Calendar August 9-15

SAT | AUG 9

“THE GOOD DOCTOR”

Neil Simon’s play is a treat for anyone who likes comedy, music and Anton Chekhov. As a writer suffering from creative blockage, our nameless protagonist narrates several of his stories to his audience. With titles that include “The Sneeze,” “Surgery” and “Too Late for Happiness,” themes range from absurd to more absurd. The play, which received five Tony nods for its first Broadway run, is brought to you by Left Brain Productions and directed by Peter Faber. Sat. 9:30 p.m. Through Aug. 17. $35 (general), $20 (student). Pico Playhouse, 10508 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 712-1000. ” target=”_blank”>wbtla.org/lovefest.

“THE PROTAGONIST”

Sometimes dreams need to be abandoned to be realized. Los Angeles local Tim Livingston pens a semi-autobiographical play about two brothers with very different versions of success — creative, soulful fulfillment vs. financial, soulless stability. Starring Livingston’s real-life brother Joey, the show is charmingly irreverent and unapologetically earnest. The Livingstons, along with director Jeremy Guskin, offer a refreshing format for familiar and familial sentiments. Also stars Keenan Jolliff, Christian Roberts and Libe Barer. Sat. 8 p.m. $19. Lillian Theatre, 1076 Lillian Way, Los Angeles. SUN | AUG 10

It doesn’t have to be spring for this author to bloom. Her first novel in seven years, “Lucky Us” — set in 1940s America — follows two half-sisters as they tread through the ups, downs and in-betweens of adult life. Readers will be transfixed by relationships and transported in time. Bloom, whose other works include the novel “Away” and pieces in The New Yorker, is a National Book Award finalist. Q-and-A follows the program. Sun. 3 p.m. Free. Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. TUE | AUG 12

Leave the political stage behind for a night and celebrate the language all citizens of the world speak. Conductor Leonard Slatkin is bringing an all-Russian music program to Hollywood. Slatkin, the music director of the Detroit Symphony Orchestra and also a tenured music director of the Orchestre National de Lyon, will lead the L.A. Philharmonic in Glinka, Prokofiev and Rimsky-Korsakov. Violinist Gil Shaham, recipient of the 2008 Avery Fisher Award, will be featured. Come for an evening of rich, colorful drama — Russian to the bone. Tue. 8 p.m. $11.10-$118.10. The Hollywood Bowl, 2301 N. Highland Ave., Hollywood. (323) 850-2000. THU | AUG 14

Finding yourself overdue for a dose of conjunto music? Here are some Grammy winners who would like to borrow your ear for a couple of hours. Accordionist and five-time Grammy winner Jimenez is on a 75th birthday tour, and  throwing down with Baca and Los Texmaniacs as they celebrate their new release, “Flaco and Max: Legends and Legacies.” With craftsmanship and passion, this collaboration is both impressive and festive. Thu. 8 p.m. Free ($10 parking). Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. FRI | AUG 15

With summer going, going and gone-ing, it’s your final chance to get your camp affairs in order. Whatever your affiliation, age or level of maintenance (I wouldn’t sleep in a tent, either), LimmudLA welcomes you to a weekend of teaching, learning, eating, singing and general Jewing. Attendees can be one with nature for a couple of days. There will be glatt kosher supervision throughout the weekend. Fri.-Sun. $125-$600, depending on age and accommodation package. Brandeis-Bardin Campus, 1101 Peppertree Lane, Brandeis. (310) 499-1787. “>laemmle.com.