March 4
“The Finest Hour” | Irvine Barclay Theatre
In a concert celebrating the 75th Anniversary of the music that ended WWII and the music of the Greatest Generation, “The Finest Hour” performance features the iconic tunes of Bing Crosby, Ella Fitzgerald and Frank Sinatra with such timeless classics as “As Time Goes By” and “I’ll Be Seeing You” performed by Davina and the Vagabonds and Hot Club of Cowtown. TheBarclay.org
March 4
Sunset Jazz Supper Club Edition | Newport Beach Marriott Hotel
The Suncet Jazz Supper Club Edition continues its five Wednesday night concerts at the Newport Beach Marriott’s Hook & Spear restaurant on March 4 with the Bruce Forman Trio featuring Alex Frank, Jake Reed and The Red Guitar. The first set features the trio, followed by a one-hour performance of The Red Guitar – straight from Off Broadway! Doors open at 6 p.m./Show – 7 to 9:30 p.m. SunsetJazzatNewport.com
March 5-8
ABT’s World Premiere “Of Love and Rage” | Segerstrom Hall
The dance event of the season is presented by American Ballet Theatre and today’s foremost choreographer Alexei Ratmansky, called “the most gifted choreographer in classical ballet today” by The New York Times. Inspired by the earliest romance novel from Greek antiquity, the world premiere features star-crossed lovers journeying on the high seas as the exceptionally beautiful Callirhoe is rescued by her dashing hero. SCFTA.com
March 11- Apr 5
Barefoot in the Park | Laguna Playhouse
Melanie Griffith returns to Laguna Playhouse in Neil Simon’s hit comedy about free-spirited Corie and her buttoned-down husband Paul struggling to adjust to married life in their too expensive, run-down New York walk-up. Throw in a loopy meddling mother, an eccentric Bohemian upstairs neighbor, and a double date that goes disastrously wrong, and comedy awaits. LagunaPlayhouse.com
March 14-15
Zoo Birthday Party | Santa Ana Zoo
All Zoo party with music, games, animal education activities and fun. Sing Happy Birthday and enjoy cake, first come/first served. | General Public – free with price of admission; FOSAZ (Friends of Santa Ana Zoo) Members – Free; Santa Ana Residents Free on Sunday, March 15 (proof of Santa Ana residency required). 11 a.m. to 2 p.m. each day. SantaAnaZoo.org
March 14-15
“High on the Mountain, Deep in the Valley” | Orange County Women’s Chorus
“High on the Mountain, Deep in the Valley: The Music of Johannes Brahms” is presented by the Orange County Women’s Chorus led by Eliza Rubenstein and joined by Men in Blaque (Joseph Huszti, artistic director) for a concert of works by one of the greatest of the Romantic masters. Johannes Brahms’ mastery of intricate craft and profound emotion have made his music soul food for singers and listeners around the world. OCWomensChorus.org
March 18- Apr 19
Cirque du Soleil Volta | OC Fair & Event Center
Cirque du Soleil VOLTA tells a spellbinding story about the freedom to choose and the thrill of blazing your own trail. Inspired in part by the adventurous spirit that fuels the culture of action sports, the show weaves acrobatics in a visually striking world driven by a stirring melodic score. CirqueduSoleil.com
March 19-21
Beethoven’s Piano Concertos | Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall
Enjoy an all-Beethoven weekend in celebration of the iconic composer’s 250th birthday featuring all five piano concertos with the immensely talented Alexander Romanovsky at the keyboard. Pacific Symphony Music Director, celebrating his 30th season with the orchestra, conducts. 8 p.m. PacificSymphony.org
March 27
H.M.S. Pinafore | South Coast Symphony Coast Hills Auditorium
Hosted by Lyric Opera Orange County and South Coast Symphony, Gilbert & Sullivan’s comic opera, H.M.S. Pinafore, or, The Lass Who Loved a Sailor, will be presented at Coast Hills Auditorium in Rancho Santa Margarita. 7:30 p.m. – 9:30 p.m. SouthCoastSymphony.org