New Performing Arts Seasons Debut in Long Beach
Fall is here, which means while you’re breaking out the sweaters, Long Beach performing arts organizations are announcing their upcoming seasons. As always, the months ahead will offer a wide variety of options in the city: live music and theater, comedy and drama, Beethoven, Sir Elton and a comforting dose of cherished holiday traditions. Here’s a rundown of all there is to experience. Have a look!
Upcoming Shows
Mainstage
Holmes and Watson (Sept. 23-Oct. 22): Sherlock Holmes is dead. Or is he?
Relatively Speaking (Nov. 4-Dec. 3): Romantic comedy of errors and infidelities.
A Christmas Carol (Dec. 9-Dec. 18): Dickens’ holiday classic.
Agatha Christie’s Towards Zero: Jealousy, tennis and murder.
She Kills Monsters (Feb. 24, 2023-March 25, 2023): Action-packed, geek-love dramedy.
Diary of Anne Frank (April 7, 2023-May 6, 2023): Stage adaptation of the timeless classic.
In The Heights (June 30, 2023-Aug. 5, 2023): Joyful, Tony Award winning musical.
Studio Theatre
Urinetown (Oct. 15-Nov. 19): Hilarious, Tony Award winning musical.
Fistful of Improv (Oct. 16-Feb. 26, 2023): Comedy troupe bred on the streets of Long Beach.
MUSICA ANGELICA BAROQUE ORCHESTRA
Celebrating its 30th season, Musica Angelica is Southern California’s preeminent and most important historical performance ensemble. All performances take place in the Beverly O’Neill Theater.
Upcoming Shows
A Baroque Christmas (Dec. 3): Concert featuring Bach, Mozart and Vivaldi.
Chaos: A Celebration of Baroque Virtuosity (Jan. 14, 2023): Handel and Telemann.
Handel and Hendrix (Mar. 18, 2023) Classic meets Rock in a celebration of two icons.
MUSICAL THEATRE WEST
Starting 70 years ago as the Whittier Civic Light Opera, Musical Theater West has become a nationally recognized company consistently presenting exceptional productions with performers who have gone on to successful Broadway, TV and film careers. All performances are at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center.
Upcoming Shows
Damn Yankees (Oct. 14-30): Faust meets baseball meets Lola in this classic musical.
Rodgers + Hammerstein’s Cinderella (Dec. 2-18): A new take on the classic musical, featuring a contemporary take on the fairy tale.
9 to 5: The Musical (Feb. 10, 2023-Feb. 26, 2023): Based on the hit movie, with music and lyrics by Dolly Parton.
An American in Paris (Apr. 14, 2023-Apr. 30, 2023): Inspired by the Academy Award winning film, featuring an enchanting score by George and Ira Gershwin.
The Wizard of Oz (July 7, 2023-July 23, 2023): Stage adaptation of the beloved classic, featuring the iconic score from the MGM film.
The Sound of Music (Oct. 20, 2023-Nov. 5, 2023): This story of hope amid horror is the final collaboration between Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein.
INTERNATIONAL CITY THEATRE
Founded in 1985, International City Theatre is committed to entertaining, inspiring and provoking dialogue through live performance. The recipient of more than 350 professional awards, ICT was given the L.A. Drama Critics Circle Award for Sustained Excellence in Theatre. Performances are at the Beverly O’Neill Theater (300 E. Ocean Blvd.).
Upcoming Shows
Ken Ludwig’s Lend Me a Tenor (Oct. 19-Nov. 6): Tony Award winning comedy; opera meets the Marx Brothers.
Tick, Tick … Boom! (Feb. 15, 2023-Mar. 5, 2023): From Jonathan Larson, Pulitzer and Tony Award winning composer of Rent.
Under the Skin (April 26, 2023-May 14, 2023): The West Coast premiere of the comedy that explores family, fidelity and kidneys.
Into the Breeches (June 7, 2023-June 25, 2023): A sweet, touching comedy combining Shakespeare and Long Beach during World War II.
Exit Wounds (Aug. 23, 2023-Sept. 10, 2023): A story of healing, hope and compassion that explores a tragedy’s ramifications.
Death Trap (Oct. 18, 2023-Nov. 5, 2023): Broadway’s longest running comedy thriller, combines twists and turns with laughs.
LONG BEACH SYMPHONY
Nationally recognized and locally treasured, Long Beach Symphony features Southern California’s finest orchestra musicians. It opens its 88th season in October with kickoff performances for both its Classic and Pops series.
Upcoming Shows
Classic Series, performances at Long Beach Terrace Theater (300 E. Ocean Blvd.)
Beethoven’s 5th (Oct. 1): The world’s most famous symphony begins with the most recognizable bit of music, ever. Bum, bum, bum, buuuum.
Tchaikovsky and Rachmaninoff (Nov. 19): Guest pianist plays on a program that includes Swan Lake and the 1812 Overture.
The Four Seasons (Feb. 4, 2023): Who doesn’t love Vivaldi’s stormy, windy, rainy, sunny and delightful classic?
Carmina Burana (Mar. 11, 2023): Long Beach Camerata Singers and South Bay Children’s Choir join the orchestra for this exuberant performance.
An American in Paris (June 3, 2023): In a nod to American musical genius, Gershwin’s classic will be accompanied by the incomparable Duke Ellington’s Harlem.
Pops Series, all performances at Long Beach Arena Pacific Ballroom
The Elton John Tribute (Oct. 29): Craig A. Meyer joins the symphony in this musical tribute to the rock and roll legend.
Holiday Pops with the Camerata Singers (Dec. 17): An festive evening of holiday favorites and sing-alongs.
The Music of ABBA (Feb. 25, 2023): A full night of songs by the Swedish supergroup including the hits from the movie Mamma Mia.
BRAVO Broadway! (Mar. 25, 2023): Celebrating the best of Broadway featuring West Side Story, My Fair Lady, Chicago, Hairspray and Rent.
A Night of Symphonic Rock Dance Party (May 20, 2023): An all-star, six-piece rock band joins the orchestra in playing tunes by the Eagles, the Doors, Led Zeppelin and more.
LONG BEACH CAMERATA SINGERS
The choral music provider for the city, the Long Beach Camerata Singers are led by Grammy Award-winning director James K. Bass and is populated with professionals and accomplished amateurs–many with advanced music degrees–alike. All performances are at the Beverly O’Neill Theater (300 E. Ocean Blvd.), except where noted.
Upcoming Shows
Camerata Peace Project VI (Oct. 9, Terrace Theater): This year’s project’s theme is “Community” and will include excerpts from Considering Matthew Shepard.
Considering Matthew Shepard (Nov. 13): A fully staged version of this contemporary oratorio will include Camerata’s new Catalyst Ensemble.
Handel’s Messiah (Dec. 22-23): Welcome the holidays with a hearty Hallelujah for the 15th straight year.
Catalyst (Maar. 26, 2023): The Catalyst Ensemble explores the intricacies of Latin America Baroque, tracing the impact of folks and indigenous music.
An Evening of Song (May 13, 2023): A night of surprises and unscripted moments highlighting the talents and personalities of Camerata’s individual singers.