[Pick of the Week: Wed., Nov. 28]
“Other Desert Cities”
Pulitzer Prize finalist Jon Robin Baitz’s first Broadway play unfolds in Palm Springs on Erev Christmas. High drama, serious laughter and repartee ensue as Brooke presents her Reagan-adjacent parents with a tell-all confessional novel that turbo-charges the holidays and the Wyeth family dynamic with ever-shifting alliances and politics. The ensemble cast includes Jeannie Berlin, Robert Foxworth, Robin Weigert, Michael Weston and JoBeth Williams. Through Jan. 6. $40-$55. Mark Taper Forum at the Music Center, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown. (213) 628-2772. centertheatregroup.org.
[SAT | NOV 24]
“To Rome With Love”/“Midnight In Paris”
Set in Europe, writer-director Woody Allen’s two most recent films, like much of his work, explore just how complicated love can be. “To Rome With Love” follows the lives of some visitors and residents of Rome (Penelope Cruz, Alec Baldwin, Jesse Eisenberg and Allen himself costar) and the romances, adventures and predicaments they get into. The Oscar-winning “Midnight in Paris” follows a nostalgic screenwriter (Owen Wilson) who finds himself mysteriously going back to the 1920s every day at midnight. Sat. “To Rome With Love”: 3:15 and 7:30 p.m.; “Midnight in Paris”: 5:30 and 9:45 p.m. $8 (general), $6 (seniors older than 62, children younger than 12). New Beverly Cinema, 7165 W. Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 938-4038. newbevcinema.com.
[MON | NOV 26]
“Women and Prayer at the Wall”
After leading a prayer service and singing the Shema at the Western Wall, where women are barred from praying as a group, Women of the Wall’s Anat Hoffman was arrested for allegedly disturbing the peace. The incident is cause for today’s public forum, a discussion on religious pluralism in Israel. Jewish Journal Editor-in-Chief Rob Eshman moderates a panel discussion with Rabbi Laura Geller (Temple Emanuel), Rabbi Nicole Guzik (Sinai Temple), Rabbi Judith HaLevy (Malibu Jewish Center & Synagogue) and Rav Yosef Kanefsky (B’nai David-Judea). Consul General of Israel David Siegel, Jewish Federation President Jay Sanderson and LimmudLA co-founder Shep Rosenman also participate. Mon. 7-9 p.m. Temple Emanuel of Beverly Hills, Corwin Family Sanctuary, 300 N. Clark Drive, Beverly Hills. (310) 288-3737. tebh.org.
[TUE | NOV 27]
“The Color of Marriage: Jews, Race and Intermarriage In America”
Jennifer Glaser, an assistant professor of English and comparative literature at the University of Cincinnati, appears at UCLA to discuss the conjoined histories of gender and race in Jewish America. She draws on contemporary texts, including “How I Became Hettie Jones,” Hettie Jones’ memoir of her marriage to the poet LeRoi Jones; Lore Segal’s “Her First American”; and Gary Shteyngart’s “Super Sad True Love Story” to make her argument. Tue. Noon. Free. UCLA campus, 314 Royce Hall, Los Angeles. (310) 267-5327. cjs.ucla.edu.
“Dissolution”
Director Nina Menkes’ black-and-white film follows the moral collapse of a morose Israeli Jew responsible for the murder of a female pawnbroker. Menkes appears in person for a post-screening Q-and-A. USC School of Cinematic Arts professor David James moderates. Tue. 7-10 p.m. Free. University of Southern California, University Park Campus-Ray Stark Family Theatre, SCA 108, Los Angeles. (213) 740-8358. cinema.usc.edu/events.
“Jewtopia”
The hit comedic play about interfaith dating inspired this star-studded independent film adaptation, following two childhood friends who reunite years later. Chris, a non-Jew, feels comfortable dating decision-making Jewish women while Adam escapes his Jewish roots by pursuing shiksas. The two school each other on how to score with their women of choice. Jennifer Love Hewitt, Jon Lovitz, Rita Wilson, Tom Arnold, Jamie-Lynn Sigler and Phil Rosenthal costar. YALA’s Entertainment Council hosts this special screening, including a Q-and-A with director Bryan Fogel and producer Courtney Mizel. Tue. 7:45-10:15 p.m. $18. William Morris Endeavor Screening Room, 9601 Wilshire Blvd., Beverly Hills. (323) 761-8324. jewishla.org.
[THU | NOV 29]
“The Vote”
Re-enacting the 1947 U.N. vote that led to the creation of the State of Israel, this musical journey travels back to that pivotal moment in history. Tonight’s program includes reel clips from 1947 and earlier, songs, live performances, appearances by Rabbis David Wolpe and Ed Feinstein as well as a Keshet Chaim dance medley. Youth 13 and older are encouraged to attend. Thu. 7:30 p.m. Free. American Jewish University, 15600 Mulholland Drive, Los Angeles. (818) 466-6454. thevote.eventbrite.com.
“Blues and the Pursuit of Freedom”
Celebrating the role of music in American history, the Marcus Shelby Quintet performs original compositions about Harriet Tubman, Sojourner Truth, the Rev. Martin Luther King Jr. and other pivotal protest movements and figures in American history and showcases rearranged standards, blues, pop songs, rhythm and blues, poetry and narration. Thu. 8 p.m. $20 (general), $15 (Skirball members), $10 (students). Skirball Cultural Center, 2701 N. Sepulveda Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 440-4500. skirball.org.
