The SHOWS GO ON!

FROM CONCERTS UNDER THE STARS TO WORLD-PREMIERE MUSICALS, SAN DIEGO’S STAGES ARE AGLOW AGAIN

by SARAH DAOUST

FIVE YEARS AND $85 million in the making, the world-class Rady Shell at Jacobs Park (aka “The Shell”) is complete, and its alfresco season is well underway. Spanning premium acreage along the bayfront, the concert hall and public park is San Diego Symphony’s first permanent, open-air performance venue in its 100-year history—boasting stateof-the-art acoustics, video screens and a rolled-steel, seashell-shaped design by Tucker Sadler Architects. Upcoming concerts include the 1812 Tchaikovsky Spectacular on Sept. 10; Jason Mraz on Sept. 26; Bobby McFerrin on Sept. 29; and the Indigo Girls on Oct. 10. 222 Marina Park Way, downtown, 619.235.0804, sandiegosymphony.org, theshell.org

THE ICONIC THEATER is back in action with three dynamic shows this season. Return to the “Age of Aquarius” with the epic, 1960s love-rock musical Hair, through Oct. 3. Staged under the stars at the Lowell Davies Festival Theatre, it’s the Globe’s first full-scale production since the pandemic began—with James Vásquez directing a cast of 16. Next up, The Gardens of Anuncia, Sept. 10-Oct. 17, is a Globe-commissioned, world-premiere musical inspired by the life story of Broadway legend Graciela Daniele, who directs

(and choregraphed) the production. In it we follow Anuncia, who reflects on her childhood in Argentina, as she gardens at her country house. And mark the calendar for Shutter Sisters, another Globe-commissioned world premiere, Oct. 7-Nov. 7; along with the return of the treasured holiday musical, Dr. Seuss’ How the Grinch Stole Christmas!, Nov. 3-Dec. 31. 1363 Old Globe Way, Balboa Park, 619.234.5623, theoldglobe.org

La Jolla Playhouse

THREE WORLD PREMIERES are coming our way courtesy of La Jolla Playhouse. Written by Charlayne Woodard, The Garden—Sept. 21-Oct. 17—explores the complex motherdaughter relationship between two “alpha” women who have not spoken in three years. Cassandra shows up at her mother Claire Rose’s garden gate to make amends. In To the Yellow House, Nov. 16-Dec. 12, we go inside the world of iconic painter Vincent Van Gogh, circa February 1886 in Paris (four years before his death in 1890). It’s an intimate portrait of a tortured artist as he paints, drinks, argues and agonizes. And save the date for the dance musical Bhangin’ It, March 8-April 17, 2022. 2910 La Jolla Village Drive, La Jolla, 858.550.1010, lajollaplayhouse.org

San Diego Opera

THREE INTIMATE CONCERTS across three venues comprise the fall 2021 season for San Diego Opera. Mezzo-soprano opera star Stephanie Blythe takes the stage at Balboa Theatre downtown on Oct. 23— performing Johnny Mercer: America’s Lyricist, a celebration of the words and songs of Johnny Mercer (19091976). Catch soprano Michelle Bradley (who sang the title role of Aida in 2019) performing at BakerBaum Concert Hall at The Conrad in La Jolla, Nov. 20-21. Talented tenor Arturo Chacón-Cruz—who has sung 60-plus roles across 30 countries— makes his company debut, singing at

California Center for the Arts, Escondido on Dec. 3. The 2022 season starts in February with Così fan tutte, then Roméo et Juliette and Aging Magician sdopera.org

TWO AMBITIOUS PRODUCTIONS will light up San Diego Rep’s Lyceum Stage this fall. Latinx playwright Octavio Solis and director Sam Woodhouse bring us Mother Road, Oct. 7-31. Inspired by John Steinbeck’s The Grapes of Wrath, the play is an exploration of people and cultures in America. Looking for blood kin to inherit his family farm in Oklahoma, hardworking William Joad discovers he is related to Martín Jodes—a young Mexican-American descendant from Steinbeck’s original protagonist Tom Joad. She The People, Nov. 18-Dec. 5, is a sketch show created and performed by the women of world-famous improv comedy collective, The Second City. Prepare for belly laughs (if you can keep up). 79 Horton Plaza, downtown, 619.544.1000, sdrep.org

Cygnet Theatre

WHEN IT OPENED on Broadway in 1983, La Cage aux Folles broke barriers for LGBTQ representation by becoming one of the first hit Broadway musicals centered on a homosexual relationship. It ran for more than four years and won six Tony Awards. Cygnet Theatre (after having to couch its spring 2020 production due to the pandemic) presents it at Old Town Theatre, Sept. 10-Nov. 7. Directed by Sean Murray, the play (which inspired the 1996 film The Birdcage) follows a young man raised by a loving gay couple—who begs them to pretend not to be who they are, so that the conservative parents of his fiancée will accept them. The tables are turned when the girl’s parents need the gay family’s help to survive a political scandal. To end the year, Cygnet’s long-running holiday production of A Christmas Carol returns, Nov. 24-Dec. 26. 4040 Twiggs St., Old Town, 619.337.1525, cygnettheatre.com

North Coast Repertory Theatre

“CELEBRATING THE RESILIENCY of the human spirit,” North Coast Rep welcomes its 40th season. Playing Sept. 8-Oct. 3, Dancing Lessons written by Mark St. Germain and directed by Richard Baird—follows a Broadway dancer and a struggling science professor who form a surprising friendship. Ben Butler, Oct. 20-Nov. 14, is part comedy, part history; in it we meet a general who must make a decision that could affect the course of U.S. history. The theater’s season continues into 2022 with five additional productions. 987 Lomas Santa Fe, Solana Beach, 858.481.1055, northcoastrep.org

Lamb’s Players Theatre

THE CORONADO-BASED troupe returns with The Belle of Amherst, Oct. 2-Nov. 14. Directed by Robert Smyth, William Luce’s award-winning play stars Cynthia Gerber—who portrays revered writer Emily Dickinson.

Lamb’s “comeback season” also includes Christmas 2021, celebrating the company’s 50th anniversary, Nov. 26-Dec. 26; and three shows in 2022: The Hound of the Baskervilles, R-E-S-P-E-C-T and Million Dollar Quartet 1142 Orange Ave., Coronado, 619.437.6000, lambsplayers.org

ENJOY A SLICE OF CITY LIFE IN THESE LIVELY, HISTORICAL DOWNTOWN NEIGHBORHOODS

Real estate developer

Alonzo Erastus Horton envisioned a bustling port city, and in 1867, he spent $264 for 800 acres he called “New Town.” Today, New Town is known as the historical Gaslamp Quarter. Comprising more than 16 square blocks, the Gaslamp stretches from Broadway to Harbor Drive, with Fourth, Fifth and Sixth avenues as its main thoroughfares. The Gaslamp’s immaculately preserved, Victorian-style buildings are home to dozens of restaurants, clubs, theaters and retailers. Tour guides offer an insider’s look at the area, or explore it on your own.

If you start your exploration at the southern end of the Gaslamp, be sure to visit the Art of Tim Cantor Gallery (527 Fourth Ave.) for conceptual art and oil paintings. Shop for preowned luxury watches at Nikki & Co. Fine Jewelers (562 Fifth Ave.); sporty apparel at Quiksilver (470 Fifth Ave.); and locally made home goods and artisanal gifts at Gaslamp Artisan Market (599 Fifth Ave.). Also check out the luxury cineplex Theatre Box (701 Fifth Ave.), home to the Sugar Factory American Brasserie

There’s also culture to be had nearby. San Diego Repertory Theatre performs at Lyceum Stage (with live shows returning this fall); and historical Balboa Theatre hosts performing arts yearround. And stroll through Horton Plaza Park home to an amphitheater and art installations.

Keep in mind that parking can be dicey in the Gaslamp; a garage is your best bet. We suggest Park It On Market (619.818.9137) and 6th & K Parkade (619.233.3994). For more helpful info, call the Gaslamp Quarter Association (619.233.5227)

Arts and culture abound here. Designed by revered architect Rob Quigley, The New Children’s Museum

(200 W. Island Ave.) is a wonderland of educational and interactive kids exhibits; and the San Diego Chinese Historical Museum (404 Third Ave.) is outfitted with a garden and koi pond. San Diego Symphony, based at Copley Symphony Hall, now performs at its new outdoor concert venue on the bay: The Rady Shell at Jacobs Park; while San Diego Opera and Broadway/San Diego have presented shows at the Civic Theatre (1100 Third Ave.); and the Spreckels Theatre (121 Broadway) hosts the ballet, concerts and more.

Petco Park (100 Park Blvd.) and San Diego Central Library (330 Park Blvd.) are landmarks of this edgy ‘hood. Enjoy some fresh air and green space at Fault Line Park (1433 Island Ave.). For some retail therapy, Wild Dove Boutique (740 Market St.) sells chic women’s wear.

The area’s burgeoning art scene includes a few notable outposts: Space 4 Art (340 16th St.), a gallery/arts center where artists live and work; and Sparks Gallery (530 Sixth Ave.), a contemporary art space in a historical building that hosts exhibits.

A few blocks north of downtown, Little Italy is home to restaurants, galleries, boutiques and markets along the main drag, India Street. Highlights: Nolita Hall (2305 India St.) gastropub and Ballast Point (2215 India St.)

craft beer tasting room; a handful of galleries, such as Mee Shim Fine Art (1943 India St.), featuring mixed-media works by the South Korea native; and cool specialty shops.

Take time to explore the streets branching off from India, too. The colorful cottages of the Fir Street Shops include Love & Aesthetics (621 W. Fir St.), stocked with rare artwork, house wares, bath products, jewelry and gift items; and Vitreum (619 W. Fir St.), specializing in simple, elegant ceramics.

On Cedar, Vocabulary (414 W. Cedar St.) is a chic shop featuring emerging designers; while Remedy Holistic Pharmacy (320 W. Cedar St.) offers health and wellness products.

Running parallel to India Street, Kettner Boulevard forms the spine of the art-and-design district. A gallery cluster near the corner of Kettner and Kalmia includes Adelman

Fine Art (1980 Kettner Blvd.), showcasing original paintings, limited-edition signed prints, art glass and sculptures; and Meyer

Fine Art Inc. (2400 Kettner Blvd., #104), specializing in prints and works on paper.

And stop by the popular Mercato farmers market (600 W. Date St.), 8 a.m. to 2 p.m. every Saturday.

Shop and dine at The Headquarters at Seaport, with restaurants and boutiques like CoCo Rose (789 W. Harbor Drive,

#124), stocking beach and resort wear; and Seaport Village, with gift shops, bay-view eateries and galleries. Spend some time at Embarcadero Marina Park, which offers bike and jogging trails, basketball courts and picnicking. Continue north along the harbor to Broadway Pier and embark on sightseeing cruises and dinner excursions aboard a City Experiences by Hornblower yacht (970 and 1800 N. Harbor Drive); or catch the Coronado Ferry (1050 N. Harbor Drive)

Stop for a bite at the new Portside Pier (1360 N. Harbor Drive); then tour the retired USS Midway aircraft carrier-turned museum and the floating Maritime Museum