Staff picks

A Laguna Beach summer tradition since the 1930s, the Pageant of the Masters turns famous works of art into living pictures, with real people posed inside the frames so precisely you'll swear the paintings are breathing. Ninety minutes of tableaux vivants unfold under the stars with a live orchestra and narration. Why we love it: There's nothing else like it, and it runs just eight weeks a year.

A trailblazing actress returns from years of self-imposed exile to restage the provocative performance that once made her famous, only to collide with a younger generation that questions her politics and her place in the movement. Pearl Cleage's sharp, soulful comedy weighs art, activism, and aging on your own terms. Why we love it: It's funny, it's pointed, and it lets two generations of Black women performers go toe to toe.

Making its long-awaited return to Los Angeles, the legendary New York City Ballet presents two dazzling programs of mixed repertory. This historic engagement showcases the company’s unparalleled artistry. Why we love it: It’s a masterclass in the past, present, and future of ballet.

Follow the sweetly awkward Ken, a lovable bookstore clerk in his late thirties whose meticulously quiet life is gently upended by a new job, a friendly bartender, and the surprisingly helpful advice of his fully imaginary best friend. Why we love it: This play offers a blend of humor and heart.

A New York Times Critic's Pick, this live-looping hip-hop musical takes theatre and storytelling to the next level. It reveals the little-known southward trajectory of the Underground Railroad, detailing the pursuit of liberation in Mexico. Why we love it: It's unique and powerful.