Check out the best performances and plays in Los Angeles this month.
Edited by Christina Wiese.
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time
Aug. 2-Sept. 10. Award-winning playwright Simon Stephens’ The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time, based on Mark Haddon’s best-selling novel of the same name, follows brilliant but socially awkward 15-year-old mathematician Christopher, who sets out to find the real culprit when he is suspected of killing his neighbor’s dog. Along the way, he makes an earth-shattering discovery and sets off on a journey that changes his life forever. The acclaimed play won five Tony Awards in 2015, including Best Play, Best Direction of a Play and Best Actor in a play. See for yourself what the buzz is about when the National Theatre’s production of the play, starring Adam Langdon, opens August 2 at the Ahmanson Theatre. See website for show times and pricing. 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
Grand Performances
Aug. 3-6, 10-13, 18-20, 26. 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 month’s highlights include Daedelus Grooves for COLA20, Lucky Diaz and the Family Jam Band and two performances of Peter & the Wolf set to different musical styles. California Plaza, 300 & 350 S. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.687.2190. grandperformances.org
Heisenberg
Through Aug. 6. Visionary playwright Simon Stephens (The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time) explores human connection in this acclaimed play, which finds Georgie (Mary-Louise Parker, Weeds) pursuing a much older man, played by Denis Arndt (Basic Instinct). See website for schedule and pricing. Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown, 213.628.2772. centertheatregroup.org
King of the Yees
Through Aug. 6. This world premiere production follows playwright Lauren Yee as she sets out on a joyride across cultural, national and familial borders to find her missing father, and discover what it truly means to be a Yee. See website for schedule and pricing. Kirk Douglas Theatre, 9820 Washington Blvd, Culver City, 213.972.7231. centertheatregroup.org
Hamilton
Opening Aug. 11. The wait is finally over for Los Angeles theatergoers: The phenomenon that is Hamilton arrives at the Hollywood Pantages and will run through the end of the year. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony-winning, Grammy-winning and even Pulitzer Prize-winning musical (which single-handedly made history hip) has graced stages in New York, Chicago and San Francisco before arriving in LA—the latest stop on its national tour. Playing the titular founding father and treasury secretary is Michael Luwoye; Tony nominee Joshua Henry is portraying Aaron Burr; and The Book of Mormon actor Rory O’Malley steps into the role of King George III. Hear them take on the show’s groundbreaking soundtrack, which blends hip-hop, jazz, blues, rap and R&B with historical accuracy. To snag one of the hot tickets, visit ticketmaster.com or call 800.982.2787. Hollywood Pantages Theatre, 6233 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood, 323.468.1770. hollywoodpantages.com
Long Beach Jazz Festival
Aug. 11-13. Listen to a stellar lineup of jazz musicians that includes Poncho Sanchez, Ramsey Lewis and Urban Knights, Marcus Miller, Boney James, among other. The annual festival set in Rainbow Lagoon Park also features food, art and more. Tickets start at $65. 400 Shoreline Village Dr., Long Beach. longbeachjazzfestival.com
Tchaikovsky Spectacular with Fireworks
Aug. 18-19. Witty conductor Bramwell Tovey commands the stage during this annual tradition of classical and cannons. The USC Trojan Marching Band joins the LA Phil for the “1812 Overture,” complete with thrilling instrumentation and pyrotechnics. Show starts at 8 p.m. See website for pricing. 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood, 323.850.2000. hollywoodbowl.com
Northern Stars: An Evening with Rufus Wainwright
Aug. 20. Giving his only U.S. performance of Northern Stars in honor of Canada’s 150th anniversary, and first performance in Los Angeles in three years, Grammy-nominated singer-songwriter Rufus Wainwright sings an intimate evening of curated songs by Canadian musical icons Joni Mitchell, Neil Young and Leonard Cohen, among others. 8 p.m. See website for pricing. The Ford Amphitheater, 2580 Cahuenga Blvd. E., L.A., 323.461.3673. fordtheatres.org
Friday Flights at The Getty
Aug. 25. The monthly series at The Getty Museum brings together a wide range of Los Angeles-based creative thinkers working across artistic mediums for a vibrant evening of sounds and sights. This month artist Kenyatta A.C. Hinkle presents Exploring the Nowannago: Kentifrican Modes of Resistance, a provocative performance that abstractly explores the effect of the past on contemporary identities. Los Angeles-based visual artist Scott Benzel presents a new site-specific piece, and New York-based psych-rock band Psychic Ills performs. 6-9 p.m. Free. 1200 Getty Center Drive, L.A. getty.edu
