Into the Woods
Dec. 2-21. Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s critically acclaimed new production of Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine’s Tony Award-winning play is a modern twist on the classic Brothers Grimm fairy tales. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.746.4000. thewallis.org
Unique USA’s L.A. Holiday Market
Dec. 6–7. Huge indie design show features wares from more than 350 designers and artists. DJs, free DIY crafts, wine tastings, free holiday portraits with Oh Snap Studios, guest speakers and more. 11 am-6 pm daily. $10, under 13 free. Parking $6. California Market Center Penthouse, 110 E. 9th St., downtown. uniqueusa.com
Music Center 50th Anniversary Spectacular
Dec. 6. The star-studded 90-minute show honors The Music Center and highlights the accomplishments of the past 50 years. The show includes special tributes to the world-class performing arts presented on The Music Center stages, as well as The Music Center’s leading national arts education programs, its 25-year history with the Academy Awards® and its role as a cultural hub in Los Angeles. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.7211. musiccenter.org
Love, Noel: The Letters and Songs of Noel Coward
Dec. 5-21. Broadway star Harry Groener as Noël Coward and Sharon Lawrence (NYPD Blue) star in this cabaret that weaves together Coward’s music and his witty correspondence with his famous friends in the Lovelace Studio Theater. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.746.4000. thewallis.org
The Nutcracker
Dec. 6, 7, 13, 14, 20, 21, 27, 28. The Los Angeles Ballet performs Tchaikovsky’s beloved holiday tale at Alex Theatre, Dolby Theatre, Royce Hall at UCLA and the Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center. See losangelesballet.org for schedule, venue and ticket information. Alex Theatre, 216 N Brand Blvd., Glendale, 818.243.2539; Dolby Theatre, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.308.6300; Royce Hall at UCLA 340 Royce Drive, Westwood, 310.825.4401; Redondo Beach Performing Arts Center, 1935 Manhattan Beach Blvd., Redondo Beach, 310.318.0610. losangelesballet.org
The Contenders
Opening Dec. 8. The Hammer Museum collaborates with New York’s MoMA for this film series that screens the year’s best films, followed by talks by filmmakers and actors. Highlights include indie vampire movie A Girl Walks Home Alone at Night and Richard Linklater’s highly anticipated Boyhood. See website for screening schedule. $15, $10 for Hammer Plus members. 10899 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood, 310.443.7000. hammer.ucla.edu
Blithe Spirit
Opening Dec. 9. Theater legend Angela Lansbury stars in this comedy by playwright Noël Coward. Following sold-out runs on Broadway and London’s West End, she reprises her Tony Award-winning role of Madame Arcati, a medium who channels a novelist’s dead wife. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
Wicked
Opening Dec. 10. The award-winning theater phenomenon returns to L.A. with three months of performances. Learn the untold story of the witches of Oz, the “wicked” Elphaba and good witch Glinda, in this smash-hit prequel to The Wizard of Oz. Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770. hollywoodpantages.com
Sea of Change
Opening Dec. 13. The beauty of L.A.’s beaches is timeless, yet the rising sea level changes the county’s coastal landscape a little bit each day—and challenges the people who live here and in similar seaside environments. The Annenberg Space for Photography in Century City explores our resilience in the face of rising tides with Sink or Swim: Designing for a Sea Change. This marks the first time the influential photography gallery has commissioned works for one of its exhibits, tapping esteemed photojournalists to capture locales such as post-Hurricane Katrina New Orleans and the lake village of Ganvie, Benin. Look for Where Los Angeles contributing photographer Monica Nouwens’ photographs of the restored Malibu Lagoon. 2000 Avenue of the Stars, Century City, 213.403.3000. annenbergspaceforphotography.org
Marina del Rey Boat Parade
Dec. 13. Parade of decorated yachts and boats in Marina del Rey preceded by fireworks show. Fireworks, 5:55 pm; parade, 6–8 pm. Free. Burton Chace Park, 13650 Mindanao Way, Marina del Rey, 310.670.7130. mdrboatparade.org
Manhattan Beach Holiday Fireworks
Dec. 14. The picturesque beachside city’s annual holiday celebration features a Skechers-sponsored snow park, a Santa float, a bounce park and live music, capped off by a fireworks show over the pier. To watch the fireworks in VIP fashion, head to The Strand House’s first annual Light Up the Night cocktail party, where in addition to the views you will enjoy passed appetizers, gourmet carving stations, festive music and dance and more. Snow park, float and bounce park, 4 pm-7 pm; fireworks, 7 pm. Free (new, unwrapped toy or cash donation requested for snow park admission). Manhattan Beach Pier, Manhattan Beach, 310.801.2202. mbfireworks.com
L.A. County Holiday Celebration
Dec. 24. Emmy Award-nominated show features a multitude of choirs, music ensembles and dance companies representing the many neighborhoods and cultures of L.A. 3–6 pm. Free admission and parking. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.972.3099. lacountyarts.org/holiday.html
Tournament of Roses
Dec. 27-Jan. 2. Float decorating, Bandfest, Equestfest, Rose Parade (Jan. 1, 8 am), Rose Bowl (Jan. 1, 1:30 pm). Free curbside viewing of parade on first-come, first-served basis; grandstand seats $48-$95 on sharpseating.com. Rose Bowl tickets start at $150 plus fees. Fees for other events vary. Rose Parade: Orange Grove, Colorado and Sierra Madre boulevards, Pasadena, 626.795.4171; Rose Bowl Stadium: 1001 Rose Bowl Drive, Pasadena, 213.365.3675. tournamentofroses.com
For the Record: Baz
Through Dec. 30. Though a cabaret lens, For The Record: Baz intertwines the tales of star-crossed lovers from Romeo + Juliet, Strictly Ballroom, Moulin Rougeand The Great Gatsby through songs like “Lady Marmalade,” “Kissing You,” “Love Is In The Air,” “Crazy In Love,” in a stunning 360-degree live theatrical concert experience. The cast will feature Janel Parrish (Pretty Little Liars, Dancing with the Stars), Rumer Willis (90210, House Bunny), Barrett Foa (NCIS: LA), Ginifer King (Haunted Hathaways), among others. Pair your night with five specialty cocktails inspire by the Baz Luhrmann catalog. Fri.-Sun., 8 p.m. $35–$55. DBAHollywood.com
CHILL at the Queen Mary
Continuing. The Queen Mary ocean liner is filled with 2 million pounds of ice for skating and tubing. Walk among 2.5-story-tall ice sculptures at a frigid 9 degrees. Hours vary; visit queenmary.com/chill for details. $24.99-$39.99. 1126 Queens Hwy., Long Beach, 877.342.0752. queenmary.com
Holiday Ice Rink Pershing Square
Continuing. A pristine ice skating rink materializes in the heart of downtown L.A. every holiday season, in Pershing Square. Hours vary; visit website for details. $9, skate rental $3. 532 S. Olive St., downtown. holidayicerinkdowntownla.com
Hollywood Costume
Continuing. Multimedia exhibition includes more than 150 costumes from movies both classic and recent, including such favorites as The Hunger Games and The Wizard of Oz. Presented by the Victoria and Albert Museum, London and the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences. M, T, Th 11 am-5 pm; F 11 am-8 pm; Sa-Su 10 am-7 pm. $10–$20. Wilshire May Co. building, 6067 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., 310.247.3049. oscars.org/hollywoodcostume
Ice at Santa Monica
Continuing. Holiday spirit by the beach. 8,000-square-foot outdoor skating rink in downtown Santa Monica. M–Th 2–10 pm, F 2 pm–midnight, Sa 10 am–midnight, Su 10 am–10 pm. Admission, including skate rental, $15. 1324 5th St., Santa Monica, 310.260.1199. downtownsm.com/ice
What the Butler Saw
Through Dec. 21. This classic farce—condemned as scandalous back in 1969—still holds up nicely. A psychoanalyst attempts to seduce his prospective secretary, but he’s married to a nymphomaniac who’s being blackmailed by her own illicit lover. Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
Luna Gale
Through Dec. 21. This hard-hitting drama centers around a veteran social worker faced with deeming whether baby Luna Gale would ultimately be better off with her young, irresponsible birth parents or an estranged grandmother. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd., Culver City, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin
Through Jan. 4. Hailed for his one-man shows about musical greats, multitalented Canadian performer Felder now tackles the master of American music himself, Irving Berlin. The work follows Berlin’s origins in czarist Russia to his embodiment of the American dream. Expect classic songs such as “God Bless America” and “White Christmas.” Gil Cates Theater, Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood, 310.208.5454. geffenplayhouse.com