Not one, not two, but Three Tony-winning musicals and the return of the Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival are among our selection of Southern California cultural offerings this weekend. Before you go, don’t forget to call or check online for booking conditions and COVID-19[feminine] protocols.
‘The Knight of the Burning Pestle’
Independent Shakespeare Co.’s annual Griffith Park Free Shakespeare Festival returns for another summer with this rarely performed 17th-century satire, written not by the bard, but rather by his friend and contemporary Francis Beaumont. The Dell above the Old Zoo, 4801 Griffith Park Drive, Griffith Park, LA 7 p.m. Saturday-Sunday; other dates until July 31. Free ; reservations required. iscla.org
‘Kinky Boots’
A drag performer helps a struggling shoe factory owner turn his business around in a one-weekend-only staging by Cyndi Lauper and Harvey Fierstein Tony Award Winning Musical based on the 2005 motion picture comedy. Emmy winner wayne brady stars. Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. 8 p.m. from Friday to Saturday, 7:30 p.m. on Sunday. $14 to $181. hollywoodbowl.com
‘Red Mill! Musical comedy’
A struggling writer and a glamorous nightclub host share an ill-fated turn-of-the-century romance in Paris in the award-winning adaptation of Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 musical drama. Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. 8 p.m. from Thursday to Friday, 2 p.m. and 8 p.m. on Saturday, 1 p.m. and 6.30 p.m. on Sunday. $39 and up. broadwayinhollywood.com
‘In the woods’
Pacific Opera Project features a site-specific exterior staging of the Tony Award-winning musical fantasy of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine, inspired by the classic fairy tales of the Brothers Grimm. Descanso Gardens, 1418 Descanso Drive, La Cañada Flintridge. 7:30 p.m. from Thursday to Sunday; also from July 15 to 17. $25, $30 (both price categories are currently sold out, but a waitlist is available). Details about pacificoperaproject.com
“Barack is Back”
Barak’s Ballet, the Santa Monica-based neoclassical ballet company led by Artistic Director Melissa Barak is returning to live, in-person performance after a two-year pandemic-induced hiatus. BroadStage, Santa Monica College Performing Arts Center, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. 8 p.m. Saturday, 2 p.m. Sunday. $50 to $95. barakballet.org
‘Michael Feinstein sings Gershwin’
The singer, pianist and principal conductor of the Pasadena Pops also takes the mic to lead the orchestra through a selection of songwriter George Gershwin’s greatest hits. The Los Angeles County Arboretum, 301 N. Baldwin Ave., Arcadia. 7:30 p.m. Saturday (doors open at 5:30 p.m.). $25 to $152. pasadenasymphony-pops.org
Masters Competition
This annual presentation of living pictures – life-size recreations of famous works of art using living, breathing humans – is back. This year’s theme: “A Wonderful World”. Festival of the Arts/Competition of the Masters, 650 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach. 8:30 p.m. every evening, from Thursday to September 2. $30 and up. foapom.com
‘Mrs. Krishnan’s feast
She’s cooking up a storm, so bring your appetite in this immersive and interactive theater experience presented by New Zealand’s Indian Ink Theater Company. The Edye at BroadStage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. 8 p.m. from Friday to Saturday, 2 p.m. on Sunday; other dates until July 24. $45 – $65. broadstage.org
2022 summer sound waves
The Marisoul y Son California, providers of traditional Mexican folk music, are helping launch a second edition of this family concert series. Local singer Jackie Mendez opens the show. The Music Center, Jerry Moss Plaza, 135 N. Grand Ave., Downtown LA 8 p.m. Saturday. $20; up to four children, ages 12 and under, free with each paying adult. musiccenter.org
This story originally appeared in Los Angeles Times.
