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64 2 0 1 7 T R A V E L G U I D E T O C A L I F O R N I A Performance is the lifeblood of the arts, especially in California. From the Barbary Coast docks to the Paramount studio lots, drama, dance and music have always been an indelible part of the "Left Coast" spirit. The state's scores of concert halls, sym- phony orchestras, theaters, jazz clubs, dance companies, comedy troupes, cabarets, operas and fringe festivals lay waste to the notion of spending a quiet evening (or even an afternoon) at home. A full accounting is impossible, but here are some suggestions to consider. Regional Theaters San Diego's venerable La Jolla Playhouse has seen 26 of its productions move to Broadway, earning 35 Tony Awards. The Old Globe Theatre presents the plays of Shake- speare (of course), as well as works by the likes of Arthur Miller and an annual Christmas production penned by a late local resident: Dr. Seuss. Los Angeles features dozens of small the- ater companies—such as the Open Fist, the Actor's Co-op, the diverse Cornerstone and the Blank Theater (which hosts the annual Young Playwrights Festival). The city's star attraction is the Center Theatre Group, with everything from top-shelf classics to cut- ting-edge solo performances on three stages: the Mark Taper Forum, the Kirk Dou- glas Theatre and the Ahmanson Theatre. San Francisco's legendary American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T), the Eureka Theatre, the Magic Theatre, Z Space and Aurora are just a few of the city's beloved native companies—not to mention the politically charged San Francisco Mime Troupe, now in its 59 th year. For solo per- formance, check out both Intersection for the Arts and The Marsh, which has loca- tions in San Francisco and Berkeley. A terrific addition to the Bay Area theater scene is We Players, "connecting people with place through site-integrated theatre." On with the Show California celebrates every flavor of live performance BY JEFF GREENWALD & LAURIE WEED HOLLYWOOD BOWL The Hollywood Bowl dates to 1922 and is home to the Hollywood Bowl Orchestra and summer home for the Los Angeles Philharmonic. Hundreds of musical events are held every year in this amphitheater with its signature band shell, where a capacity of 17,500 people can gather beneath the famous Hollywood sign on the hill beyond. Above, the USC marching band performs with the symphony and fireworks. PERFORMING ARTS