Performing arts shows in L.A. are plentiful during the summer — but the logistics and expenses for a trip up there can be daunting. Good news: There is a full spectrum of world-class performing arts offerings right here in Downtown Long Beach! Check out the greatness of these upcoming performances, and fill your summer arts and culture calendar accordingly.
International City Theatre / Performing @ The Beverly O’Neill Theater / 330 E Seaside Way
Photo courtesy of International City Theatre from “The Outsider” performance
Now celebrating its 39th Season, International City Theatre (ICT) is a nonprofit, professional regional theatre with more than 500 professional awards to date. ICT produces five annual mainstage professional productions and six education programs which create equity in our community by removing financial barriers to the arts for people of all ages.
“Our mission at ICT is to entertain, educate, inspire, and provoke thoughtful dialogue through live theatre,” said caryn desai, ICT’s Artistic Director and Producer. “ICT is constantly investing in the further development of this most human art form with relevant, timely, entertaining, and important work that also reflects the diversity of our community.”
ICT is currently presenting The Outsider, a timely political comedy by Paul Slade Smith which will run through June 30. From Aug. 21 through Sept. 8, ICT will present The Double V, a play by Carole Eglash-Kosoff centered around our nation’s first Black civil rights movement.
For more information about ICT, this summer’s productions, and to get tickets, click here.
Long Beach Symphony / Terrace Theater and Long Beach Arena
Photo courtesy of Long Beach Symphony
Now Entering its 90th season, Long Beach Symphony is led by Music Director Eckart Preu and serves 70,000 community members annually through its robust concert and education activities. Classical concerts at the Terrace Theater and The Pops Series at the Long Beach Arena give audiences the chance to hear some truly excellent musicians!
“Due to the close proximity of the Hollywood studios, we are able to draw the finest musicians in the nation,” said Symphony President Kelly Ruggirello. “In fact, whenever composer John Williams [Star Wars, Jaws, E.T., etc.] writes music for a film, he calls upon the musicians of the Long Beach Symphony!”
In addition to presenting concerts, the Symphony offers award-winning music education programs that serve over 25,000 children annually through field trips, ensembles in the schools, a family concert series, and instrument “petting zoos.”
For ticket information and details on the Symphony’s presentations through next June, click here.
The Garage Theatre / 251 E 7th St.
Photo courtesy of The Garage Theatre from the “Hat Box” performance
The Garage Theatre has proudly served the community for 24 years, providing unique theatre experiences created by Long Beach, for Long Beach. “The Garage Theatre was founded in the belief that independent, non-commercial theatre is vital to the art form,” said co-founder Eric Hamme. “The Garage Theatre is a collaborative ensemble that strives to create a diverse body of work, take artistic risks, and uncover social and human truths. We are committed to reaching a new theatre audience by producing affordable works in a unique voice.”
This summer, The Garage Theatre is presenting the Tony Award-winning rock opera Hedwig and The Angry Inch, a tale about a quest for identity in a brutal, unkind world. Ecstatic and heartbreaking, Hedwig puts the story across through dynamic music and storytelling.
Click here to learn more about the Garage Theatre and to get your tickets for Hedwig and The Angry Inch!
Broadway at the Beach / Terrace Theater / 300 E Ocean Blvd.
Photo courtesy of Long Beach Entertainment Center
Pre-sale tickets are now available for Broadway at the Beach, the series that brings the magic of Broadway to Downtown Long Beach!
“These incredible shows add to the cultural richness and vibrancy that defines our amazing city,” said Mayor Rex Richardson. “We could not be more excited to invite everyone to join us for this series.”
The 2024-25 Broadway at the Beach series features The Cher Show, the Tony Award-winning saga of the iconic performer’s life; The Book of Mormon, which the New York Times said is “the best musical of this century.”; Come From Away, a stirring musical based on the true story of a small town in Newfoundland that took in 70,000 stranded travelers in the days following 9/11; and Champions of Magic, a thrilling and mind bending grand-scale magic show for the whole family.
For more details about each production and to get your tickets, click here.
Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra / First Congregational Church & The Beverly O’Neill Theater
Photo courtesy of Musica Angelica
This Downtown Long Beach-based group, directed by Martin Haselbock, was described by the L.A. Times as “Southern California’s most important early music ensemble.”
“Musica Angelica is very pleased to be a vital part of the Downtown arts scene,” said Executive Director Matthew Faulkner. “We present concerts of well-known and rare baroque music played on period instruments from the era [1600-1750]. We currently perform at the Beverly O’Neill Theater and First Congregational Church of Long Beach and we welcome listeners of all ages.”
The orchestra’s 2024-25 season — its 32nd — doesn’t begin until September, but if you click here and purchase your season subscription, you’ll receive an “early bird” discount!
Free Concert Series @ Shoreline Village
Photo courtesy of The Idellix from their Shoreline Village show
The “Summertime in the SLV” free concert series got underway over Memorial Day Weekend and will continue through Labor Day Weekend! Come out every Saturday 1 to 5 PM and 6 to 10 PM, and Sundays from 1 to 5 PM to hear some of the area’s best musical talent.
These concerts, which are FREE, will happen at Shoreline Village’s Boardwalk Theater, close to The Funnel House.
Click here for details on the musical lineup, which includes styles from reggae to blues, rockabilly to jazz, alt-rock to cumbia.
Make sure to get your parking validated at a Shoreline Village shop so you can get the discount rate!
Musique Sur La Mer / Concert Series @ Shoreline Village
Photo Courtesy of Musique Sur La Mer
Downtown-based Musique Sur La Mer Orchestras (MSLMO) has been empowering musicians and creating peace through the international language of music since 2000! Its professional orchestra has received global acclaim, and its youth orchestras have inspired and prepared countless youths for a life in music.
“There is so much happening with Musique Sur La Mer Orchestras,” said Founding Director Marcy A. Sudock. “The 2024 – 25 season marks our 25th Anniversary year serving Long Beach and surrounding communities with great music, music education, and community service.”
In July you’ll have three FREE chances to see different groups that operate under the MSLMO umbrella at the Off Boardwalk Amphitheater in Shoreline Village. On Monday July 15 The Musique Sur La Mer String Quartet will play a family concert starting at 5 PM; On Monday July 22 it’s the MSLMO – Hommel Jazz Quartet! Downbeat is at 5 PM; and on Monday, July 29, the MSLMO Chamber Pops Orchestra, under the direction of Marcy A. Sudock, will play a 5 PM family concert.
This remarkable organization has so much to offer throughout the year! To learn about its youth programs and professional musicians (including the mega-accomplished Maestro Sudock), charitable works, future concerts and the MSLMO Day Camp which runs through June 28, click here.
Keep an eye on these Downtown-based performing arts groups as well!
Photo courtesy of Landmark Theatre
The Musique Sur La Mer Orchestra! Its mission is to empower young musicians, create peace through the international language of music, and to contribute community service.
The Long Beach Landmark Theatre Company, based in the First Congregational Church, which creates fully-realized productions with full orchestras and top-notch performers.
The Long Beach Camerata Singers, whose home base is the intimate and elegantly designed Beverly O’Neill Theater. The group’s next show is a Stephen Sondheim Tribute Review, Sunday June 23 at the Recreation Park Band Shell starting at 6 PM.