Curtain call

Little things mean a lot: Playwright David Ives has the most fun when he’s giving you lots of looks at once. First, there was All in the Timing, his very successful collection of six one-acts. Time Flies, his second such effort, lacks its predecessor’s stream-of-consciousness humor, but New Village Arts and director Joshua Everett Johnson bring out its best. Johnson gives an excellent turn as artist Edgar Degas in Degas C’est Moi, and Rachael VanWormer is a hoot in Soap Opera as the washing machine, to whom a repairman (Adam Brick) has become unduly attached. The show runs through Aug. 16 at New Village Arts Theatre, 2787 State St. in Carlsbad. $20. 760-433-3245, www.newvillagearts.org.

Opening

Shopping and Fucking: If you killed someone, what would it feel like? Produced by Triad Productions, it’s in previews Aug. 13 and opens Aug. 15 at Compass Theatre, 3704 Sixth Ave. in Hillcrest. $10-$23. 619-688-9210, www.compasstheatre.com.

Now playing

Coriolanus: A great military leader can’t seem to stomach the idea of popular rule and pays the ultimate price for his betrayal of Rome. Through Sept. 27 at The Old Globe’s Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. $29-$56. www.oldglobe.org.

Cyrano de Bergerac: Cyrano, his huge nose notwithstanding, wins Roxane’s heart through a visit from fate. Through Sept. 27 at The Old Globe’s Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. $29-$56. www.oldglobe.org.

Herringbone: A boy’s penchant for tap dancing leads to a battle for his heart and mind. Through Aug. 30 at La Jolla Playhouse’s Potiker Theatre, 2910 La Jolla Village Drive. $30-$65. 858-550-1010, www.lajollaplayhouse.org. See our review on this page.

*Noises Off: Everything snowballs out of control as a theater company tries to cast, rehearse and perform a new play. Through Aug. 23 at Cygnet Theatre Company, 4040 Twiggs St. in Old Town. $38-$42. www.cygnettheatre.com.

Twelfth Night: A secret love and some false bravado make Malvolio’s life suck, but it all works out. Through Sept. 27 at The Old Globe’s Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. $29-$56. www.oldglobe.org.

*The First Wives Club: Three women take their heartache out on their cheating men and launch a memorial to a dead friend in the process. Through Aug. 30 at The Old Globe Theatre mainstage, 1363 Old Globe Way in Balboa Park. $55-$81. 619-23-GLOBE www.oldglobe.org.

The Mystery of Irma Vep: A brand-new husband is haunted by the spirit of his deceased first wife, and something’s prowling the grounds of his home. Through Sept. 6 at the Old Globe’s arena stage, 1450 El Prado in Balboa Park. $29-$56. 619-23-GLOBE, www.oldglobe.org.

*Wicked: The pre-Wizard of Oz witches cultivated a love-hate relationship to end ’em all. Through Aug. 30 at the Civic Theatre, 1100 Third Ave., Downtown. $30-$140. 619-570-1100, www.broadwaysd.com.