The 6 Shows You Should See: This Weekend in LA (4/20-4/22)

Here are the 6 shows you should see This Weekend in LA (4/20-4/22):

Laurie Anderson: All Things I Lost in the Flood – The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts

April 20

Performance artist Laurie Anderson brings his one-woman show to the Wallis Annenberg Center as part of the Library Foundation of Los Angeles’ ALOUD Present Program. During the course of the evening Anderson will take the audience through the trials, tribulations and successes and failures behind many of her creative endeavors through the years.

In addition to this appearance, Anderson has just released a new CD entitled Landfall. On the recording she collaborates with the Kronos Quartet.

Complexions Contemporary Ballet – Dorothy Chandler Pavilion

April 20-22

This two part program begins with a brand new work called Bach 25. It not only features the work of Johann Sebastian Bach, but in these performances in Los Angeles, the company will be joined by Complexions co-founder Desmond Richardson.  The second part of the program is Stardust a 43-minute “Ballet Tribute to David Bowie.” Both works were choreographed by Dwight Rhoden. We spoke to Rhoden about Bowie, Richardson and the work of Complexions. You can read that interview here.

Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre – Segerstrom Hall

April 20-22

Nine different works will be performed by the Alvin Ailey American Dance Theatre during their shows at the Segerstrom Hall in Costa Mesa. Amongst them are Stack-Up, Mass, Ella and In/Side. The choreographers represented include Alvin Ailey, Robert Battle, Talley Beatty, Twyla Tharp and Billy Wilson. The music includes works by David Byrne, Ella Fitzgerald, Earth Wind and Fire and Nina Simone.  We spoke with dancer Yannick Lebrun about his work with the company. You can read the interview here.

Belleville – Pasadena Playhouse

April 22 (official opening) – May 13

In Amy Herzog’s taut 90-minute play, an American couple living in Paris, newly married, finds their relationship is already starting to crack. Can the newlyweds withstand the pressures they are facing? Do they really know each other well? And what do they make of their neighbors who are also their landlords? Thomas Sadoski (Life in Pictures and the Broadway production of Other Desert Cities ) and Anna Camp (the Pitch Perfect movies ) star as the couple. Moe Jeudy-Lamour and  Sharon Pierre-Louis are the neighbors. Jenna Worsham directs.

Our Name Is Barbra – Catalina Bar & Grill

April 22nd

This annual fundraiser for Project Angel Food is celebrating its 20th year of singing the songs of Barbra Streisand. With 35 studio albums, 9 compilations, 7 live records and 15 soundtracks, it’s no wonder an event like this can last 20 years. Amongst the performers this year are Andrea Marcovicci, Ilene Graff & Ben Lanzarone, Artie Butler, Melanie Taylor & Terry Wollman and Kiki Ebsen. And if you think maintaining a fundraiser for 20 years is a big deal, just check out this little note they received last year:

Colburn Gala Concert – Walt Disney Concert Hall

April 22nd

When conductor Michael Tilson Thomas recently performed with the San Francisco Symphony at Walt Disney Concert Hall, it was his last performance with the orchestra in Los Angeles before the end of his time with that organization. What wasn’t mentioned is that it wouldn’t be his last performance this year. Though he isn’t conducting his own orchestra, he will be leading the Colburn Orchestra in a performance of Mahler’s Symphony Number 1 in D Major, “Titan” at their Gala Concert on Sunday night.

In addition to stepping on the podium for this concert, Tilson Thomas will be receiving the 2018 Richard D. Colburn Award. Also being honored this year is architect Frank Gehry.

Colburn Orchestra Photo by Matthew Imaging