“A CHRISTMAS CAROL”
OPENS NOV. 24
For the 39th year, South Coast Repertory presents the classic Charles Dickens story featuring Tiny Tim, the Cratchits, and the Ghosts of Christmas Past, Present, and Yet to Come. Many in the cast and crew have been doing the show for a dozen years or more; director John-David Keller and Hal Landon Jr., playing Ebenezer Scrooge, have been in every production since 1979. South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-708-5555, scr.org
“WAITRESS”
NOV. 13 THROUGH 25
Directed by Tony Award winner Diane Paulus and featuring music and lyrics by Sara Bareilles, this Tony Award-nominated musical tells the story of Jenna, a waitress and expert pie maker who dreams of getting out of her small town and loveless marriage by entering a baking contest in a nearby county. Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-556-2787, scfta.org
HAYDN’S “THE CREATION”
NOV. 4
Inspired by the Book of Genesis and John Milton’s “Paradise Lost,” “The Creation” is considered one of composer Joseph Haydn’s greatest achievements. With Robert Istad conducting, Pacific Chorale and Pacific Symphony will perform the work for the first time in 45 years. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 615 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-662-2345, pacificchorale.org
“PETER AND THE STARCATCHER”
NOV. 2 THROUGH 11
This adaptation of the Peter Pan story based on the best-selling novels by Dave Barry and Ridley Pearson was nominated for nine Tony Awards and won five when it was on Broadway in 2012. Featuring swashbuckling pirates and jungle tyrants alongside the Lost Boys, it recounts what happened to Peter, Mrs. Darling, Tinker Bell, and Captain Hook before Wendy and the other Darling children came along. Curtis Theatre, 1 Civic Center Circle, Brea, 714-990-7722, curtistheatre.com
EAST MEETS WEST:
INTERNATIONAL DANCE FESTIVAL
NOV. 3
The UC Irvine Claire Trevor School of the Arts will celebrate its third-annual weeklong exchange program with Shanghai Normal University and Beijing Normal University with this event featuring UCI students, students from Shanghai Normal University and Nanjing University of the Arts, and community dance groups, including Indian Dance, Celeste Lanuza Dance Theater, American Ballet Theater School, Pan American Chinese Dance Alliance, and Yaya Dance Academy. Claire Trevor Theatre, UC Irvine, 949-824-2787, arts.uci.edu/boxoffice
“NATE THE GREAT”
NOV. 2 THROUGH 18
The beloved books by Marjorie Sharmat serve as the basis for this musical for young audiences. It follows Nate’s adventures as he sets his sights on solving a mystery: What happened to the painting of his friend’s dog, Fang? South Coast Repertory, 655 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-708-5555, scr.org
ANN PHONG
NOV. 8 THROUGH DEC. 30
Multimedia artist Phong has incorporated other people’s trash into her lush paintings for the past three decades, creating pieces that contemplate the state of the world and her journey from her native Vietnam to California. Muckenthaler Cultural Center, 1201 W. Malvern Ave., Fullerton, 714-738-6595, themuck.org
“LEGALLY BLONDE”
NOV. 10 THROUGH 18
Based on the book and movie of the same name, this musical follows Elle Woods, who works to get into Harvard Law School to win back her boyfriend. When she gets there, she fights stereotypes and harassment and helps the people around her while staying true to her fun and fabulous self. Irvine Barclay Theatre, 4242 Campus Drive, Irvine, 949-854-4646, thebarclay.org
JUSTIN TIMBERLAKE
NOV. 20
The pop superstar makes a stop in Anaheim on his Man of the Woods Tour. The set list highlights his February 2018 album of the same name and includes old favorites such as “SexyBack,” “Rock Your Body,” and “Can’t Stop the Feeling.” Honda Center, 2695 E. Katella Ave., Anaheim, 714-704-2500, hondacenter.com
NOBUNTU: ZIMBABWEAN VOICES
NOV. 9
Nobuntu, a female quintet from Zimbabwe, got its name from an African concept encompassing humbleness, love, purpose, unity, and family from a woman’s perspective. In this concert, accompanied by traditional instruments, they’ll showcase their range, performing everything from traditional Zimbabwean songs to Afro jazz to gospel. Soka Performing Arts Center, 1 University Drive, Aliso Viejo, 949-480-4278, soka.edu
MIKHAILOVSKY BALLET’S
“DON QUIXOTE”
NOV. 9 THROUGH 11
St. Petersburg’s Mikhailovsky Ballet and Orchestra bring to the stage their comical ballet based on the classic by Miguel de Cervantes. Principal dancer Ivan Vasiliev plays Basilio, the barber who is in love with village maiden Kitri. Segerstrom Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa, 714-556-2787, scfta.org
MUZEO EXPRESS 2018
OPENS NOV. 17
Model trains and miniature scenes, some depicting California landmarks, wind through the museum’s exhibit halls for this annual holiday tradition. Historic relics showcasing the history of trains in Southern California are also on display. Muzeo, 241 S. Anaheim Blvd., Anaheim, 714-956-8936, muzeo.org
“THE IDLE HOUR: THE IRVINE MUSEUM COLLECTION AT THE UNIVERSITY OF CALIFORNIA, IRVINE”
OPENS NOV. 9
Filled with still lifes, landscapes, and portraits, this exhibition spotlights selections from the Irvine Museum’s collection, one of the most prominent compilations of California Impressionist art, which was recently transferred to UCI. Casa Romantica Cultural Center and Gardens, 415 Avenida Granada, San Clemente, 949-498-2139, casaromantica.org
PILOBOLUS
NOV. 14
Known for their athleticism, the dancers in this critically acclaimed troupe have performed all over the world since their founding in 1971. They’ve used puppets, props, dramatic stage sets, and multimedia effects to create intriguing tableaus on the stage. They’ll present two new pieces in this performance. Musco Center for the Arts, 1 University Drive, Orange, 844-626-8726, muscocenter.org
TREE-LIGHTING CEREMONY
NOV. 16 AND 17
Fashion Island ushers in the holiday season with its annual tree-lighting ceremony, complete with celebrity guests, live holiday music, a visit from Santa, and the traditional “snow” that falls as the tree’s twinkling lights are turned on for the first time. Neiman Marcus-Bloomingdales Courtyard, Newport Beach, 949-721-2000, shopfashionisland.com
SAWDUST FESTIVAL’S WINTER FANTASY
OPENS NOV. 17
Decorated for the holidays, the summer festival transforms into a holiday shopping destination filled with paintings, clothing, jewelry, ceramics, and other gifts handcrafted by local artisans. Live entertainment, food, demonstrations, workshops, and a visit from Santa round out the experience. 935 Laguna Canyon Road, Laguna Beach, 949-494-3030, sawdustartfestival.org
“EMMA”
OPENS NOV. 23
Based on Jane Austen’s classic novel, this romantic-comedy musical follows Emma, a well-meaning but disastrously bad matchmaker who tries to match her friend Harriet with the local vicar, setting off a chain of missed connections and comic misinterpretations. Chance Theater, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim Hills, 714-777-3033, chancetheater.com
HUNTINGTON BEACH TURKEY TROT
NOV. 24
Runners, joggers, and walkers can get some exercise before the Thanksgiving feast at this annual event. The three flat, easy routes—1K, 5K, and 10K—stretch along the paved boardwalk on the beach. Funds raised from the event go to Causelife, a nonprofit organization that provides clean water in developing countries. Corner of Pacific Coast Highway and Beach Boulevard, Huntington Beach, turkeytrot.com
Facebook Comments