How Southern California is marking Shakespeare’s death 400 years ago: Plays, talks, sonnet karaoke

The 400th anniversary of beloved poet and playwright William Shakespeare’s death will be marked around the world on Saturday. Places like the Folger Shakespeare Library in Washington, D.C., are throwing massive parties with lots of events, and Los Angeles is representing with activities of its own.

A sampling of the events:

“Murder, Lust & Madness,” Brit Week opening night at the Wallis: This dramatic extravaganza Saturday evening features 27 actors, musicians and dancers, including Patrick Stewart, Michael York and Stacy Keach, as they take to the stage in a variety show highlighting some of the best words and moments Shakespeare wrote. Alas, it’s sold out. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Beverly Hills.

Shakespeare telecasts at the Paley Center: The Paley Center will screen six Shakespeare telecasts that aren’t available commercially or on YouTube: “Richard II” (1954), “The Taming of the Shrew” (1956), “Twelfth Night” (1957), “The Tempest” (1960), “Macbeth” (1960) and “Hamlet” (1970). Saturday and Sunday. The Paley Center for Media, 465 N. Beverly Drive, Beverly Hills. Free ($10 suggested contribution). www.paleycenter.org/2016-shakespeare-400/

Shakespeare Youth Festival L.A.: Presented by the Los Angeles Drama Club and featuring actors from 6 through 17, the festival will stage “The Tempest,” “A Winter’s Tale” and “Pericles” at Hollywood’s Lyric Theater through May 1, with a closing party at Fais Do Do in West Adams. Performances include actor-run workshops, panel discussions and post-show talk backs dealing with Shakespeare’s relevance to the modern world. 1 and 3:30 p.m. Saturday, Sunday and April 30 and 1 p.m. May 1 at the Lyric Theatre, 520 N. La Brea Ave., L.A.; and 3:30 p.m. May 1 at Fais Do Do, 5257 W. Adams Blvd., L.A. $10. www.losangelesdramaclub.com

Pomona College presents: “Noises, Sounds and Sweet Airs, The Tempest”: This festive musical celebration features compositions by Thomas Arne, Orlando Gibbons, John Hilton, Thomas Morley, Ralph Vaughan Williams and more. Readings from Shakespeare’s sonnets and plays will be interspersed throughout. 8 p.m. Saturday. Doors open 7:30 p.m. Bridges Hall of Music, 150 E. 4th St., Claremont. Free.

Beyond Reasonable Doubt: Actor and author Michael York will introduce a screening of the 2012 documentary “Last Will & Testament,” which explores the persistent theory that William Shakespeare was not the author of the work attributed to him. 2 to 5 p.m. Sunday. Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles, 1238 W. 1st St., L.A. Free.

Celebrating Shakespeare in April!: The adult and teen librarians at the Alma Reaves Woods library are teaming to host screenings of modern films inspired by the work of William Shakespeare. With each screening the audience will learn about the play or literary work that influenced the film selection. Films were not announced. Alma Reaves Woods Watts Branch Library, 10205 Compton Ave., L.A. 3:30 to 5:30 p.m. Thursday. Free.

Shakespeare’s Last Night Out: The Hollywood nightclub the Three of Clubs becomes a den of Elizabethan iniquity with an encore performance of the Hollywood Fringe Festival-winning solo show “Shakespeare’s Last Night Out,” which explores a scenario in which Shakespeare has a vision on the eve of his death that his authorship will be contested in the future. Written and performed by Michael Shaw Fisher for Orgasmico Theatre. Bard-themed cocktails will be served and Shakespeare-oriented films will be screened. 9 p.m. Friday, April 22. The Three of Clubs, 1123 Vine St., L.A. $10 to $20.

Happy Birthday Mr. Shakespeare: An open house at San Diego’s Old Globe theater celebrate’s Shakespeare with family entertainment, including live music, sonnet karaoke, Shakespeare-themed games and activities, and plenty of cake. 10 a.m. to 1 p.m. Saturday. The Old Globe, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego. Free.

jessica.gelt@latimes.com

Twitter: @jessicagelt