South Bay arts calendar for April 20 to 25

"Peace in Our Time." Photo

“Peace in Our Time.” Photo

“Till the Clouds Roll By” screens Friday through Sunday at the Old Town Music Hall in El Segundo. Tickets, $10 general and $8 seniors. (310) 322-2592 or go to OldTownMusicHall.org

Friday, April 20
A rainbow in your future
“How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying” opens in the Mira Costa High School Auditorium, 1401 Artesia Blvd., Manhattan Beach. This is the school’s drama department’s big spring musical, and it’s a fun show. Performances, Friday and Saturday at 7:30 p.m., plus Thursday, April 26, at 6:30, Friday and Saturday, April 27 and 28, at 7:30, with a Saturday, April 27 matinee at 2 p.m. Advance tickets are $15 adult, $10 students and seniors (a buck additional if you purchase online), while at the box office it’s $18 and $12. Details at miracostadramaboosters.org.
She’ll mesmerize you
“Gypsy,” the musical by Jule Styne, Stephen Sondheim, and Arthur Laurents, is being presented on Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m., plus Sunday at 2 p.m., in the Manhattan Beach Community Church Theatre, 303 S. Peck Ave., Manhattan Beach. Tickets, $25. See feature in last week’s Easy Reader. At the door or go to brownpapertickets.com/event/3288227.
And then the sun comes out
“Till the Clouds Roll By” screens at 8:15 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, plus 2:30 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, in the Old Town Music Hall, 140 Richmond St., El Segundo. Tickets, $10 general and $8 seniors. (310) 322-2592 or go to OldTownMusicHall.org.

No, it’s not “The Pajama Game,” but rather “Gypsy, and it’s being presented Friday through Sunday in the Manhattan Beach Community Church Theatre, 303 S. Peck Ave., Manhattan Beach. Photo by Stephan Cooper. Tickets, $25, at the door or go to brownpapertickets.com/event/3288227

Each with million dollar views
“Legends by the Sea: The Story of Three Homes” is the title and theme of the 32nd Annual Palos Verdes Homes Tour, and it takes place Friday and Saturday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. each day. One of the homes featured is Villa Narcissa, situated on part of the original Vanderlip estate. You’ll start at the Palos Verdes Art Center, 5504 Crestridge Road, Rancho Palos Verdes. Tickets, $75, and this includes lunch in The Atrium. Buy at the Center or online at PVHomesTour.org.
Pucker up
Cole Porter’s musical “Kiss Me Kate,” based on Shakespeare’s “Taming of the Shrew,” plays Friday at 3 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 7 p.m., plus Sunday at 2 p.m., in the Multipurpose Room at Palos Verdes High School, 600 Cloyden Road, Palos Verdes Estates. Tickets, $20 adults and $15 students. At the door, by calling (310) 378-8471 ext. 237, or by going to pvhsdrama.com.

“Shine: A Cirque Extravaganza” is being performed at 11 a.m. on Saturday in the James Armstrong Theatre in Torrance. A presentation of the Art Attack Foundation. Tickets, $13. Photo by Charrat Martin. (310) 781-7171

“Let It Shine” is a group show and it’s having its public reception on Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Artlife Gallery in Plaza El Segundo. The show is filled with colorful palettes in a range of mediums. Through April 30. Pictured, art by Judy Lange. (310) 938-2511

Saturday, April 21
Let them dazzle you
“Shine: A Cirque Extravaganza” is being performed at 11 a.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. It’s being presented by the Art Attack Foundation. Tickets, $13. Call (310) 781-7171.
A little brighter
“Let It Shine” is a group show and it’s having its public reception from 6 to 9 p.m. at Artlife Gallery, 720C S. Allied Way, Plaza El Segundo, in El Segundo. The exhibition celebrates the light and longer days of spring. Through April 30. Call (310) 938-2511.
How worlds find common ground
“Karen Koblitz: Cultural Diplomacy” is a mid-career survey, on view through April 26 at the El Camino College Art Gallery, located on the school campus at Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. Special gallery hours, with catalogue signings by the author, Saturday and Sunday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Call (310) 660-3010.
Take another puff
“Poof Too!” is set for 7 p.m. in the Hermosa Beach Community Theatre, 710 Pier Ave., Hermosa Beach. This year’s event (it’s the 28th annual) features the comedy magic of Stan Allen, mime Tina Lenert, comedian-juggler Mark Collier, Magic Castle award-winner Mike Caveney (he’s also the emcee), and illusionist Ron Saylor with “Scotto” Smith performing close-up magic during intermission. Tickets, $20 now and $25 at the door. (310) 879-3059.
Poetic art, artistic verse
The Redondo Beach Art Group presents an exhibition from 11 a.m. to 4 p.m. inspired by coastal art, and from 2 to 4 p.m. there will be poetry readings. These events are happening in the second floor meeting room of the Redondo Beach Main Library, 303 N. Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach (310) 318-0675 op.5, or go to redondo.org/library.
Make Mother Nature smile
It’s Earth Day, and the Palos Verdes Land Conservancy has a day of family activities mapped out for us at the White Point Nature Preserve in San Pedro, capped by a free screening at 5 p.m. of “Jane,” the documentary about monkey woman Jane Goodall. Details at pvplc.org.

“Poof Too!” is set for 7 p.m. on Saturday in the Hermosa Beach Community Theatre. Several top magicians, comedians, illusionists, etc.,will perform. Tickets, $20 now and $25 at the door. Pictured, Magic Castle award-winner Mike Caveney (he’s also the emcee). (310) 879-3059

Voices that carry us away
“Mirrors of Culture,” presented by the Torrance Civic Chorale, takes place at 8 p.m in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance, and it includes music from five centuries, both the familiar and the exotic. Tickets, $25. Call (310) 781-7171 or go to TorranceCivicChorale.org.
He knows how to frame it
“Uncompliant Acts: The Public State,” being the photographs of Anthony Friedkin, opens with a reception from 4 to 7 p.m. at Gallery 478, located conveniently at 478 W. Seventh St., San Pedro. Friedkin’s work has been exhibited worldwide, and not just at LACMA and the Getty. Through June 23. Call (310) 600-4873 or (310) 732-2150.

It’s Earth Day on Saturday, and the Palos Verdes Land Conservancy has several family activities mapped out for us (from 9 a.m. to 2 p.m.) at the White Point Nature Preserve in San Pedro, capped by a free screening at 5 p.m. of “Jane,” a documentary about Jane Goodall. Details at pvplc.org

“Karen Koblitz: Cultural Diplomacy” is on view through April 26 at the El Camino College Art Gallery in Torrance. This Saturday and Sunday there are special gallery hours, with catalogue signings by the author, from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. Pictured, “Abiolova’s Swallow” from the Tattoo Series; ceramic with paper and ink. (310) 660-3010

Walk in and stay awhile

“Not Always So,” a mixed-media exhibit that features South Bay artists like Dan Dempster, Bernard Fallon, Carol Hungerford and Grace Luo (to name only a few), is open from 2 to 6 p.m. during the Third Saturday Art Walk at the Loft, 401 S. Mesa, San Pedro. (310) 480-8794.
Still pumping it out
High energy pianist Bob Malone plays a hybrid of rock, blues, and New Orleans R&B at 8 p.m. in the Grand Annex, 434 W. Sixth St., San Pedro. For tickets, call (310) 833-4813 or go to grandvision.org.
New digs, come and see them
Artist and gallery owner Michael Stearns has moved into the Loft, 401 S. Mesa St., San Pedro, which is in the heart of the San Pedro arts district. He’s got an open house from 6 to 9 p.m., so stop by and check it out. (562) 400-0544 or go to michaelstearnsstudio.com.
Free art workshops
They’re taking place on three Saturdays: April 21 and 28, and May 5, at South Bay Contemporary, SoLA Gallery, 3718 W. Slauson Ave., Los Angeles. Concurrently, the exhibition “In Pursuit of Beauty,” curated by Lore Eckelberry, is up through May 12, with a closing reception from 3 to 7 p.m. (310) 429-0973 or go to southbaycontemporary.org.

Sunday, April 22
The future is pastel
A gala reception and awards presentation for the Ninth Annual “Pastel Society of Southern California” exhibition takes place from 12 to 4 p.m. at the South Bay Lexus Service Center, 24777 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance. Acclaimed pastel artist Tony Allain gives a free landscape demonstration from 2 to 3 p.m. The show is up through May 4. Call (310) 374-8309 or go to pastelsocal.com.

“True Tales from the South Bay” takes place Sunday at 7 p.m. in the George Nakano Theatre in Torrance, and it’s an evening of storytelling by both local residents and guest performers. Debra Ehrhardt (pictured), a Jamaican actress, is featured. Hosted by Mariana Williams. Tickets, $10. Call (310) 781-7171 or go to torrancearts.org

Get up there and tell it
“True Tales from the South Bay” takes place at 7 p.m. in the George Nakano Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance, and it’s an evening of storytelling by both local residents and guest performers. The featured individual is Debra Ehrhardt, a Jamaican actress currently on stage in Santa Monica and Long Beach. Hosted by Mariana Williams. Tickets, $10. Call (310) 781-7171 or go to torrancearts.org.
A near-perfect setting
“Art by the Sea with Poetic Expression” is an exhibition on the grounds of the Wayfarers Chapel, 5755 Palos Verdes Dr. South, Rancho Palos Verdes. It goes from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. On hand will be Eric Wright, son of Lloyd Wright, and his wife Mary. And you know that Lloyd Wright, the son of Frank, designed the chapel, don’t you? (310) 377-7919 ext. 2.

APC Fine Arts Gallery in Old Torrance is showing new paintings by Ron Hust and Ron Libbrecht, and when they collaborate they become Ron Squared. On view through May 18. Hust is on the left, Libbrecht on the right, and their work is in the middle. Photo by Beth Shibata. (310) 328-0366 or go to apcfinearts.com

A carpenter’s tool goes operatic
Lou Mannick plays the saw (yes, a workman’s kind of saw) and it sounds like a melodious opera singer. He’ll be joined by Windy Barnes, David Witham, Otis Mannick, Ernie Nuñez, Oliver C. Brown, and guest performer Mike McCollum at 4 p.m. at Alvas Showroom, 1417 W. Eighth St., San Pedro. Tickets, $20. Call (310) 833-7538 or get them at alvasshowroom.tix.com.
Justice? Or revenge?
Nu Vizion, Inc. presents “Decision My Revenge” at 6 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. This appears to be the sequel to the play “Decision,” both written by Doug Thomas. Tickets, $35, $30. Call (310) 781-7171 or to learn more visit Nuvizioninc.com.

“Art by the Sea with Poetic Expression” is an exhibition on the grounds of the Wayfarers Chapel, 5755 Palos Verdes Dr. South, Rancho Palos Verdes. It goes Sunday from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. (310) 377-7919 ext. 2

Monday, April 25
C’mon, kids, surprise us
Magruder Middle School presents its “Spring Concert” at 7 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. You can’t beat the price: It’s free. (310) 781-7171. ER

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