Dec. 5
Taiko Center of LA and Minyo Station
Experience a kaleidoscope of traditional Japanese song and dance with a contemporary twist, starting at 8 p.m. Dec. 5, at the Grand Annex in San Pedro.
Tickets are $20, $25 and $30.
Details: (310) 833-4813; www.GrandVision.org
Venue: Grand Annex
Location: 434 W. 6th St., San Pedro
December 6
Arms and the Man
Long Beach Playhouse presents a production of George Bernard Shaw’s Arms and the Man, at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays, and at 2 p.m. Sundays, through Dec. 6. The classic “anti-romantic” comedy features Hallie Mayer, Sarah Genevieve Green, Charlotte Williams, Michael J. Knowles, Doyle Smiens, Mitchell Nunn and Alex Bennet. George Bernard Shaw’s Arms and the Man takes place at the close of the Serbo-Bulgarian war in 1885. Raina, a young Bulgarian woman idealizes her fiancé Sergius Saranoff, one of the heroes of the war. As the Serbian army retreats, a voluntary Swiss soldier, Bluntschli seeks shelter by climbing through Raina’s bedroom window and begging for her to hide him. Bluntschli’s gentle nature and unique ammunition (he carries chocolates instead of bullets) contrasts sharply with Raina’s romantic notions of war and heroism, yet she finds herself attracted to him, and assists him in his escape. Shortly thereafter, Sergius returns from the war and Raina begins to find his attitude more pompous and irritating. Her thoughts return again and again to her “chocolate cream soldier,” and when Bluntschli reappears, she finds herself torn between her romantic ideals and the surprise of real love. Tickets are $24 for adults, $21 for seniors and $14 for students.
Details: (562) 494-1014 option 1; www.lbplayhouse.org
Venue: Long Beach Playhouse
Location: 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach