Weekend Picks: ‘Henry V,’ Laguna Beach Music Festival and Step Afrika!
What to do this weekend? We have some ideas, including Shakespeare in Pasadena, noted tenor Nicholas Phan’s festival, a one-man “Great Expectations,” a new exhibit on gospel music, the dance troupe Step Afrika! and, yes, even some Mummenschanz. Here’s the quick rundown:
‘Henry V’ at A Noise Within
The warrior-king formerly known as Prince Hal leads the English army against the French at the battle of Agincourt in Shakespeare’s rousing historical drama “Henry V.” Rafael Goldstein stars. A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. In previews; opens 8 p.m. Saturday; ends April 6. $25 and up; student rush, $20. www.anoisewithin.org
Laguna Beach Music Festival
Noted tenor Nicholas Phan serves as artistic director for this year’s festival. Highlights include pieces by Robert and Clara Schumann; a new song cycle from Brooklyn-based composer Missy Mazzoli; and spiritually themed songs by Schubert, Bernstein, Copland, and Lennon and McCartney. Laguna Playhouse, 606 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. 8 p.m. Friday and Saturday, 3 p.m. Sunday. $38 and up. www.philharmonicsociety.org
Step Afrika! at the Soraya
The Washington, D.C.-based dance troupe Step Afrika! performs “The Migration: Reflections on Jacob Lawrence,” an evening-length work inspired by the artist’s 1941 series of paintings documenting the post-World War I movement of African Americans from the rural South to the industrial North. Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. 8 p.m. Friday. $33 and up. www.ValleyPerformingArtsCenter.org
‘Great Expectations’ at the Wallis
David Mynne of Britain’s acclaimed Kneehigh theater company portrays Pip — and Magwitch, Miss Havisham and just about every other character in this “Great Expectations” adapted from Charles Dickens’ classic coming-of-age tale. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Lovelace Studio Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. 8 p.m. Thursday and Friday, 2:30 and 8 p.m. Saturday, 2:30 and 7:30 p.m. Sunday. $40. www.TheWallis.org
Le Salon and Schubert
Isn’t it Romantic? The intimate chamber-music series Le Salon de Musiques offers a program for voice, strings and piano by Beethoven, Schubert and Mendelssohn. Performers include baritone David Castillo and Los Angeles Philharmonic first violin and concertmaster Martin Chalifour. As always, food, Champagne and conversation follow. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 5th Floor Salon, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A. 4 p.m. Sunday. $45, $85. www.lesalondemusiques.com
The gospel according to CAAM
The new exhibition “How Sweet the Sound: Gospel Music in Los Angeles” uses vintage photographs, artifacts and memorabilia to illuminate the history of the inspirational musical genre in the City of Angels from the turn of the last century to the civil-rights era and beyond. California African American Museum, 600 State Drive, Exposition Park, L.A. Opens Thursday; ends Aug. 26. Closed Mondays. Free. www.caamuseum.org
Mask theater and mime
The venerable Swiss-based troupe Mummenschanz celebrates its 45th anniversary with “you & me,” a new touring spectacular featuring mask theater, mime, dance, acrobatics, crazy costumes and arresting visuals. Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. 3 p.m. Sunday. $23 and up. www.ValleyPerformingArtsCenter.org
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