Calendar Picks and Clicks September 26–October 2, 2009

SAT SEPTEMBER 26

(FAMILY)
Join local author April Halprin Wayland for a signing and lively reading of her new children’s book, “New Year at the Pier: A Rosh Hashanah Story.” The story features a young boy performing the High Holy Days tradition of tashlich, in which people apologize for mistakes made during the previous year and symbolically cast them into a body of water to start a new year with a clean slate. But there’s one mistake the boy has a difficult time atoning for. Ages 5 and up. Sat. 10:30 a.m. Free. Children’s Book World, 10580 1/2 Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (310) 559-2665. ” title=”jewishtvnetwork.com”>jewishtvnetwork.com.

WED SEPTEMBER 30

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(DISCUSSION)
Center Theatre Group and the Dortort Center for Creativity in the Arts at UCLA Hillel are hosting a discussion with Alfred Uhry, who wrote the book, “Parade,” and Jason Robert Brown, who composed the show’s music and lyrics. The Tony Award-winning duo will discuss the making of “Parade,” the story of Leo Frank and Jewish life in the American South. Wed. 7:30 p.m. Free. Spiegel Auditorium, Yitzhak Rabin Hillel Center for Jewish Life at UCLA, 574 Hilgard Ave., Los Angeles. {encode=”rsvpucla@centertheatregroup.org” title=”rsvpucla@centertheatregroup.org”}. ” title=”starz.com/channels/movieplex/indieplex”>starz.com/channels/movieplex/indieplex.

FRI OCTOBER 2

(THEATER)
The stars of the musical revue, “Rockin’ With the Ages,” firmly believe that the only way to spend their golden years is singing and dancing on stage. The revue’s producer, Jackie Goldberg, aka The Pink Lady, who is herself “77 years young,” took the opportunity to advance her life philosophy by showcasing these talented and vivacious seniors over 60, many of whom have appeared in films, on television, in comedy clubs and on Broadway. Fri. 8 p.m. Fri.-Sun. Through Oct. 25. $17 (seniors), $20 (general). Actors Forum Theatre, 10655 Magnolia Blvd., North Hollywood. (818) 506-0600.

(THEATER)
The West Coast Jewish Theatre begins its 2009-2010 season with a play whose theme is particularly relevant this time of year: forgiveness. “The Value of Names” by Jeffrey Sweet explores the depth of friendship and the limits of forgiveness between two old-time friends, one an actor who was blacklisted in 1950s Hollywood, and the other a director who gave his friend’s name to the House Un-American Activities Committee in order to save himself. Having severed their connection, circumstances bring the two together 30 years later and the question arises whether forgiveness for such a betrayal is possible, even so many years later. Fri. 8 p.m. Fri.-Sun. Through Nov. 22. $22-$35. Pico Playhouse, 10508 W. Pico Blvd., Los Angeles. (323) 506-8024.