The Secret Garden blossoms again–reimagined for a new generation by the original creators, Tony Award and Pultizer Prize winner Marsha Norman and Grammy Award®-winning composer Lucy Simon. Follow young, orphaned Mary Lennox as she's sent from her home in India to live with her reclusive uncle on his haunted English country estate. Guided by an exceptionally beautiful score, Mary's unapologetic curiosity and the help of unlikely companions send her on a thrilling quest to untangle the pieces of her family's past and, most importantly–discover herself.

Nearly thirty years after the Los Angeles uprising following the Rodney King verdict, Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 returns home to the Mark Taper Forum to be reimagined with an ensemble cast for a new generation of audiences. A powerful piece of living record and one of the most important works in the history of the Taper, Twilight... is a stunning and seminal play that explores the devastating human impact of the five days of uprising following the Rodney King verdict. From nine months of over 300 interviews conducted during the year following the uprising, playwright and scholar Anna Deavere Smith crafted a play that goes directly to the heart of the issues of race and class. Twilight... offers stark insight into the complex and pressing social, economic, and political issues that fueled the flames in the wake of the verdict and ignited a conversation about policing and race that continues today. Originally commissioned by and produced at the Mark Taper Forum, this 30th Anniversary Production is set to captivate our city once again.

This interactive public art exhibition fuses art and technology to echo our troubled relationship with the planet. Four large-scale interactive pieces can be physically explored on the LED screens on Jerry Moss Plaza, while a fifth collective artwork extends the experience online. Using face, hand and full body tracking, Our Common Home allows users to influence digital artworks in real time, while exploring how our individual decisions have a global impact.

Lost in the forest, a prince encounters an ethereal beauty with a mysterious past (and lush locks that would make Rapunzel envious). But after she's brought home to his family, she begins to grow increasingly close to his handsome younger brother.

Debussy's sensual, exquisitely nuanced score casts a hypnotic spell, capturing an enigmatic dream world where forbidden love blossoms.

Conducted by James Conlon, this fascinating lyric masterpiece stars two riveting young performers, soprano Sydney Mancasola and baritone Will Liverman, as the doomed lovers, and Kyle Ketelsen as the jealous prince. The magnificent Susan Graham makes her role debut as Geneviève, mother of the two rival brothers, and the legendary bass Ferruccio Furlanetto returns as King Arkel, the family patriarch unable to grasp the tragedy unfolding before him.

Susanna Mälkki leads the LA Phil in the joyous polkas and melancholy dumkas of Dvořák’s spirited Slavonic Dances. Written while the composer was relatively unknown, Dvořák’s spirited transformation of Czech and Bohemian folk dances rhythms launched his career. Famously obsessed with railroads—even saying once he would trade all his symphonies for having invented the locomotive—the Slavonic Dances invites listeners to imagine a train journey through Eastern Europe, taking in the many dance melodies heard at weddings and celebrations.

When asked to describe Felipe Lara’s Double Concerto after its first rehearsal, Grammy-winning jazz vocalist and bassist esperanza spalding called it “magic, interdimensional space music.” spalding’s partner in opening portals to new sound worlds is MacArthur Fellow Claire Chase, armed with both a traditional flute and her contrabass version nicknamed “Big Bertha.”

Reena Esmail, our Swan Family Artist-in-Residence, combines Indian and Western classical music traditions to create rich tapestries of sound. We’re delighted to premiere Reena’s latest work highlighting both Hindustani and Western classical voices. This new work will be paired with Fauré’s Requiem in D Minor, a musical tribute to his beloved father and a stunning showcase of the human voice. 

Begin the weekend with relaxing, family-friendly activities focused on deepening relationships with self, community and the park at Grand Park’s Easy Mornings.

This summer’s program includes an exciting exploration of L.A.’s creative landscape with performances, activities and workshops highlighting the art of dance and music, nature, health and wellness, digital arts and more.

One of the most famous and dynamic dance ensembles in the world, Paul Taylor Dance Company serves as the premier institution for American modern dance and is known for unparalleled artistry and expansive repertory. In a seminal piece of Americana, and through the hit songs of the Andrews Sisters, Company B juxtaposes the energy and enthusiasm of the country in the early 1940s with the human toll of a young nation drawn into World War II. The second piece will be a world premiere by Resident Choreographer Lauren Lovette, former principal dancer with New York City Ballet, set to the music of Michael Daugherty’s scintillating percussion concerto Dreamachine. Each performance will conclude with German choreographer Kurt Jooss’ The Green Table. Created between world wars, this work is one of the most iconic and celebrated anti-war dances of all time. With timeless designs by Hein Heckroth and Hermann Mankard and music by Fritz Cohen, The Green Table’s narrative is just as relevant, and the drama just as searing, as when it premiered 90 years ago.

The Music Center is partnering with Zócalo Public Square to enhance this residency with a special exploration of the intersections of art and war during a panel discussion on Jerry Moss Plaza at The Music Center. 

Nearly thirty years after the Los Angeles uprising following the Rodney King verdict, Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 returns home to the Mark Taper Forum to be reimagined with an ensemble cast for a new generation of audiences. A powerful piece of living record and one of the most important works in the history of the Taper, Twilight... is a stunning and seminal play that explores the devastating human impact of the five days of uprising following the Rodney King verdict. From nine months of over 300 interviews conducted during the year following the uprising, playwright and scholar Anna Deavere Smith crafted a play that goes directly to the heart of the issues of race and class. Twilight... offers stark insight into the complex and pressing social, economic, and political issues that fueled the flames in the wake of the verdict and ignited a conversation about policing and race that continues today. Originally commissioned by and produced at the Mark Taper Forum, this 30th Anniversary Production is set to captivate our city once again.

The Secret Garden blossoms again–reimagined for a new generation by the original creators, Tony Award and Pultizer Prize winner Marsha Norman and Grammy Award®-winning composer Lucy Simon. Follow young, orphaned Mary Lennox as she's sent from her home in India to live with her reclusive uncle on his haunted English country estate. Guided by an exceptionally beautiful score, Mary's unapologetic curiosity and the help of unlikely companions send her on a thrilling quest to untangle the pieces of her family's past and, most importantly–discover herself.

This interactive public art exhibition fuses art and technology to echo our troubled relationship with the planet. Four large-scale interactive pieces can be physically explored on the LED screens on Jerry Moss Plaza, while a fifth collective artwork extends the experience online. Using face, hand and full body tracking, Our Common Home allows users to influence digital artworks in real time, while exploring how our individual decisions have a global impact.

Lost in the forest, a prince encounters an ethereal beauty with a mysterious past (and lush locks that would make Rapunzel envious). But after she's brought home to his family, she begins to grow increasingly close to his handsome younger brother.

Debussy's sensual, exquisitely nuanced score casts a hypnotic spell, capturing an enigmatic dream world where forbidden love blossoms.

Conducted by James Conlon, this fascinating lyric masterpiece stars two riveting young performers, soprano Sydney Mancasola and baritone Will Liverman, as the doomed lovers, and Kyle Ketelsen as the jealous prince. The magnificent Susan Graham makes her role debut as Geneviève, mother of the two rival brothers, and the legendary bass Ferruccio Furlanetto returns as King Arkel, the family patriarch unable to grasp the tragedy unfolding before him.

The Secret Garden blossoms again–reimagined for a new generation by the original creators, Tony Award and Pultizer Prize winner Marsha Norman and Grammy Award®-winning composer Lucy Simon. Follow young, orphaned Mary Lennox as she's sent from her home in India to live with her reclusive uncle on his haunted English country estate. Guided by an exceptionally beautiful score, Mary's unapologetic curiosity and the help of unlikely companions send her on a thrilling quest to untangle the pieces of her family's past and, most importantly–discover herself.

This interactive public art exhibition fuses art and technology to echo our troubled relationship with the planet. Four large-scale interactive pieces can be physically explored on the LED screens on Jerry Moss Plaza, while a fifth collective artwork extends the experience online. Using face, hand and full body tracking, Our Common Home allows users to influence digital artworks in real time, while exploring how our individual decisions have a global impact.

Reena Esmail, our Swan Family Artist-in-Residence, combines Indian and Western classical music traditions to create rich tapestries of sound. We’re delighted to premiere Reena’s latest work highlighting both Hindustani and Western classical voices. This new work will be paired with Fauré’s Requiem in D Minor, a musical tribute to his beloved father and a stunning showcase of the human voice. 

Nearly thirty years after the Los Angeles uprising following the Rodney King verdict, Twilight: Los Angeles, 1992 returns home to the Mark Taper Forum to be reimagined with an ensemble cast for a new generation of audiences. A powerful piece of living record and one of the most important works in the history of the Taper, Twilight... is a stunning and seminal play that explores the devastating human impact of the five days of uprising following the Rodney King verdict. From nine months of over 300 interviews conducted during the year following the uprising, playwright and scholar Anna Deavere Smith crafted a play that goes directly to the heart of the issues of race and class. Twilight... offers stark insight into the complex and pressing social, economic, and political issues that fueled the flames in the wake of the verdict and ignited a conversation about policing and race that continues today. Originally commissioned by and produced at the Mark Taper Forum, this 30th Anniversary Production is set to captivate our city once again.

Susanna Mälkki leads the LA Phil in the joyous polkas and melancholy dumkas of Dvořák’s spirited Slavonic Dances. Written while the composer was relatively unknown, Dvořák’s spirited transformation of Czech and Bohemian folk dances rhythms launched his career. Famously obsessed with railroads—even saying once he would trade all his symphonies for having invented the locomotive—the Slavonic Dances invites listeners to imagine a train journey through Eastern Europe, taking in the many dance melodies heard at weddings and celebrations.

When asked to describe Felipe Lara’s Double Concerto after its first rehearsal, Grammy-winning jazz vocalist and bassist esperanza spalding called it “magic, interdimensional space music.” spalding’s partner in opening portals to new sound worlds is MacArthur Fellow Claire Chase, armed with both a traditional flute and her contrabass version nicknamed “Big Bertha.”

Experience the arts in your local community! Our Arts Grown L.A. program brings Music Center Performing Artists to communities and libraries all over L.A. County.