SoCal arts & culture, Oct. 23-29: Tiler Peck, Pat Metheny, 'Raisin in the Sun' and more
SoCal arts & culture, Oct. 23-29: Tiler Peck, Pat Metheny, 'Raisin in the Sun' and more
Theater, classical, dance, jazz, pop, poetry, comedy, museums, kid's stuff and more for L.A. and O.C.
Welcome to a new installment of the TV or Not TV? newsletter for arts, culture and entertainment across for Southern California. All the world’s a stage and I am merely Matt Cooper, former listings coordinator for arts and entertainment at the Los Angeles Times.
The curtain rises…
THEATER
Opening this week…
‘Lewis and Tolkien’ “Chronicles of Narnia” author C.S. Lewis and “Lord of the Rings’’” J.R.R. Tolkien bend an elbow down at the local pub in this new drama by Dean Batali. Actors Co-op Theatre Company, Crossley Theater, First Presbyterian Church, 1760 N. Gower St., Hollywood. 7:30 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2:30 p.m. Sundays, other dates, Oct. 27 through Dec. 3. $25-$35. (323) 462-8460. ActorsCo-op.org
‘Jungle Book reimagined’ Mowgli and his animal pals return as Akram Khan Company updates the classic Rudyard Kipling tale in this new multimedia-enhanced production; for ages 8 and older. The Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 26-27; 4 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 28. $65-$100. 310.434.3200. broadstage.org
‘A Raisin in the Sun’ A Black family on the South Side of Chicago struggles to improve their lot in life in a revival of Lorraine Hansberry’s classic 1959 drama. South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 7:45 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays, 2 and 7:45 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 27 through Nov. 12. (714) 708-5555. scr.org
‘Spring Awakening’ East West Players stages the Tony-winning coming-of-age rock musical with book & lyrics by Steven Sater and music by Duncan Sheik. David Henry Hwang Theater, Union Center of the Arts, 120 Judge John Aiso St., Little Tokyo, downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 5 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 29 through Nov. 19. $39-$69; pay what you can, 8 p.m. Monday, Nov. 6. (213) 625-7000. eastwestplayers.org
Continuing…
‘Ain’t Too Proud: The Life and Times of the Temptations’ The hit Broadway musical about the legendary Motown group returns. Segerstrom Center’s Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 7:30 p.m. Tuesdays-Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 6:30 p.m., October 17 through 29. $29-$119. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org
‘The Angel Next Door’ Assorted characters come together at a Newport mansion in 1948 in this new rom-com from Paul Slade Smith. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Drive, Laguna Beach. Opening night, 5:30 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 22; 7:30 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturdays, 1 and 5:30 p.m. Sundays; also 2 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26, and 7:30 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 31 at 7:30 p.m.; no 5:30 p.m. performance Sunday, Nov. 5. $45-$84. (949) 497-2787. lagunaplayhouse.com
‘Baby Foot’ Two troubled people make a connection in rehab in the West Coast premiere of Tim Venable’s drama. Rogue Machine, Matrix Theatre, 7657 Melrose Ave., L.A. 7 p.m. Fridays, 5 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays, 8 p.m. Mondays, through Nov. 20; dark Oct. 30. $20-$35; pay what you can Fridays, Oct 27 ($15 and up), Nov. 3, 10, 17 ($20 and up). (855) 585-5185. roguemachinetheatre.org
‘Befok (or the Desperate Attempt to Impress Iñárritu)’ A 30-something aspiring actress from South Africa dreams of working with the famed Mexican filmmaker in this solo show from writer-performer Asta Leigh. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A. 8 p.m. Thursday-Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 19-Nov. 5. $30. (310) 477-2055. OdysseyTheatre.com
‘The BFF: Binge Fringe Festival of Free Theatre’ Comedies, dramas, solo shows, standup, etc. plus workshops, family friendly offerings and more. Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. Various times, Oct. 17 through Nov. 19. Free; reservations required. santamonicaplayhouse.com
‘Cindy & The Disco Ball: The Musical’ A 1970s teen rallies her classmates to help save her high school’s arts program in this throwback musical comedy. Garry Marshall Theatre, 4252 W. Riverside Drive, Burbank. 7 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 7 p.m. Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sunday through Oct. 29. $40-$76. (818) 955-8101. garrymarshalltheatre.org
‘Deathtrap’ A famous playwright in desperate need of a hit considers stealing the work of a former student in Ira Levin’s classic comedy thriller. International City Theatre, 330 E. Seaside Way, Long Beach. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 20 through Nov. 5. $49-$55. (562) 436-4610. InternationalCityTheatre.org
‘The Engagement Party’ A couple’s intimate celebration at their posh Manhattan apartment takes an unexpected turn in the West Coast premiere of Samuel Baum’s drama. Geffen Playhouse, Gil Cates Theater, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood. 8 p.m. Wednesdays-Fridays, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 and 7 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 12 through Nov. 5. $30-$129. geffenplayhouse.org
‘Fear of Heights’ An Irish American youngster dreams of escaping NYC for a showbiz career in Hollywood in the West Coast premiere of Kevin Flynn’s autobiographical solo show. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 4 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 12 through 29. $30. (310) 477-2055. odysseytheatre.com
‘Lottie Plachett Took a Hatchet’ An alleged 19th century axe murderess has her day in court in this campy comedy written by Justin Elizabeth Sayre; recommended for ages 16 and older only, with advisories for sexual language, incest; co-presented by Jessica Hanna. Los Angeles LGBT Center, 1118 N. McCadden Place, Hollywood. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays-Mondays, Oct. 13 through 31. $30, $40. lottieplachett.com
‘Love Among the Ruins’ JoBeth Williams and Peter Strauss play the leads in this rom-com adapted from a 1970s-era TV movie that starred Katharine Hepburn and Laurence Olivier. El Portal Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. 5 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 8; also 2 and 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays, 7:30 p.m. Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 1:30 and 6:30 p.m. Sundays, through Nov. 5. $29-$125. (818) 508-4200. elportaltheatre.com
‘Love, Sex, and Misery’ The ins and outs of human relationships are explored in a series of short plays by Jeff Gould and Jake Gould; contains mature themes. 905 Cole Theatre, 905 N. Cole Ave., Hollywood. 8 p.m. Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 21 through Dec. 10; dark Thanksgiving weekend. $40. onstage411.com
‘Methusalem or The Eternal Bourgeois’ The Actors’ Gang revisits their 1985 staging of Ivan Goll’s 1920s-era German Expressionist fable. The Actors’ Gang Theater, 9070 Venice Blvd., Culver City. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Fridays, 9 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 21 through Dec. 16. $25, $34.99; pay what you can, Thursdays beginning Oct. 26. (310) 838-4264. theactorsgang.com
‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’ The course of true love does not run smooth in this rollicking new staging of Shakespeare’s sylvan fantasy. A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. 8 p.m. Fridays, 2 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 14 through Nov. 12. $29 and up; students, $18 and up. (626) 356-3100. anoisewithin.org
‘Monster’ A woman does battle with her demons in this new fable from April Littlejohn. Loft Ensemble, 11031 Camarillo St., North Hollywood. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 20 through Nov. 12. Donate what you want. (818) 452-3153. loftensemble.org
‘Mother of the Year: The Kris Jenner Musical’ The matriarch of reality TV’s Kardashian clan comes in for a spoofing in this new bio-musical from writer-performer Ryan Raftery. Bourbon Room, 6356 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 8 p.m. Thursday-Friday, Oct. 19-20. $55, $75. bourbonroomhollywood.com
‘Outrage’ An acting teacher finds himself on the wrong side of cancel culture in this new drama from Allen Barton. Beverly Hills Playhouse, 254 South Robertson Blvd., Beverly Hills. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 7 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 20 though Nov. 12 $15, $35. (323) 657-5992. crimsonsquare.org
‘Quixote Nuevo’ Acclaimed playwright Octavio Solis puts a contemporary spin on the 17th-century tale of Cervantes’ knight errant “Don Quixote” in this Southern California premiere. Herbert Siguenza of Culture Clash stars. South Coast Repertory, Segerstrom Stage, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 7:30 p.m. Wednesdays-Thursdays, 8 p.m. Fridays, 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, through Oct. 28. $29 to $105. scr.org
‘Rent: The Musical’ Young artistic types eke out an existence on New York's Lower East Side in Jonathan Larson’s hit musical inspired by the classic Puccini opera “La Boheme.” Long Beach Playhouse Studio, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach. 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 14 through Nov. 13. $20-$30. (562) 494-1014. lbplayhouse.org
‘Romeo and Juliet — Love is a Fire’ Shakespeare’s tragic tale of the young star-crossed lovers is re-imagined in this new adaptation from Neno Pervan; co-presented by Il Doce Theatre Company. Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 14 to Nov. 18. $25; discounts available. (310) 394-9779. santamonicaplayhouse.com
‘Sea of Terror’ Anxiety rises for a couple hosting friends for a casual get-together in this comedy from Sam Catlin. Hudson Mainstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 3 p.m. Sundays, through Oct. 29; no performances Oct. 13-15. $45 and up. (323) 856-4249. onstage411.com
‘She’ A Black teen tries to escape small-town life in this inspirational new coming-of-age drama from Marlo Wyatt. Antaeus Theatre Company, 110 E. Broadway, Glendale. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, 8 p.m. Mondays, Oct. 20 through Nov. 20; also 8 p.m. Thursdays, Nov. 9 and Nov. 16 and 2 p.m. Saturdays; no performance Oct. 23. $40. (818) 506-1983. antaeus.org
‘Slow Thunder’ A New Orleans woman, her sometime beau and two other friends converge in New Orleans in this dark drama from Suse Sternkopf. The Emerson, Theatre 68 Arts Complex, 5112 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, 2 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 19 through Nov. 12. $32, $39. tickettailor.com
‘The Sound of Music’ A young woman in pre-WWII Austria becomes governess to a widower’s large brood in Musical Theatre West’s staging of the Rodgers & Hammerstein classic. Dirndls and lederhosen encouraged! Carpenter Center, 6200 E. Atherton Street, Long Beach. 8 p.m. Fridays-Saturdays, Oct. 20-21 and 27 and Nov. 3; 1 p.m. Sundays, Oct. 22 and Nov. 5; through Nov. 5. $20 and up; student rush, $15. musical.org
MUSIC
Classical & Opera…
Marina Grozdanovic The pianist performs a free concert of works by Debussy, Chopin, Couperin and Rameau. The Edye at the Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. 11:15 a.m. Tuesday, Oct. 26. smc.edu
‘Modeling Sound: An Evening with Frank Gehry and Esa-Pekka Salonen’ The superstar architect joins the LA Phil conductor laureate, the LA Phil New Music Group and others for an evening of music and conversation. Presented without intermission. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand. Ave. downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Tuesday, Oct. 24. laphil.com
Solidarity for Israel Concert Performers from iPalpiti’s stable of rising classical artists present a program of works by Jewish composers in this benefit. Private residence, address given to ticket holders, Bel Air. 8 p.m. Thursday, Oct. 26. $100 minimum donation. ipalpiti.org
‘Girondines’ Mission Opera will present the West Coast premiere of Sarah Van Sciver’s new opera based on the true stories of six women who had parts to play in the French Revolution; contains mature subject matter; not recommended for children 12 and younger. Canyon High School Performing Arts Center, 19300 Nadal St., Santa Clarita. 3 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 28-29. $25-$60. MissionOpera.com
‘An Alpine Symphony with Salonen’ The conductor leads the LA Phil in Richard Strauss’ tone poem. The program also includes the world premiere of a new Salonen work, plus “Shrink” by Nico Muhly. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand. Ave., downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Friday, Oct. 27, 2 p.m. Saturday-Sunday, Oct. 28-29. $20-$199. laphil.com
‘The Barber of Seville’ That rapscallion Figaro is up to his old tricks in LA Opera’s presentation of Rossini’s classic rom-com. With baritone Joshua Hopkins. Sung in Italian with English supertitles. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 2 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29; 7:30 p.m. Thursday and Saturday, Nov. 2 and 4; 7:30 p.m. Thursday, Nov. 9; 2 p.m. Sunday, Nov. 12. $24 and up. laopera.org
‘Mozart with Stephen Kovacevich’ The pianist joins Carl St.Clair and Pacific Symphony for a program that includes Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 24 and Symphony No. 40. Soka Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo. 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29. $40.50-$95. pacificsymphony.org
Jazz, pop, folk and more…
Angel City Jazz Festival The two-week, city-wide showcase continues and concludes at assorted area venues. Performers include the Todd Cochran Trio, the Mat Maneri Quartet and Billy Mohler Quartet. Various times, Wednesday-Sunday, Oct. 25-29. $20, $25. angelcityjazz.com
Pacific Jazz Orchestra The ensemble opens its inaugural concert season with a little help from guest vocalist Ledisi and composer Ben Wendel. The Wallis, Bram Goldsmith Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. 7:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 27-28. (310) 746-4000. thewallis.org
‘An Evening in Tribute to Phyllis Hyman & Luther Vandross’ Ebony Repertory Theatre presents a salute to the two R&B greats in a program featuring vocalists Alyson Williams and Terry Steele. Nate Holden Performing Arts Center, 4718 W. Washington Blvd., L.A. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, Oct. 27-28. $50-$60. itsmyseat.com
Meklit Hadero’s Movement Live The Ethiopian American singer-songwriter performs an intimate, evening-length program exploring migration, cultural identity, and the concept of home. Presented by the Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA. The Nimoy, 1262 Westwood Blvd., Westwood. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. $32 and up. (310) 825-2101. cap.ucla.edu
The Commodores and The Spinners The latest iterations of these two classic 1970s R&B outfits play the hits. Cerritos Center, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. $54-$104. (562) 916-8500. cerritoscenter.com
Lisa Andrea Torres & The Brazz Jazz Quartet The vocalist sings favorites by legendary Brazilian artists including Antonio Carlos Jobim and Sergio Mendes plus a selection of standards from the Great American Songbook. The Little Victory Theatre, 3326 W. Victory Blvd, Burbank. 6 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. $30. backrhoadesproductions.com
Pat Metheny The shaggy haired giant of jazz guitar takes the stage alone for a generous helping of favorites from across his five-decade career. Presented by CAP UCLA. Royce Hall, UCLA, 10745 Dickson Court, Westwood. 7 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29. $39 and up. cap.ucla.edu
DANCE
‘Turn It Out with Tiler Peck and Friends Tour’ The superstar ballerina, actor and influencer shares the stage with fellow dancers from the New York City Ballet plus tap-dance diva Michelle Dorrance, et al. The Soraya, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. 8 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28; 3 p.m. Sunday, Oct. 29. $43-$119. (818) 677-3000. thesoraya.org
Also at Segerstrom Center’s Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 7:30 p.m. Nov. 4, 5 p.m. Nov. 5. $29 and up. scfta.org
American Contemporary Ballet’s ‘The Rite & Burlesque’ The L.A.-based company presents a new work from artistic director Lincoln Jones inspired by Stravinsky’s “The Rite of Spring.” The program also includes the company favorites “Burlesque” and “Variation VII'”; performance contains brief nudity. Two California Plaza, 350 S. Grand Ave., 28th Floor, downtown L.A. 8 p.m. Thursdays-Saturdays, through Oct. 28. $65-$140. acbdances.com
Cabaret Macabre Halloween Dancers strut their scantily-clad stuff in a spooky edition of this dark and twisted burlesque show directed and choreographed Brittany DeWeese; for ages 17 and older only. Zombie Joe’s Underground Theatre, 4850 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. 8:30 p.m. Saturdays-Sundays through Oct. 31. $22, $27. zombiejoes.com
MUSEUMS & ART
Opening this week…
‘Painting in the River of Angels: Judy Baca and The Great Wall’ The veteran L.A.-based Chicana muralist and artists from the Social and Public Art Resource Center work in-studio at LACMA, from Thursday, Oct. 26 through June 2nd, to create new panels to add to her monumental 1975 work along the Los Angeles River. Los Angeles County Museum of Art (LACMA), 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Closed Wednesdays. $10-$25; ages 2 and younger are free; L.A. County youth (17 and younger) and one guest, free; free after 3 p.m. weekdays for L.A. County residents with valid ID. (323) 857-6010. lacma.org
‘América Tropical: The Martyr Mural of Siqueiros’ The Getty presents a free screening of KCET’s new “Artbound” documentary heralding efforts to restore the Mexican social realist’s once-controversial 1932 mural on Olvera Street to its former glory. The Getty Center, N. Sepulveda Blvd. & Getty Center Drive, L.A. 3 p.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. Free; advance reservations required. (310) 440-7300. getty.edu
Continuing…
‘Benevolent Beings: Buddhas and Bodhisattvas from South and Southeast Asia’ Representations of protective deities in the Buddhist religion are explored in this exhibition on view Oct. 13 through Feb. 19. Norton Simon Museum, 411 W. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Closed Tuesdays-Wednesdays. $15, $20; member, students, active-duty military and ages 18 and younger are free. (626) 449-6840. nortonsimon.org
‘Made in L.A. 2023: Acts of Living’ More than three dozen local artists, collectives and organizations are spotlighted in this biennial exhibition, on view through Dec. 31. UCLA Hammer Museum, 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. Closed Mondays. Free. (310) 443-7000. hammer.ucla.edu
‘Reina de Los Angeles’ The Virgin of Guadalupe and local Mexican culture are celebrated in photographs on display Oct 19. through Feb. 11. Also on view: “Shaping Gravity,” featuring non-figurative works by seven contemporary artists (Oct. 19 through March 10). Forest Lawn Museum, 1712 S. Glendale Ave., Glendale. Open Tuesdays-Sundays. Free. forestlawn.com
‘Reclaimed: A Family Painting’ A decades-long effort to return a painting looted by the Nazis to its rightful owners is charted in this exhibition on view Oct. 19 through March 3. Also on view: “This Light of Ours: Activist Photographers of the Civil Rights Movement” (Oct. 21 through Feb. 25); and Yinka Shonibare’s immersive installation “The American Library” (Oct. 21 through Sept. 1). Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., L.A. Closed Monday. $7-$12; 2 and under, free; free on Thursdays. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org
‘Teddy Sandoval and the Butch Gardens School of Art’ The groundbreaking queer Chicano avant-garde artist, who died in 1995, is remembered with this exhibition on view Oct. 21 through Feb. 3. Also on view: the immersive installation “Yoshie Sakai: Grandma Entertainment Franchise” (Oct. 21 through Feb. 3). Vincent Price Art Museum (VPAM), East Los Angeles College, 1301 Avenida Cesar Chavez, Monterey Park. Open Wednesdays-Saturdays. Free. (323) 265-8841. vincentpriceartmuseum.org
‘William Blake: Visionary’ More than 100 works by the Romantic era poet, painter and printmaker are featured in this international loan exhibition on view Oct. 17 through Jan. 14. The Getty Center, N. Sepulveda Blvd. & Getty Center Drive, L.A. Closed Mondays. Free; advance reservations required. (310) 440-7300. getty.edu
KIDS & FAMILIES
‘Aladdin, the Princess and the Magic Lamp’ Storybook Theatre presents a kid-friendly take on the classic adventure from the Middle Eastern folktale collection “One Thousand and One Nights.” Theatre West, 3333 Cahuenga Blvd. W., L.A. 1 p.m. Saturdays, Oct. 7 through Jan. 13; no shows Dec. 23 and 30. $15. (323) 851-7977. theatrewest.org
‘Pumpkin Palooza’ This family-friendly festival returns for a second year with science demos, dance parties, bumper cars, trick-or-treating and more; now through Oct. 31. Discovery Cube Orange County, 2500 N. Main St., Santa Ana. Open daily. Regular museum admission: $17-$22. discoverycube.org
‘Wing on Wing’ The LA Phil’s Symphonies for Youth series of interactive concerts presents conductor laureate Esa-Pekka Salonen’s salute to superstar architect Frank Gehry. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111. S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. 11 a.m. Saturday, Oct. 28. $24, $28. laphil.com