The Magic of Adam Trent – Pantages Theatre/Segerstrom Center

June 29-July 1

Many people were introduced to magician Adam Trent when he was part of The Illusionists. Now he’s out on his own with his own show and the illusions are, in the words of the New York Times: “seeing is dis-believing.” He’ll be performing his show on Friday and Saturday at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. On Sunday afternoon he has a show at the Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts in Costa Mesa.

Muse/Ique “Limitless Lenny” –  The Huntington Library

Yes it is another celebration of the centennial of composer/conductor/educator Leonard Bernstein. But this one has a more unique approach. Joining music ensemble Muse/Ique for this concert are such wildly eclectic artists as the Kitty McNamee Dancers teaming up with DJ E.Z. to present a contemporary performance of Bernstein’s score for On the Waterfront (the only film score he composed) accompanied by visuals from the Jet Propulsion Laboratory; violinist Charles Yang (who received the 2018 Leonard Bernstein Award) will perform a suite of songs from West Side Story and anchoring it all will be Muse/Ique themselves. If you’ve never been to one of their concerts know that they take a completely fresh look at music and how it is presented. This won’t be your parent’s version of Bernstein, but it won’t alienate them either. Saturday’s concert launches Muse/Ique’s summer season.

Liza Minnelli & Michael Feinstein – Segerstrom Hall

June 30

It’s been quite some time since Liza Minnelli has taken to the stage. While her evening with Michael Feinstein will not be a full-on Liza concert, it does promise an evening of conversation AND songs. She and Feinstein have been friends for years and the depth of their relationship will no doubt be a large part of the joy of this evening. It also seems as though audience members will get a chance to ask some questions. If you don’t have plans on Saturday night what good is sitting all alone in your room?

Grease Sing-A-Long – Hollywood Bowl

June 30th

It’s the 40th reunion for Danny, Sandy, Rizzo, Kenickie and the gang as they all reunite (at least on celluloid) for this sing-a-long event at the Hollywood Bowl. Yes, it was 40 years ago this summer that we learned that Grease was the word. So this screening/sing-a-long is your chance to show the world that you, too, have groove and meaning (and some vocal chops.) Your mistress of ceremonies for the event will be the beauty school drop-out herself, Didi Conn (Frenchie). Tickets are mostly sold out, so you’ll have to act like greased lightning to get whatever may still be available.

Last Chance:  Long Day’s Journey Into Night at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts; Reprise 2.0’s Sweet Charity at the Freud Playhouse; Henry IV at the Japanese Garden at the West LA VA

The post The 4 Shows You Need to See: This Weekend in LA (6/29-7/1) appeared first on Cultural Attaché.

While sequels are often sure bets for motion pictures, they are less likely to work well for Broadway musicals. Do you remember The Best Little Whorehouse Goes Public? Bring Back Birdie? Annie 2: Miss Hannigan’s Revenge? For quite some time it was thought that Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sequel to The Phantom of the Opera would find itself in the same dustbin of theatre history. But an enterprising Australian director, Simon Phillips, has brought new life to Love Never Dies. The show just opened at the Pantages Theatre where it will continue to play through April 22nd. Then the touring production heads to Costa Mesa where it will play at the Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts from April 24 – May 5.

It is now ten years after Phantom when Love Never Dies begins. Christine (Meghan Picerno) is now a bonafide star. She is married to Raoul (Sean Thompson) and they have a son, Gustave (Casey Lyons and Jake Heston Miller rotate in the role.) As for the Phantom (Gardar Thor Cortes), he fled Paris for New York and has taken his place amongst the denizens of Coney Island. When Christine accepts an invitation to perform a concert in New York, the Phantom, who has never gotten over her, tries one more time to seduce her and get her to leave her family for the man who wrote the music of the night. Her relationship with Raoul has hit some rough spots due to his drinking and gambling problems. Torn between two lovers, which one will Christine choose? And what of her son who seems preternaturally intrigued with Coney Island?

Photo Credit:  Joan Marcus

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