Here are the Five Shows You Need to See: This Weekend in LA (4/13-4/15)
Dudamel Conducts Salonen & Shostakovich – Walt Disney Concert Hall
April 13-15
During this LA Philharmonic season we’ve had the pleasure of hearing former music director Esa-Pekka Salonen conduct, amongst other things, his three concerti: one for piano, one for violin and one for cello. Now it is Gustavo Dudamel’s chance to conduct Salonen and he has the privilege of introducing a world premiere composition to the world with Pollux, a piece written specifically for the LA Phil. Also on the program is Varése’s Amériques. Closing out the program is Shostakovich’s 5th Symphony in D Minor. If this isn’t a perfect program for Dudamel, I don’t know what is. Also, Friday’s performance is a rare morning concert at 11 AM. The concerts on Saturday and Sunday are also matinees – they begin at 2 PM.
South Pacific – The Soraya (Valley Performing Arts Center)
April 13-15
It seems like Rodgers & Hammerstein are busting out all over. And as we discussed earlier this week with author Todd S. Purdum (Something Wonderful: Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Broadway Revolution), the most famous Broadway composers of all time are enjoying a renaissance with new productions that mine the topicality that, sadly, still resonates today. No better example can be found than in their musical South Pacific. The show won the Pulitzer for Drama in 1950 and is based on James Michener’s Tales of the South Pacific. This production, from McCoy Rigby Entertainment, stars Stephane Renee Wall as Nellie Forbush, John Cudia as Emile de Becque and Jodi Kimura as Bloody Mary. The show is directed by Glenn Casale. Next week it will move to the La Mirada Center for the Performing Arts.
Glass & Shankar – Pacific Symphony at Renée & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
April 13
The Pacific Symphony will be making its Carnegie Hall debut with this unique program of works by Philip Glass and Ravi Shankar. Before they travel to New York for that concert, local audiences will get a chance to hear them perform Glass’s Meeting along the Edge from Passages (based on a theme by Ravi Shankar), Shankar’s Sitar Concerto No. 3 (which will be performed by the legend’s daughter, Anoushka) and another work by Glass called The Passion of Ramakrishna. The latter piece involves vocal soloists, a chorus and a large orchestral configuration. None of these pieces are commonly played, so this is a great opportunity to hear work outside the usual programming. This is a must for fans of either Glass or Shankar.
Little Black Shadows – South Coast Rep
April 13-29
This is a world premiere production of a new play by Kemp Powers. Set in Georgia before the outbreak of the Civil War, two slaves (Toy & Collis) tend to a set of twins during the day. At night, they can live out their fantasies by sharing stories with one another (albeit from beneath their master’s beds and through a vent in the wall.) The twins’ father announces he has plans to move the family to Louisiana. How will Toy and Collis respond to this news and how will it change their lives? May Adrales directs. The cast features Giovanni Adams, Daniel Bellusci, Mark Doerr, Elyse Mirto, Chauntae Pink and Emily Yetter.
50th Anniversary Concert – Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra at The Mark Taper Forum
April 14th
To celebrate their golden anniversary, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra is holding an intimate concert where it all began – at the Mark Taper Forum in 1968. On the program are Derek Bermel’s Tag Rag, Mozart’s Clarinet Concerto in A major (featuring soloist Andrew Marriner), songs from Hollywood’s Golden Age (featuring Rumer Willis) and Prokofiev’s Symphony #1. Black tie is encouraged for this concert. You can also purchase tickets for the gala cocktail party and dinner. For information on how LACO began, check out our interview with co-founder James Arkatov who, at 98, is thrilled to be attending this celebration. In his own words, “I wouldn’t miss it.”