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The Program: Mark your calendar for these January 2025 SoCal performances.
Note: Though hours and formats are updated regularly, they can change without notice; best to confirm at venue websites.
SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY
Orchestral Evolution: Childs’ Premiere and Beethoven’s Eroica
Jan. 31-Feb. 1. The program begins with the World Premiere of LA-born, Grammy award winning composer Billy Child’s Concerto for Orchestra and ends with Beethoven’s Eroica symphony. Pianist Alexander Malofeev also takes the Jacobs Music Center stage in Prokofiev’s Piano Concerto No. 3. Jacobs Music Center, 1245 Seventh Ave., San Diego. sandiegosymphony.org
LA PHILHARMONIC
Schubert, Strauss & Saariaho
Jan. 30. Conductor Susanna Mälkki leads the Los Angeles Philharmonic in Schubert’s chilling yet charming two-movement symphony, nicknamed the “Unfinished.” Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laphil.com
CENTER THEATRE GROUP
Fake It Until You Make It
Jan. 29-March 9. A bold world premiere comedy from Los Angeles-based playwright, Larissa FastHorse, who focuses her keen sense of satire to examine Native American perspectives on contemporary life. Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. centertheatregroup.org
LA PHILHARMONIC
LA Phil Etudes with John Adams
Jan. 28. John and Samantha Williams Creative Chair John Adams returns for the second installment of the LA Phil Etudes each performed by an LA Phil musician. The program will also include a world premiere by Noah Jenkins. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laphil.com
PACIFIC SYMPHONY
Café Ludwig 2
Jan. 26. Enjoy delightful chamber music with principal musicians of Pacific Symphony in the coffee-house atmosphere of the Samueli Theater. Samueli Theater, 615 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. pacificsymphony.org
BROADSTAGE
Wild Up
Jan. 26. Grammy nominated ensemble, Wild Up, led by Artistic Director Christopher Rountree, blends classical repertoire with pop culture, new music and performance art. 1310 11th St., Santa Monica, broadstage.org
BROADSTAGE
Marlon Martinez and Marlonius Jazz Orchestra, featuring Olivia Kuper Harris
Jan. 25. Continuing the Future Sounds of Jazz series curated by Stanley Clarke, BroadStage presents the fusion of 20th-century big band tradition with 21st-century culture with Marlon Martinez and Marlonius Jazz Orchestra, featuring Olivia Kuper Harris! 1310 11th St., Santa Monica, broadstage.org
PASADENA SYMPHONY & POPS
Mozart “Jupiter” Symphony
Jan. 25. Brett Mitchell leads a program that highlights Mozart’s Symphony No. 41, “Jupiter”, with pianist Inon Barnatan. Florence Price’s Concerto for Piano in One Movement along with Jessie Montgomery’s Starburst will accompany Mozart’s “Jupiter”. Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S. St. John Ave., Pasadena. pasadenasymphony-pops.org
LA MIRADA THEATRE
The Play that Goes Wrong
Jan. 24-Feb. 16. The Cornley Drama Society is putting on a 1920s murder mystery, but as the title suggests, everything that can go wrong… does! The accident-prone thespians battle against all odds to make it through to their final curtain call with hilarious consequences!La Mirada Theatre, 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada.lamiradatheatre.com
PASADENA PLAYHOUSE
Follies and Anything Goes
Jan. 24-Feb. 1. Two iconic musical in two weekends. Follies and Anything Goes in concert featuring some of American musical theater’s most beloved songs performed on back-to-back weekends complete with full orchestrations. 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena. pasadenaplayhouse.org
LA PHILHARMONIC
Rachmaninoff & Muhly
Jan. 24-26. San Francisco Opera music director Eun Sun Kim leads the LA Phil through Rachmaninoff’s Third Symphony and a brand-new world premiere of a concerto grosso by composer Nico Muhly. Alexandre Kantorow, winner of the prestigious Gilmore Artist Award, shows off his sensitive technique with Rachmaninoff’s ever-evolving Rhapsody on a Theme of Paganini. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laphil.com
SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY
Busoni’s Violin Concerto
Jan. 24, 26. Daniele Rustioni makes her San Diego Symphony debut to lead a program of Italian-themed works beginning with Berlioz’s Roman Carnival Overture. Violinist Francesca Dego also makes her Symphony debut performing Busoni’s dark and lyrical Violin Concerto. Jacobs Music Center, 1245 Seventh Ave., San Diego. sandiegosymphony.org
SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Kimberly Akimbo
Jan. 21-Feb. 2. A new musical about growing up and growing old, Kimberly Akimbo is the winner of 5 Tony Awards including BEST MUSICAL. It features Tony Award-winning book and lyrics), a Tony Award-winning score, choreography by Danny Mefford (Dear Evan Hansen) and direction by Tony-nominated director Jessica Stone. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. scfta.org
THE OLD GLOBE
Appropriate
Jan. 25-Feb. 23. A comic drama about estranged siblings that gather to settle their late father’s Arkansas estate. Amid the clutter they uncover a shocking relic, forcing them to confront long-buried secrets and decades of resentment. Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego. dosd.com
SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Kerry Butler
Jan. 23-25. Tony nominated actress Kerry Butler has appeared in roles including Belle (Beauty and the Beast), Penny (Hairspray) and Audrey (Little Shop of Horrors). She has crossed over into film and television and now graces the stage with her Broadway favorites. Samueli Theater, 615 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. scfta.org
PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY OF OC
Itzhak Perlman
Jan. 21. Itzhak Perlman, reigning virtuoso of the violin, presents his collection of traditional klezmer music, In the Fiddler’s House. Released more than 25 years ago, the album became a PBS special that earned Perlman his third Emmy Award. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. philharmonicsociety.org
LOS ANGELES MASTER CHORALE
Lift Every Voice | Jason Max Ferdinand Conducts!
Jan. 19. Rising conductor/composer Jason Max Ferdinand joins the Los Angeles Master Chorale for a powerful program featuring music curated by Ferdinand to tell a story of hope in challenging times. The concert will include a world premiere by Jason Max Ferdinand. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. lamasterchorale.org
LA OPERA
Ryan Speedo Green in Recital
Jan. 19. Two-time Grammy award winning bass-baritone Ryan Speedo makes his first LA Opera appearance in a recital featuring songs by Wolf, Mussorgsky. Schubert, Mahler and more. The Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. laopera.org
SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY
Symphony Kids: Meet the Brass
Jan. 18. San Diego Symphony musicians share their favorite sing-a-longs and musical games in a series that invites families to explore music together. Jacobs Music Center, 1245 Seventh Ave., San Diego.sandiegosymphony.org
LA PHILHARMONIC
Arlo Parks
Jan. 17. Two-time Grammy nominee and Mercury Prize winner, Arlo Parks makes her Walt Disney Concert Hall debut following her new album My Soft Machine. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laphil.com
SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Pacific Jazz Orchestra Ivan Lin’s 80th Birthday Celebration.
Jan. 17. Pacific Jazz Orchestra is L.A.’s new resident ensemble for jazz and beyond. They are joined by three guest artists to celebrate the birthday of songwriter, vocalist and pianist Ivan Lins—an icon of Brazilian music. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. scfta.org
LA PHILHARMONIC
Beethoven & Tchaikovsky
Jan. 16-19. Swiss conductor Philipe Jordan brings his own pianist’s ear to the passion of Tchaikovsky’s Sixth, and pianist Yefim Bronfman brings out the power and majesty of Beethoven’s “Emperor.” Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laphil.com
SOUTH COAST REPERTORY
Wish You Were Here
Jan. 12-Feb. 2. In this enlightened comedy, Pulitzer Prize winner and Orange County native Sanaz Toossi chronicles a decade of life, as best friends become friends long lost, searching for the bond that once defined them. Emmes/Benson Theatre Center, 655 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. scr.org
CCAE THEATRICALS
Rising Stars
Jan. 12. Now in its 13th year, the Rising Stars show features the. Est up and coming talent from all over Southern California. The Center Theater, 340 N. Escondido Blvd., Escondido. theatricals.org
PACIFIC SYMPHONY
A Day in the Alps
Jan. 12. Carl St. Clair and the Pacific Symphony takes audiences on an orchestral odyssey that includes Strauss’s An Alpine Symphony. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. pacificsymphony.org
SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY
Colors and Rhythms: Clyne, Mozart, Beethoven
Jan. 17-18. The celebrated composer Anna Clyne’s Color Field opens the concert with an imagining of what mixing yellow and red would sound like. Mozart’s Piano Concerto No. 21, composed during his peak of creativity, is performed by the esteemed Spanish pianist Javier Perianes. Jacobs Music Center, 1245 Seventh Ave., San Diego. sandiegosymphony.org
SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY
Saint-Saëns’ Violin Concerto and Organ Symphony
Jan. 10-11. French conductor Ludovic Morlot celebrates music from his native land with two masterworks—Camille Saint-Saëns: the Third Violin Concerto and Organ Symphony. The program will highlight and celebrate the new sound of the completely renovated Robert Morton pipe organ in Jacobs Music Center. Jacobs Music Center, 1245 Seventh Ave., San Diego. sandiegosymphony.org
LA PHILHARMONIC
Cody Fry with Orchestra
Jan. 10. Musician Cody Fry was nominated for a Grammy for his re-orchestration of the Beatles’ classic “Eleanor Rigby”. This singer, songwriter and multi-instrumentalist has stirred up a huge following for his emotional orchestral pop and is joined by the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra on the Walt Disney Concert Hall stage. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laphil.com
LA PHILHARMONIC
Schumann & Brahms
Jan. 9, 11-12. Nathalie Stutzmann’s confident baton guides Schumann’s heroic and in Second Symphony, and Sunwook Kim shines in Brahms’ sophisticated and intimate Second Piano Concerto. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laphil.com
PACIFIC SYMPHONY
Four Seasons & Strauss
Jan. 9-11. Carl St. Clair leads the Pacific Symphony in Vivaldi’s The Four Seasons followed by Strauss’s masterpiece An Alpine Symphony set to visuals projected on a large screen. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. pacificsymphony.org
NORTH COAST REP
The Heart Sellers
Jan. 8-Feb. 2. The Heart Sellers by Lloyd Suh makes its San Diego premiere at North Coast Repertory. It is a portrayal of intelligent, curious and creative immigrant women navigating the challenges of living in a new country. Suh blends drama and humor to touch upon the insights and complexities of the human heart. 987 Lomas Santa Fe Dr., Solana Beach. northcoastrep.org
LA PHILHARMONIC
Igor Levit
Jan. 8. Pianist Igor Levit performs works for solo piano by the esteemed Three B’s: Bach, Beethoven and Brahms. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laphil.com
LA PHILHARMONIC
Chamber Music with the LA Phil
Jan. 7, 14. Experience big performances on a more intimate scale when musicians from the LA Phil perform chamber music in small ensembles. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laphil.com
LA PHILHARMONIC
Paul Jacobs, Organ Recital
Jan. 5. Organ virtuoso Paul Jacobs returns to the Walt Disney Concert Hall for a program that highlights the technical intricacies of Bach and the charisma of Liszt. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laphil.com
LA PHILHARMONIC
Batiashvili Plays Beethoven
Jan. 3-5. Violinist Lisa Batiashvili’s rendition of Beethoven’s sole Violin Concerto was praised sixteen years ago for having pure tone and precise intonation. She revisits the concerto under the direction of conductor Robin Ticciati, leading the LA Phil in Dvořák’s own folk-inspired lyricism including his Prague Waltzes and the strikingly colorful “mood picture” that is his Eighth Symphony. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laphil.com
SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Back to the Future
Dec. 26-Jan. 5. Winner of the 2022 Olivier Award for Best New Musical, four WhatsOnStage Awards, including Best New Musical, and the Broadway World Award for Best New Musical, Back to the Future: The Musical is adapted for the stage. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Dr., Costa Mesa. scfta.org
Photos courtesy of business and venue
