California International Theatre Festival returns

UCLA Live recently canceled its well-regarded international theater festival, but Calabasas would like to point out that UCLA didn’t have a lock on that concept. The city near the southwestern San Fernando Valley is holding its second annual California International Theatre Festival from July 17 to 25.

The visiting companies aren’t of the same stature as those that UCLA attracted, but they are diverse. The Orto-Da Theatre Group of Israel will perform its work “Stones,” Theatre Newfoundland Labrador of Canada presents “Tempting Providence” by Robert Chafe, and Conor Lovett of Gare St Lazare Players Ireland will perform an adaptation of the Samuel Beckett short story “The End.”

There also will be a reading of “The Ring Road,” a play by Raymond Zhou, a columnist for China Daily, and GhaffarPouraznar, a British performer who trained at the National Academy for Beijing Opera, will present his work “Essence of China: Beijing Opera De-Mystified.”

With roots much closer to home, the festival also will be offering a cabaret show featuring Broadway and TV veteran Michelle Lee, “Cabaret: Catch the Light.”

Tickets are $30 to $45. Information: (800) 351-2766; https://www.citfestival.org.