bring blankets and picnics. Admission is free, but donations are welcome. For information, call 661-718-3968 or visit http://www.fairytalesinthepark.com. Gypsies in a Trunk, from left, Chris Carnicelli, Olivia Heulitt, Marylyn Zaslow, Patrick Beckstead and Roxanne Diesel, are featured in "Puck — A Midsummer's Day's Fairy Tale."

Agoura Hills

"Forty Carats," comedy by Jay Allen, Aug. 1-Sept. 13, Stage Door Theatre. 818-889-5209.

Camarillo

"Murder D'Moré Al'Italia," murder-mystery dinner show, July 18, D'Amore's Pizza Restaurant. 415-3934.

Moorpark

"Merrily We Roll Along," Stephen Sondheim musical about three friends struggling to succeed in the entertainment industry, July 17-Aug. 3, Moorpark College. 378-1485; http://www.moorparkcollege.edu/pac.

Thousand Oaks

"Little Shop of Horrors," Young Artists Ensemble performs this popular musical about a man-eating plant, July 18-27, Civic Arts Plaza. 381-2747; http://www.yaeonline.com.

Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival, 12th annual season featuring "Henry IV: The Apprenticeship of Good Prince Hal" (July 18-Aug. 3), California Lutheran University. 493-3455; http://www.kingsmenshakespeare.org.

"Singin' in the Rain," Cabrillo Music Theatre production choreographed by and starring David Engel, July 25-Aug. 3, Civic Arts Plaza. 583-8700.

Ventura

Rubicon International Theatre Festival, preview season featuring productions of "Imagine-toi" from France and "Eye of the Cyclone" from the Ivory Coast, July 17-27, various locations. 667-2900; http://www.rubicontheatre.org.

"The Spin Cycle," David Rambo play about a baby boomer returning to her childhood home to confront her mom's fading health, July 31-Aug. 24, Rubicon Theatre. 667-2900; http://www.rubicontheatre.org.

Down south

"Les Miserables," semistaged concert production featuring J. Mark McVey, Brian Stokes Mitchell, Melora Hardin, Lea Michele and Rosie O'Donnell, Aug. 8-10, Hollywood Bowl. 323-850-2000.

theater + STAGE

Ventura County

"as you like it": The 12th annual Kingsmen Shakespeare Festival opens with Shakespeare's classic comedy — featuring the music, fashion and sensibilities of the 1970s. The grounds open at 5:30 p.m. for picnics and entertainment, including music, dancing and comic improvisation. 8 p.m. July 5-6 and 11-13, Kingsmen Park, California Lutheran University, 60 W. Olsen Road, Thousand Oaks. $15, free for youths under 18. 493-3455; http://www.kingsmenshakespeare.org.

IMPROV COMEDY: Ongoing: The Ventura Improv Company presents improvisational comedy shows from 8 to 10 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays. Not recommended for children younger than 12. Livery Theater, 34 N. Palm St., Ventura. $10. 643-5701; http://www.liverytheatre.org.

"it's only life": The Rubicon Theatre Company presents this collection of John Bucchino songs, written over 40 years, representing "a sort of diary of life." Broadway composer Bucchino's songs have been recorded and performed by Liza Minelli, Kristen Chenowith, Art Garfunkel, Audra MacDonald and other artists. 2 and 7 p.m. Wednesdays, 8 p.m. Thursdays and Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays, through July 13, Rubicon Theatre, 1006 E. Main St., Ventura. $29-$52. 667-2900; http://www.rubicontheatre.org.

"the music man": The Ojai Art Center presents a 50-year anniversary production of the oft-revived 1957 Broadway musical about traveling con man Harold Hill, who drops into River City, Iowa, where he plans to sell musical instruments for a children's band, then skip out with the money before teaching the kids a note. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays (except July 4), and 2 p.m. Sundays, through July 19, with 7:30 p.m. shows July 6 and 13, 113 S. Montgomery St., Ojai. $25 general admission, $20 seniors and students. 640-8797; http://www.ojaiact.org.

"the odd couple (female version)": In Neil Simon's classic contemporary comedy, Unger and Madison are at it again, as women instead of men. 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, through July 19, with a 2 p.m. matinee July 13, Conejo Players Theatre, 351 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks. $16-$20. 495-3715.

"the philadelphia story": The Santa Paula Theater Center presents Philip Barry's romantic comedy about socialite Tracy Lord. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 4 p.m. Sundays, through Aug. 3 (no shows July 4 or 25), with a 2:30 p.m. matinee July 27, 125 S. Seventh St., Santa Paula. $18 adults, $15 seniors and students, $12 children 12 and under. 525-4645; http://www.santapaulatheatercenter.org.

"pippin": Stephen Schwartz's musical is about Charlemagne's son, Pippin, and his journey through war, love and politics as he tries to find self-fulfillment. Not recommended for children younger than 13. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays, through July 27, Camarillo Community Theatre, 330 Skyway Drive. $17 general admission, $13 seniors and students, two-for-one tickets for students with ID on Fridays. Bring a nonperishable food for donation to FOOD Share to receive a free popcorn. On July 4-6, wear red, white and blue to receive a free popcorn. 388-5716.

"the price": Arthur Miller's drama is about the relationship between two long-estranged brothers who meet after many years to dispose of their late father's belongings. 8:30 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays, through July 20 (no shows July 4 and 13), with an 8 p.m. show July 10, Elite Theatre Company, 730 South B St., Oxnard. $17 general admission, $15 seniors and students. 483-5118; http://www.elitetheatre.org.

"ruthless! the musical": Actors' Repertory Theatre presents this comedy about an 8-year-old who knows that she was born to play Pippi Longstocking in a school musical and will do anything to win the part. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and 2 p.m. Sundays, through July 13, Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley. $20 adults, $16 seniors and students. 583-7900; http://www.simi-arts.org.

"social security": Andrew Bergman's comedy is about a successful art-dealing couple and the drama that occurs when they are visited by the wife's nerdy sister and her uptight CPA husband. 2 p.m. Saturdays and Sundays, through July 19, with an evening performance at 7 p.m. July 13, Conejo Players Theatre, 351 S. Moorpark Road, Thousand Oaks. $10. 495-3715.

Down south

"a chorus line": The Pulitzer Prize- and Tony Award-winning musical is about hopeful actors trying out for a demanding director. Through July 6, Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. $30-$95. 213-628-2772; http://www.centertheatregroup.org.

"THE DROWSY CHAPERONE": Winner of five Tony Awards in 2006, the musical, which premiered at the Ahmanson Theatre before moving to Broadway, tells the story of a modern-day theater fanatic who, while listening to a record of the 1928 musical "The Drowsy Chaperone," brings the show to life. July 8-20, Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. $30-$90. 213-628-2772; http://www.centertheatregroup.org.

"looped": Emmy Award winner Valerie Harper stars in this play based loosely on the true story of eccentric Hollywood actress Tallulah Bankhead, "the original celebrity bad girl." Through Aug. 3, Pasadena Playhouse, 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. $32-$65. 800-378-7021; http://www.pasadenaplayhouse.org.

"No Sex Please, We're British": In this British farce by Anthony Marriott and Alistair Foot, the plot centers on a package of pornographic material wrongly delivered to an upstanding couple. 8 p.m. Thursdays through Saturdays, through July 12, with a 2 p.m. matinee July 6; Stage Door Theatre, 28311 Agoura Road, Agoura Hills. $12-$15. 818-889-5209.

"OF EQUAL MEASURE": The word premiere of this historical drama, set during World War I, explores Woodrow Wilson's presidency through the eyes of a black stenographer who works at the White House. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City. $20-$40. 213-628-2772; http://www.centertheatregroup.org.

theatricum botanicum: The outdoor theater is staging three Shakespeare plays: "Midsummer Night's Dream," through Sept. 1; and "As You Like It" and "Macbeth," through Sept. 28. Also, Richard Brinsley Sheridan's "The School for Scandal," through Sept. 27. Will Geer Theatricum Botanicum, 1419 N. Topanga Canyon Blvd., Topanga. $8-$28. 818-887-1499; http://www.theatricum.com.

"WICKED": Stephen Schwartz's popular Broadway musical is about what happened in Oz before Dorothy dropped in. Through Jan. 11, Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. $27.50-$175. Ticketmaster, 583-8700 or http://www.ticketmaster.com.

culture

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Down south

"a ball at the bowl": The Los

Angeles Dodgers and the Hollywood Bowl will come together to celebrate Independence Day and the Dodgers' 50th anniversary in Los Angeles with this event featuring classic baseball music by the Los Angeles Philharmonic conducted by Rob Fisher with special guest Randy Newman of "I Love L.A." fame and vocalist Brian Childers, a video montage of memorable Dodger moments and a fireworks finale. 7:30 p.m. July 3-4, Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. $10-$114. For information: 323-850-2000 or visit http://www.hollywoodbowl.com.