This fall, let your mind wander
‘Turn Me Loose’
“Scandal” actor Joe Morton stars in this drama (critically praised off-Broadway) about the life of comic trailblazer and civil rights activist Dick Gregory. If you missed our Sept. 10 feature on Morton, search latimes.com for “Joe Morton in Turn Me Loose.” Performances run Friday-Nov. 12 at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Beverly Hills. (310) 746-4000, www.thewallis.org — Charles McNulty
‘Gem of the Ocean’
This is the first in August Wilson’s 10-play series exploring 20th century African American life decade by decade. Set in Pittsburgh in 1904, “Gem of the Ocean” brings us face to face with Aunt Ester, a 285-year-old healer of souls, who helps a man migrating from the South unshackle himself from the guilt of his past. Performances are Saturday-Nov. 11 at South Coast Repertory, Costa Mesa. (714) 708-5555, www.scr.org — Charles McNulty
‘L’Etat de Siege’
Theatre de la Ville, which brought Eugene Ionesco’s “Rhinoceros” to UCLA’s Royce Hall in 2012, is back with an Albert Camus play whose title translates to “The State of Siege.” This piece, brought to us by the Center for the Art of Performance, shares some common ground with Camus’ novel “The Plague” and is a cautionary tale about fear and fascism. It’s Oct. 26-27 at Royce Hall, Westwood. (310) 825-2101, www.cap.ucla.edu — Charles McNulty
‘Mateluna’ ‘Playing With Fires’
Author and curator Josh Kun has organized a music series exploring the connection of Latin American composers, musicians and performers. On Oct. 18 the series shifts to a set by Chicano Batman at LACMA inspired by the work of painter Carlos Almaraz. tidewasalwayshigh.com — Carolina Miranda