TWO GENTLEMEN OF VERONA – Peter Jay Sharp Theatre at Symphony Space – December 16^th

Shakespeare’s play of the same name was the inspiration for this rock musical from 1971 that was written by composer Galt MacDermot (Hair), lyricist/book writer John Guare (Six Degrees of Separation) and book writer Mel Shapiro. The musical won the Tony Award for Best Musical.

This one night only performance from Red Bull Theater stars Jordan Donica (Camelot) and Jin Ha (Hamilton). They are surrounded by an outstanding ensemble that includes Delphi Borich, Chuck Cooper, Demarius Copes, Coby Getzug, Ben Jones, Taylor Iman Jones, Kelvin Moon Loh, John-Michael Lyles, Alisa Melendez, Mikayla Renfrow, Sam Simahk, Nasia Thomas and Alysha Umphress.

André De Shields and Joy O. Sanders will be special guests. The concert is directed by Zi Alikhan. This is a great chance to hear a rarely-produced musical.

For tickets and more information, please go HERE.

ONCE UPON A MATTRESS – Ahmanson Theatre – Los Angeles, CA – Now – January 5^th              

Arguably the best thing anyone can do during stressful times is laugh. You’ll find no better or more joyous place to be than at the Music Center in Los Angeles to see this production of Once Upon a Mattress.

Sutton Foster, Michael Urie, Ana Gasteyer, Daniel Breaker and the entire cast work very hard (without showing it) to wring every laugh out of this totally delightful adaptation of The Princess and the Pea.

This Mary Rodgers/Marshall Barer, Jay Thompson and Dean Fuller musical has been given a new adaption by Amy Sherman-Palladino (The Marvelous Mrs. Maisel). The production, which just finished a Broadway run after starting its life at Encores!, will leave you with a smile on your face that will last long after you’ve re-entered the real world.

Take your friends, your family, travel into LA to escape holiday blues and enjoy Once Upon a Mattress.

For tickets and more information, please go HERE.

LES BALLETS TROCKADERO DE MONTE CARLO – The Joyce Theater – New York, NY – December 17^th– January 5^th

Also guaranteed to put a smile on your face is the all-male dance company that promises laughs as they interpret some of ballet’s most famous works. 

With this engagement the company celebrates its 50^th anniversary with two different programs.

The first offers the NY City premiere of Durante Verzola’s Symphony (inspired by Balanchine’s Symphony In C). That is paired with Act II of Giselle. 

The second program offers their best-known work: Act II of Swan Lake – Le Lac des Cygnes. Peter Anastos’s Yes, Virginia, Another Piano Ballet and Raymonda’s Wedding round out those performances.

The Trocks are seriously funny and offer up dance that doesn’t take itself too seriously nor allow you to take yourself too seriously either. Again, perfect holiday fare.

For tickets and more information, please go HERE.

JENNIFER HUDSON: THE GIFT OF LOVE: AN INTIMATE LIVE EXPERIENCE – Walt Disney Concert Hall – Los Angeles, CA (December 18^th); BleauLive Theater – Las Vegas, NV – December 21^st and 22^nd

I don’t usually recommend holiday shows. But EGOT-winner Hudson is someone for whom I’m obviously making an exception – because she’s exceptional.

The title of the show comes from her holiday album that came out last month. I’d buy a ticket just to hear her sing Leonard Cohen’s Hallelujah (which opens the record) live.

There are 15 other songs ranging from Winter Wonderland to Go Tell It On the Mountain to Auld Lang Syne.

Can I tell you she’s not going without a big encore? No, I can’t. But if I were a gambling man….

For tickets and more information, please go HERE for Los Angeles and HERE for Las Vegas.

That’s all for this week’s Best Bets: December 16th – December 22nd. After all, how much fun can you fit into one week? Hopefully a lot!

Have a great week!

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