Sorted by date Results 783 - 807 of 1157
The game is afoot with THE HUNGER GAMES: MOCKINGJAY PART 1, but it's no longer being played as a game within the confines of an electronically controlled and domed "arena". With the release of Katniss Everdeen's arrow as her final move in the "Catching Fire" Quarter Quell, all bets are off. The games are no longer "games" with a single victor (or victors, as in the case of Katniss and Peeta). The game is now very real and must be played by every single citizen in Panem if the now obviously evil...
On January 23, Styx and their front-man, Tommy Shaw, along with James “JY” Young, Lawrence Gowan, Todd Sucherman and Ricky Phillips (along with the occasional surprise appearance by original bassist Chuck Panozzo) will be making a stop on their current concert tour at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills. Styx has performed more live shows since ’99 than all of the previous years of its career combined. Two Super Bowl appearances, Pollstar Box Office chart-topping tours with Def Leppard, Journey,...
A thoughtful film that places the past and its lingering effects on the present as told through feuding Appalachian families who can't or don't want to move forward in a 1970's backwoods North Carolina, THE WORLD MADE STRAIGHT is a microcosmic microscopic examination of introspection. Adapted from Ron Rash's 2006 novel by writer Shane Danielson and directed by David Burris, THE WORLD MADE STRAIGHT is a slow, methodical, atmospheric burn that celebrates the gravitas of performances from the likes...
The finger of God seems to have descended on Hollywood the past few years with a resurgence in the spectacle of the Old Testament and teaching of the New, on both the big and small screens. Perhaps a commentary on the world itself, perhaps as tool to give hope in desperate times, perhaps divine intervention, but we are none the worse for wear for the experiences given us by Roma Downey's "The Bible" and 'Son of God" or Darren Aronofsky's "Noah" and now, in perhaps the grandest spectacle yet, Rid...
Delving into somewhat rare territory with bringing a true life story and real life individuals to the big screen (the last time being "Ed Wood"), one of whom is very much alive and very much a part of the making of BIG EYES, Tim Burton returns to the bemused wonder and charm that he demonstrated with "Edward Scissorhands". While in many respects a departure from what we have grown accustomed to in recent years from Tim Burton, in others, BIG EYES feels like the smooth fit of a kidskin glove....
Casting is set for powerhouse Latino theatre group Culture Clash's "Chavez Ravine: An L.A. Revival," which opens February 4, 2015 at the Center Theatre Group/Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. Previews will begin January 27 and performances will run through March 1. This revisited and reimagined "Chavez Ravine" is directed by Lisa Peterson (who was at the helm of the world premiere in 2003 at the Mark Taper Forum) and features Culture Clash's Richard Montoya, Ric Salinas and Herbert Siguenza...
Kentwood Players kicks off its 65th Anniversary Year by presenting "An Ideal Husband" by Oscar Wilde. It will be presented from Friday, January 9 to Saturday, February 14, 2015 for a six-week run on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm with Sunday matinees at 2 pm at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Avenue, Westchester. The production is directed by T. Samantha Barrios and produced by Melodie S. Rivers and Terry Delegeane. Scandal! Blackmail! Corruption! Full of Wilde's well-known wit, rapid...
Fans of the stage musical, and those who have heard of but never seen the wonder that is Stephen Sondheim, are in for a special holiday treat come Christmas Day as all tied up with a big red bow, er, cape, is Sondheim's acclaimed and long-running INTO THE WOODS which finally arrives on the big screen in this stunning adaptation written by stage scribe James Lapine and Stephen Sondheim and directed by Rob Marshall. What big eyes you'll have as you watch the magic of this fairytale mash-up unfold...
The Culver City Chamber Orchestra presents "CELLO MANIA" on January 25, 2015 at 4 p.m. at Culver Palms United Methodist Church, 4464 Sepulveda Boulevard. Tickets are now available through www.ccchamberorchestra.com or for information by calling (310) 397-2490. MasterCard and Visa are accepted. Music Director Arlette Cárdenes heads a unique and fun concert of cello music by classical and pop composers such as Bach, Vivaldi, Lady Gaga, U2, Metallica and more. Call now for your tickets –Adults $1...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) opened its “Baroque Conversations” series on Thursday at Zipper Concert Hall at The Colburn School in downtown Los Angeles. It was a special affair honoring James Arkatov, artistic founder of LACO and original member of the cello section. There was a champagne toast for him at the pre-concert reception attended by musical director/conductor Jeffrey Kahane and then Arkatov kicked things off by saying a few words of...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter Grant Gershon, esteemed Artistic Director/Conductor of the Los Angeles Master Chorale (LAMC), filled the Walt Disney Concert Hall with his passion and joy as they presented their annual holiday concerts. He channeled his un-rivaled enthusiasm during the LAMC’s presentation of “Festival of Carols” on December 13 and Handel’s Messiah on December 21. The LAMC rung in the holiday season with a concert of favorite carols sung by one of the greatest chorale...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter Yusuf, formerly known as the incomparable Cat Stevens, made a stop on his "Peace Train" on December 14 during his five-city swing of America to present his "U.S. Peace Train...Late Again Tour 2014." Late again because it's been 35 years since the British singer-songwriter has played a concert in front of a live audience due to a decision he made in 1979, after 10 years of pop-stardom, to exit the music business to raise a family and explore his conversion...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter The Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra (LACO) opened its "Baroque Conversations" series on Thursday at Zipper Concert Hall at The Colburn School in downtown Los Angeles. It was a special affair honoring James Arkatov, artistic founder of LACO and original member of the cello section. There was a champagne toast for him at the pre-concert reception attended by musical director/conductor Jeffrey Kahane and then Arkatov kicked things off by saying a few words of...
Kentwood Players will hold open auditions for MAME with book by Jerome Lawrence and Robert E. Lee, music and lyrics by Jerry Herman, on Saturday, January 10 from 11 am to 3 pm and Sunday, January 11 from 6 pm to 10. Callbacks will be held on Monday, January 12 from 7 pm to 10. First cast read through will be on Wednesday, January 14 at 7 pm. Auditions and performances take place at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Avenue, Westchester. Performance dates are March 13 to April 18 with...
Disney On Ice presents Let's Celebrate comes to Los Angeles, Orange County, Inland Empire and Long Beach bringing more than 50 Disney characters from 16 beloved Disney stories together in the Southland for one party on ice. This fun-filled show features a magical montage of celebrations, holidays and festivals from around the globe set to a blend of contemporary music and favorite Disney songs, playing in the Southland from December 10, 2014 to January 4, 2015. You can join Mickey Mouse and...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter Legendary folk rock band "America" featuring the highly-talented harmonizing of duo Dewey Bunnell and Gerry Beckley will be making a stop on their tour at the Saban Theatre in Beverly Hills on December 7. Formed in 1970, their recording success has continued to delight audiences by performing over 100 shows per year. Their anthem is "Horse With No Name," but also are known for "Ventura Highway," "Sister Golden Hair," "Tin Man," "Daisy Jane," "Lonely...
As has become crystal clear over the past several years, DreamWorks Animation more than gives Walt Disney Animation Studios and Pixar a run for their money when it comes to animated features. With it's own distinctive styling of rich, vibrant colors like those seen in "The Croods" or "Turbo", character and background design are drawn with a slightly skewed shaping and outlining that have a touchstone quality to Saturday morning cartoons, while action and adventure is non-stop, high octane, high...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter The Verdi Chorus triumphed in their presentation of their fall concerts titled “Distant Lands” this past weekend at the acoustically-sound First United Methodist Church in Santa Monica. The chorus is one of the jewels of the Los Angeles opera scene and showed the audience why as they presented two flawless performances. The concerts honored Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky’s retirement after 40 years of service to Southern California. Musical director/conductor An...
The Goodman Theatre's world premiere production of Rebecca Gilman's "Luna Gale," directed by Robert Falls, opens Tuesday, December 2 at 8 p.m. at the Center Theatre Group/Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. The production continues through December 21, 2014. The cast, who originated their roles in Chicago, includes Jordan Baker, Reyna de Courcy, Melissa DuPrey, Mary Beth Fisher, Erik Hellman, Colin Sphar and Richard Thieriot. Gilman, whose "work reaches the heart and head with equal force,"...
Kentwood Players presents the Tony Award-winning musical "Into the Woods" with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, book by James Lapine, from Friday, November 14 to Saturday, December 20. There will be performances on Fridays and Saturdays at 8 pm, Sundays at 2 pm, with two Thursday night performances at 8 pm on December 11 and 18 at the Westchester Playhouse, 8301 Hindry Avenue, Westchester. The production is directed by Shawn K. Summerer with musical direction by Catherine Rahm, produced by...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter The Los Angeles Master Chorale, a cultural icon heralded around the globe for its exceptional artistry, presented its “Renaissance: Reawakened” performance on Sunday at the acoustically-sound Walt Disney Concert Hall where the Chorale has been residing since 2003. Not only did Artistic Director/Conductor Grant Gershon conduct the chorus, but so did his associate Lesley Leighton, and she did so very capably. “Rebirth: Music of the Spirit” is how Gershon...
MCLM in association with the BADWest St. Clair Bourne 4th Monday Documentary Series will present a free screening of Shola Lynch's film: Free Angela and All Political Prisoners. The screening will be held on Monday, November 24 at 7 pm at the Mayme Clayton Library and Museum, 4130 Overland Avenue, Culver City. Free parking is available. Free Angela is a feature length documentary about Angela Davis. The high stakes crime, political movement, and trial that catapults the 26 year-old newly...
Sean Cawelti, a Los Angeles-based theatre director, has been selected as the recipient of Center Theatre Group's 2015 Richard E. Sherwood Award. The Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City is part of the group. Created in memory of Richard E. Sherwood, the $10,000 award provides financial support for creative and adventurous emerging theatre artists living and working in Los Angeles. "The Sherwood Award supports innovative artists dedicated to Los Angeles, two attributes exemplified by Sean's artist...
By Steven Lieberman Observer Reporter The Verdi Chorus will present its “Distant Lands” fall concert in honor of Supervisor Zev Yaroslavsky’s retirement after 40 years of service to Southern California. This is the chorus’ 32nd year of showcasing glorious operatic repertoire and will highlight an exotic program of selections that span the globe. The program opens with the heartfelt cries of the people of Greece from Mozart's youthful masterpiece Idomeneo. From there the travel continues to the...
So what happens when you take a beloved 32 page book published in 1972 about a boy named Alexander who is obsessed with all things Down Under and bring it into modern day and expand those 32 pages into a feature film? You get a wonderful, wonderful, laugh out loud, fun-filled family film that just brightens the day. Alexander Cooper is having the worst day of his life. Gum in his hair, getting bullied and slammed into lockers at school, no breakfast, not getting to do a history assignment on...
