8 best things to do in L.A. and O.C.: American Ballet Theatre, Power to the People
March marches on with our culture picks for this weekend, including the world premiere of American Ballet Theatre’s “Of Love and Rage,” a musical adaptation of Octavia E. Butler’s futuristic fable “Parable of the Sower” and the kickoff of the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s Power to the People concert series. Plus we have an update on the annual Iranian new year celebration at UCLA.
Love will tear us apart
Star-crossed lovers suffer the slings and arrows of outrageous fortune in “Of Love and Rage.” American Ballet Theatre presents the world premiere of this two-act dance fable choreographed by Alexei Ratmansky and inspired by an ancient Greek tale. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. 7:30 p.m. Thursday-Friday, 2 and 7:30 p.m. Saturday, 1 p.m. Sunday. $29 and up. (714) 556-2787. scfta.org
World gone wrong
Have-nots eke out an existence in a dystopian future of racial injustice, income inequality, environmental devastation and more in “Parable of the Sower,” Toshi Reagon and Bernice Johnson Reagon’s musical drama based on the late novelist Octavia E. Butler’s acclaimed 1993 sci-fi fable. Presented by the Center for the Art of Performance at UCLA. Royce Hall, 10745 Dickson Court, Westwood. 8 p.m. Saturday. $28 and up. (310) 825-2101. cap.ucla.edu
Power up!
The L.A. Phil launches its eclectic, monthlong Power to the People series with concerts featuring jazz great Herbie Hancock at 8 p.m. Thursday, punk-rock high priestess Patti Smith at 8 p.m. Friday, Puerto Rican rapper Residente at 8 p.m. Saturday and gospel superstar Yolanda Adams at 2 p.m. Sunday. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. $40 and up. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com
Nowruz festival canceled
Since this article originally published, the Nowruz Iranian new year festival at UCLA was canceled because of coronavirus fears. The ticketed Royce Hall concert featuring soprano Darya Dadvar in her L.A. stage debut also has been canceled. More information: farhang.org
Before the curtain comes down
It’s your last weekend to catch four Times Critics’ Choice shows:
The $5 Shakespeare Company, Matthew Leavitt’s new comedy about a struggling L.A. theater troupe. 6th Act production at Theatre 68, 5112 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. 8 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. $35. eventbrite.com
Fun Home, Jeanine Tesori’s poignant musical based on Alison Bechdel’s autobiographical graphic novel about growing up in a dysfunctional family in rural Pennsylvania; for ages 13 and up. Chance Theater, Cripe Stage, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim. 8 p.m. Friday, 3 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. $25-$49. (888) 455-4212. chancetheater.com
The Unseen Hand/Killer’s Head, Sam Shepard’s one-act sci-fi western comedy paired with his monodrama about a prisoner awaiting execution. Odyssey Theatre, 2055 S. Sepulveda Blvd., West L.A. 8 p.m Wednesday, Friday and Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. $32-$37. (310) 477-2055. odysseytheatre.com
West Adams, Penelope Lowder’s new dark comedy about the gentrification of L.A.’s historic district. Skylight Theatre, 1816 N. Vermont Ave., Los Feliz. 8 p.m. Thursday, 8:30 p.m. Friday-Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. $20 and up; discounts available. (866) 811-4111. skylighttheatre.org
Updates
7:30 a.m. March 6, 2020: This article was updated to reflect the cancellation of the Nowruz festival at UCLA.
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