January 6 – 11

Orange County Performing Arts Center presents Stomp!

Stomp! is explosive, provocative, sophisticated, sexy, utterly unique, and appeals to audiences of all ages.  The international percussion sensation has garnered an armful of awards and rave reviews and has appeared on numerous national television shows.  The eight-member troupe uses everything but conventional percussion instruments – matchboxes, wooden poles, brooms, garbage cans, Zippo lighters, hub caps – to fill the stage with magnificent rhythms.  As USA Today says, “Stomp finds beautiful noises in the strangest places.” See what all the noise is about.  Segerstrom Hall. 714-556-2787. www.ocpac.org.

January 15 – 18

Orange County Performing Arts Center presents John Pizzarelli and Jessica Molasky

John Pizzarelli is known for his late-night ballads and the cool flavor of his guitar.  His stunning wife Jessica sings like a morning lark and possesses an equally intrinsic feel for jazz phrasing.  Both bring a rare sense of discovery and keen sense of humor to every song they sing.  Samueli Theater. 714-556-2787. www.ocpac.org.

January 31

Renée and Henry Segerstrom Theater presents Happy Birthday Mozart

The "Mozart at The Center" theme comes to life as the Orchestra celebrates Mozart's 253rd Birthday Anniversary.  Pianist Daniel Shapiro performs Mozart's famous Concerto in G, K. 453 with the Mozart Classical Orchestra.  Dr. Shapiro has performed with many other international symphony orchestras.  Mozart’s majestic Overture to Idomeneo with a newly-minted concert ending will open the concert while the profound majesty of Symphony No. 41, in C, "Jupiter" concludes this memorable musical offering.  Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall. 714-556-2787. www.ocpac.org.

February 6 – March 8

South Coast Repertory presents Noises Off

"The funniest play written in my lifetime," said The New York Times critic Frank Rich when Noises Off opened to universally ecstatic reviews.  It propelled Michael Frayn to international fame and started a trend that will never end, keeping audiences in stitches the world over.  Noises Off is a perfectly delightful farce containing Nothing On, which is a purposefully terrible farce about sexual dalliances.  This play-within-a-play is interrupted as actors come and go, usually at the wrong time and through the wrong doors, while off-stage assignations lead to on-stage chaos.  From first rehearsal to final performance the delirium never ends.  Bring extra oxygen.  Segerstrom Stage. 714-708-5555. www.scr.org.