Opinion: Theatricum Gala Saturday

Highly Recommended

Theatricum Botanicum, "Echoes in The Forest" – TB's annual gala returns with hosts Wendie Malick and Dan Lauria, with Keith Carradine, Inara George, and other surprises. Explore the gardens at 6 p.m., enjoy delicious food and beverages, surrounded by music and other artistic offerings. At 7:30, enter the theatre to celebrate the influences of Woody Guthrie with company members and surprise guests, culminating in presentation of the Will Geer Humanitarian Award to Woody Guthrie, accepted by his grandson, Damon Guthrie. (All hosts and guests are subject to availability.) Sure, the ticket price is high — it’s a fundraiser, a gala! And this superb theatrical ensemble, presenting outstanding, thoughtful productions in a unique forest setting, for more than half a century, certainly deserves your support. Geer andGuthrie were buddies (there is a tiny log cabin on the grounds, where Woody used to stay when passing through). All the galas have been special LA theatre experiences, but this one may be the topper. Sat 6pm, TB, Topanga Canyon, $150.

Tonight— More Theatricum — B: The Winter’s Tale is one of Willie the Shake’s last, a tragi-comedy in five acts. TB’s ever-evolving staple A Midsummer Night’s Dream has been performed by them every season, for more than half a century now. Molière’s classic Tartuffe is brought forward a few centuries, and right into today’s headlines. Midsummer Thurs, next Thurs, 7:30pm, Winter Fri 7:30pm, Tartuffe Sun 7:30 p.m.,$15-60.

Mavis Staples, Norah Jones — Mavis Staples is one of the premier soul gospel pop singers on the planet, and a living embodiment of American history. And I’ve always had a crush on Norah — who doesn’t? Sun 7:30pm, Greek Theatre, LA, $100-175.

Hot Club of Los Angeles — You can go to the Cinema Bar any Monday night, 9-11:30pm, for more than a decade now, and hear these hot players run through Django Reinhart-style ‘30s jazz. This amazing ensemble is a treasure. Mon 9pm, Cinema Bar, Culver City, no cover.

Tonight — Schuman & Bruch, LA Phil – It’s the LA Phil, and some spiffy violin. Karen Gomyo has been described as brilliant, intense, emotional and passionate, which she will bring to Bruch’s seductive Violin Conerto No. 1 and Schumann’s soaring Symphony No. 1. A little Wagner leads things off. Thurs 8pm, Hollywood Bowl, $13-142.

"Wild Things Are Happening: The Art of Maurice Sendak" — Now you can see them much bigger than a page in a book. This is the first complete retrospective of his art since his death in 2012, and includes his work in many areas of the arts. 7/18-9/1, Skirball Museum, admission price? Parking fee — call for info and hours.

"The Substance of Fire" — Is gaining steam. Drawing actors like Bryan Cranston, Kevin Pollack, Dann Florek, Laurence Fishburne. ("They all loved it," said Mike Myers.) And the rave reviews are piling up too. And now they are adding Thursdays, starting 8/8. Starring Rob Morrow and Marcia Cross, both with extensive credits and awards for stage, film and TV. Go soon, you may well want to return, and take friends. Fri, Sat, next Thurs 8pm, Sun 2pm, Ruskin Group Theatre, SM Airport, $25-40.

Coming Attractions (also Recommended): Wild Things Are Happening: The Art of Maurice Sendak, Skirball, 8/1-9/1; Theatricum Botanicum — A Midsummer Night’s Dream 8/1, 8, 15, 29 — The Winter’s Tale 8/2, 10, 16, 24 — Tartuffe-Born Again 8/4, 11, 18, 25, 30 — Wendy’s Peter Pan 8/9, 18, 25; The Substance of Fire, Ruskin Group Theat re, 8/1, 2, 3, 4, 8, 9, 10, 11, 15, 16, 17, 18, 22, 23, 24, 25, 29, 30, 31, 9/; Schumann & Bruch, LA Phil, Hollywood Bowl, 8/1; Theatricum Botanicum's Annual Gala, Echoes In The Forest, 8/3; Mavis Staples, Norah Jones, Greek, 8/4; Reggae Night XXII: Damian and Stephen Marley, Hollywood Bowl, 8/4; Hives, Foo Fighters, BMO Stadium, 8/9; Jon Batiste, Greek, 8/10; Wailing Souls, Levitt Pavilion, 8/10; Alanis Morisette, Joan Jett & Blackhearts, Kia Forum, 8/10; Library Girl, Ruskin Theatre, 8/11; Pretenders, Foo Fighters, BMO Stadium, 8/11.