There are some rich options for culture this week including world premiere music, a Sondheim masterpiece, a celebration of a forgotten choreographer and more. All in Best Bets: February 2nd – February 8th.
SWEENEY TODD – La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts – La Mirada – Now – February 22nd
That this is my favorite musical of all time is part of the appeal of this production. That is is taking place in my hometown is another part of its appeal. But the towering reason to see Jason Alexander’s production of Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s masterpiece is Will Swenson’s performance in the title role.
From the very start he is a deeply embittered man, with good reason, who wants to find his wife and daughter from whom he’s been separated for many years. The level of pain is completely palpable in his performance. As is his lust for revenge and ultimately, his heartbreaking regret at the price of his actions.
Lesli Margherita plays Mrs. Lovett. Chris Hunter, Austyn Myers and Meghan Andrews are mightily impressive as Anthony Hope, Tobias Ragg and the Beggar Woman.
For tickets and more information, please go HERE.
THE DANCE OF DEATH – Steppenwolf Theatre Company – Chicago, IL – Now – March 22nd OPENING NIGHT: February 7th
Playwright Conor McPherson’s adaptation of August Strindberg’s classic play centers on a couple celebrating a quarter century of marriage. But this isn’t a traditional marriage. They have been partners in war as much as they have in love. And their perspectives get challenged when a mysterious stranger appears.
For those who like their marital stories more on the contentious side (meaning those who love Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf?) this play is for you.
This play offers great roles for all three actors. Jeff Perry and Kathryn Erbe play the couple and Cliff Chamberlain the stranger. Yasen Peyanov directs.
For tickets and more information, please go HERE.
ADAMS, CHEUNG & LANAO – Los Angeles Philharmonic Green Umbrella Series – Walt Disney Concert Hall – Los Angeles, CA – February 3rd
Fans of contemporary classical music who are in or can be in Los Angeles on Tuesday will not want to miss this concert filled with world premieres.
The concert opens with Heartwood by Samuel Adams. This is part of LA Phil Etudes, Book 3, Part 1 and features Chrsitopher Hanulik on bass. Partita 1 by Francisco Coll, which is also part of LA Phil Etudes, Book 3, Part 1 and features David Rejano Cantero on trombone. The first half of the concert concludes with Silvia Lanao’s Desert Bloom written about Los Angeles for 12 musicians.
The second half opens with Unison Spans by Nico Muhly. This work features Emmanuel Ceysson on harp and is part of LA Phil Etudes: Book 3, Part 2. The concert closes with Anthony Chung’s Respire: Piano Concerto No. 2. Elim Chan conducts.
For tickets and more information, please go HERE.
THOMAS ADÉS AND YUJA WANG – Los Angeles Philharmonic – Walt Disney Concert Hall – Los Angeles, CA – February 6th – February 8th
The US premiere of William Marsey’s Man with Limp Wrist opens this show and is just one reason I’m excited about this concert. The work had its world premiere in 2023 and is inspired by the work of artist Salman Toor. Composer/conductor Thomas Adés recorded the work with the Hallé which was released last year.
Also on that recording is Adés’ own Aquifer which closes out this concert.
Yuja Wang performs Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 2 before intermission. The second act opens with Tchaikovsky’s Francesca da Rimini.
For tickets and more information, please go HERE.
THE NEW JACK COLE DANCERS’ CLUB ACT – CUNY LaGuardia Performing Arts Center Little Theater – New York, NY – February 7th
Jack Cole was a legendary jazz dancer/choreographer. In addition to inspiring Bob Fosse and Jerome Robbins, he taught Carol Haney and Gwen Verdon amongst many other dancers. His unique way of using the camera for films proved to be groundbreaking.
Yet his name is mostly forgotten. Choreographer Cam Loeser wants to change that with this show he’s developing that celebrates Cole and his work.
These won’t be recreations of Cole’s work, but rather reinventions of those pieces featuring dancers who have been trained in Cole’s one-of-a-kind style of dancing.
For tickets and more information, please go HERE.
That’s this week’s Best Bets: February 2nd – February 8th.
Enjoy your week and go see a show!
Main Photo: Will Swenson and Lesli Margherita in Sweeney Todd (Photo by Jason Niedele/TETHOS // Courtesy La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts)