By Steve ZALL And Sid FISH

Spring has arrived, and soon the Easter Bunny will too, but don’t miss out on these fantastic new shows in our local theatres:

“The Encounter” follows the true story of National Geographic photographer Loren McIntyre as he finds himself lost in a remote area of Brazil in 1969, leading to a startling encounter that changed his life.

                  Written by Petru Popescu and directed by Simon McBurney, it runs April 6 through April 16 at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. For tickets, call (310) 746-4000 or visit www.TheWallis.org/Encounter.

“Of Mice and Men” is a tale of two migrant field workers looking for work on the California coast during the Great Depression — the intelligent but frustrated George and Lennie, a sweet, strong man with a mental disability and a knack for getting into trouble.

                  Written by John Steinbeck and directed by Aaron Lyons, it runs April 6 through May 13 at the Belfry Stage Upstairs at the Crown in North Hollywood. For tickets, call (818) 849-4039 or visit www.theatreunleashed.org.

“Supper” The Koch Brothers are infamous, super-rich, trained in business and politics at their father’s knee, and bestowed with his oil wealth and his company, Koch Industries, the brothers are litigious multibillionaires who fund causes and to shape America in their image.

                  Written by Phinneas Kiyomura and directed by Alina Phelan, it runs April 6 through May 20 at the Theatre of NOTE in Hollywood. For tickets, call (323) 856-8611 or visit www.theatreofnote.com.

“Goonie” Today is Goonie’s 6th birthday — her favorite number. Her father, Terry, is planning a day to remember: bouncy house, extinct animals and a skywriting plane.

With everything in place, what could possibly go wrong?

                  Written by Terry Maratos and directed by Jim Anzide, it runs April 7 through May 5 at the Atwater Village Theatre in Atwater Village. For tickets, call (323) 839-5086 or visit www.gonnietheplay.com.

“The Importance of Being Earnest” Two wealthy young men pretend, among other things, that they are both named Ernest in order to impress their beloveds.

                  Written by Oscar Wilde and directed by Zoe Bring, it runs April 7 through May 13 at the Glendale Centre Theatre in Glendale. For tickets, call (818) 244-8481 or visit www.glendalecentretheatre.com.

“The Lady Was a Gentleman” An examination of love, identity, race and gender that is sure to leave you laughing out loud as celebrated actress Charlotte Cushman goes on (another) farewell tour of the U.S. with her personal assistant Sallie, a free black woman, and an ever-expanding entourage of adoring younger women.

                  Written by Barbara Kahn and directed by Kate Motzenbacker, it runs April 8 through April 29 at the Dorie Theatre at the Complex in Hollywood. For tickets, visit www.ladygentplay.bpt.me.

“Pure Confidence” The high-stakes world of Civil War–era horse racing sets the stage for this captivating drama during a time of slavery and Reconstruction.

                  Written by Carlyle Brown and directed by Marya Mazor, it runs April 8 through May 21 at the Sacred Fools Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets, call (323) 960-7745 or visit www.lower-depth.com/on-stage.

“A Doll’s House, Part 2” The story follows Nora, who in the final scene of Ibsen’s classic “A Doll’s House” makes the shocking decision to leave her husband and children. A door slams, and the curtain falls on a stunned audience.

                  Written by Lucas Hnath and directed by Shelley Butler, it runs April 9 through April 30 at the South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa. For tickets, call (714) 708-5555 or visit www.scr.org.

“The Originalist” When a bright, liberal law school graduate embarks on a difficult and challenging clerkship with Justice Antonin Scalia, she discovers him to be both an infuriating sparring partner and an unexpected mentor.

                  Written by John Strand and directed by Molly Smith, it runs April 11 through May 7 at the Pasadena Playhouse in Pasadena. For tickets, call (626) 356-7529 or visit www.PasadenaPlayhouse.org.

“The Legend of Georgia McBride” tells the story of Casey, who after years of struggling at a small-time club in the Florida Panhandle, realizes it’s now or never for his career as an Elvis impersonator. The story explores what happens when one man trades in his blue suede shoes for platform pumps and discovers he ain’t nothing but a drag queen.

                  Written by Matthew Lopez and directed by Mike Donahue, it runs April 12 through May 14 at the Gil Cates Theater at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles. For tickets, call (310) 208-5454 or visit www.geffenplayhouse.org.

“Lone Star” Brothers Roy and Ray take a drunken stumble down a memory lane littered with cars, stars, women and bars. Roy, a brawny Vietnam vet many years removed from the war, still can’t find his place, so he spends his nights behind Angel’s bar trying to get back to a place in his mind.

                  Written by James McClure and directed by David Fofi, it runs April 14 through May 7 at the Zephyr in Los Angeles. For tickets, visit www.plays411.com/lonestar.

“Farragut North” A taut and plot-twisting story of political, emotional and sexual intrigue. During a hotly contested presidential primary campaign a wunderkind press secretary, blinded by hubris, makes a wrong turn.

                  Written by Beau Willimon and directed by Cathy Fitzpatrick Linder, it runs April 15 through May 21 at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets, call (323) 960-7788 or visit www.plays411.com/newsite/show/play_info.asp?show_id=4614.

“The 39 Steps” A young British gentleman named Richard Hannay befriends a beautiful spy. When he brings her back to his apartment, she is murdered and he becomes the prime suspect.

                  Written by John Buchan, adapted by Patrick Barlow and directed by Rebecca Lynne, it runs April 20 through April 29 at the Brand Park in Glendale. For tickets, visit www.deanproductionstheatre.com.

“The Furniture” Old rivalries come to the fore and secrets are revealed when three sisters gather to divvy up the family furniture.

                  Written by Marc Warren and directed by Joel Zwick, it runs April 21 through April 23 at the Hillcrest Center for the Arts in Thousand Oaks. For tickets, call (805) 381-1246 or visit www.hillcrestarts.com.

“Rabbit Hole” Becca and Howie, blindsided by a tragic accident, struggle to piece together what was once their picture perfect life in the suburbs.

                  Written by David Lindsay-Abaire and directed by Eric Hunicutt, it runs April 21 through May 14 at the Lounge Theatre in Hollywood. For tickets, call (917) 407-3346 or visit www.Plays411.com/rabbithole.

“Sister Act” When disco diva Deloris Van Cartier witnesses a murder, she is put in protective custody in one place the cops are sure she won’t be a found: a convent! Disguised as a nun, she finds herself at odds with both the rigid lifestyle and the uptight Mother Superior.

                  Written by Cheri and Bill Steinkellner, with music by Alan Menken, lyrics by Glenn Slater and directed by Misti B. Wills, it runs April 21 through April 30 at the Kavli Theatre at the Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza in Thousand Oaks. For tickets, call (800) 745-3000 or visit www.cabrillomusictheatre.com.

“Uncanny Valley” explores the inherent unpredictability of consciousness, as well as ethical questions about our own mortality and how far we’ll go to live forever, in this fascinating and cerebrally challenging new play about artificial intelligence.

                  Written by Thomas Gibbons and directed by caryn desai, it runs April 21 through May 7 at the International City Theatre in Long Beach. For tickets, call (562) 436-4610 or visit www.InternationalCityTheatre.org.

“West Side Story” Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet are transported to modern-day New York City, caught between warring street gangs, the Jets and the Sharks.

                  Written by Arthur Laurents, with music by Leonard Bernstein, lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and directed by Richard Israel, it runs April 21 through May 14 at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts in La Mirada. For tickets, call (562) 944-9801 or visit www.lamiradatheatre.com.

“Dr. Du Bois and Miss Ovington” Dr. Du Bois is intent on resigning from the NAACP, infuriated by the condescension and opposition he has received from white board members of the organization.

                  Written by Clare Coss and directed by Ben Guillory, it runs April 22 through May 21 at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in Los Angeles. For tickets, call (213) 489-7402 or visit www.robeytheatrecompany.org.

“The Hero Within” brings veterans’ personal stories to life through an artistic journey that gives voice to the difficulty of transitioning from the war zone back into society.

                  Directed by Greg Shane, it runs April 22 through April 23 at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts in Beverly Hills. For tickets, visit www.TheWallis.org/Hero.

“Sylvia” Greg and Kate are empty-nesters in the big city. On a walk in the park, Greg is adopted by Sylvia, a bouncy, frisky poodle mix.

                  Written by A.R. Gurney and directed by Stephanie A. Coltrin, it runs April 22 through May 7 at the Rubicon Theatre in Ventura. For tickets, call (805) 667-2900 or visit www.rubicontheatre.org.

“I’m Not Famous – a Musical Journey with Barbara Minkus” Join us for a funny, poignant and powerful evening of theatre as star Barbara Minkus shares private moments.

                  Written by Barbara Minkus, with music by Ron Barnett, and directed by Susan Morgenstern, it runs April 23 through May 28 at the Santa Monica Playhouse in Santa Monica. For tickets, call (310) 394-9779 Ext. 1 or visit www.SantaMonicaPlayhouse.com/im-not-famous.html.

“King of the Road: The Roger Miller Story” Roger Miller is forced to face his demons, confront his self-destructive tendencies and to finally accept love in this world premiere musical!

                  Written by Cort Casady and Mary Arnold Miller, with music by Roger Miller and directed by Andrew Barnicle, it runs April 23 through May 14 at the Laguna Playhouse in Laguna. For tickets, call (949) 497-2787 or visit www.lagunaplayhouse.com.

“My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish & I’m in Therapy!” Described as “one part lasagna, one part kreplach, and two parts Prozac,” you don’t have to be Jewish or Italian to appreciate this show.

                  Written by Steve Solomon, it runs April 26 through June 25 at the Colony Theatre in Burbank. For tickets, call (855) 448-7469 or visit www.PlayhouseInfo.com.

“The Foreigner” unfolds at a fishing lodge in rural Georgia often visited by “Froggy” LeSueur, a British demolition expert who occasionally runs training sessions at a nearby army base.

                  Written by Larry Shue and directed by Sarah Gurfield, it runs April 28 through May 20 at the Miles Memorial Playhouse in Santa Monica. For tickets, call (844) 486-2844 or visit www.santamonicarep.org.

“Kiss” Two couples meet for dinner to take their minds off the war raging around them.

                  Written by Guillermo Calderón and directed by Bart DeLorenzo, it runs April 29 through June 18 at the Odyssey Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets, call (310) 477-2055 Ext. 2 or visit www.OdysseyTheatre.com.

         CONTINUING        

“The Complete History of Comedy (abridged)” From the high-brow to the low, this fast-paced ride covers comedy through the ages, from Aristophanes to Shakespeare, Moliere to vaudeville, Charlie Chaplin to The Daily Show.

                  Written by Reed Martin and Austin Tichenor, and directed by Jerry Kernion, it runs through April 23 at the Falcon Theatre in Burbank. For tickets, call (818) 955-8101 or visit www.falcontheatre.com.

“The Inventor and The Escort” What starts as a routine “trick” ends up with Jeffrey and Julia helping each other uncover what led them to be who they are.

                  Written and directed by Matt Morillo, it runs through April 23 at the Lounge Theatre in Hollywood. For tickets, call (323) 960-4443 or visit www.kadm.com.

“Roar” is a passionate tribute to protest, as expressed through the voices of artists who’ve raised their voices to challenge authority through song.

                  Directed by Antonia Bogdanovich, it runs through May 7 at the Crown City Theatre Company in North Hollywood. For tickets, call (818) 605-5685 or visit www.crowncitytheatre.com.

“Red Helen” rules her three grown daughters with a powerful fist. As her daughters try their best to break free, Helen pulls out all the stops to keep them in her grip.

                  Written by Jennifer Barclay and directed by Bill Voorhees, it runs through May 20 at the Theatre of NOTE in Hollywood. For tickets, call (323) 856-8611 or visit www.theatreofnote.com.

Enjoy Easter and all that comes with it by seeing a show today!