9Saturday
One of the most prolific playwrights in America and a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize, Richard Greenberg is produced quite often in Southern California, with his plays regularly presented at the South Coast Rep. His one-act play “The Author’s Voice,” now playing at the Third Street Theater, is something different. This tale of a handsome but cruel and untalented writer, the editor who wants him, and the “horribly twisted gnome” who lives next door promises comic fun and a surprise ending. Thurs.-Sat., 8 p.m. Through Oct. 7. $10. Third Street Theater, 8140 W. Third St., Los Angeles. For reservations and information, call (323) 860-9834.
10Sunday
The Center for Jewish Culture and Creativity and the Beverly Hills Public Library present a free screening ofKosher Messiah, a documentary by young Russian immigrant Tchavdar Gueorguiev. The film follows Gueorguiev’s search for his family as he tries to reconcile his athiestic Communist upbringing, and his discovery that he is Jewish. Screening followed by a discussion with the filmmaker. 2 p.m. Beverly Hills Public Library, 444 N. Rexford Dr., Beverly Hills. For more information, call (310) 288-2201.
For a taste of old-fashioned, English-language, Yiddish-style theater, the Westside Jewish Community Center offers a staged reading of “Showtime at the Sheldon Pincus Senior Center.” The romantic comedy by Marvin Chernoff features local personality Hale Porter. 2 p.m. $8 (members); $10 (nonmembers); $2 off for seniors. 5870 W. Olympic Blvd., Los Angeles. For reservations, call (323) 938-2531 ext. 2225.
11Monday
Bruce Vilanch has written the jokes for just about every awards show in recent memory, in addition to co-writing stage and television appearances for the likes of Bette Midler and Diana Ross. Whether you know him or not, you’ve probably laughed at his jokes. Tonight you can hear Vilanch live at Book Soup, where he will read from and sign his book “Bruce! My Adventures in the Skin Trade and Other Essays.” 7:30 p.m. 8818 Sunset Blvd., West Hollywood. For more information, call (310) 659-3110.
12Tuesday
Israeli violin virtuoso Itzhak Perlman makes his Los Angeles conducting debut tonight with the Los Angeles Philharmonic at the Hollywood Bowl. The evening’s program includes Beethoven’srarely performed “Egmont Overture,” along with Mendelssohn’s popular “Violin Concerto” and Dvorak’s “Symphony No. 8.” Also making a Bowl debut tonight is Perlman’s protégé, 18-year-old Russian violinist Ilya Gringolts. 8:30 p.m. $1-$83. 2301 N. Highland Ave., Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 850-2000, or visit hollywoodbowl.org
13Wednesday
Broadway veteran and Emmy-winning actress Karen Morrow recreates the role originated by Ethel Merman of Sally Adams, the hostess with the mostess, in the REPRISE! production of “Call Me Madam.” The fourth season of the UCLA program featuring “Broadway’s best in concert” opens with 14 performances of this classic musical, with music and lyrics by Irving Berlin. The concert performances also feature Hugh Panaro, who recently starred in the Los Angeles production of “Martin Guerre.” Tues.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat. at 2 p.m. and 8 p.m.; Sun. at 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. Through Sept. 24. $50. The Freud Playhouse, in Macgowan Hall at UCLA. For tickets, call (310) 825-2101.
14Thursday
Satisfy your appetite for stories of Ancient Egypt on a grand scale at the Egyptian Theater . Today through Sunday, the American Cinematheque at the Egyptian is screening a series of epic films inspired by the land of pharaohs and mummies, from the classic “The Ten Commandments” to “Raiders of the Lost Ark” . Through Sept. 17. $7 (general admission); $5 (members). Lloyd E. Rigler Theater at the Egyptian, 6712 Hollywood Blvd. For full listing of films and showtimes, call (323) 466-3456or visit www.egyptiantheatre.com
15Friday
The exhibit of portraiture opening this week at the Skirball Cultural Center is no simple gallery collection of paintings. “Revealing & Concealing: Portraits & Identity” features portraits by more than 20 artists. The role of portraiture within Jewish art and in other minority communities is illustrated throughout the exhibit. Highlights include the Skirball’s recently acquired “Ten Portraits of Jews of the Twentieth Century” by Andy Warhol, which includes portraits of Gertrude Stein, Sigmund Freud and the Marx Brothers, among others. Through Dec. 31. Tues.-Sat., 12 p.m.-5 p.m.; Sun. 11 a.m.-5 p.m. $8 (general admission); $6 (seniors and students); free (members and children under 12). 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information, call (310) 440-4500 or visit www.skirball.org
