All The Way
Through Oct. 2. See the Tony award-winning Broadway hit centered around Lyndon B. Johnson and Martin Luther King Jr. during the Civil Rights Act, circa 1963. See website for showtimes. Tickets start at $64. South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.5555. scr.org
Beautiful, The Carole King Musical
Oct. 4-16. Long before she was Carole King, chart-topping music legend, she was Carol Klein, Brooklyn girl with passion and chutzpah. See the story of how she fought her way into the record business as a teenager and, by the time she reached her twenties, had the husband of her dreams and a flourishing career writing hits for the biggest acts in rock ‘n’ roll. Hear classics such as “I Feel the Earth Move,” “One Fine Day,” and “(You Make Me Feel Like) A Natural Woman.” See website for showtimes. Tickets start at $49. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org
Billy & Ray
Oct. 5-30. Follow the journey through a war of creativity between two brilliant writers who nearly killed each other in the making of the classic film noir Double Indemnity. Hollywood legends, Director Billy Wilder and Crime Novelist Raymond Chandler, battled censors, and each other. See website for showtimes. Tickets start at $50. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.497.2787. lagunaplayhouse.com
Destiny of Desire
Oct. 14-Nov. 13. Based in Bellarica, Mexico, see the story of two baby girls born—one to poverty, one to privilege—and then secretly switched by a scheming former beauty queen. Eighteen years later the girls meet, brought together by misfortune. In this fast-paced comedy inspired by popular telenovelas, forbidden love, revenge, infidelity and burning passion abound. See website for showtimes. Tickets start at $64. South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.708.5555. scr.org
The Boxcar Children
Nov. 11-20. Based on the popular children’s book, see the story of four orphaned siblings as they evade authorities and a mysterious stranger. On their journey, they discover the rewards and perils of a life of independence while hiding out in an abandoned boxcar they find in the forest. See website for showtimes. Tickets start at $15. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949.497.2787. lagunaplayhouse.com
Mamma Mia!
Nov. 22-27. Have the time of your life at this smash-hit musical that combines ABBA’s greatest hits, including “Dancing Queen,” “S.O.S.,” “Super Trouper,” “Take A Chance on Me” and “The Winner Takes It All,” with an enchanting tale of love, laughter and friendship. See website for showtimes. Tickets start at $29. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714.556.2787. scfta.org