Strolling along the mid-summer performance season, the longest running musical sashays into Santa Monica; a Shakespearean lover’s fate is reconsidered downtown; while a Canadian visitor postpones his Santa Monica show this SoCal dance week, plus a peek at next week.
Live This Week
Canadian blended and postponed
Blending Bollywood, Indian classical dance, and western contemporary moves, Canadian Chase Constantino is a recognized choreographer as well as a finalist in Canada’s Got Talent. The scheduled performance of his Priya (Beloved), scheduled for two performances this weekend at Highways, has been indefinitely postponed according to Constantino’s Instagram page. Stated reason: “Unforeseen circumstances.” Highways Performance Space, 1651 18th St., Santa Monica; Fri.-Sat., Aug. 8-9, 8 pm, POSTPONED. Highways Performance Space.
“& Juliet” photo by Matthew Murphy
Two chances for “What if?”
Exploring what would have happened if, after finding Romeo dead, she had decided not to die with him, the Tony-nominated & Juliet opens for a month-long run downtown before moving for another run in Costa Mesa. Ahmanson Theater, Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., Downtown; opens Wed., Aug. 13, then Tues.-Thurs., 7:30 pm, Fri., 8 pm, Sat., 2 & 8 pm, Sun., 1 & 7 pm, thru Sun., Sept. 7, $51-$259. Center Theater Group- & Juliet Also at Segerstrom Center for the Arts, 600 Town Sept. 9-21. https://www.scfta.org/events/2025/juliet
Raven Scott in “The Fantasticks” – photo courtesy of the artist
Easy to remember
History’s longest running play, The Fantasticks, currently is steps away from the runway at Santa Monica airport. The song source for Try to Remember, Much More, and Soon It’s Gonna Rain, this is not known as a dancing musical, but choreographers Jennifer Oundjian and Erik Hall make the most of the dancing sections in this compact space (after this show, the respected Ruskin Group Theatre moves nearby where it will have two theaters, perhaps with space to add dance to its theater offerings, following the lead of West LA’s Odyssey and the Sierra Madre Playhouse). The cast, all strong singers, also can move, particularly Raven Scott who has CalArts in her background. She hasn’t a line or a song, yet as “The Mute” occupies space in a way that commands the eye whether she’s dancing, or a wall, or a witness propelling the musical along. Ruskin Group Theatre, 3000 Airport Ave., Santa Monica; Fri.-Sat., 8 pm, Sun., 2 pm, thru Sun., Aug. 24. $30-$45. The Fantasticks
A Peek at Next Week: (Aug. 15 to 21)
Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ballet Company – Serenatas y Bodas de México at the Ford Theater, 2851 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood; Sat., Aug. 16, 8 pm, $75-$102. Grandeza Mexicana Folk Ball
WonderLAnd with UniverSOUL Hip Hop Dance Company at Ford Theater, 2850 Cahuenga Blvd. East, Hollywood; Sun., Aug. 17, 11:30 am, $13. UniverSOUL Hip Hop
Raiford Rogers Modern Ballet – Islands in the Sea at Luckman Fine Arts Complex, Cal State University Los Angeles, 5151 State University Dr., Lincoln Heights; Sat., Aug. 16, 7 pm, $24-$63. Raiford Rogers
Raiford Rogers Modern Ballet – photo courtesy of the artists
Ballet Folklorico Flor de Mayo – 6th Annual World Itotia Festival at the Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica; Fri., Aug. 15, 7 pm, $25. Ballet Folklorico Flor de Mayo. Also at 3rd St. Promenade, 1351 3rd St., Santa Monica; Sat., Aug. 16, 3 pm, free.
LUME Collective – Desolation at Stomping Ground, 5453 Alambra Ave., El Sereno; Sat.-Sun., Aug., 16-17, 6 & 8:30 pm, $12-$25, Zoom $14 (6 pm shows only). LUMA Collective
Featured photo: & Juliet Photo by Matthew Murphy
Ann Haskins’ Blog appears at CulturalDaily.com
