Saturday the 28th
Hoof it downtown to the George and Skaye Aratani/Japan America Theatre this evening for Rhapsody in Taps’ 25th Anniversary Concert. In addition to repertoire highlights like “Tribute to Gregory Hines,” the program also features the world premiere Klezmer/Tap Project “Laughing With Tears,” choreographed by Linda Sohl-Ellison and performed by composer and clarinetist Leo Chelyapov, violinist Claire Bergen, as well as company musicians and dancers.
7:30 p.m. $24-$40. 244 S. San Pedro St., Los Angeles. (213) 680-3700.
Sunday the 29th
Alexandra More’s fabulous Celebrity Staged Play Readings series is back for another season with this weekend’s “Benya the King,” a comedy inspired by the story of Benya in Isaac Babel’s “Tales of Odessa.” Incomplete without its practically trademark star helming at least one show, the series is kicked off right with the distinguished and faithful Ed Asner playing the lead. A Q-&-A with playwright Richard Schotter follows.
$12-$16. Oct. 28: 7:30 p.m. Valley Cities JCC, 13164 Burbank Blvd., Sherman Oaks. (818) 786-6310. Oct. 29: 2 p.m. Westside JCC, 5870 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 938-2531, ext. 2225.
Monday the 30th
, Nov. 30-Dec. 16 (Thurs.-Sat.). $10-$15. 1517 N. Cahuenga Blvd., Hollywood. (323) 856-8611.</p>
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<big><b>Tuesday the 31st</b></big></p>
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Respected independent Arab journalist Khaled Abu Toameh discusses “Israel and Palestinians: Realities Behind the Headlines” at Beth Jacob Congregation this evening. A Jerusalem Post reporter on Palestinian Affairs and reporter for international media, Abu Toameh began his career at a PLO newspaper and is distinguished for offering an insider perspective, often from inside sources, into the Palestinian Authority. The event is sponsored by <a href=)
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Friday the 3rd
The self-deprecating humor of comedians Melanie Chartoff and Laraine Newman finds a stage at the Santa Monica Playhouse for two nights only. Tonight and next Friday, audiences may hear their “memoirs-in-progress excerpted from their lives-in-progress,” in their double-bill show “Half Baked: Horror-Adventure-Scandal-Intrigue-Abject Humiliation!”
Nov. 3 and 10. 8 p.m. $20. 1121 Fourth St., Santa Monica. (310) 394-9779, ext. 1.
