7 Days In Arts

8/Saturday

Dr. Wilhelm Furtwangler was Hitler’s favorite conductor. This made him popular in German social circles in the years before and during the war. But whether it made him a Nazi collaborator was a question strongly debated afterward in his war crimes trial. The play “Taking Sides” by Ronald Harwood explores this subject. See the courtroom drama unfold at the Long Beach Playhouse’s Studio Theatre tonight through July 13. 8 p.m. (Fridays and Saturdays), 2 p.m. (Sundays). $15. 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach. For reservations, call (562) 494-1014.

9/Sunday

The West Los Angeles Symphony’s 10th season finale is simply titled “Favorite Composers” and will consist of pieces from Bernstein and Tchaikovsky. You can’t really fight them on that title, or on the price, incidentally, ’cause it’s free. Hear “Symphonic Dances from ‘West Side Story,'” “Romeo and Juliet Fantasy Overture,” and more, tonight at 7 at UCLA’s Royce Hall. For more information, call (818) 757-1080.

You probably won’t catch MTV showing a “Celebrity Deathmatch” between William Shakespeare and Christopher Marlowe. The closest venue entertaining that idea is the Malibu Stage, where “Murdering Marlowe” offers up a serious depiction of the rivalry between the two playwrights. And though it’s unlikely you’ll see Billy give Chris the good kick in the tights he deserves for writing “The Jew of Malta,” the play should do a good job of exploring the contemporaries’ relationship. Runs throughout the month of June. 8 p.m. (Fridays and Saturdays), 5 p.m. (Sundays). $20. 29243 Pacific Coast Highway, Malibu. For reservations, call (310) 589-1998.

10/Monday

Ten women artists offer a glimpse into their thoughts in the Finegood Gallery’s new mixed-media exhibition “From Vision to Creation: Women in Art.” The pieces explore issues like body image and the mother-daughter relationship in compelling, rich imagery. Runs through July 14. 10 a.m.-9 p.m. (Monday-Thursday), 10 a.m.-5 p.m. (Friday), 11 a.m.-5 p.m. (Sunday). Bernard Milken Jewish Community Campus, 22622 Vanowen St., West Hills. For more information, call (818) 464-3200.

11/Tuesday

David “Dudu” Fisher has played everyone from Moses to Jean Valjean, and he’s even sung for the Queen of England. What he won’t ever do, though, is perform on Shabbat. So live life on the edge and head out this Tuesday night. Fisher takes the stage for a concert of opera, jazz, rock, Chasidic and Israeli modern and folk songs, titled “Light Up the Night.” 7:45 p.m. $18-$90. Kavli Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. For reservations, call (213) 480-3232.

12/Wednesday

Bernard Rose’s new movie, “ivans xtc.” uses Tolstoy’s “The Death of Ivan Ilyich” as the framework for a story about a fictional young, Jewish talent agent, Ivan Beckman, who is mysteriously found dead. The film opens at the Laemmle Fairfax Theaters this week. 7907 Beverly Blvd., Los Angeles. For more information, call (323) 655-4010.

13/Thursday

Oscar and Felix just got a little bit odder thanks to Neil Simon’s new and improved version of his classic, “The Odd Couple.” The Geffen Playhouse begins its run of “Oscar and Felix, A New Look at ‘The Odd Couple'” this week. Go see it tonight and find out what updates Simon has made for the new millennium. Runs June 11-July 21. 7:30 p.m. (Tuesdays-Thursdays), 8 p.m. (Fridays), 4 p.m. and 8:30 p.m. (Saturdays), 2 p.m. and 7 p.m. (Sundays). $28-$46. 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood. For reservations, call (310) 208-5454.

14/Friday

They say he’s like the Jazz Singer, except in reverse. Cantor Mike Stein was a successful musician, songwriter and actor before he decided to be a cantor. He appeared on Broadway as a teenager and later went on to be nominated for a Grammy. Stein will lead “Shabbat in Swing Time: A Jazz Service” at Temple Aliyah this evening. Accompanying him will be a vocal quartet, the Temple Aliyah choir and a five-piece jazz band. 6025 Valley Circle Blvd., Woodland Hills. For more information, call (818) 346-3545.

If “arts and crafts” makes you think of picture frames made out of painted macaroni, it’s time to leave the kids with the babysitter and head over to the Santa Monica Civic Auditorium for the grown-up Contemporary Crafts Market. Many Jewish artists will be showcased, including silversmith Shula Baron, metal sculptor Gadi Efrat and enamelist Judy Stone. June 14-16. 10 a.m.-8 p.m. (Friday), 10 a.m.-6 p.m. (Saturday and Sunday). $6 (adults), Free (children under 12). 1855 Main St., Santa Monica. For more information, call (310) 285-3655.