A&E News Briefs

The Long Beach Playhouse presents the Agatha Christie classic, “A Murder is Announced” in its Mainstage Theatre. In Christie style, the play takes place in a house with several occupants. It begins when the local paper states the date and time a murder will take place in Miss Blacklock’s Victorian home. What follows is a classic puzzle of murder, mixed motives, concealed identities, a diligent inspector ably following the twists and turns, and of course, Miss Marple on hand to provide the solution just before the final curtain. The performance runs through Feb. 11 with performances at 8 p.m. Friday, and Saturday and 2 p.m. Sunday. The box office is open Wednesday-Saturday, 3-8 p.m. and Sundays, 1-2 p.m. on scheduled matinees. Tickets are available at www.lbplayhouse.org, or by calling (562) 494-1014, option 1.

The Grace First Concert Series (Music at the Point) welcomes “The Luckys” with Jill Knight to the Grace First Sanctuary on Saturday, Jan. 21 at 8 p.m. Formerly known as “Jill’s Knight Out,” long time friends and bandmates Jill Knight, Rob Strom, Pam Delgado and Jeri Jones were a Central Coast favorite for many years. The concert will be held in the sanctuary of Grace First Presbyterian Church, 3955 Studebaker Rd., phone (562) 420-3393. This concert is a free-will donation concert, with a suggested donation of $10.

What better way to start the new year than with a goofy, charming musical escape? Forever Plaid by Stuart Ross, one of the most popular and successful off-Broadway musicals in history, opens Feb. 17 at International City Theatre. Two low-priced previews take place on Feb. 15 and 16. In Forever Plaid, four young singers killed in a car crash find themselves miraculously revived from the dead. Since the accident happened while on the way to their first-ever big concert, they’re thrilled that they get to fulfill their dream and perform the show after all — even though now it’s more than 50 years later and they’re at International City Theatre. For reservations and information, call (562) 436-4610 or go to InternationalCityTheatre.org.

Rainbow Promotions presents a Valentine’s Day Concert, “A Special Evening of Music for Friends and Lovers” with Stephanie Mills, Eric Darius, and more on Saturday, Feb. 11, 7:30 p.m. at the Terrace Theater, Long Beach Performing Arts Center. Prices: $70 -175 – VIP Dinner packages are available which includes a savory 3-course dinner and a rose for each lady. Doors for VIP ticket holders open at 4:30 p.m. with dinner being served from 5:30 p.m. to 7 p.m. Doors for regular non-dinner ticket holders will open at 6:30 p.m. For tickets or more information: Rainbow Promotions (562) 424-0013 or visit www.rainbowpromotions.com.