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Saturday, March 11 Opening tonight at the Fremont Centre Theatre is the Drama Desk Award-winning Jon Robin Baitz play “Three Hotels.” Jim Harnagel stars as Kenneth Hoyle, a former idealist whose souless work in a despicable corporation turns his own wife away from him. Thurs.-Sun., through April 9. $20-$35 (two-for-one discounts available Thursdays for students, seniors and groups). 1000 Fremont Ave., South Pasadena. R.S.V.P., (866) 811-4111. |
 
 
Sunday, March 12 Chief Rabbi of Rome Israel Valli’s controversial abandonment of his community and eventual conversion to Catholicism during World War II comes to the stage this evening. Los Angeles Jewish Theater presents “Sins of Omission,” written and directed by George Albertella, tells the story from a Jewish perspective. 4 p.m. $5 (at the door only). Congregation Ner Tamid Social Hall, 5721 Crestridge Road, Rancho Palos Verdes. (310) 377-6986. | |||||||||||||||||
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Monday, March 13 Crazy Purim shpiels abound this week, as each synagogue tries to outfunny the other. Four to look out for are written up on page 26, but one more title definitely caught our attention. B’nai Tikvah Congregation offers up their “Rocky Horror Purim Shpiel and Megillah Reading” this evening. Here’s hoping Haman’s not in drag. 6:30 p.m. Free. (Bring a box of macaroni and cheese to use as a grogger. They’ll be collected for donation to a food bank at the end of the night.) 8820 Sepulveda Eastway, Westchester. (310) 645-6262. | 
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Tuesday, March 14 Chabad sure can Purim. Monday night they’ve got the family experience down with Chabad of Conejo’s “Purim Live: An Interactive Purim Experience.” The Hyatt Westlake Plaza Grand Ballroom becomes Old Shushan, and kids and adults come face to face with Queen Esther, Mordechai, Haman and the lot. Megillah reading and other requisites can be expected, as well. Then tonight, Jewish hipsters head to the East Side for Chabad of Los Feliz’s “Purim in Mexico.” Three words tell you all you need to know: Megillah, Mariachis, Margaritas. $5. 880 S. Westlake Blvd., Westlake. (818) 991-0991. |  
Wednesday, March 15 Comedian Steve Solomon’s identity crisis becomes inspiration for his one-man show, “My Mother’s Italian, My Father’s Jewish and I’m in Therapy.” Get to know the family through Solomon’s impressions of his parents, his bubbie, Uncle Vito and others. Through April 9. $25-$59. Brentwood Theatre, 11301 Wilshire Blvd., Los Angeles. (213) 365-3500.
Thursday, March 16 Author Arlene Blum has reached career apexes — both metaphorical and actual in her life: She has set records as a Himalayan mountaineer; written a celebrated best-seller about that journey; and in a second career as a biochemist, has done work that led to a ban of carcinogenic flame-retardants in children’s sleepwear. She discusses it all, as well as her latest book, “Breaking Trail: A Climbing Life,” at Vroman’s Bookstore today. 7 p.m. Free. Vroman’s Bookstore, 695 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena.
Friday, March 17 The Falcon Theatre’s “Garry Marshall Presents” series features a special six-performance engagement of “Exiles in Paradise,” created and performed by soprano Constance Hauman. With live piano, violin, cello and clarinet accompaniment, as well as 16 mm film footage, Hauman tells the story of Europe’s exiled composers during the Nazi uprising and the Holocaust. 8 p.m. (Fridays), 4 p.m. (Sundays), through April 2. $35-$40. 4252 Riverside Drive, Burbank. R.S.V.P., (818) 955-8101. Perhaps, since October 7th, a fifth generation has surfaced. Young Jews determining how (not if) Jewish tradition and beliefs will play a role in their own identity and the future identities of their children. Given the difficult times that Israelis — and Jews worldwide — are currently living through, it can be challenging to navigate the holidays “Too many women think their stories are not important or their voice doesn’t matter, which could not be further from the truth.”
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