Culture choices abound this weekend. Here are my picks as the best options:
A Little Night Music in Concert – Colony Theatre (Fri/Sat/Sun)
Any opportunity to hear this gorgeous score by Stephen Sondheim is a good one. The show, inspired by Ingmar Bergman’s film “Smiles of a Summer Night,” won six Tony Awards for it original production in 1973. The best known song from the show is “Send in the Clowns.”
Carmina Burana – LA Master Chorale at Walt Disney Concert Hall (Sat/Sun)
Tickets might be limited for the opening weekend of the LA Master Chorale 2017-2018 season. They kick things off with Leonard Bernstein’s Chichester Psalms and follow that with the immensely popular Carmina Burana by Carl Orff.
Opera at Expo Park/Opera at the Beach – Exposition Park/Santa Monica Pier (Saturday)
If going to the opera seems financially out of reach, LA Opera will be live simulcasting Saturday’s performance of Carmen at Exposition Park and the Pier in Santa Monica for free. This opera is filled with music you’ll instantly recognize. The performance begins at 7:00 PM. (For more information on Carmen, check out my interview with Ana María Martínez who plays the title character.)
Oleta Adams at Catalina Bar and Grill (Fri/Sat/Sun)
Oleta Adams rose to prominence by recording with Tears for Fears. She struck out on her own as a jazz/gospel/soul singer and pianist. She’s best known for her recording of “Get Here.” Earlier this year she released a new album called “Third Set.” The album features songs by Nina Simone, Joni Mitchell, Bob Dylan and also a song she wrote.
Sugar – Musical Theatre Guild at the Alex Theatre (Sun)
The classic Billy Wilder film Some Like It Hot was made into a musical in in 1971 and it was called Sugar. Musical Theatre Guild is presenting a one-night only performance of the show written by Funny Girl’s Jule Styne and Bob Merrill with Peter Stone (1776).