A&E News Briefs

Musical Theatre West presents Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical masterpiece “Carousel,” March 24 - April 9 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach. Voted “the greatest musical of the twentieth century” by TIME magazine, “Carousel” explores the timeless message of love, hope, forgiveness and redemption. A dazzling spectacle of music, dance and spirit, MTW’s production features a full orchestra, performing some of the most powerful music ever written for the stage, including the immortal “You’ll Never Walk Alone,” “If I Loved You” and the joyful “June Is Bustin’ Out All Over.” Tickets are now on sale by calling (562) 856-1999, ext. 4, online at www.musical.org, or at the MTW Ticket Office. Tickets start at $20.

Starting April 8 and running through May 6, the Long Beach Playhouse presents “Treasure Island,” the beloved classic by Robert Louis Stevenson. For many of us, most of what we know about pirates, buried treasure and adventure came from Stevenson’s novel. In 2005, Phil Willmott re-imagined the story with 21st century sensibilities and the belief that women make outstanding pirates. It is his version – which fully retains the swashbuckling story and spirit of the original – that will delight Playhouse audiences this season. “Everybody loves this story,” said Playhouse Executive Director, Madison Mooney. “It’s the perfect show for all ages. I know people will love the story and the set and costumes. We totally bring the swashbuckling seven seas to glorious life!” Tickets, $14-$24, are available at www.lbplayhouse.org, or by calling (562) 494-1014, option 1. 

Los Angeles premiere of Uncanny Valley at the International City Theatre. Playwright Thomas Gibbons explores the inherent unpredictability of consciousness, as well as ethical questions about our own mortality and how far we’ll go to live forever, in what The Washington Post describes as a “fascinating [and] cerebrally challenging” new play about artificial intelligence. Performances April 21 through May 7. Tickets $47-55. Call (562) 436-4610 or visit www.InternationalCityTheatre.org.