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Fall Theater Preview In Los Angeles

Pippin  - header 610
(credit: Joan Marcus)

Fans of the Los Angeles theater scene become especially excited as the fall season comes into play. After all, that's when fresh offerings are traditionally set to take the stage in Tinseltown houses that aim to delight, entertain and to make their audiences think. That said, following are five of the best plays and musicals aimed for the best theaters in town, all with box offices eagerly waiting to be visited so that the show can, indeed, go on.

ahmanson theatre theater
(credit: centertheatregroup.org/theatres/ahmanson)

Sound Of Music
Ahmanson Theater
135 N. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 628-2772
www.centertheatregroup.org
Dates: Through Oct. 31 at 8 p.m.

The massive, 2,000-seat Ahmanson offers the legendary "Sound of Music" in its downtown house where Broadway hits are brought back to the Los Angeles masses again and again. This revival of Rodgers and Hammerstein's most beloved musical about the trails, tribulations and happy times of the Von Trapp family. The story, of course, is mostly about what happens when the former nun named Maria, who left the church to marry the leader of the clan, joins the clan. When the Nazi's invade their space it leaves this famous family running for the hills -- literally. 

Geffen Playhouse
(credit: geffenplayhouse.com)

Guards At The Taj
Geffen Playhouse
10886 Le Conte Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90024
(310) 208-5454
www.geffenplayhouse.com
Through Nov. 15 at 8 p.m.

When called on to protect India's legendary Taj Mahal, two uninitiated guards are taken to task. This is the premise of Rajiv Joseph's most recent effort featuring Raffi Barsoumian and Ramiz Monsef in the play's West Coast premiere. Described as "wildly comic and astoundingly tragic, the journey of these two friends asks if perfection comes at too great a cost." To find out, be sure to book a seat at the Geffen Playhouse for this particular play that promises to move everyone who sees it.

Mark Taper Forum Theater
(Credit: Center Theatre Group)

Appropriate
Mark Taper Forum Theater
135 N. Grand Ave.
Los Angeles, CA 90012
(213) 628-2772
www.centertheatregroup.org
Through Nov. 1 at 8 p.m.

"Appropriate" arrives at the Mark Taper Forum after premiering in New York where this original offering was called "Subversively original! Remarkable and devious!" by the New York Times' Ben Brantly. The story, written by Branden Jacobs-Jenkin, centers around an estranged Southern family who have come together at their clan's dilapidated Arkansas plantation following the death of the patriarch of this disparaging group. All kinds of demented antics ensue, not the least of which is a horrible discovery and an invited guest.

Related: Best Big Theaters In Los Angeles

"Annie" Broadway Opening Night
(Photo by Andrew H. Walker/Getty Images)

Annie
Pantages Theater
6233 Hollywood Boulevard
Los Angeles, CA 90028
(213) 468-1770
www.hollywoodpantages.como
Oct. 13 - Nov. 1 at 8 a.m.

A revival of the Broadway baby known as "Annie" is on schedule to hit the boards of this Art Deco house situated in Hollywood. A treat for your entire household (minus any pets and kids under three), this offering has gone down in history as "one of the most family friendly musicals ever penned," says the Chicago Tribune. This particular iteration, directed by original lyricist and director Martin Charnin and choreographed by Liza Gennaro, will once again have your whole clan humming to the famous tunes of this iconic show, “It's the Hard Knock Life" and "Tomorrow" among them.

wikipedia-Pasadena Playhouse
(credit: Canon in 2D/Wikipedia)

Real Women Have Curves
Pasadena Playhouse
39 S El Molino Ave,
Pasadena, CA 91101
(626) 356-7529
www.pasadenaplayhouse.org
Sept. 8 - Oct. 4

This stage play, bound for the boards of Pasadena's most historical theater, was written by Josefina Lopez. Her platform for speaking up about the Latina immigrant experience, as well as gender politics, takes place in East London at a sewing machine factory. The protagonist is young Ana, an outspoken employee of this tiny outpost who is bound and determined to better herself in the name of feminism and other factors.

Related: LA's Best Performing Arts Theaters

Los Angeles freelance travel writer Jane Lasky, contributes to publications such as Travel + Leisure, Vogue and Esquire. Her weekly sojourning column ran in 40 newspapers for 20 years. Jane is anything but an accidental tourist and always travels with her pillow. Check out her articles on Examiner.com.

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