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The Program: Mark your calendar for these May SoCal performances.
Note: Though hours and formats are updated regularly, they can change without notice; best to confirm at venue websites.
LA MIRADA THEATRE FOR THE PERFORMING ARTS
Mean Girls
Through May 3. Adapted from Fey’s hit 2004 film of the same title, Mean Girls was nominated for a staggering 12 Tony Awards. Cady Heron may have grown up on an African savanna, but nothing prepared her for the wild and vicious ways of her strange new home: suburban Illinois. 14900 La Mirada Blvd., La Mirada. lamiradatheatre.com
THE OLD GLOBE
August Wilson’s Fences
Through May 3. Set in 1957, this Pulitzer Prize and. Tony Award-winning play follows Troy Maxson, a former Negro League baseball star, now a sanitation worker. Grappling with the burden of his broken dreams, Troy struggles to assert control over his family and his future. Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage, Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego. theoldglobe.org
SOUTH COAST REP
Eat Me
Through May 3. Chris loves fine cuisine and spends hours on the internet with like-minded foodies. Stevie doesn’t eat fish with souls, Beatrice and Jen just baked a flax loaf, and Cindy might have salad later. Everyone is longing for something that makes them feel full—and when the meal is over, maybe they’ll be transformed. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Julianne Argyros Stage, 655 Town Center Dr. scr.org
LA OPERA
Falstaff
Through May 10. A bumbling knight hatches a plot to marry rich…too bad his targets see right through it. This classic comedy provides constant laughs as the merry wives of Windsor team up to teach Sir John Falstaff a lesson in Verdi’s side-splitting final opera. James Conlon conducts a brilliant ensemble cast that includes Craig Colclough as Falstaff, Nicole Heaston, Ernesto Petti, and Hyona Kim. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laopera.org
THE OLD GLOBE
Alien Girls
Through May 10. Alien Girls is a heart-filled comedy about the tensions between creating art and creating life. It is a tale of best friends—one pregnant and the other failing to be happy for her. True feelings are revealed, and the fallout may be irreparable. Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego. theoldglobe.org
SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY
Star Wars, a New Hope in Concert
May 1. Embark on an epic journey to a galaxy, far, far away as you experience the iconic film with John Williams’ legendary Oscar-winning score live to film. The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park, 222 Marina Park Way, San Diego. theshell.org
LA PHIL
Dvorák and Korngold
May 1-3. Gen-Z prodigy María Dueñas performs Korngold’s mesmerizing and dramatic Violin Concerto under the spirited baton of Colombian conductor Andrés Orozco-Estrada, who makes his LA Phil debut. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laphil.com
SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY
Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band
May 2. Gordon Goodwin’s Big Phat Band is an 18-piece jazz orchestra, led by talented and creative pianist, that combines the big band swing of the 1930s and 1940s with funk and jazz fusion. Fans will recognize the band from the Pixar film The Incredibles and in music from The Naked Gun.The Jacobs Music Center, 250 B. St., San Diego. sandiegosymphony.org
LA PHIL
Anna Lapwood, Organ Recital
May 3. Internet sensation Anna Lapwood, returns to Walt Disney Concert Hall to perform a selection of music that unleashes the power of 6,134 pipes. The program will include familiar music from films like The Hunchback of Notre Dame, The Davini Code and Star Wars Episode 1—The Phantom Menace. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laphil.com
A NOISE WITHIN
Exit the King
May 3-31. It’s King Bérenger’s last day on Earth. Eugène Ionesco delivers a savagely funny and touching look at mortality. As the king clings to power (and life), his crumbling kingdom is held together by an eccentric crew. A witty, poignant exploration of letting go, full of heart, humanity and unexpected wit. 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. anoiseiwthin.org
LA PHIL
Pat Metheny
May 4. 20-time Grammy winner Pat Metheny returns to Walt Disney Concert Hall for the first time in 15 years. His music spans jazz, new age, rock and fusion—a versatile artist who has won a Grammy in 10 different categories. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles.laphil.com
LA PHIL
Smith, Cabezas & Childs
May 5. Los Angeles-based composer and jazz pianist Billy Childs builds upon Gabriella Smith’s natural themes when his trio joins her for John Cage’s Child of Tree, which asks its performers to use plant-based instruments including amplified cactus. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laphil.com
LA PHIL
Waxahatchee & MJ Lenderman
May 6. Waxahatchee, along with frequent collaborator and indie-rock stalwart MJ Lenderman is joined by special guest Brennan Wedle for an evening of up-close performances, solo and together. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laphil.com
PACIFIC SYMPHONY
Mozart, Say & Tchaikovsky
May 7-9. Mandolin virtuoso Avi Avital’s artistry sets the stage for Tchaikovsky’s Symphony No. 5, a powerful journey from fate’s darkness to triumphant victory. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Renée & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 655 Town Center Dr. pacificsymphony.org
THE WALLIS
Dancing with Bob: Rauschenberg, Brown & Cunningham Onstage
May 7-9. Trisha Brown Dance Company and Merce Cunningham Trust join forces, presenting Brown’s Set and Reset accompanied by Laurie Anderson’s bewitching electronic score. 3930 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. thewallis.org
LA PHIL
Rachmaninoff & Szymanowski
May 8-10. Swiss conductor Lorenzo Viotti makes his LA Phil debut with violinist Lisa Batiashvili for an impassioned program of late-Romantic gems by Szymanowski and Rachmaninoff. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laphil.com
SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY
From the Depths to the Heights
May 9-10. Renowned Mexican composer Gabriela Ortiz writes music of visceral energy and melodic sweetness, and the San Diego Symphony Orchestra is taking part in her new cello concerto Dzonot, specially written for cellist Alisa Weilerstein. The program, led by conductor Rafael Payare concluded with Prokofiev’s Symphony No. 5 written during World War II as a tribute to “the greatness of the human spirit.” The Jacobs Music Center, 250 B. St., San Diego. sandiegosymphony.org
PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY
Larisa Martínez, soprano
May 10. Soprano Larisa Martínez in an evening of poignant song cycle by Narciso Figueroa, honoring Martínez’s Puerto Rican roots. The program additionally includes works by Alberto Ginastera and Heitor Villa-Lobos, taking audiences on a sonic exploration of Latin America’s diverse cultural landscape. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Renée & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 655 Town Center Dr. philharmonicsociety.org
PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY
Formosa Quartet
May 12. The Formosa Quartet performs one of the most popular works in the chamber music repertoire, Dvořák’s “American” Quartet, along with other works by Gershwin, Wynton Marsalis, and more. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Dr., Irvine. philharmonicsociety.org
LA JOLLA PLAYHOUSE
Purpose
May 12-June 7. The most awarded play of 2025 makes its West Coast Premiere at La Jolla Playhouse. For decades, the influential Jasper family of Chicago has been a pillar of Black American Politics: civil rights leaders, celebrity pastors and congressmen. When the youngest son Nazareth returns home with an uninvited friend in tow, the family is forced to reckon with decades of secrets and unresolved tensions that threaten to topple their empire. Weiss Theatre, 910 La Jolla Village Dr., La Jolla. lajollaplayhouse.org
PASADENA PLAYHOUSE
Brigadoon
May 13-June 14. Two American travelers lose their way in the Scottish Highlands and stumble upon Brigadoon, a mysterious village that appears for just one day every hundred years. This beloved classic is a heart-stirring journey into a world where time stands still. 39 S. El Molino Ave., Pasadena.pasadenaplayhouse.org
PHILHARMONIC SOCIETY
Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra
May 14. Conducted by Jaime Martín, the Los Angeles Chamber Orchestra brings a versatile program, from the charming melodies of Mozart’s Haffner Symphony to the wistful, nostalgic sounds of Tchaikovsky’s Orchestra Suite. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Renée & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 655 Town Center Dr. philharmonicsociety.org
THE OLD GLOBE
Kim’s Convenience
May 15-June 14. Heart and humor take the stage in this award-winning comedy that inspired the hit Netflix series. Korean-born Mr. Kim runs a Toronto convenience store while raising his Canadian children with traditional values. As generational tensions rise, one family’s everyday struggles become a metaphor for a changing society. Donald and Darlene Shiley Stage, Old Globe Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego. theoldglobe.org
PACIFIC SYMPHONY
An Enchanted Evening with the Three Mexican Tenors
May 15-16. The three tenors, backed by Mariachi Garibaldi de Jaime Cuéllar and full orchestra, deliver a stirring mix of operatic showpieces and romantic ballads. Celebrate the dazzling range of Latin vocal tradition with The Three Mexican Tenors—a thrilling fusion of classical finesse and modern charisma. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Renée & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 655 Town Center Dr. pacificsymphony.org
SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY
Folk Auras: Thayer and Mendelssohn’s “Scottish”
May 15-16. Three works inspired in different ways by folk music and the mix of different cultures. Perú Negro (Black Peru), by San Diego Symphony’s Composer-in-Residence Jimmy López, was composed in 2012; Alban Berg’s last completed work, his mystical Violin Concert written in 1935; and Mendelssohn’s “Scottish” Symphony. Conductor Rafael Payare leads the San Diego Symphony Orchestra and violinist Jeff Thayer. The Jacobs Music Center, 250 B. St., San Diego. sandiegosymphony.org
SEGERSTROM CENTER FOR THE ARTS
Riverdance 30 – The New Generation
May 15-17. To celebrate this incredible 30th year milestone, Riverdance will embark on a special anniversary tour. The Grammy award-winning music and energy of its mesmerizing choreography and breathtaking performances have left audiences in awe and established Riverdance as a global cultural sensation. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Segerstrom Hall, 655 Town Center Dr. scfta.org
THE WALLIS
Bang on a Can All-Stars: Ryuichi Sakamoto
May 16. In this powerful live tribute to composer Ryuichi Sakamoto, the Bang on a Can All-Stars breathe new life into the iconic 1996 album. With arrangements by Ken Thomson, the ensemble reimagines selections from some of his most unforgettable works, including The Sheltering Sky, Wuthering Heights, and more. 3930 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. thewallis.org
THE WALLIS
Martín + Marwood + Mozart
May 17. Music Director Jaime Martín guides LACO through Mozart’s vibrant “Haffner” symphony and Tchaikovsky’s “Mozartiana” suite—a set of loving transfigurations that recast Mozart’s style through the lush textures of the late 19th century. 3930 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. thewallis.org
LA PHIL
Die Walküre Act I
May 19, 22. Following the LA Phil’s acclaimed production of Das Rheingold, Gustavo Dudamel, famed architect Frank Gehry, and director Alberto Arvelo take on the second installment in Wagner’s grand Ring Cycle: Die Walküre. Envisioned as a three-part saga with each act standing on its own, this production boasts a cast of international opera superstars who bring to life a grand tale of love, fate, duty, and self-determination. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laphil.com
LA PHIL
Die Walküre Act II
May 20, 23. Following the LA Phil’s acclaimed production of Das Rheingold, Gustavo Dudamel, famed architect Frank Gehry, and director Alberto Arvelo take on the second installment in Wagner’s grand Ring Cycle: Die Walküre. Envisioned as a three-part saga with each act standing on its own, this production boasts a cast of international opera superstars who bring to life a grand tale of love, fate, duty, and self-determination. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laphil.com
CENTER THEATRE GROUP
Primary Trust
May 20-June 28. Kenneth, a bookstore worker in a small town, spends his evenings drinking at the local bar. When he is laid off, Kenneth faces challenges he has long avoided. It is a story of new beginnings, old friends, and finding the courage to see the world for the first time. Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. centertheatregroup.org
LA PHIL
Die Walküre Act III
May 21, 24. Following the LA Phil’s acclaimed production of Das Rheingold, Gustavo Dudamel, famed architect Frank Gehry, and director Alberto Arvelo take on the second installment in Wagner’s grand Ring Cycle: Die Walküre. Envisioned as a three-part saga with each act standing on its own, this production boasts a cast of international opera superstars who bring to life a grand tale of love, fate, duty, and self-determination.Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laphil.com
SAN DIEGO SYMPHONY
Also Sprach Zarathustra & Bluebeard’s Castle
May 22-24. The season ends with two of the most spectacular scores from the late romantic period: Strauss’s epic tone-poem Also Sprach Zarathustra, and Bartók’s dramatic Bluebeard’s Castle. Both these magnificent works use extreme and glittering orchestral colors to represent the real colors of the world and the cosmos – dawn, sunlight, vast mountain views, sunset, and the darkest night. The Jacobs Music Center, 250 B. St., San Diego. sandiegosymphony.org
PACIFIC CHORALE
A Serenade to Music
May 23. Artistic Director Emeritus John Alexander leads a breathtaking season finale celebrating the healing power of music with works by Mozart, Brahms, and Bruckner. Celebrate John’ Alexander’s legacy, the enduring power of music, and the beauty of a shared moment that honors both the past and the future. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Renée & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 655 Town Center Dr. pacificchor ale.org
LA PHIL
Sounds of France
May 26. Experience some of the most intricate, surprising, and captivating French chamber music through winds, strings, harp, and percussion with members of the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laphil.com
THE WALLIS
Pacific Jazz Orchestra: Miles Davis & John Coltrane at 100
May 28. The Pacific Jazz Orchestra presents a powerful tribute to two of the most influential figures in jazz—Miles Davis and John Coltrane—as both artists would have turned 100 in 2026. 3930 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. thewallis.org
LA PHIL
Gustavo Dudamel & Yo-Yo Ma
May 28, 30. Cello icon Yo-Yo Ma reunites with Gustavo Dudamel for a world premiere performance of an underwater field recordings-inspired concerto by Puerto Rican composer Angélica Negrón. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laphil.com
PACIFIC SYMPHONY
Shelley Conducts America at 250
May 28-30. Artistic and Music Director Designate Alexander Shelley and pianist Conrad Tao come together for a bold celebration of the 250th anniversary of the United States. This concert honors our nation’s past, present, and future—an unforgettable tribute to 250 years of cultural innovation. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Renée & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 655 Town Center Dr. pacificsymphony.org
LA PHIL
Sierra and Strauss
May 29, 31. Gustavo Dudamel conducts the world premiere of Puerto Rican composer Roberto Sierra’s symphonic study after leading Strauss’ Ein Heldenleben (“A Hero’s Life”) for the first time. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laphil.com
PASADENA SYMPHONY
America @ 250
May 30. Grammy-nominated pianist Joyce Yang captivates audiences with her virtuosity. She performs the West Coast Premiere of composer Johnathan Leshnoff’s Rhapsody on “America” as well as selections from John Williams American Journey—a celebration of American orchestral music. Ambassador Auditorium, 131 S. St. John Ave., Pasadena. pasadenasymphony-pops.org
PACIFIC SYMPHONY
Leopold & the Magic Flute: Opera for Kids!
May 30. This delightful, family-friendly adaptation of Mozart’s The Magic Flute brings to life the thrilling tale of princes, princesses, magic spells, and daring rescues —all with kid-friendly narration, lively characters, and, of course, world-class music performed by Pacific Symphony. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Renée & Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 655 Town Center Dr. pacificsymphony.org
LA OPERA
The Magic Flute
May 30-June 21. LA Opera’s runaway hit is back: follow Prince Tamino on a quest to save his lady love as Mozart’s delightful adventure is brought to life with hand-drawn animation. The most viewed production in our history is back by popular demand, and you won’t want to miss out on James Conlon’s final performance as LAO’s Music Director. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. laopera.org
THE OLD GLOBE
The Hombres
May 30-June 21. For Héctor and his crew of construction workers, the job site is all about grit and bravado. When their catcalling and jokes draw complaints from the yoga studio next door, instructor Julian invites them to try a class. The Hombres is a funny and deeply human look at machismo, friendship, and the quiet bonds that form when men open their chakras and let their guard down. Sheryl and Harvey White Theatre, 1363 Old Globe Way, San Diego. theoldglobe.org
THE WALLIS
From Hell to Hollywood
May 30. Scott Dunn and his orchestra explore the music and influence on Hollywood of European émigré composers in the 1930’s forced to flee from the Nazi’s: film music’s first golden age and the émigré community. 3930 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. thewallis.org
LA MASTER CHORALE
Sound Waves. The Music of Esmail, Garrett and Woo
May 31. Three powerful meditations on water—the source of all life—including Malhaar: A Requiem for Water by former Swan Family Artist-in-Residence Reena Esmail, alongside world premiere commissions by composers Marques L.A. Garrett and Hyowon Woo. The program, which features Hindustani vocalist Saili Oak, moves through the various forms of Raag Malhaar (monsoon raags), to convey the importance and power of water, which holds a sacred place in Indian classical music. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., Los Angeles. lamasterchorale.org
THE WALLIS
Handel + Vivaldi + Telemann
May 31. Soprano Amanda Forsythe brings expressive nuance to Handel’s arias and Bach’s glowing “Wedding Cantata”. Director of Chamber Music Margaret Batjer leads the ensemble through Vivaldi’s shadowy La Notte and Biber’s Battalia—a theatrical experiment where clashing keys and rhythms evoke chaos and conflict. 3930 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. thewallis.org
Photo Credits: All images are courtesy of the venues and businesses featured.
