South Bay art calendar for April 18 to 24
“Sunday in the Park with George,” music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim with a book by James Levine, is onstage at the Westchester Playhouse, with performances this Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. Pulitzer Prize-winner for Drama. Tickets, $27, less $2 for seniors. Pictured, Rachel Berman as Dot and Brian Pirnat as George. Photo by Shari Barrett. (310) 645-5156 or go to kentwoodplayers.org
“Douglas Kirkland,” an exhibition of 60+ photographs of Hollywood royalty, is on view through Sunday at the Palos Verdes Art Center. Today (Thursday) the legendary photographer leada an informal tour of the works on display. It begins at 11 a.m. and is free. Pictured, Kirkland’s 2018 photograph of actress Elle Fanning. Information at pvartcenter.org
Celebrity history in the making
“Douglas Kirkland,” an exhibition of over 60 photographs of Hollywood stars and others, is on view through Sunday at the Palos Verdes Art Center, 5504 W. Crestridge Road, Rancho Palos Verdes. But the legendary photographer is on hand at the Art Center today (Thursday) at 11 a.m. to lead an informal tour of the works on display. Free. Information at pvartcenter.org.
When Reagan was king
“Footloose,” the musical based on the 1980s film, “sizzles with the same spirit of youth, rebellion, and romance.” That’s why the Palos Verdes High School Drama Department is presenting it in their Multipurpose Room (MPR), 600 Cloyden Road, Palos Verdes Estates. Performances, Thursday at 3:30 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., with a Saturday 2 p.m. matinee. Tickets, $20 adults and $15 students. (310) 378-8471, ext. 237, or go to pvhsdrama.com. Also at the door if, like most of us, you’re still undecided.
Friday, April 19
That lovable nanny
Disney’s “Mary Poppins,” presented by South Bay Conservatory, is being performed by cast members ages seven to adult at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, with a 2 p.m. matinee on Saturday, in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Larry Watts directs, with music director Kathleen Sullivan. Tickets, $22, with children two and under getting in for free. (424) 262-9722 or go to southbayconservatory.com.
Working out old grudges
Presented by Surf City Theatre, Neil Simon’s “The Sunshine Boys” is onstage in the Second Story Theater, 710 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. The story follows two legendary vaudevillians who were once a team but now haven’t spoken with one another for a dozen years. The nephew of one of them tries to get them to reunite for a show. Friday and Saturday at 8 and Sunday at 2 p.m. Also being performed on the weekend of May 3 to 5. Tickets, $28. Call (424) 241-8040 or go to surfcitytheatre.com.
L.A. vocal ensemble m-pact performs a capella selectins from “Wonderful World” as well as pop hits, jazz standards, and Motown classics, at 8 p.m. Friday in Marsee Auditorium at El Camino College, in Torrance. Tickets, $10 to $24. Call (800) 832-ARTS or visit centerforthearts.org
L.A. vocal ensemble m-pact performs pop hits, jazz standards, and Motown classics at 8 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium at El Camino College, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. The group’s new EP is “Wonderful World.” Tickets range from $10 to $24. Call (800) 832-ARTS or visit centerforthearts.org.
Presented by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, the literal cliffhanger documentary “Free Solo” is being screened for free at 5 p.m. in the Warner Grand Theatre, San Pedro. Pictured, Alex Honnold climbing Yosemite’s El Capitan Wall. More at pvplc.org
Celtic folk band
Sligo Rags performs Celtic folk with a bluegrass attitude at 2 p.m. in the El Segundo Library, 111 W. Mariposa Ave, at Main St., in El Segundo. Free. (310) 524-2728.
Running for her life, and yours
Marathon Goddess Julie Weiss, who ran 52 marathons in 52 weeks (and raised more than $500,000 for pancreatic cancer research and treatment while doing so), signs her new book and speaks about her remarkable journey at 1 p.m. at Barnes & Noble,1800 Rosecrans Ave, Bldg. B in Manhattan Beach.
Shall we crawl in and look?
Michele Ayers performs a musical one-woman show called “What’s in the Attic?” and it takes place in Rancho Palos Verdes at a private home (being that of Annette Warren Smith) at 7 p.m. The pianist/musical director is Bob Remstein, and tickets are $20, with 15 percent of the proceeds going to HEAL LA. Those under 16 get in free, but a $5 donation to the charity is suggested. Limited space. (310) 809-1626 or (310) 541-9098.
Musical whizzkid
Micah Wright and Friends perform at 3 p.m. in the First Lutheran Church and School, 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance. Wright plays clarinet and piano, and his “friends” play clarinet (Espen Nystog Aas), cello (Allan Hon), and piano (Hui Wu). The program features composers you know well (Brahms and Prokofiev) and those you may not (Charle-Marie Widow and Robert Muczynski). Free, donations appreciated. (310) 316-5574.
Sligo Rags performs Celtic folk with a bluegrass attitude at 2 p.m. on Saturday in the El Segundo Library. Free. (310) 524-2728
Presented by the Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy, the Academy Award-nominated documentary “Free Solo” is being screened for free at 5 p.m. in the Warner Grand Theatre, 478 W. Sixth St., San Pedro. Earlier in the day you can join volunteers and others for a choice of family activities at the White Point Nature Preserve. More at pvplc.org.
Defining space
“Rediscovering the Classical Modernism of Ladd & Kelsey, Architects” is a panel discussion taking place from 3 to 5 p.m. at the Palos Verdes Art Center in Rancho Palos Verdes. It’s in conjunction with the exhibition “Ladd & Kelsey, Noble Places,” on view through May 26. Call (310) 541-2479 or go to pvartcenter.org.
Micah Wright and Friends perform at 3 p.m. on Saturday in the First Lutheran Church and School in Torrance. Wright plays clarinet and piano, and his guests play clarinet, cello, and piano. The program features Brahms and Prokofiev as well as Charle-Marie Widow and Robert Muczynski. Free, donations appreciated. (310) 316-5574
Why scratch around for Easter eggs in the yard when you can have “Breakfast and a Visit with the Bunny” from 9 a.m. to 12 noon in the Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Tickets, $20. Phone-in and walk-in registration take place at the Registration Office in the West Annex of City Hall. (310) 618-2930.
Monday, April 22
Global historical music
The Wartburg Choir, from Waverly, Iowa (not Germany, as one might guess), performs at 7 p.m. in the First Lutheran Church, 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance. The theme of the program is “We Will Rise!” and the music centers on the strength of the human spirit to transcend adversity. The program includes Abbie Betinin’s “Bar Xizam,” which means “Upward, I Rise.” Other works are by J.S. Bach, Lili Boulanger, F. Melius Christiansen, and Albert Brumley. Free, but donations are accepted.
The Wartburg Choir, from Waverly, Iowa, performs Monday at 7 p.m. in the First Lutheran Church, 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance. The theme of the program is “We Will Rise!” and the music centers on the transcendent strength of the human spirit. The program includes Abbie Betinin’s “Bar Xizam,” which means “Upward, I Rise,” plus other works. Free, but donations are accepted
No one’s standing still
“Momentum 2019,” presented by Palos Verdes Peninsula High School, is the annual Choreo Show, featuring young dancers (or at least we better hope they’re young), and it takes place at 7 p.m. on Tuesday, Wednesday, and Thursday, April 25. Tickets, $13. For tickets and information, email hendrickk@pvpusd.net. ER