Here are the Five Must-See events This Weekend in LA:
Nico Muhly’s “Register” World Premiere – Walt Disney Concert Hall
February 23-25
36-year-old composer Nico Muhly was commissioned by the LA Philharmonic to write a concerto that takes full advantage of the mighty organ at Walt Disney Concert Hall. The result, Register, has its world premiere tonight with two additional performances on Saturday and Sunday. All three concerts will include Mussorgsky’s Pictures at an Exhibition. Friday’s show, part of the “Casual Fridays” series does not include Ravel’s Le Tombeau de Couperin. James Conlon conducts the three concerts. To learn more about Register, check out our interview with Muhly here.
For an example of Muhly’s work for the organ, here’s a video of The Revd Mustard his Installation Prelude:
The Flying Lovers of Vitebsk – The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
February 23-March 11
England’s Kneehigh Theatre brings this highly theatrical portrayal of the life of painter Marc Chagall and his wife Bella. Through the use of color and imagery mirroring the master painter’s work and music from the Russian Jewish history, this show offers many of the same delights found in other Kneehigh projects such as their Brief Encounter and Tristan and Yseult. Marc Antolin plays Marc Chagall and Daisy Maywood plays Bella. The show was written by Daniel Jamieson and directed by Emma Rice.
Bob Baker Day – Bob Baker Marionette Theatre
February 24
If you’ve never been to the Bob Baker Marionette Theatre then you are missing out on one of the jewels of Los Angeles. The master puppeteer passed away several years ago, but the legacy of his work is celebrated every day at the theatre that bears his name. This all-day festival will include presentations inside his magical theatre and also in and around the grounds nearby. The event begins at 10 AM with a puppet procession opening ceremony. The grand marshal is DJ Lance Rock of Yo Gabba Gabba! OK Go’s Tim Nordwind will be doing an DJ set. There are also plenty of games, displays and more available and it is all free. Regularly scheduled performances will take place in the theatre (those five shows are ticketed at $10; two of the performances are already sold out.)
For the Record Presents Shoshana Bean – The Theatre at the Ace Hotel
February 24
There are massive roles in musical theatre for women. Amongst them are “Elphaba” in Wicked and “Fanny Brice” in Funny Girl. Singer Shoshana Bean has performed both. Her massive voice with the ability to be as soft as a feather and as soulful as a woman in church served both projects well. Bean showcases the full range of her vocal abilities with her new CD, Spectrum. This is a different project for Bean and finds her backed by an 18-piece big band. On Saturday night she will be celebrating the release of Spectrum with a concert at the Theatre at the Ace Hotel. She will be joined by the 18-piece band and by special guest Amber Riley (Glee, Dreamgirls.) For Shoshana Bean’s thoughts on the project and this concert, check out our interview with her here.
And take a look at this cover Shoshana Bean and Tony Award winner Cynthia Erivo did of Taylor Swift’s “I Did Something Bad” that Swift loved!
Stepping Out – The Soraya at Valley Performing Arts Center
February 25
The Dublin Irish Dance Company presents a story of immigrants through dance and music. In a time when the subject of immigration is one of the pressing issues of our day, this show reminds us that the American Dream has long held sway for countless generations. Through the music and dance of Ireland, Stepping Out tells the story of people leaving famine behind in their native land, crossing the Atlantic and going to a land of opportunity.