South Bay arts calendar for Nov. 14 to 20
“Little Women,” the Broadway musical based upon Louisa May Alcott’s classic story, open Friday at the Westchester Playhouse with performances Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m., through Dec. 21. Tickets, $27, less $2 students and seniors. Pictured, the March sisters: Amy, Meg, Jo and Beth, played by (l-r) Lyndsay Palmer, Lauren Jennerjohn, Jackie Fiske, and Francesca Farina. Photo by Gloria Plunkett. (310) 645-5156 or go to kentwoodplayers.org
Into another dimension
“She Kills Monsters,” a play by Qui Nguyen, is being presented by Mira Costa High School Drama Tech in Mira Costa’s Small Theatre, 1401 Artesia Blvd, Manhattan Beach. After the death of her sister Tilly, Agnes finds her Dungeons & Dragons notebook, and through the portal she goes, into the imaginary world adventure that was Tilly’s refuge. Performances Thursday (tonight) at 6:30 p.m.; Friday at 7:30 p.m.; and closing on Saturday at 7: 30 p.m. All tickets are for specific dates and times: $15 adults and $12 students and seniors. Details at miracostadramaboosters.org.
Which one are you?
Pulitzer Prize-winning author Barry Siegel discusses his new book, “Dreamers and Schemers,” at 7 p.m. in {pages} a bookstore, 904 Manhattan Ave, Manhattan Beach. To RSVP for this free event call (310) 318-0900 or visit pagesabookstore.com.
The Akropolis Reed Quintet presents “These American Stories,” a narrative program of influential music by American composers of the last century, at 8 p.m. on Thursday (tonight) in Marsee Auditorium at El Camino College in Torrance. Tickets, $26 to $10. Call (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org
The Akropolis Reed Quintet presents “These American Stories” at 8 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium at El Camino College, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. This is a narrative program of influential music by American composers of the last century; for example, Gershwin’s “An American in Paris” is presented alongside present-day music by John Steinmetz, Jeff Scott, and Logan Rutledge. The group’s recent album is “The Space Between Us.” Tickets, $26 to $10. Call (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org.
Love and death in the 1920s
“Chicago,” the long-running Broadway musical, is being presented in the MPR at Palos Verdes High School, 600 Cloyden Road, Palos Verdes Estates. The story follows Roxy Hart, a wannabe vaudevillian star arrested for murdering her lover, before hooking up with another murderess, Velma Kelly. Performances today (Thursday) at 4 p.m., Friday and Saturday at 7 p.m., and Sunday at 2 p.m. Recommended for mature audiences(13 and up). Tickets, $20 adults; $15 students. Premium table seating is $30. At the door, or by calling (310) 378-8471, ext. 237, or by visiting pvhsdrama.com.
“Farewell,” featuring the assemblage and installation art of Ben Zask and the paper and assemblage art of Peggy Sivert (pictured), is on view at Michael Stearns Studio, in The Loft, 401 S. Mesa St., San Pedro. Both artists have been integral to art in the South Bay for decades. Photo . (562) 400-0544 or contact michaelstearnsstudio@gmail.com
Horton hears The Who
“Seussical” (the musical) is being presented by the South Bay Conservatory at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, with a 2 p.m. Saturday matinee as well, in the James Armstrong Theatre,3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Chrystee Pharris directs with music director Ann Grennan and choreographer Jason Holley. Revisit such characters as the Cat in the Hat, Horton the Elephant, Gertrude MCfuzz, Lazy Mayzie, and more. Tickets, $22 (children under age 2 admitted free, but if they cry they may be eaten). Call (310) 781-7171, or, for more information, (424) 262-9722, or bgo to southbayconservatory.com.
Sisters sticking together
“Little Women,” the Broadway musical based upon Louisa May Alcott’s classic story, is being presented by the Kentwood Players at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave, Westchester. Performances Friday and Saturday at 8 p.m. and Sunday at 3 p.m., through Dec. 21. Directed by Jennifer Richardson, with music directed by Mike Walker and with choreography by Christopher Albrecht. Tickets, $27, less $2 students and seniors. (310) 645-5156 or go to kentwoodplayers.org.
Putting their spin on it
Two brothers, the Sons of Mystro, use their violins to interpret reggae classics as well as American pop songs. Their mother is Barbadian, their father Jamaican, so their roots go deep. They perform at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday in the George Nakano Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Tickets, $50 (includes dinner) and $33. Call (310) 781-7171 or go to TorranceArts.org.
Snakes in her hair
“Medusa: The Musical,” presented by Deaf West Theatre, is being performed at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, plus 3 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday, in the Getty Villa Auditorium, 17985 Pacific Coast Hwy, Pacific Palisades. Book and lyrics by William Nedved, music by Kentaro Kameyama; directed by Coy Middlebrook. Tickets, $7. Parking rates vary. (310) 440-7300 or go to getty.edu/visit.
Destination: Art celebrates its fifth birthday on Saturday with a gala reception, silent auction, and the debut of a new exhibition, from 4 to 7 p.m. at 1815 W. 213th St. #135, Torrance. The new exhibit runs through Dec. 15. Pictured, “Sunset,” by Douglas Castleman. (310) 742-3192 or go to destination-art.net
Fifth anniversary fireworks
Destination: Art celebrates its fifth birthday with a gala reception, silent auction, and the debut of a new exhibition, from 4 to 7 p.m. at 1815 W. 213th St. #135, Torrance. The collective was formed when other local venues (the PV Art Center, the Torrance Art Museum) began focusing more on out-of-town artists. The new exhibit runs through Dec. 15. Call (310) 742-3192 or go to destination-art.net.
Putting a hand out
“The Art of Giving” is a benefit art event taking place from 6 to 9 p.m. to benefit the South Bay Art Collective, a group which is doing great things for the Hermosa Beach art scene. It’s taking place at Resid, 618 Cypress Ave, Hermosa Beach. Tickets, $75. To learn more, email info@southbayartistcollective.org.
Oh, Johnny!
The Mighty Cash Cats are a Johnny Cash cover band, and they’ll be playing all the biggies from the 1950s up through his final 2003 epitaph “Hurt,” at 2 p.m. in the Friends of the Library Room in the El Segundo Public Library, 111 W. Mariposa Ave, at Main St., in El Segundo. Free. (310) 524-2728 or go to eslib.org.
Whodunit?
Kensington Publishing’s Cozy Mystery author are gathering together in a program sponsored by the Redondo Beach Library and Creating Conversations from 12 to 4 p.m. in the library’s second floor meeting room at 303 N. Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach. About 18-19 writers in all. For more on this free program you can go to KensingtonCozies.com.
“Experience Art” has its opening reception on Saturday from 6 to 9 p.m. at Artlife Gallery, 720C South Allied Way, in Plaza El Segundo, and the group exhibition features artists who have long-standing connections with the gallery. Their work is up through Nov. 30. Hours, Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. Pictured, work by Nicolas Kolesnikov. (310) 938-2511
Directed by Dane Teter, the El Camino College Symphony Orchestra presents “Music for Children of All Ages” at 8 p.m. in Marsee Auditorium, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. Featured compositions include Roger Quilter’s “A Children’s Overture,” John Williams’ “Flight to Neverland,” Koji Kondo’s “Super Mario Bros.,” and David Lovrien’s “Minor Alterations.” Tickets, $10; onsite parking $3. Call (800) 832-ARTS or go to centerforthearts.org.
Their own artists on view
“Experience Art” has its opening reception from 6 to 9 p.m. at Artlife Gallery, 720C South Allied Way, Plaza El Segundo, El Segundo, and the group exhibition features artists who have long-standing connections with the gallery. These include Kathryn Egli, Vickie Sekits, Joel Luna, Judy Lange, Melody Brown, Joanne Mattillo-Chase, Lori Stanford, Nicolas Kolesnikov, Regine Legler, Richard Berger, Larry Lubow, Santiago Aulet, and Vanesa Andrade. Their work is up through Nov. 30. Hours, Monday through Sunday from 11 a.m. to 7 p.m. (310) 938-2511.
Hammering and sawing
The Torrance Craftsmen’s Guild presents its “Holiday Arts and Crafts Fair” from 10 a.m. to 4 p.m. on Saturday and Sunday in the Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Lots of one-of-a-kind gifts to choose from. More at TorranceCraftsmensGuild.org.
Lending them a voice
Los Angeles Camerata presents “Baroque and Brass” at 3 p.m. in the First Lutheran Church and School, 2900 W. Carson St., Torrance. The group strives to tell stories of women and “others” silenced throughout history. Oakwood Brass performs engaging selections designed to attract new listeners. Free; donations accepted. (310) 316-5574.
Relive the splendor
The PettyBreakers, saluting the late Tom Petty and such songs as “American Girl,” “Break Down,” “Free-Fallin’” and “Refugee,” perform at 8 p.m. in the Grand Annex, 434 W. Sixth St., San Pedro. Tickets, $27 general; $32 cabaret; $37 front row cabaret; and $37 VIP. Wine tasting, from 7 to 7:45, is $15. Call (310) 833-4813 or go to grandvision.org.
Break a leg
Auditions for the Kentwood Players production of “The Giver” take place on Saturday from 11 a.m. to 3 p.m. and on Monday from 7 to 10 p.m. at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Ave, Westchester. Callbacks on Tuesday. The play was adapted by Eric Coble from the book by Lois Lowry. This is a non-equity, non-paid production. It’s about a boy named Jonas whose journey takes him from childhood to adulthood (in what seems to be a very ordered, rigid community). Some sexual themes explored. Set to run from Jan. 17 to Feb. 22. Questions, contact TheGiver@kentwoodplayers.org.
The Mighty Cash Cats, a Johnny Cash tribute band, play at 2 p.m. on Saturday in the Friends of the Library Room in the El Segundo Public Library, W. Mariposa Ave. at Main St., in El Segundo. Free. (310) 524-2728 or go to eslib.org
Fresh air, no cars
The Palos Verdes Peninsula Land Conservancy is screening “National Parks Adventure,” narrated by Robert Redford, part of their Beauty of Nature film series, taking place at 4 p.m. in the John Olguin Auditorium at the Cabrillo Marine Aquarium in San Pedro.Tickets, $10 general; free for those 18 and under. RSVP at pvplc.org.
Back from the abyss
The House of Hope Foundation presents its “8th Annual Talent Show” from 2 to 5 p.m. in the James Armstrong Theatre, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. It showcases the talents of people in recovery from alcohol and drug addiction, with proceeds going to help women in need of substance abuse treatment. Tickets, $100, $25. More at houseofhopesp.org.
Monday, November 18
Stratification
“Layer Upon Layer,” a group show, opens in the El Camino College Art Gallery, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd, Torrance. Works by Terry Braunstein, Jenny Okun, Victor Raphael, Clayton Spada, and Barbara Strasen are featured. Opening reception on Wednesday from 7 to 9 p.m. Artist’s talk on Tuesday, Nov. 26, at 1 p.m. Through Dec. 11. Call (310) 660-3010.
Tuesday, November 19
Have you read it?
The book discussion of the month is “There There,” by Tommy Orange,” and it’s being led by senior librarian Erin Schoonover from 6:30 to 7:30 p.m. in the second floor conference room of the Redondo Beach Main Library, 303 N. Pacific Coast Hwy, Redondo Beach. Free. (310) 318-0676 or go to redondo.org/library.
Wednesday, November 20
Stylistic variety
The El Camino College Concert Jazz Band, directed by David Moyer, performs at 8 p.m. in the school’s Marsee Auditorium, Crenshaw and Redondo Beach boulevards, Torrance. We’re promised an electrifying concert with a wide-ranging repertoire. Tickets, $10. Call (800) 832-ARTS or visit centerforthearts.org. ER