Entertainment briefs

Las Vegas-style show at Beyond the Stars Palace

Beyond the Stars Palace in Glendale is offering a unique dinner

theater production with music and dancing from around the world

Wednesdays through Sundays.

“Russian Extreme” features 26 famed Russian dancers in colorful

costumes in addition to daring circus acts, slapstick magicians, clowns

and audience participation.

Music in the show, spans the gamut from techno, jazz, Latin, ambient,

modern Jewish dance and even an African number with the “I Dream of

Jeannie” theme laced throughout. Another favorite number include a modern

dance version of “Back in the USSR.”

For dinner, there is an array of appetizers such as smoked fish and

meats, caviar, sushi, dolma, liver pate, vegetarian dishes and salads.

Entrees include baked salmon in a pastry shell, Saltimbocca, Chicken

Kiev, Beef Stroganoff and others. A variety of desserts is offered and a

full bar. After the show, dancing to a live band continues until 2 a.m.

Prices range from $48 to $75, which covers the food, show, dancing,

tax and tip. Valet parking is available.

For reservations, call 500-0151. Beyond the Stars Palace is at 417 1/2

N. Brand Blvd., Glendale. Shows start at 8 p.m. Wednesday through

Saturday. On Sunday, doors open at 5 p.m. The palace is taking

reservations for New Year’s Eve.

Children’s author appears at Barnes & Noble

Author Donna Getzinger of Toluca Lake will read excerpts from her book

“Saving Christmas Spirit,” a book for 8 to 12-year-olds, at 7:30 p.m.

Thursday at Barnes & Noble, 731 San Fernando Blvd., Burbank.

She will also give away free coloring books, designing holiday

greeting cards with the children and signing copies of her book.

The book relates the story about five children who help the Fairies of

Christmas Spirit defeat the Elves of Christmas Greed to save Christmas

Spirit from being destroyed forever. It has themes about tolerance,

goodness and recycling. And the book is even printed on recycled paper.

Residents appear with California Philharmonic

The California Philharmonic Orchestra has been selected to appear in

the 40th annual Los Angeles County Holiday Celebration from 3 to 9 p.m.

Friday at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion of the Music Center in Downtown

Los Angeles.

Performing arts organizations are highlighted during the afternoon and

evening program televised live on the public broadcast station KCET.

Residents performing are David Washburn, principal trumpet and Alvin

Veeh, second trombone, both of Glendale; Janitta Keck, second violin,

Teri Elliot Parker, first violin, Phil Feather, second oboe, Herman

Markosian, viola and Marina Manukian, first violin, all of Burbank.

Music director and conductor is Victor Vener.

CalPhil’s performance includes Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Dance of the

Tumblers” from “The Snow-Maiden,” Tchaikovsky’s “Waltz of the Flowers,”

and “Trepak” from the “Nutcracker,” and “Sleigh Ride” by Anderson.

Admission and parking are free.

For more information, call (626) 844-6600.

Play depicts road of deceit to White House

Vagabond Players Theatre Company will present the world premiere of

the drama “Right Lies,” a provocative, behind the scenes look at a

presidential campaign and a candidate who makes some questionable

compromises in order to win an election, opening Jan. 14 at the Gene Bua

Theater in Burbank.

The play was written by Paul Guay, Marcus Cootsona and Craig Lachman.

It is directed by Lewis Hauser and stars Rick Felkins, Tim Holtwick,

Michael Homeier, Jacee Jule, Karen Yvonne Taylor and Kevin Patrick

Wright.

Smart, handsome and seemingly credible, newly elected California

governor Chris Arthur and his handler Alec Samuels created a brilliant

and deceitful campaign that landed them in Sacramento. Their next stop is

the White House, but their presidential bid is threatened by Virginia

Kessler. Once Alec’s fiancee, now Chris’ wife, Virginia learns the

appalling truths behind the manipulations that have engineered her

marriage -- and that now threaten the country -- and decides to act no

matter what the consequences.

The Gene Bua Theater is at 3435 Magnolia Blvd., Burbank. Tickets are

$15. Show times are 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays and 7 p.m. Sundays

through Feb. 20. For reservations, call 980-8843.