Kres Mersky in "Einstein." Photo by Paul Gersten.

Actor Lloyd Bridges, profusely thanked by son Jeff on a recent occasion televised throughout the world, is recalled as a “perfectionist” and a “taskmaster” by son Beau and granddaughter Emily at the outset of “Acting: The First Six Lessons.” Lloyd is in a sense the progenitor of the show—at Theatre West through May 16—adapted by Beau and Emily Bridges from the book by Russian acting teacher-director Richard Boleslavsky, which Lloyd gave Beau and Jeff as children and Beau has passed on to Emily and her siblings.

“Acting” is a delightful entertainment, if not a fully-fledged play, suffused with lessons in the art of life as well as theatre. Emily’s style of acting differs markedly from her dad’s more naturalistic approach; she overplays everything, whether it’s a dialog between student (herself) and teacher (Beau) or a scene from “Hamlet.” But her hilarious caricature of the girl’s aunt—in a scene where Beau shrewdly demonstrates the art of observation over a cup of tea—hints at a comedic talent not otherwise tapped by this show.

“The Life and Times of A. Einstein,” playing in repertory with the Bridges two-hander at Theatre West through May 16, is also an acting lesson of sorts. Young actors and wannabes around town are advised to catch Kres Mersky in her clever and consistently amusing one-woman show; the actress-playwright has made solo performance something of a specialty, and “Einstein” is almost a master class.

We get to know the famed scientist in a way we’ve never imagined through his secretary, Ellen (Mersky), who greets the audience as reporters gathered for a press conference. The professor is due shortly, we’re told, detained by a symposium being held in his honor. He never does arrive, but no matter; we’re royally entertained and enlightened by the gatekeeper, who reveals more about “the greatest mind that ever lived” than he could himself, and even takes a stab at explaining the theory of relativity. Call 323-851-7977 for both shows.

Hot tip: Herbert Siguenza’s one-man “A Weekend with Pablo Picasso,” a constant surprise that depicts a heretofore unknown side of the maestro, has been held over at San Diego Repertory Theatre through April 18. Trust me, it’s worth the shlep. Call 619-544-1000.

More from Jordan:

Plenty to ponder in Lisa Kron’s ‘Wake’ at Kirk Douglas Theatre
Julia Cho’s ‘Language Archive’ opens Playwrights Fest at South Coast Rep
‘Rent’ dazzles at Fullerton’s Maverick Theater
Shen Wei Dance leads latest Chinese invasion at OCPAC, Bowers Museum

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