‘200 Motels’

Los Angeles Philharmonic concertmaster Martin Chalifour performs with a bow tie in his hair as part of the performance’s shenanigans.   (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Characters in the piece, which Zappa made into a 1971 film, are portrayed at Disney Hall by, from left, Zach Villa as Howard, Joe Fria as Jeff and Matt Marks as Mark.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Jeff Taylor, as Larry the Dwarf, is met by Hila Plitmann, the soprano soloist. Esa-Pekka Salonen watches from the podium.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Hila Plitmann, the soprano soloist, interacts with conductor Esa-Pekka Salonen.   (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Diva Zappa, left, the composer’s daughter, is Janet and Sheila Vand is Lucy in the Disney Hall staging.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Rich Fulcher is Cowboy Burt in the Philharmonic’s Green Umbrella performance of “200 Motels.”  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Hila Plitmann, the soprano soloist, is a vision in yellow in the staged concert performance of “200 Motels” at Disney Hall.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

“200 Motels” cast members, from left, Zach Villa as Howard, Sheila Vand as Lucy, Morris Robinson, the bass soloist, and Diva Zappa as Janet.  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Jeff Taylor, left, is Larry the Dwarf and Hila Plitmann is the soprano soloist in the concert performance of “200 Motels.”   (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)

Walt Disney Concert Hall is bathed in neon as the Los Angeles Philharmonic, conducted by Esa-Pekka Salonen, delivers a staged concert performance of “200 Motels.”  (Lawrence K. Ho / Los Angeles Times)