Etta and Ella at REDCAT

story. Troupe has respect for Etta but he had forgotten about the sisters in recent years, who weren’t prominent anymore in his circle.

He recalled seeing Etta, who was once beautiful, on Broadway at the bookstore. She looked hopeless and her dress was careless. A huge contrast from the dazzling suits she and her sister used to wear.

He had been surprised to discover Etta was a member of the Vanishing answers, then perhaps an understanding.

I mention this to note the novelty at the core of Kennedy’s dreamlike, intense play and Cole’s harnessing that juxtaposition into this hybrid stage/ film noir production. Cole’s cinematic approach provides an intricate blend of monologue, dialogue, voiceover and prose in a work that is part experimental play, part narrative thriller.

Through his film noir, Cole has created another character by way of an on stage screen. Just like the movies, but the screen is cloaked in a sheer, pleated curtain adding to the dreamlike narrative where subtle emotions are perceptible. The actors (Tori DannerElla, Sarajean Francois - Etta and Wesley T. Jones - Troupe) perform narration on film that, at times, suddenly transform into real time action — on stage. of an Obie Award for Sleep Deprivation Chamber, which she co-authored with her son Adam. Other awards include a Guggenheim Award, the Anisfield-Wolf Book Award for Lifetime Achievement, the Lila Wallace Reader’s Digest Award, the American Academy of Arts and Letters Award for Literature, the 1990 American

Book Award, and induction into the Theater Hall of Fame in 2018, for Lifetime Achievement in the American Theater.

Details: centerfornewperformance.org and redcat.org/events/2023/etta-andella

Literary Club. Troupe recalls how the successful sisters had written together and over time, it became impossible to distinguish their experiences, thus creating their turmoil. The sisters write from experiences in their own lives — and accuse the other of plagiarizing from each other. They use the same character names and they even fight over the same name, Suzanne, for their characters. They had both planned to write separate books about their brother and each had the idea of holding imaginary conversations with him.

Both wear their hair in an “upswept style” and they even wear the same costume, a floral black and white smock and white sneakers. Later, the sisters make one costume change, into identical black evening dresses.

Taking this all in, curiosity overwhelms you. Is Etta haunted by her sister, this apparition? Was she murdered? Does Ella exist or was she created in Etta’s mind? Is she part of Etta’s psyche or a character in a story of hers?

Early in the play, you’re still not certain about any of this. These queries usher you deeper into the events that have formed Etta’s precarious subconscious. A rabbit hole that becomes the hook, leaving you determined to discover, if not

To experience Cole’s effective use of dual mediums with seamless technicality and the actors’ fluidity between stage and screen — highlighted via musical score/ soundtrack — unleashes the imagination. Indeed, this experience embodies theater anew through intimate and multifaceted encounters.

Monty Cole is an award-winning theater and film writer-director based in Chicago, Illinois.

He has directed for The Goodman Theatre, Steppenwolf, Center Theatre Group, Oregon Shakespeare Festival, CalArts Center for New Performance, Alley Theatre, American Blues Theater, and many others. He is an Artist in Residence at CalArts Center for New Performance, a fellow at Hermitage Artist Retreat and a research scholar of the Bridge to Faculty at University of Illinois Chicago.

“Adrienne Kennedy is a masterful writer who creates beautiful puzzles, mysteries, nightmares, personal exorcisms that exist within their own understanding of time,” said Cole in the program notes. “For this world premiere production of Etta and Ella on the Upper West Side, the creative team was interested in how we could build an experience that honored Adrienne Kennedy’s unique storytelling in a way that hasn’t been done before.”

Adrienne Kennedy is the recipient

Music

March 17

The Bracken Band St. Paddy’s Party

This show features Irish jigs, misty moor ballads, rowdy rebel songs and traditional folk reels, led by Irish singer/guitarist Marian Tomas Griffin. Lyons Academy of Irish Dance will open the show.

Time: 8 p.m., March 17

Cost: $23 and up

Details: https://grandvision.org/ event/the-bracken-band-st-patricks-day-party/

Venue: The Grand Annex, 434 W. 6th St., San Pedro

March 22

What Makes It Great?

The award-winning composer Bill Kapilow has brought the joys and wonder of music to audiences with his What Makes It Great? presentations, which dissect and examine the mysteries of music in terms everyone can grasp. The evening concludes with part three, a spirited Q&A on the work.

Time: 7:30 p.m., March 22

Cost: $55

Details: 562-916-8500; www.cerritoscenter.com

Venue: Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts,18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos

March 25

Bravo! Broadway

The Long Beach Symphony performs music from some of Broadway’s iconic musicals, including Funny Girl, The Wiz, Sweeney Todd, Lion King, Rent, Cabaret, Chicago, Westside Story, Les Misérables, Phantom of the Opera, Dreamgirls, Hello Dolly and The Tina Turner Musical.

Time: 8 p.m., March 25

Cost: $30 to $180

Details: 562-436-3203; LongBeachSymphony.org

Venue: Long Beach Arena Pacific Ballroom, 300 E. Ocean Ave., Long Beach

March 26

Spain and the New World

The Long Beach Camerata Singers continue their 57th season with a performance by the Catalyst Chamber Ensemble of Spain and the New World. The concert will be performed by Camerata’s new all professional group, The Catalyst Chamber Ensemble.

Time: 4:30 p.m., March 26

Cost: $40 to $65 org Venue: Los Altos United Methodist Church, 5950 E. Willow St., Long Beach

Details: www.LBCamerata.

March 29

Grocer Philadelphia band Grocer prides itself on being truly DIY, often performing repeat visits and highlighting local bands. Two Long Beach locals, Jagged Jein and Slice, will join Grocer for the show.

Time: 9 p.m., March 29

Cost: $12.88 https://tinyurl. com/GrocerLB

Detail: https://tinyurl.com/ GrocerLB

Venue: Alex’s Bar, 2913 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach

March 30

Arnold Livingston Geis with Grant Gershon, Piano Geis has recently been seen on some of the top stages across the country, some of which include: Los Angeles Philharmonic/Hollywood Bowl, Walt Disney Hall, LA Opera and Washington National Opera/Kennedy Center.

Time: 8 p.m., March 30

Cost: $10 to $26

Details: https://elcaminotickets. universitytickets.com/w/

Venue: El Camino College, Campus Theater, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance

Entertainment

March 18

Experience 38: ICONS

Drag performers from around Los Angeles will perform at El Segundo Museum of Art, taking inspiration from Experience 51:TIME and showcasing costumes and music from Rick Carter’s blockbuster filmography. Must be ages 18+ for entry.

Time: 6:30 p.m. to 8 p.m., March 18

Cost: Free

Details: https://esmoa.org

Venue: ESMoA, 208 Main St., El Segundo

Theater

March 16

Amélie the Musical

Amélie is a unique young woman who perceives the world in extraordinary ways. One day, she decides to do random acts of kindness to enrich the lives of the people around her.

Time: 8 p.m. Friday, Saturday and 3 p.m., Sunday March 10 to 26

Cost: $15 to $25

Details: https://tinyurl.com/amelie-the-musical

Venue: El Camino College, Campus Theater, 16007 Crenshaw Blvd., Torrance

All in the Timing

This evening of comedies will remind you of a polished Pick of the Vine — combining wit, intellect, satire and just plain fun — served as a series of short plays.

Time: 8 p.m., Friday, Saturday 2 p.m., Sunday, March 10 to March 26

Cost: $20 to $30

Details: 310-512-6030 voicemail or text: 424-203-4707; https://tinyurl.com/all-in-the-timing

Venue: Little Fish Theatre, 777 S. Centre St., San Pedro March 17

Venus in Fur

Nothing is what it seems, yet everything we crave. Through the lens of power dynamics and gender roles the company explores the erotic longing of sexuality and desire, revealing the truth of the roles we play in our lives, and who we really are beneath our skin. The play runs March 17 to April 15.

Time: 8 p.m., Thursdays, Fridays and Saturdays.

Cost: $18 to $30 org

Details: www.thegaragetheatre.

Venue: The Garage Theatre, 251 E. 7th St., Long Beach

Comedy

March 21

Underground Comedy & Cabaret Show

For a night of laughter and excitement, check out this show. It features some up-and-coming comedians and Cabaret performances.

Time: 8 p.m., March 21, 28

Cost: $15

Details: https://tinyurl.com/Harvelles-comedy-and-cabaret

Venue: Harvelle’s Long Beach, 201 E. Broadway, Long Beach

March 16

Helen Cammmock: I Will Keep My Soul

British artist Helen Cammock’s first exhibition in the United States features film, poetry, performance, archival documents and books rooted in the social history, ge- ography and community of New Orleans. Helen Cammock: I Will Keep My Soul is a gathering of encounters and observations, figured in text and image, of her experiences in the city. In Collaboration with the California African American Museum, the show runs through Aug. 5.

Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday

Cost: Free

Details: https://artandpractice. org/exhibitions

Venue: Art + Practice, 3401 W. 43rd Place, Los Angeles

Rock Records of the Future

Join a conversation with Richard Turner, Michael Davis and Paul Harris, the artists of Uplifting Tales and Eroded Histories. This ingallery event will explore the art of the exhibition and the science and history surrounding its inspiration, the Palos Verdes Peninsula. The exhibition, which runs to March 25, presents a speculative geohistory of the peninsula.

Time: Gallery hours: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Thursdays through Saturdays

Cost: Free

Details: Reservations: http:// ow.ly/tzly50N2oaj

Venue: Angels Gate Cultural Center, 3601 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro Connective Threads Fiber Art from Southern California Connective Threads, a survey of contemporary fiber art in Southern California, provides a window into what is currently engaging fiber artists, even as this discipline continues to evolve and change.

Time: 9 a.m. to 5 p.m., Monday through Friday, Saturday 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., Jan. 28 to April 15

Cost: Free

Details: https://pvartcenter.org/ connective-threads

Venue: PVAC, 5504 Crestridge Road, Rancho Palos Verdes

Lee Krasner: A Through Line

The exhibition provides a context to explore Lee Krasner’s important abstract paintings and collages from the 1940s to the early 1960s.

Time: 12 to 5 p.m., Tuesday, Wednesday, Thursday, through May 19

Cost: Free

Details: www.csulb.edu/carolyncampagna-kleefeld-contemporary-art-museum

Venue: Carolyn Campagna

Kleefeld Contemporary Art Museum, 1250 Bellflower Blvd., Long Beach

MOLAA Hosts Yolanda Gonzalez Exhibit

The Museum of Latin American Art hosts an in-depth exhibition of the Chicana artist Yolanda Gonzalez. Her work dates back to the 1980s and includes a variety of sculptures, paintings and prints in an exhibition called The Evolution of Visions and Dreams.

Time: 11 a.m. to 6 p.m., Feb. 19 to July 30

Cost: Free on Sunday, $15 general admission, $10 for students

Washed Ashore — Art to Save the Sea

This new exhibit features 16 largescale sculptures made from beach waste. Washed Ashore – Art to Save the Sea is a nonprofit organization committed to combating plastic pollution through art and education. The sculptures were built by the organization and its volunteers to inspire and spark changes in consumer habits. This exhibit provides education behind what’s possible to limit waste, particularly our single-plastic use.

Time: 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., April 1.

Ongoing

Cost: Free with garden admission of $0 to $15, or adventure package for $29

Venue: Philippine Expressions Bookshop, 479 W. 6th St., Suite 105, San Pedro

Food

March 16

Long Beach Cambodian Restaurant Week

Featured eateries will offer a Long Beach Cambodian restaurant week special or offer $5, $10, $15 and $20 menus at participating Cambodian restaurants and food businesses.

Time: March 16 through March 23

Cost: $5 to $20 and specials

Details: https://cambodianrestaurantweeklb.com and seniors

Details: https://molaa.org/2023yolanda-gonzalez

Venue: The Museum of Latin American Art, 628 Alamitos Ave., Long Beach

March 18

Family Art Workshop Honoring

Corita Kent

In honor of Women’s History

Month, the March workshop will be celebrating the legacy of artist, educator and advocate for social justice Corita Kent. Angels Gate Cultural Center is joined by the Corita Art Center and Calimucho Screen Printing to make posters with messages inspired by her life and work.

Time: 1 to 2:30 p.m. March 18

Cost: Free

Details: Register at, https://tinyurl. com/printmaking-with-Corita

Venue: Angels Gate Cultural Center, 3601 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro

March 19

Fragments

The Long Beach Creative Group is hosting special events in connection with its current exhibit, Fragments, which features the outstanding work by students at the Cal State Art Department.

Time: 5 to 7 p.m., March 19

Cost: Free

Details: https://longbeachcreativegroup.com

Venue: LBCG at Ron Briggs Gallery, 2221 E. Broadway, Long Beach

March 25

CO/LAB 5 – Los Angeles and The World Angels Gate Cultural Center studio artist Ann Weber will participate in CO/LAB 5 – Los Angeles and The World in the main gallery at the Torrance Art Museum. The exhibition opens on March 25 and runs through May 6.

Time: 11 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Saturday

Cost: Free

Details: https://www.torranceartmuseum.com/upcoming-exhibitions

Venue: Torrance Art Museum, 3320 Civic Center Drive, Torrance

April 1

Reflections on a Warming Planet

Join a multimedia event curated by Lucinda Luvaas, with screeings of the films: Birth of Industry by Gabriela Tollman, This Mortal Plastik by Jess Irish, and Road 721 by Lucinda Luvaas. Following the film screening is a reading by author William Luvaas and then a panel discussion featuring Gabriela Tollman, Nigella Hillgarth, and Marina Moevs.

Time: 3:30 to 5:30 p.m., April 1

Cost: Free

Details: https://tinyurl.com/warming-planet

Venue: Angels Gate Cultural Center, 3601 S. Gaffey St., San Pedro

Details: 424-452-0920; https://tinyurl.com/washed-ashore

Venue: South Coast Botanic Garden, 26300 Crenshaw Blvd., Palos Verdes Peninsula

April 7

Skirting Issues: Hula Moves Stateside

Catalina Museum for Art & History presents this exhibition through original artifacts, music and related ephemera, including historical photographs exploring the Hawaiian craze of the late 1890s to the present. The museum will host an exhibition opening event during First Fridays April 7. Museum hours are 10 a.m. to 5 p.m., Tuesday through Sunday and closed on Monday.

Time: April 7

Cost: $12 to $18

Details: CatalinaMuseum.org/ Upcoming-Exhibits

Venue: Catalina Museum for Art & History, 217 Metropole Avenue, Avalon, Catalina

Dance

March 19

Kenneth Walker Dance Project

Join KWDP as it brings comedy, classicism and more to the Alvas stage. The program includes company premieres galore, rarely performed gems, and the return of audience darling Senza Fretta by Salvatore Aiello, staged for the company by Richmond Ballet ballet master Jerri Kumery.

Time: 2 p.m., March 19

Cost: $18

Details: https://tinyurl.com/Kenneth-Walker-dance

Venue: Alvas Showroom, 1417 W. 8th St., San Pedro

Literature

March 21

LBPL Virtual Author Talks

Join Long Beach Public Library’s ongoing virtual author talks series, featuring award-winning and bestselling authors live each month. March includes authors who will discuss adaptive Southern cooking, and take you on a journey back to World War II resistance in Brussels. All talks include a live Q&A with each author. Registration is required and participants are encouraged to register and submit their questions.

Time: 1 p.m., March 21, Chef Jernard Wells; 4 p.m., March 28, Pam

Jenoff

Cost: Free

Details: https://www.longbeach. gov/library/news/march-authortalks/

Venue: Online

March 25

Pinay Gathering In celebration of women authors of Philippine ancestry, Philippine Expressions Bookshop presents book talks, readings and book signings in honor of Women’s History Month.

Time: 2 to 6 pm., March 25

Cost: Free

Details: info@philippinebookshop.com, 310-514-9139

Venue: Various participating locations in Long Beach

March 18

Craft Beer LB Homebrew Invitational

Craft Beer LB Homebrew Invitational is both a festival and competition. It will feature 40+ homebrewers from all over Southern California. There will be a BJCP beer judging competition to be performed by local brewers and judges. The event will also have a pro brewers lounge featuring local Long Beach breweries, as well as food and live music. Proceeds benefit Rancho Los Cerritos.

Time: 12 to 5 p.m., March 18

Cost: $35 tp $55

Details: 562-206-2040; www. craftbeerlbfest.com/homebrew

Venue: Rancho Los Cerritos, 4600 Virginia Road, Long Beach

Gaelic & Garlic

The public is invited to Gaelic & Garlic in San Pedro, an event featuring Irish and Italian arts and culture.

Time: 4 to 9 p.m., March 18

Cost: Free

Details: https://tinyurl.com/gaelicand-garlic-san-pedro

Venue: Pepper Tree Plaza, 629 S. Harbor Blvd., San Pedro

Film

March 16

San Pedro International Film Festival

The Oscar Nominated Shorts Series will be screened at the Terrace Starlight. Tickets for the Oscar Short Series are on sale now.

Time: Various, through March 17

Cost: $15 and up

Details: www.spiffest.org

Venue: Terrace Starlight Cinemas, 28901 S. Western Ave., Rancho Palos Verdes

Community

March 17

Night Market

Celebrate St. Patrick’s Day at Night Market. Stop by and check out the local vendors, live music, face painting and more.

Time: 6 to 10 p.m., March 17

Cost: Free

Details: www.facebook.com/ TimMcOskerLA

Venue: 533 Nelson St., between 6th and 7th streets, San Pedro

Palos Verdes Art Center Estate

Sale —Collected Treasures

You will find beautiful linens, China, silver, fine and costume jewelry at Collected Treasures, a curated collection of special items at special prices.

Time: 10 a.m. to 4 p.m., March 17 to 18

Cost: Free Details: https://pvartcenter.org

Venue: Palos Verdes Art Center, 5504 Crestridge Rd., Rancho Palos Verdes