ON STAGE

Eat the Runt

Hudson Guild Theatre
***1/2

What's the worst nightmare a theater critic might face? Sitting through the thousandth community theater revival of Our Town sounds pretty hellish, but being abducted, tied up, and tortured by an angry playwright whose latest work was just skewered by said critic is probably worse. Robert Riechel Jr's fiendish dark farce explores this possibility, evoking lots of yucks, a few chills, and some food-for-thought. That the real-life playwright Riechel plays the fictional playwright Buck Leone, and directs the show as well, adds to the tension—for brave L.A. critics, at any rate. The plot in this brutish Orton-esque satire gets thicker when the playwright's trashy bimbo girlfriend (Victoria Engelmayer) is also on hand, and develops a yen for the captive scribe (Peter Leake). The performances and design elements are first-rate and the script is trenchantly hilarious. And I swear… I'm telling the truth here. I wouldn't lie just to save my skin. —LES SPINDLE

West Side Story

Hudson Backstage Theatre, through Feb. 15
***1/2

Musical Theatre of Los Angeles’ successful production of West Side Story is a dazzling presentation of one of Broadway’s greatest hits. Even more spectacular, this bigger-than-life show is performed in the Hudson’s 99-seat theater. Though a lack of space may imply doom for such a large dance show, the creative direction of Kenneth Gray-Scolari and choreography of Arthur L. Ross brings a fresh intimacy to the classic re-telling of Romeo and Juliet set in 1950s New York City. With a small floor, the large cast adeptly dances within inches of the first row, filling the space with energy and color in the large numbers. The lead actors all offer commendable performances, with the female stars outshining their male counterparts. Laura Darrell’s Maria and Janet Krupin’s Anita steal the show with strong performances, both vocally and in character. The musicians, under Greg Haake, also provide skillful accompaniment. —Tony Spano, Jr.

LIMITED RUN

The Bostonians are coming!

It’s a charming and poignant collection of one-acts by Boston playwrights: Claire Danes Poster by Tom Berry; Helluva Poker Face by Christopher Lockheardt; That’s Our Mary by Jack Neary; Sea of Love, What’s It All About, The Test and The Sublet by Michael Phillips.

Theatre Theater. Thu., Jan. 15-Sun., Jan. 18. (Thu.-Fri. 8 p.m.; Sat. 6 and 8 p.m.; Sun. 5 and 7 p.m.) $12. 818/390-4547; theatretheater.net

Waiting For Godot

Samuel Beckett's wickedly witty treatise on the nature of human existence is considered one of the greatest plays of the 20th century, a play the L.A. Times called “top-notch.”

A Noise Within. Opens Thu., Jan. 15-Sun., Jan. 25. $40-44. 818/240-0910, ext. 1; anoisewithin.org

Battle Hymn

See this world premiere about an American woman’s courage, her epic pregnancy, her past, her future and her incredible search for the meaning of motherhood and love. Ford Theatre. Opens Sat., Jan. 17-Sun., Feb. 22. (Thu.-Sat. 8 p.m.; Sun. 2 and 7 p.m.) $20. 323/GO-1FORD; fordtheatres.org

Ceremonies in Dark Old Men

This classic masterpiece by Academy Award-nominee Lonne Elder III is the portrait of a Harlem family that dreams of a better life, but pursues it in tragic ways. Skirball Cultural Center. Opens Wed., Jan. 14-Sun., Jan. 18. (Wed.-Fri. 8 p.m.; Sat. 3 p.m.; Sun. 4 p.m.) $20-48. 310/827-0889; latw.org

Homo Must

Pope Joan The Musical

A woman pope? Now that’ll really get under the skin of the relgious right. Tempted? So are we!

The Stella Adler. Fri., Jan. 16-Sat., Mar. 21. (Thu-Sat. 8 p.m. Sun. 2 and 7 p.m.) $34.99. 323/960-4412; plays411.net