From Tom Hanks making his L.A. stage debut to the start of the Hollywood Bowl season, check out the top performances and plays in Los Angeles this June.
Edited by Christina Wiese.
Grand Performances
Opens June 1. This free outdoor summer concert series spotlights global performing arts with a lineup of high-quality music, dance, theater and more in downtown L.A. This season kicks off with highlights including a celebration of Sly and the Family Stone, a showcase of L.A. artists and a love-song sing-along with the Love Uninhibited Orchestra. See website for complete schedule. California Plaza, 300 and 350 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.687.2190. grandperformances.org
Jazz at LACMA
June 1, 8, 15, 22, 29. Not only does LACMA host some of L.A.’s finest jazz musicians during its Jazz at LACMA series on Friday evenings during the summer—June features the Nick Mancini Collective, Phil Ranelin and Jeff Littleton Quintet—but also its long-running Latin Sounds series presents world-renowned artists playing tunes from Cuba, Brazil, Argentina, Peru, Mexico and Los Angeles on Saturday afternoons from Memorial Day through Labor Day. See website for full lineup. 5905 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. lacma.org
IGNITE @ the Ford!
June 1, 8, 15-16, 28-29. In Hollywood’s Cahuenga Pass, Ford Theatres offers Jam Sessions—including Samba Dance & Drumming (June 18) and Japanese Folk Dance (June 25)—as well as dance, opera and Latin rhythms. See website for the full June lineup. 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. E., L.A., 323.461.3673. fordtheatres.org
Henry IV”
Opens June 5. Tom Hanks makes his Los Angeles stage debut, starring as the comedic Sir John Falstaff in the Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles’ production of the Bard’s touching comedy. See website for showtimes and ticket prices. The Japanese Garden, West Los Angeles VA Campus, 11301 Wilshire Blvd., L.A., 866.710.8942. shakespearecenter.org
“Skeleton Crew”
Opens June 5. This third installment in playwright Dominique Morisseau’s acclaimed The Detroit Project trilogy follows four co-workers at a Detroit auto factory in 2008 as they deal with uncertainty in both their professional and personal lives. See website for showtimes and ticket prices. Gil Cates Theater, Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., L.A., 310.208.5454. geffenplayhouse.org
“Long Day’s Journey Into Night”
Opens June 8. The Bristol Old Vic production of Eugene O’Neill’s Pulitzer Prize-winning masterpiece captures one fateful summer’s day in the lives of James Tyrone (Oscar winner Jeremy Irons), wife Mary (Oscar nominee for Phantom Thread Lesley Manville) and the couple’s two sons. See website for showtimes and ticket prices. Bram Goldsmith Theater, Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills, 310.746.4000. thewallis.org
Playboy Jazz Festival
June 9-10. Head to the iconic Hollywood Bowl for the this 40th annual fest featuring a first-rate slate of emerging jazz artists alongside renowned performers. Confirmed acts on the bill include Charles Lloyd & the Marvels with Lucinda Williams featuring Julian Lage, Reuben Rogers, Eric Harland and Greg Leisz; The Ramsey Lewis Quartet; Lee Ritenour and Dave Grusin; and more. George Lopez will host the weekend bash, marking the sixth year of his involvement with the fest. 3 p.m. See website for ticket prices. 2301 N. Highland Ave., L.A., 323.850.2000. hollywoodbowl.com
“Soft Power”
Through June 10. Having its world premiere here, this East-meets-West musical comedy from Tony winners David Henry Hwang (M. Butterfly) and Jeanine Tesori (Fun Home) follows a Chinese executive who falls in love with a good-hearted U.S. leader after the 2016 election. See website for showtimes and ticket prices. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
Shakespeare by the Sea
June 14-29. Down in San Pedro, don’t miss Shakespeare by the Sea’s free performances of The Merry Wives of Windsor (June 14-16, 28, 30) and The Winter’s Tale (June 21-23, 29) in Point Fermin Park. Free. See website for start times. 807 Paseo Del Mar, San Pedro. shakespearebythesea.org
Hollywood Bowl Opening Night
June 16. Superstar Diana Ross reigns supreme on Opening Night at the Bowl. Gather your group of four or six, purchase a patron package with box seating (starting at $2,600), and enjoy an exclusive pre-concert cocktail reception and gourmet dinner before the concert and spectacular fireworks finale. 8 p.m. See website for ticket prices. 2301 N. Highland Ave., L.A., 323.850.2000. hollywoodbowl.com
“The Color Purple”
Through June 17. The 2016 Tony winner for best musical revival arrives at the Pantages, telling the story of a young woman’s journey to love and triumph in the American South. See website for showtimes and ticket prices. Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770. hollywoodpantages.com
“The Humans”
Opens June 19. This new American classic, which won the 2016 Tony Award for best play, takes place over the course of a family’s Thanksgiving dinner. See website for showtimes and ticket prices. Ahmanson Theatre, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
“Our Very Own Carlin McCullough”
Opens June 19. Meryl Streep’s daughter Mamie Gummer stars in this play about a rising tennis star, her mother and her coach, written by actress Amanda Peet. See website for showtimes and ticket prices. Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater, Geffen Playhouse, 10886 Le Conte Ave., L.A., 310.208.5454. geffenplayhouse.org
“Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella”
June 19-24. The legendary creators of The Sound of Music and South Pacific are behind this Tony Award-winning Broadway musical, which boasts an orchestra and beloved songs—plus some twists on the classic rags-to-riches tale. See website for showtimes and ticket prices. Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770. hollywoodpantages.com
Friday Flights
Starts June 29. Veer off the 405 to the Getty Center for Friday Flights—evenings filled with music, performance and film. The three-month series kicks off with Devon Welsh, No) One. Art House, Sarah Davachi and Artists’ Books Fest. 6-9 p.m. Free. 1200 Getty Center Dr., L.A. 310. 440.7300. getty.edu
Shakespeare by the Sea photo by Mickey Elliot. Photo by Craig Schwartz.
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