Just because a film can be turned into a stage musical, it doesn't mean that it should be. Most 1980s horror films wouldn’t translate all that well to melodies and dance numbers, but cult classic Re-Animator was a gore-fest with a strong sense of humor, and that makes all the difference. The new production of Re-Animator The Musical at the Steve Allen Theater is really a comedy in horror drag, and it's a terrific treat--a show chock full of witty songs, performed by a cast that is clearly having a great time. more ›

Even if you don't actually believe in it, you really do owe it to yourself to sing Christmas songs in a room full of people at least once this year. And Hanukkah songs too, as well as non-denominational carols about snowmen and sleigh rides and lots of things that may or may not have any particular relevance to your life in Los Angeles. Come on, it's okay. The words are on the paper, everyone else is singing and no one else can stay in tune any better than you can. Lift up your voice. It feels good. more ›

FILM: The Aero in Santa Monica screens the L.A. premiere of the rock doc Patti Smith: Dream of Life at 7:30 tonight. “Twelve years in the making, the first film directed by fashion photographer Steven Sebring stitches together layer upon layer of human experience to paint a portrait of Patti Smith, the artist as a tireless and dynamic worker for music, poetry, peace, family and friends.” more ›

On Saturday evening, local green-minded band (and covergirls) The Ditty Bops (MySpace), with Jesca Hoop (MySpace), John Reynolds, and Kaveh Rastegar (MySpace), performed at McCabe's Guitar Shop in Santa Monica. more ›

MUSIC: CalTech isn’t just about nerdy rocket scientists. They have glee clubs, too! All kidding aside, tonight's concert will feature traditional holiday favorites as well as the Women's Club taking on Porpora’s Magnificat, written in the 1730s. 8 pm // Dabney Lounge at California Institute of Technology // 1200 East California Blvd., Pasadena // Free. DANCE: From CalTech, we’ll head over to CalArts in Valencia. The Sharon Disney Lund School of Dance is holding its... more ›

Remember back in the mid 90s or so, when MTV used to play videos? Think hard. Okay, and then there was this period where, right before they cut to a commercial, there was a clip of a Sinatra wannabe singing the song you just saw a video for? Like a snazzy rendition of "Kharma Police" or something of the sort. (Okay, that would've been late 90s. Whatever.) Well, that dude is "Rudy Casoni", a character... more ›

Travis Millard draws the cover of the new Steve Allen Theater program. more ›

Ditty Bops - "Walk or Ride" Psychosexarama @ California Institute of Abnormal Arts (CIA) Lee "Scratch" Perry @ House of Blues The Rentals, Goldenboy, Gwendolyn @ Spaceland Greasy Beats @ The Bordello Bob Weir & Ratdog @ Gree Theatre Noisy Night @ Steve Allen Theater The Ditty Bops @ Henry Fonda Theater Susie Glaze & Hilonesome @ Caltech Beckman Institute Gliss @ Vertigo's My Chemical Romance, Taking Back Sunday, H.I.M., Placebo @ Hyundai Pavilion... more ›

If you’re into short or one-act plays, there’s a bevy of interesting festivals going on this weekend. So get off that couch and into the theater. Why? Because there’s absolutely nothing on TV and some of these productions will cost you almost as much as a movie ticket. So here are five productions opening this weekend that are piquing LAist's curiousity: 11 x 8 Theatre East presents “11 x 8” – that’s 11 new... more ›

Before she got famous as Chloe on 24, Mary Lynn Rajskub (pronounced rice-cub) was known as a quirky-funny character actress and all-around comedian. She's getting back to her roots with her new show The Complications of Purchasing a Poodle Pillow, which she performs every Sunday evening for the rest of the month at the Steve Allen Theater in Hollywood. WHEN: Sundays at 8:00 p.m. through April WHERE: Steve Allen Theater at the Center For Inquiry... more ›

I'm Tivo-ing Mary Lynn Rajskub (Chloe from 24) on Conan tonight because it's the only new TV worth watching. Did you know Mary Lynn used to be David Cross' girlfriend? Did you know she's starring in a full-length comedy show at the Steve Allen Theater? Go see her Sunday, Apr. 15 @ 8:00pm, it's like $5 or $10 or something, pocket change. more ›

Need a little boost after the President's State of the Union speech this week? more ›

Are we out of the loop? How is it that we don't know about CNN Pipeline Anchor, Nicole Lapin? more ›

Everyone loves an outlaw and David Allen Coe is as bad as they get. Practically born in prison, Coe has been slinging around racial epithets and dirty songs before it became trendy. And thanks to Red Peters and the fact that he can't be fined, Howard Stern has been playing one of Coe's classics "Fuckin in the Butt". Beneficiary of an opening spot from a recent Kid Rock tour, DAC is showing a new... more ›

A list of some of the current critics' choices around town. Click on the show title for a review. Click on the theater name for info on tickets. Hotel C'est Lamour (The Blank Theater Company) References to Salvador Dali Make me Hot (Theater Planners at Art/Works Theater) Side Show (La Habra Depot) Tale of 2Cities: An American Joyride on Multiple Tracks (Freud Playhouse) Rocks in my Salsa (Highways Performance Space) The Beastly Bombing (Steve... more ›

The past is always present for Janet Klein. A devotee of early 20th century popular culture, Janet sings old hits on her ukulele and performs with her band "Janet Klein & Her Parlor Boys." Last year, they hosted a weekly show called "Janet Klein & Her Borscht Belt Babies," directed by Amit Itelmann, at the Steve Allen Theater. The show recreated a vaudeville show, featuring a variety of performances involving animal acts, speakers, singers and dancers. more ›

So you know how you have to be invited to The Magic Castle and know secret words and be able to levitate like the MindFreak or something or other in order to get in? Well, tonight, for one night only, the three regular Friday night magicians - David Lovering (the drummer for The Pixies), Rob Zabrecky (of Possum Dixon fame) and Fitzgerald - are performing for the general public tonight at the Steve Allen Theater in support of their new DVD. Tickets are $10 and we're so late on announcing this but if you didn't have plans for tonight, now you do. The show should be great. more ›

We know where we're going this Saturday—straight to Hell! And we couldn't be more excited. Every Saturday from now through Halloween, the Steve Allen Theater in Hollywood presents "Hollywood Hell House." more ›