TUTU TERRIFIC
Several hundred dance lovers joined Liane Weintrab at the Music Center for the opening night performance of the American Ballet Theater’s “Romeo and Juliet.” They marveled at the sumptuous production with Xiomara Reyes stepping into the lead role of Juliet, Ethan Stiefel as Romeo and Herman Cornejo as Mercutio. There were loads of bravos during this dazzling gem of a show.
Afterwards, local lovelies like Cindy Crawford made their way upstairs for a lavish black-tie bash. The party palace was decked out like a page from Shakespeare’s “Verona,” complete with fruit-filled garlands, fragrant bouquets and servers sporting Elizabethan-inspired dress. Ballet buffs like Jacqueline Bisset and Frank Raab made the rounds, while honorary chairs Michael and Lori Milken took a little spin before the band. It was a perfect way to cap off an evening of music, dance and pure romance.
STARRY, STARRY NIGHTS
Speaking of stellar events, the Hollywood Bowl is pulling out all the stops with a summer season that seems nothing short of sensational. In keeping with tradition, the season kicks off with the Bowl’s annual all-star induction into the Hall of Fame.
This year’s honorees will join a prestigious list of luminaries that includes everyone from movie composer John Williams to soul man Stevie Wonder to rocker Roger Daltrey, as well as local notables like Bonnie and John Raitt, Randy Newman and the Smothers Brothers.
In addition to a spectacular line up, the Bowl’s newly renovated shell will be making its big debut. The elegant Deco-inspired enclosure boasts better acoustics for music lovers and more elbow room for musicians.
The season has something for everyone. It opens with Esa-Pekka Solonen and the Los Angeles Philharmonic’s classical series. There will be dazzling weekend spectaculars with crooner Harry Connick Jr., songbird k.d. lang, the get down sounds of Big Bad Vodoo Daddy and even a special performance by the Joffrey Ballet. To jazz things up, there will be a swinging tribute to the great Count Basie as well as appearances from famed music makers like Van Morrison, Ramsey Louis, Boz Scaggs, Diane Schuur, Diane Reeves and the Dave Brubeck Quartet, as well as those eye-popping fireworks extravaganzas.
So what are you waiting for? Grab your picnic basket, break open a bottle of bubbly and get ready for a night under the stars.