If the Oscars aren’t your thing (and even if they are), here are some great options for culture this weekend in Los Angeles (March 2-4):
Phantom Thread with Live Score – The Theatre at the Ace Hotel
Friday, March 2nd (two shows, the first at 8 PM is sold out. The midnight show has availability)
Jonny Greenwood’s Oscar-nominated score for Paul Thomas Anderson’s also nominated film Phantom Thread will be performed live while the film is projected at the Theatre at the Ace Hotel. Nearly three-quarters of the film is scored by Greenwood. This is a ravishing and beautiful score. There are additional cues by Brahms, Schubert and others. Performing the score will be members of the London Contemporary Orchestra (the orchestra used to record the score.) Not only is this a great opportunity to hear this stunning score, it is also a great opportunity to catch Phantom Thread on the big screen – where it was truly meant to be seen.
Allegiance – Aratani Theatre
Now – April 1st
George Takei of Star Trek fame stars in this musical about the internment of Japanese Americans during World War II. As this reflects, in part, his own experiences, he has been a fierce advocate of this musical. He starred in the original production at the Old Globe in San Diego in 2012. He’s also taken the show to Broadway where it opened in 2015 for 111 performances. Jay Kuo wrote the music, lyrics and book and Marc Acito and Lorenzo Thione also wrote the book. Joining Takei in this production are Greg Watanabe, Elena Wang and Ethan Le Phong. Look for an interview with Takei next week here at Cultural Attaché.
A Trip to the Moon – LA Philharmonic at Walt Disney Concert Hall
Friday,March 2 and Saturday March 3rd
If you ever saw Martin Scorsese’s film Hugo, you might be familiar with Georges Méliès’ film A Trip to the Moon. It’s a delightful and innovative film from 1902. Composer Andrew Norman was commissioned by the LA Philharmonic to write this opera for the child in all of us inspired by the film. Yuval Sharon, the director behind this year’s War of the Worlds, directs this concertized production. Also on the bill is Gustav Holst’s The Planets.
Elīna Garanča – The Broad Stage
Saturday, March 3rd
This mezzo-soprano from Latvia offers up an evening of zarzuelas and arias from operas. Bizet’s Carmen is included in the announced program. Also included are such works as El Gato Montés and El Barquillero. Accompanying Garanca is a full orchestra under the baton of Karel Mark Chichon. This marks a return to the venue where she made her first US recital.
The Graduate – Laguna Playhouse
Official Opening March 4 – March 25
“Well here’s to you Mrs. Robinson, Melanie Griffith plays you in this show….whoa whoa whoa.” Mike Nichols won an Academy Award for directing Dustin Hoffman and Anne Bancroft in 1967’s The Graduate. He was also nominated for another Best Director Oscar for the film Working Girl. Melanie Griffith was nominated for her performance in the same film. And opening night is on Oscar Sunday. What concentric circles!
Griffith portrays the seductive Mrs. Robinson opposite Nick Tag as Benjamin Braddock. Adapting the book and screenplay for the stage is Terry Johnson. Michael Matthews directs.