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MET Theatre (Map; 323-957-1152; www.themettheatre.com; 1089 N Oxford Ave, Hollywood; ) It never hurts to have friends in high places. Holly Hunter and Ed Harris have strutted their stuff on the MET’s stage and other Hollywood bigwigs – from Dustin Hoffman to Angelina Jolie – have funneled in some cash. The fare here runs from edgy to traditional and has included the premiere of Sam Shepard’s Curse of the Starving Class.

Odyssey Theatre (off Map; 310-477-2055; www.odysseytheatre.com; 2055 S Sepulveda Blvd, near Westwood; ) This well-respected ensemble presents new work, updates the classics and develops its own plays in a ho-hum space of three 99-seat theaters under one roof. Every few years, British enfant terrible Steven Berkoff makes audiences laugh and cringe with his latest provocative one-man play.

Open Fist Theater (Map; 323-882-6912; www.openfist.org; 6209 Santa Monica Blvd, Hollywood) The name is supposed to reflect the ensemble’s mission of keeping an open mind while pushing hard for social change. Sure. In any case, they’re pretty good at finding relevance for today’s mad mad world both in new plays and classics by such Euro writers as Brecht and Antoine de Saint-Exupéry.

Edgemar Center for the Arts (Map; 310-399-3666; www.edgemarcenter.org; 2437 Main St, Santa Monica) There are two stages and a gallery, but more than just being a passive venue, the Edgemar provides a platform for cross-over collaborations between playwrights, musicians, actors, dancers and performance artists and, through its acting school, also sees itself as a nurturing ground for the next generation of thespians.

Highways Performance Space & Gallery (Map; 310-315-1459; www.highwaysperformance.org; 1651 18th St, Santa Monica) Provocative and experimental performance art is what socially progressive artists cook up in this cutting-edge lab of creativity. This results in a multicultural, all-embracing mosaic of cabaret, music, readings, dance recitals, mixed-media shows and plays that continually push the envelope of expression.

Deaf West Theatre (Map; 818-762-2773; www.deafwest.org; 5112 Lankershim Blvd, North Hollywood) Deaf West, founded in 1991, was the first professional sign-language theater west of the Mississippi. Its three plays per season draw from the classics, adaptations and original works. All performances are in sign language with voice interpretation and/or supertitles.

Comedy

On any given night, famous and up-and-coming stand-up comics are polishing their chops in LA comedy clubs. The legendary clubs on the Sunset Strip still draw headliners but also command up to $20 for admission, plus dinner or a drink minimum. If that’s not at all funny to you, you’ll also find fine laughs at smaller, edgier and cheaper venues all over town. Largo also hosts comedy nights.

Upright Citizens Brigade (Map; 323-908-8702; www.ucbtheatre.com; 5919 Franklin Ave, Hollywood; ) Quality comedy for free? Get outta here! Nope, it’s true. Founded in New York by Saturday Night Live alumni Amy Poehler, Ian Roberts and others, this sketch-comedy group cloned itself in Hollywood in 2005 and now delivers an assembly line of yucks during several shows nightly. Most are $5 or $8 but Sunday’s ‘Asssscat’ is freeeee.

Acme Comedy Theater (Map; 323-525-0202; 135 N La Brea Ave, Mid-City; ) Three sketch-comedy and three improv companies magically spin everyday material into comedy gold at this recently renovated, high-tech space that counts Alex Borstein and Fred Goss among its alumni.

Comedy & Magic Club (Map; 310-372-1193; www.comedyandmagicclub.com; 1018 Hermosa Ave, Hermosa Beach; ) Carlin, Romano, Seinfeld – his puffy shirt is on display – have all paced the boards at this Hermosa Beach club. For big names, get here before 6pm to nab a good table and be ready to share your job or hometown to the ever-inquisitive opening acts. Always hot is Jay Leno, who tests out jokes most Sunday nights. Over 18s only.

Downtown Comedy Club (Map; 213-514-5345; www.downtowncomedyclub.com;