By Steve ZALL and Sid FISH

It’s time once again for that giant bunny to come hopping around to everyone’s house bringing treasured gifts of Easter eggs and other goodies, and it’s also time for these:

OPENING

“Dear Ruth”– During WWII, a young girl carries on a romantic correspondence with an overseas soldier while signing the name of her unwitting older sister. The soldier returns to find that his pen pal is already engaged to another guy! After a series of lively complications and plot twists, the older sister has to choose whom to marry. Charming and delightful! You will love this hilarious comedy! Written by Norman Krasna, and directed by George Stratton, it runs April 3 through May 9 at the Glendale Centre Theatre in Glendale. For tickets call 818-244-8481 or visit www.glendalecentretheatre.com.

“Carney Magic”– This is much more than a magic show and much more amazing than any play. Pin balling between jaunty comedic riffs, multiple characters, and mind-boggling sleight of hand, John Carney leads the audience through an exploration of the importance of wonder and imagination in our lives. His approach is smart, engaging, and often hilarious. Written and directed by John Carney, it runs April 5 through April 26 at the Grove Theater Center in Burbank. For tickets call 800-838-3006 or visit www.gtc.org.

“The Discord Altar”– David has died, succumbing to the ravages that his addictions had wreaked upon his health. A brilliant voice teacher, during his life on the skids, his students were a small group of homeless young people. Now they have gathered to memorialize him. They’re joined by one of their number who escaped poverty and went on to achieve a successful career in the mainstream; and also by David’s embittered daughter, who considers that he abandoned his family. Needless to say, not all members of the assemblage have similar memories of David. Written by Meghan Brown, with music by Ann Baltz, and directed by Amanda McRaven, it runs April 10 through May 3 at the Secret Rose Theatre in North Hollywood. For tickets call 818-898-9597 or visit www.operaworks.org/asap.

“I and You”– On the night before a class assignment is due, Caroline and Anthony plumb the mysteries of a Whitman poem…unaware that a much deeper mystery has brought them together. Written by Lauren Gunderson, and directed by Robin Larsen, it runs April 11 through June 14 at the Fountain Theatre in Los Angeles. For tickets call 323-663-1525 or visit www.FountainTheatre.com.

“Recorded in Hollywood”– The fascinating true story of black businessman, record label owner and music producer John Dolphin. In 1948, a decade before Motown, he opened his world-famous Dolphin’s of Hollywood record shop in South Los Angeles, but his contributions to music and the formative years of rock ’n’ roll have often been overlooked. Based on the book “Recorded In Hollywood: The John Dolphin Story,” this new musical features 16 original songs to match the musical era of the 1950s, as well as hit cover songs associated with the story. Written by Matt Donnelly and Jamelle Dolphin, with music by Andy Cooper, and directed by Denise Dowse, it runs April 11 through May 17 at the Lillian Theatre in Hollywood. For tickets call 323-960-4443 or visit www.RecordedInHollywood.com.

“Mr. Wolf”– The universe is vast, but 15-year-old Theresa seeks to understand how and why it came to be. Her guide in that quest is a man named Mr. Wolf. But when we meet her, the only life she has ever known is coming to an end. When the center of her world disappears, she must come to terms with how to find her place in it. Written by Rajiv Joseph, and directed by David Emmes, it runs April 12 through May 3 at the South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa. For tickets call 714-708-5555 or visit www.scr.org.

“Guys and Dolls”– This musical introduces audiences to a cast of characters who have become legends in the musical theater world: Sarah Brown, the upright but uptight “mission doll,” out to reform the evil-doers of Times Square; Sky Masterson, the slick, high-rolling gambler who woos her on a bet to Cuba and ends up falling in love; Adelaide, the chronically ill nightclub performer whose condition is brought on by the fact she’s been engaged to the same man for 14 years; and Nathan Detroit, her devoted fiancé, desperate as always to find a spot for his infamous floating crap game. Written by Joe Swerling and Abe Burrows, with music by Frank Loesser, it runs April 14 through April 19 at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa. For tickets call 714-556-2787 or visit www.SCFTA.org.

Steve Zall and Sid Fish of Scene in L.A. know a lot about L.A. theatre and are ready to share with CV Weekly readers. You can read more at CVWeekly.com/LEISURE.

  Sid FISH, Steve ZALL