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'Dying City' is a mesmerizing look at the battles within

By Charles McNulty, Los Angeles Times Theater Critic — Mon, 20 May 2013 19:25:00 PDT

Christopher Shinn's play deals with a psychotherapist's intriguing tussle with the memory of her husband, who was killed in the Iraq War.

There are many ways of being a political playwright. Christopher Shinn's approach, centered on characters rather than on ideologies, is one that will never go out of style.

Shakespeare's sonnets get a new iPad, iPhone app

By David Ng — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:20:00 PDT

William Shakespeare is believed to have written 154 sonnets during his life. Carrying around the complete volume has never been physically burdensome since each poem is a mere 14 lines. But a new application for the Apple iPad and iPhone is seeking to make the sonnets even more portable and accessible.

Zachary Levi to make Broadway debut in 'First Date'

By Jamie Wetherbe — Mon, 20 May 2013 13:06:00 PDT

“Chuck” star Zachary Levi will make his Broadway debut opposite stage and screen alum Krysta Rodriguez in "First Date,” a musical romantic comedy with a book by “Gossip Girl” writer Austin Winsberg.

Review: With 'Dulce Rosa,' L.A. Opera takes its show on the road

By Richard S. Ginell — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:01:00 PDT

While the proposed “subway to the sea” may be decades away if it ever comes, Los Angeles Opera isn’t waiting for it to happen.

Review: With 'Tosca,' Los Angeles Opera goes for grand

By Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times Music Critic — Mon, 20 May 2013 05:30:00 PDT

Conductor Plácido Domingo never wavers, and Sondra Radvanovsky is resplendent in title role, though other singers don't rise quite so well to the challenge.

An essay in the program for Los Angeles Opera's new production of "Tosca," which opened at the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion on Saturday night, begins by quoting Benjamin Britten on Puccini's opera. The British composer, Joseph Berger writes, was "'sickened' by the music's 'cheapness and emptiness,' and the astute critic Joseph Kerman famously called [the opera] 'a shabby little shocker.'"

Tony Awards 2013: 'Pippin,' Christopher Durang gain momentum

By David Ng — Mon, 20 May 2013 08:35:00 PDT

Like the Oscars, the Tony Awards are preceded each year by a bevy of award shows that renders the main event something of a foregone conclusion.

Review: 'Marriage of Figaro' a wedding of many talents

By Mark Swed, Los Angeles Times Music Critic — Mon, 20 May 2013 05:00:00 PDT

Mozart's opera is wonderfully performed in an L.A. Philharmonic production that even involves architect Jean Nouvel and designer Azzedine Alaïa.

Jean Nouvel, the French architect, is credited with creating "installations" for the Los Angeles Philharmonic production of Mozart's "The Marriage of Figaro," although "transformations" would be more accurate. Azzedine Alaïa designed the striking costumes. The result is a stunningly high style and wonderfully performed French "Figaro" that customized Walt Disney Concert Hall on Friday night in more ways than one.

James Levine, wheelchair-bound, returns to conducting

By David Ng — Mon, 20 May 2013 06:50:00 PDT

Following an absence of more than two years to recover from injuries and illnesses, James Levine made his big return to the podium Sunday to conduct the Metropolitan Opera orchestra at Carnegie Hall.

Review: 'The Fantasticks' an ingenious musical revival

By David C. Nichols — Mon, 20 May 2013 14:41:00 PDT

The delicate theatricality of “The Fantasticks” has weathered countless editions worldwide since its off-Broadway premiere in 1960. But Tom Jones and Harvey Schmidt’s adaptation of Edmond Rostand’s “Les Romanesques” has perhaps never before enjoyed the elevated insight of the daring transplant irradiating South Coast Repertory.

L.A. Dance Summit to explore how to solve dance community woes

By Laura Bleiberg — Mon, 20 May 2013 09:45:00 PDT

A conference to help dancers tackle the Sisyphean task of surviving and succeeding in Los Angeles will feature an unprecedented array of city, county, nonprofit and artistic leaders.