Best Bets: February 17th – February 23rd

With the holiday weekend in the United States, this week’s Best Bets truly begin on Tuesday the 18^th. But why break tradition now? Here are my Best Bets: February 17^th – February 23^rd:

3 SUMMERS OF LINCOLN – La Jolla Playhouse – February 18^th – March 30^th

Another world premiere musical from the La Jolla Playhouse. 3 Summers of Lincoln takes place during a time where our nation was deeply polarized. Though it could be set in the present, it takes place during the American Civil War.

At the center of this musical are President Abraham Lincoln (Ivan Hernandez) and Frederick Douglass (Quentin Earl Darrington). The 3 summers of the title refer to the three meetings that the men had over the course of three years.

The book is by Joe DiPietro (Memphis) and he co-wrote lyrics with Daniel J. Watts (who appeared as “Ike” in the musical Tina). The music is by Crystal Monee Hall (Crystal in the off-broadway production of Hell’s Kitchen). Christopher Ashley (Come From Away) directs.

The cast includes Eric Anderson, Carmen Cusack, John-Andrew Morrison and Saycon Sengbloh.

For tickets and more information, please go HERE.

ADORATION – LA Opera at REDCAT – Los Angeles, CA – February 19^th – February 23^rd

The world premiere of this opera by composer Mary Kouyoumdjian and librettist Royce Vavrek took place at New York’s Prototype Festival in January of 2024. It is based on Atom Egoyan’s 2008 film.

Now the production comes to Los Angeles with James Demler, Roy Hage, Miriam Khalil, David Adam Moore, Omar Najmi and the always impressive Naomi Louisa O’Connell. Laine Rettmer directs.

Last year I interviewed Kouyoumdjian about Adoration. I encourage you to check out what she had to say about her opera HERE. It is not an easy work due to intense themes. The interview will make that clear.

For tickets and more information, please go HERE.

MAHLER GROOVES FESTIVAL – Los Angeles Philharmonic – Los Angeles, CA – February 19^th – March 9^th

Los Angeles is the place to be for fans of Gustav Mahler. For three weeks, Gustavo Dudamel leads the orchestra in three different programs:

Gustavo Conducts Mahler’s Journey (February 20^th – 23^rd) has Mahler’s Blumine, the adagio from the composer’s Symphony No. 10 and musical poems from Des Knaben Wunderhorn on the program. Mezzo-soprano Ekaterina Gubanova and baritone Simon Keenlyside are the soloists.

Dudamel Conducts Mahler’s Seventh is performed February 27^th – March 1^st.

Mahler’s Fifth with Dudamel (March 6^th – March 9^th) opens with Alma Mahler’s Five Songs performed with mezzo-soprano Sasha Cooke. The second half of the program is Mahler’s Symphony No. 5.

There are outside events including a Mahler Grooves Listening Party on February 19^th and a Mahlerthon on March 2^nd.

For tickets and more information, click on the names of the events listed above.

CLAYBOURNE ELDER: IF THE STARS WERE MINE – Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Costa Mesa, CA – February 20^th – February 22^nd; Feinstein’s at the Nikko – San Francisco, CA – February 28^th and March 1st

Broadway’s Claybourne Elder brings his part-cabaret, part-comedy show If The Stars Were Mine to California. In the show, Elder explores life, sex, career and parenting through a combination of songs and humor.

Elder most recently appeared on Broadway in the 2021 revival of Stephen Sondheim’s Company. He also appeared in the 2017 revival of Sondheim’s Sunday in the Park with George.

But you won’t get just Sondheim songs (though how great would that be?). He promises some Whitney Houston and songs from the Great American Songbook.

His accompanist and music director is Rodney Bush.

Check back for my interview with Elder later this week.

For tickets and more information at Segerstrom Center please go HERE. For tickets at Feinstein’s at the Nikko on February 28^th please go HERE. For March 1^st, please go HERE.

MAX ROACH AT 100: TYSHAWN SOREY TRIO & SANDBOX PERCUSSION – 92^nd Street Y – New York, NY – February 21^st Streaming Option Available

Pulitzer Prize winner Tyshawn Sorey celebrates the centenary of drummer/composer Max Roach. Sorey is joined by pianist Aaron Diehl and bassist Harish Raghavan.

Also performing is Sandbox Percussion. A truly apt ensemble to commemorate Roach.

The program will include Julius Eastman’s Joy Boy; George Lewis’ Le témoignange des lumières (The Testimony of Lights), Omar Clay and Warren Smith’s Morning/Midday and Sorey’s Cogitations.

If you’re in New York you can attend in person. If not, the concert will be available for streaming. For either ticket and more information, please go HERE.

That’s my Best Bets: February 17^th – February 23^rd.

Enjoy your week and go see a show!

Main Photo: Adoration at the 2024 Prototype Festival (Photo by Maria Baranova/Courtesy LA Opera)