Here is a list of theater openings, Critics’ Choices, etc., for Dec. 8-15. Capsule reviews are by Charles McNulty (C.M.), Philip Brandes (P.B.), F. Kathleen Foley (F.K.F.), Margaret Gray (M.G.) and Daryl H. Miller (D.H.M.).

Openings

Story Pirates Musical sketch comedy show for ages 5 and up. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Promenade Terrace, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. Sun., 11 a.m. Free. (310) 746-4000. TheWallis.org

The Living Room Series Staged reading of Dianne Nora’s “Monica: This Is Not a Play About Monica Lewinsky.” The Blank’s 2nd Stage Theatre, 6500 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Mon., 8 p.m. $15 suggested donation. (323) 661-9827. theblank.com

Rose and Walsh Staged reading of Neil Simon’s romantic drama about two famous literary figures. Sierra Madre Playhouse, 87 W. Sierra Madre Blvd., Sierra Madre. Mon., 7 p.m. $5 suggested donation. (626) 355-4318. sierramadreplayhouse.org

A Broadway Holiday! Musical theater veteran David Burnham shares songs and stories. Catalina Bar & Grill, 6725 W. Sunset Blvd., Hollywood. Tue., 8:30 p.m. $25–$60; food and drink minimums apply. (866) 466-2210. catalinajazzclub.com

Center Theatre Group Library Play Reading Series “La Navidad del Mojado” by Rubén Amavizca-Murúa; performed in Spanish. Benjamin Franklin Library, 2200 E. 1st St., L.A.Tue., 6 p.m. Also at Malabar Library, 2801 Wabash Ave., L.A. Wed., 6 p.m.; and Robert Louis Stevenson Library, 803 Spence St., L.A. Thu., 6 p.m. Free. CenterTheatreGroup.org

Otto Frank Theater artist Roger Guenveur Smith performs in this solo show inspired by the father of Anne Frank, the young Jewish girl who kept a diary of her experiences while she and her family hid from the Nazis in an Amsterdam attic. Bootleg Theater, 2220 Beverly Blvd., L.A. Tue.-Wed., 7:30 p.m. $20. bootlegtheater.org

Veterans Speak Up Armed services members share their stories in this event co-presented by Chance Theater; for ages 13 and up. Richard Nixon Presidential Library, Theater 37, 18001 Yorba Linda Blvd., Yorba Linda. Tue., 7:30 p.m. Free. chancetheater.com

Christmas With a Z! Dana Gould, in the guise of Dr. Zaius from the film “Planet of the Apes,” hosts this fundraiser/variety show featuring comedian Natasha Leggero, 7-foot clown Puddles Pity Party, et al.; for ages 21 and up only. The Satellite, 1717 Silver Lake Blvd., Silver Lake. Wed., 8 p.m. $50 and up. www.TheSatelliteLA.com

Tis the Season: Amanda McBroom in Concert with Michele Brourman and Friends The songwriter (“The Rose”) and guests perform holiday favorites and more. Feinstein’s at Vitello’s, 4349 Tujunga Ave., Studio City. Wed., 8 p.m. $40-$50; food and drink minimums apply. (818) 769-0905. eventbrite.com

A Charlie Brown Christmas Stage adaptation of the beloved animated TV special featuring the Peanuts characters created by Charles M. Schulz. Chance Theater, 5522 E. La Palma Ave., Anaheim. Thu.-Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat.-next Sun., 1, 2:30, 6 and 7:30 p.m.; ends Dec. 29. $21-$35; discounts available. (888) 455-4212. ChanceTheater.com

Quick Creation Festival New short plays in two distinct programs. Son of Semele Theater, 3301 Beverly Blvd., L.A. Thu.-next Sun., 5 and 8 p.m. $15. (213) 351-3507. sonofsemele.org

Broadway Lights the Holidays 3-D Theatricals presents this stage show featuring special guests, seasonal favorites, a reading of “Twas the Night Before Christmas” and more. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos. Fri., 8 p.m. $25-$150. (562) 916-8500. cerritoscenter.com

A Christmas Carol Thousand Oaks Repertory stages Dickens’ tale. Scherr Forum Theatre, Thousand Oaks Civic Arts Plaza, 2100 Thousand Oaks Blvd., Thousand Oaks. Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 2 and 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 7:30 p.m. $30. (800) 745-3000. ticketmaster.com

A Christmas Carole King Troubadour Theater Company’s latest comedic mashup blends the singer-songwriter’s hits with Dickens’ holiday fable. El Portal Theatre, 5269 Lankershim Blvd., North Hollywood. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 4 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 4 p.m.; ends Dec. 22. $50-$75. (866) 811-4111. elportaltheatre.com

The Christmas Present A divorced businessman and a prostitute spend the holiday in a posh London hotel room in Guy Picot’s dark comedy. The Broadwater Black Box, 6322 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8p.m.; next Sun., 4 and 8 p.m.; ends Dec. 22. $18. (800) 838-3006. brownpapertickets.com

Cirque Dreams Holidaze Acrobats, aerialists and others perform in this family-friendly show. Dolby Theatre, 6801 Hollywood Blvd., Hollywood. Fri., 7:30 p.m.; Sat., 3 and 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m. $34-$130. (800) 745-3000. Ticketmaster.com

It’s a Wonderful Christmas Carol Bravo Company spoofs classic holiday stories, movies, cartoons, variety shows, etc. Long Beach Playhouse, Studio Theatre, 5021 E. Anaheim St., Long Beach. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m. $20. (562) 494-1014. lbplayhouse.org

Ledisi: The Legend of Little Girl Blue The singer explores the influence of jazz great Nina Simone on her own artistry. Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts, Lovelace Studio Theater, 9390 N. Santa Monica Blvd., Beverly Hills. Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2:30 and 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2:30 and 7:30 p.m.; ends Dec. 29. $30-$75. (310) 746-4000. thewallis.org

Marvels of Magic Workshop production of Andrew Simmons’ new drama about up-and-coming illusionists. Hudson Mainstage Theatre, 6539 Santa Monica Blvd., Hollywood. Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m. $35, $50. marvelsofmagicshow.com

A Snow White Christmas The classic fairy tale gets a silly makeover in this family-friendly song- and dance-filled show in the style of a British holiday panto; with Michelle Williams, and a pre-recorded performance by Neil Patrick Harris as the magic mirror. Pasadena Civic Auditorium, 300 E. Green St., Pasadena. Fri., 7 p.m.; Sat.-next Sun., 1 and 5 p.m.; ends Dec. 22. $28 and up. (626) 449-7360. thepasadenacivic.com

Things to do

Aleichem Sholom! The Wit and Wisdom of Sholom Aleichem Musical inspired by the life and times of the Yiddish humorist. The Other Space at Santa Monica Playhouse, 1211 4th St., Santa Monica. Sat., 3 p.m. $35. (310) 394-9779. santamonicaplayhouse.com

Colors of Christmas Holiday show with veteran entertainers Peabo Bryson, Ben Vereen, Oleta Adams, and Jody Watley. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos. Sat., 8 p.m. $55-$100. (562) 916-8500. cerritoscenter.com

Dickens Holiday Celebration Includes actors portraying characters from various Dickens novels, plus three performances of “A Christmas Carol” (reservations required). The International Printing Museum, 315 W. Torrance Blvd., Carson. Sat., 10 a.m.-4 p.m. $25. printmuseum.org

Disposable Necessities World premiere of Neil McGowan’s dark comedy set in a future where those with the financial means to escape aging and death download their souls into new bodies; Guillermo Cienfuegos directs. Rogue Machine Theatre, Electric Lodge, 1416 Electric Ave., Venice. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 3 p.m; ends Feb. 3. $25, $40. (855) 585-5185. roguemachinetheatre.com

Elf — The Musical Stage adaptation of the hit 2003 Will Ferrell holiday comedy. Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley. Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 29. $20-$28. (805) 583-7900. simi-arts.org

Plaid Tidings A dearly departed vocal group from the 1950s-60s returns to perform a holiday concert in this spin-off of the show “Forever Plaid.” Rubicon Theatre Company, 1006 E. Main St., Ventura. Sat., 7 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 29. $39-$74; opening night only, $150. (804) 667-2900. rubicontheatre.org

Three Jews and a Blonde Walk into the Braid Comedy show with Cathy Ladman, Monica Piper, Sue Kolinsky, Debbie Kasper. The Braid, 2912 Colorado Ave., #102, Santa Monica. Sat., 5:30 and 8 p.m. $35. jewishwomenstheatre.org

A Twisted Christmas Carol Phil Olson’s new Texas-style send-up of Dickens’ classic tale. Upstairs at the Group Rep (not handicapped accessible), Lonny Chapman Theatre, 10900 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Sat., 4 p.m.; next Sun., 7 p.m.; ends Jan. 12. $17, $20. (818) 763-5990. thegrouprep.com

Catskills Comedy in Calabasas With veteran comics Hank Garrett, Mike Preminger and others. Valley Outreach Synagogue Center for Jewish Life, 26670 Agoura Road, Calabasas. Next Sun., 5 p.m. $20, $25. (818) 882-4867. vosla.org

Charles Phoenix: Retro Holiday Jubilee! The humorist and pop-culture historian celebrates the season. Lewis Family Playhouse, 12505 Cultural Center Drive, Rancho Cucamonga. Next Sun., 2 p.m. $28-$36. (909) 477-2752. lewisfamilyplayhouse.com

Elvis: Blue Christmas Tribute artist Raymond Michael salutes the King of Rock and Roll. Simi Valley Cultural Arts Center, 3050 Los Angeles Ave., Simi Valley. Next Sun., 7:30 p.m. $22-$29. (805) 583-7900. simi-arts.org

The Merry Little Christmas Show Scott Dreier (“Doris and Me”) celebrates classic holiday specials in this cabaret show. The Colony Theatre, 555 N. 3rd St., Burbank. Next Sun., 3 and 6 p.m. $35. (866) 811-4111. colonytheatre.org

Pamela Shaw Is Naughty … with a Band The actress-singer shares songs and stories. Feinstein’s at Vitello’s, 4349 Tujunga Ave., Studio City. Next Sun., 1:30 p.m. $25, $35; food and beverage minimums apply. (818) 769-0905. feinsteinsatvitellos.com

A Very Goyisha Hanukkah Anna Abbott explores her spirituality and sexuality in this comical cabaret show. The Braid, 2912 Colorado Ave., #102, Santa Monica. Next Sun., 2 p.m.; also Tue., Dec. 17, 8 p.m. $35. jewishwomenstheatre.org

Wicked Lit Unbound Productions presents staged readings of the chilling tales “From Beyond,” “The Unholy Sisters” and “The Grove of Rashomon.” A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Next Sun., 6:30 p.m. $10-$50. (626) 356-3100. anoisewithin.org

Critics’ Choices

Andy Warhol’s Tomato In this deftly staged debut, Vince Melocchi’s two-hander imagines an encounter in 1946 Pittsburgh between 18-year old Warhol (only an aspiring commercial artist at that point) and a blue-collar barkeep harboring secret dreams of becoming a writer. Carefully researched factual accuracy notwithstanding, the play isn’t so much a biographical portrait as a touching exploration of cultural division bridged by a fundamental human need to create. (P.B.) Pacific Resident Theatre, 703 Venice Blvd., Venice. Sun., next Sun., 3 p.m.; Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Dec. 15. $25-$34. (310) 822-8392. pacificresidenttheatre.com

Bob’s Holiday Office Party This long-running yuletide parody of small town eccentricity thrives on the qualities that has made it a staple of the L.A. theater scene for over two decades — it’s irreverent, crude, and devastatingly funny. (P.B.) Atwater Village Theatre, 3269 Casitas Ave., L.A. Sun., next Sun., 7:30 p.m.; Mon., Thu.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 8:30 p.m.; ends Dec. 22. $25, $35. (800) 838-3006. bobsofficeparty.com

A Christmas Carol Amid many worthy area stagings of Charles Dickens’ immortal classic, this deftly performed, meta-theatrical edition stands out for fidelity to text, witty stagecraft and heartfelt embrace of message. There are fleeting oddities, but only a die-hard humbug could remain unmoved by so charming a Yuletide treat. God bless us everyone. (David C. Nichols). A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Sun., next Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; Thu., 7:30 p.m.; Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 23. $25 and up; student rush, $20. (626) 356-3100. anoisewithin.org

Department of Dreams Preeminent Kosovar playwright Jeton Neziraj’s dystopian fable concerns a repressive system in which citizens are forced to “deposit” their dreams at a monolithic government agency in an ongoing campaign of intimidation and terror. The fact that the play is a world premiere represents a real coup for director Frédérique Michel and designer Charles A. Duncombe, the movers and shakers behind City Garage for almost 35 years now. They do full service to Neziraj’s surreal vision, an Orwellian portrait of a mad world in which all individuality is suppressed by a totalitarian state. Sometimes abstruse to the point of the incomprehensible, this is not an easy play. But is in an important play by a world-class playwright who challenges our complacency at every twist and turn. (F.K.F.) City Garage, Bergamot Station, building T1, 2525 Michigan Ave., Santa Monica. Ends Sun., 3 p.m. $20, $25; Sundays: pay what you want, at the door only. (310) 453-9939. citygarage.org

Eight Nights Sharply written, expertly performed and staged with breathtaking emotional impact, Jennifer Maisel’s new play explores the refugee experience and its repercussions through the deeply personal story of a concentration camp survivor and her descendants. (P.B.) Antaeus Theatre Company, Kiki & David Gindler Performing Arts Center, 110 E. Broadway, Glendale. Sun., next Sun., 2 p.m.; Mon., Fri.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Dec. 16. $35. (818) 506-1983. Antaeus.org

Elijah Set in a Texas TGI Fridays during raging hurricane Elijah, Judith Leora’s play commences on a deceptively polemical note, as the pro-and-anti death penalty activists who had gathered at a nearby prison for the execution of a notorious serial slayer are forced to shelter in place for the duration. In this case, patience is a virtue. Leora’s initial didacticism deepens into a beautifully realized, classically structured drama that subtly illustrates what can occur when individuals are forced out of their ideologically ossified “tribes” to seek a common humanity. Never striking a false note, director Maria Gobetti takes us on a journey that accelerates to a shattering emotional whirlwind. Among the superlative performers, Molly Gray particularly stands out in her raw portrayal of a woman coping with a sad and shocking legacy that will forever define her. (F.K.F.) The Big Victory Theatre, 3326 W. Victory Blvd., Burbank. Sun., next Sun., 4 p.m.; Wed.-Sat., 8 p.m.; ends Dec. 15. $28-$40. (818) 841-5421. thevictorytheatrecenter.org

Jitney Ruben Santiago-Hudson’s Tony-winning revival of August Wilson’s “Jitney,” a triumphant melding of acting and drama, puts the audience in the unique position of eavesdroppers on the colloquial music of life. This early Wilson play, the first to be written in his 10-play cycle exploring the 20th century African American experience, takes place in the 1970s at a gypsy cab station threatened by the city’s urban renewal program. Wilson takes us inside the drivers’ lives to reveal the way history has challenged and changed their destinies. What was once dismissed as a minor Wilson drama is now considered major. And it’s not because our standards have plummeted. Rather, it’s that the play, when fully realized by a company of actors working in communal concord, satisfies our growing hunger for complex and compassionate character truth. (C.M.) Mark Taper Forum, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. Sun., next Sun., 1 and 6:30 p.m.; Tue.-Fri., 8 p.m., Sat., 2:30 and 8 p.m.; ends Dec. 29. $25-$110. (213) 628-2772. centertheatregroup.org

Key Largo A stage version of John Huston’s 1948 classic film noir starring Humphrey Bogart, Lauren Bacall and Edward G. Robinson, is asking for trouble. To begin with, who can compete with the soul-weary charisma of Bogie and Bacall? But this world premiere adaptation by Jeffrey Hatcher and actor Andy Garcia, sensationally directed by Doug Hughes, takes a different route to success. Garcia’s high-voltage portrayal of mobster Johnny Rocco infuses the play with crackling vitality. Taking on the role that Robinson played with his imitable tough-guy swagger, Garcia paints a gangster portrait more along the lines of those created over the years by Al Pacino and Robert De Niro. Garcia’s performance, a strong supporting cast and a topnotch design team allow “Key Largo” to live anew. (C.M.) Geffen Playhouse, Gil Cates Theater, 10886 Le Conte Ave., Westwood. Sun., 2 and 7 p.m.; Tue.-Fri., 8 p.m.; Sat., 3 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 15. $30-$145. (310) 208-5454. geffenplayhouse.org

The Latina Christmas Special Under the direction of Geoffrey Rivas, the massively talented trio of Maria Russell, Diana Yanez and Sandra Valls, who all play themselves, hilariously and heart-wrenchingly recapitulate memories of Christmases past in this very special “Special” — which is most distinctively and most memorably a loving tribute to their feisty, funny Latina mothers. (F.K.F.) A Noise Within, 3352 E. Foothill Blvd., Pasadena. Mon., 7:30 p.m. $10-$50. (626) 356-3100. anoisewithin.org

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Here is a list of classical music in L.A. for Dec. 8-15:

Angel City Chorale: Starry Starry Night Holiday Concert & Sing-Along The ensemble sings seasonal favorites and more backed by a live orchestra. Immanuel Presbyterian Church, 3300 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Sun., 7:30 p.m. $35-$90. (310) 943-9231. angelcitychorale.org

Beethoven’s “Eroica” Principal guest conductor Susanna Mälkki leads the LA Phil in Beethoven’s Symphony No. 3 and Oliver Knussen’s Violin Concerto with violinist Leila Josefowicz. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. Sun., 2 p.m. $20-$188. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com

The Choir of Saint James: An Advent Procession of Lessons and Carols The ensemble performs works ranging from Gregorian chant to contemporary works. St. James Episcopal Church, 3903 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Sun., 4:30 p.m. Free. stjla.org

A Christmas Celebration The Los Angeles Concert Orchestra, the Chancel Choir and the Mark Twain Bell Ringers perform. First United Methodist Church, 1008 11th St., Santa Monica. Sun., 7:30 p.m. Recommended donation, $10-$20. (310) 393-8258. santamonicaumc.org

Handel’s Glorious Messiah Guest conductor Robert Istad leads Pacific Symphony, Pacific Chorale and guest soloists in the holiday favorite. Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Sun., 3 p.m. $25 and up. (714) 755-5799. PacificSymphony.org

Handel’s Messiah The Dream Orchestra, the Cathedral Choir, the Opera Chorus of Los Angeles and guest vocalists perform. Cathedral of Our Lady of the Angels, 555 W. Temple St., L.A. Sun., 7 p.m. $20-$40. dreamorchestra.org

Handel’s Messiah Orange County-based Meistersingers perform with a period-instrument ensemble. Anaheim United Methodist Church, 1000 S. State College Blvd., Anaheim. Sun., 3 p.m. $15, $25. meistersingers.net

Holiday Concert The American Youth Symphony Chamber Ensemble performs. Valley Beth Shalom, 15739 Ventura Blvd., Encino. Sun., 4 p.m. Free. schoolofmusic.ucla.edu

Holiday Lights Santa Clarita Master Chorale performs Lauridsen’s “Lux Aeterna” and more. College of the Canyons Performing Arts Center, 26455 Rockwell Canyon Rd., Santa Clarita. Sun., 4 p.m. $11-$29. scmasterchorale.org

Kaleidescope Chamber Orchestra Bach’s Brandenburg Concerto No. 3 and Prokofiev’s “Peter and the Wolf,” plus works by Viet Cuong and Jessie Montgomery. First Presbyterian Church, 1220 2nd St., Santa Monica. Sun., 2 p.m. Free; suggested donation, $40. kco.la/concerts

Kontrapunktus Baroque Ensemble: Stylus Fantasticus Rare chamber-music works by Heinrich Ignaz, Franz Biber, Dieterich Buxtehude and Girolamo Frescobaldi. Trinity Lutheran Church, 997 E. Walnut St., Pasadena. Sun., 2 p.m. Free. kontrapunktus.com

A Joyful Noise! Los Robles Master Chorale sings holiday favorites. Carpenter Family Theater, Westlake High School, 100 N. Lakeview Canyon Road, Westlake Village. Sun., 4 p.m. $5-$35. (805) 526-7464. losroblesmasterchorale.org

La Cenerentola The Opera Buffs present a concert performance of Rossini’s comic take on the Cinderella story. Zipper Hall, the Colburn School, 200 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. Sun., 2 p.m. $15-$65. (323) 356-0047. operabuffs.org

Le Salon de Musiques The chamber-music series presents “Passionate Romances,” a program of works for voice, strings and piano by Schumann, Mendelssohn and Robert Kahn. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 5th Floor Salon, 135 N. Grand Ave., L.A. Sun., 4 p.m. $45, $95. (310) 498-0257. lesalondemusiques.com

Los Angeles Children’s Chorus: A Ceremony of Carols The ensemble performs the Britten classic interspersed with works by Lauridsen, Brahms, et al., plus traditional songs and more. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. Sun., 7 p.m. $17-$45. (626) 793-4231. lachildrenschorus.org

The Many Actual Moods of Christmas: Holidays for the Slightly Harried The Orange County Women’s Chorus opens its season with works by Eleanor Daley, Joan Szymko and more. St. Wilfrid of York Episcopal Church, 18631 Chapel Lane, Huntington Beach. Sun., 3 p.m. (949) 451-8590. $15-$30. (949) 451-8590. ocwomenschorus.org

South Bay Chamber Music Society The New Hollywood String Quartet performs an all-Beethoven program. Pacific Unitarian Church, 5621 Montemalaga Drive, Rancho Palos Verdes. Sun., 3 p.m. Free. sbcms.net

Unto Us a Child Is Born The St. James Chancel Choir, the Kirk Singers and the St. James Early Music and Jazz Ensemble perform works by Respighi, Mendelssohn, et al., plus holiday carols. St. James Presbyterian Church, 19414 Ventura Blvd., Tarzana. Sun., 4 p.m. Free. donations accepted. (818) 345-2057. stjamespres.org

Messiah Sing-along With Santa Clarita Master Chorale and guest soloists. Valencia United Methodist Church, 25718 McBean Parkway, Valencia. Mon., 7 p.m. $15-$20. scmasterchorale.org

The Music Guild California String Quartet plays pieces by Schubert, Homzy and Borodin. University Synagogue, 11960 Sunset Blvd., Brentwood. Mon., 8 p.m. Also at Cal State Long Beach, Daniel Recital Hall, E. Atherton St., Long Beach. Tue., 8 p.m.; and Adat Ari El Temple, 12020 Burbank Blvd., North Hollywood. Wed., 8 p.m. $46-$56; discounts available; caregivers, free. (310) 558-3500. TheMusicGuild.org

A Tribute to Oliver Knussen Susanna Mälkki leads the LA Phil New Music group, violinist Leila Josefowicz and pianist John Novacek in a salute to the late composer. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. Tue., 8 p.m. $20-$64. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com

Academy of Ancient Music Baroque ensemble presents a holiday-themed concert of works by Bach, Handel, Purcell, et al. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. Wed., 8 p.m. $20-$114. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com

Isaura String Quartet: hum The ensemble is joined by vocalist Julia Holter for a program that includes new and recent works by Nicole Lizée, David Rosenboom, et al. REDCAT, 631 W. 2nd St., L.A. Wed., 8:30 p.m. $18, $22. (213) 237-2800. redcat.org

Delirium Musicum The self-conducted chamber ensemble performs Bach’s “Chaconne,” Iannis Xenakis’ “Aroura” and more. Nichols Canyon Music, 2330 Nichols Canyon Road, Hollywood. Wed., 8 p.m. $20. (800) 838-3006. Also at USC Brain and Creativity Institute’s Cammilleri Hall, 3620A McClintock Ave., L.A. Thu., 7:30 p.m. Free; reservations required. deliriummusicum.com

La Bohème: AKA “The Hipsters” Pacific Opera Project reprises its update of Puccini’s tragedy, transposing the tale of struggling artists from 19th-century Paris to present day Los Angeles; sung in Italian with projected English titles. The Highland Park Ebell Club, 131 S. Avenue 57, Highland Park. Thu.-Sat., 8 p.m. $15-$30; tables, $60, $180. (323) 739-6122. pacificoperaproject.com

The Magic Flute Performers interact with projected animations as LA Opera presents Mozart’s fantastical romantic fable; sung in German with English subtitles. Dorothy Chandler Pavilion, 135 N. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. Thu., 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m.; ends Dec. 15. $19 and up. (213) 972.8001. LAOpera.org

Paleface Composer-pianist Russell Steinberg is joined by Trio Accento, soprano Hila Plitmann and others for a multimedia-enhanced program of original works, one of which includes audience members playing along on kazoos. Zipper Hall, the Colburn School, 200 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. Thu., 7:30 p.m. $25. eventbrite.com

Tchaikovsky & Copland with MTT Guest conductor Michael Tilson Thomas lead the LA Phil in Copland’s Symphony No. 3, Rimsky-Korsakov’s “Dubinushka,” and Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1. with pianist Daniil Trifonov. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. Thu., 8 p.m.; Fri, 11 a.m.; Sat., 8 p.m.; next Sun., 2 p.m. $69-$219. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com

Vox Feminae The vocal ensemble performs sacred and secular holiday music from the medieval and Renaissance eras. The Huntington, Rothenberg Hall, 1151 Oxford Road, San Marino. Thu., 1 p.m. Free. (626) 405-2100. huntington.org

Winter Concert Pacific Symphony violinist and concertmaster Dennis Kim and cellist Warren Hagerty join the OCSA Symphony Orchestra for Brahms’ Double Concerto; program also includes works by Beethoven, Sibelius, et al. Orange County School of the Arts, Symphony Hall, 965 S. Sycamore St., Santa Ana. Thu., 7 p.m. $15. ocsarts.net

Things to do

A Baroque Christmas Musica Angelica Baroque Orchestra performs works by Handel, Haydn, Mozart, etc., with the Long Beach Camerata Singers and soprano Robin Johannsen. The Beverly O’Neill Theater, 300 E. Ocean Blvd., Long Beach. Fri., 8 p.m. Also at First Congregational Church of Los Angeles, 540 S. Commonwealth Ave., L.A. Sat., 7 p.m. $59, $79. (562) 276-0865. musicaangelica.org

Carol of the Bells Crown City Ringers present their annual holiday concert. Pasadena Presbyterian Church, 585 E. Colorado Blvd., Pasadena. Fri., 7:30 p.m. Free. (609) 529-3979.

Darkness Sounding This new series presented by contemporary classical ensemble Wild Up includes pianist Richard Valitutto performing the West Coast premiere of Sarah Hennies’ prepared-piano work “SOVT.” Cal Perc, 1965 Blake Ave., L.A. Fri., 8 p.m. $25. wildup.la

Messiah Sing-along With the Westwood Master Choir. Westwood Presbyterian Church, 10822 Wilshire Blvd., Westwood. Fri., 8 p.m. $10; 18 and under, free. westwoodpres.org

Festival of Carols Composer Eric Whitacre conducts the Los Angeles Master Chorale in sacred and secular favorites, plus the world premiere of “The Gift of the Magi,” Whitacre’s setting of O. Henry’s classic tale. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., L.A. Sat., 2 p.m. $29-$139; children under 6 not admitted. (213) 972-7282. lamasterchorale.org

Holiday Candlelight Seasonal favorites with Pasadena Symphony, singer Sarah Uriarte Berry, the Los Angeles Children’s Chorus, the Donald Brinegar Singers and L.A. Bronze Handbell Ensemble. All Saints Church, 132 N. Euclid Ave., Pasadena. Sat., 4 and 7 p.m. $20 and up. (626) 793-7172. pasadenasymphony-pops.org

Santa Monica Symphony Mahler’s Symphony No. 5. Santa Monica High School, Barnum Hall, 600 Olympic Blvd., Santa Monica. Sat., 7:30 p.m. Free. (310) 395-6330. smsymphony.org

Symphonies for Youth: The Rite of Spring The LA Phil presents a kid-friendly exploration of the Stravinsky classic. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., downtown L.A. Sat., 11 a.m. $25, $29. (323) 850-2000. laphil.com

Sounds Festive: The Four Seasons X 2 Salastina pairs the Vivaldi classic with contemporary works by local composers. Pasadena Conservatory of Music, Barrett Hall, 100 N. Hill Ave., Pasadena. Sat., 8 p.m. Also at the Edye Second Space at the Broad Stage, 1310 11th St., Santa Monica. Next Sun., 3 p.m. $10-$40. salastina.org

A Southern California Christmas Seasonal favorites with the Orange Community Master Chorale, plus other local singers, dancers and musicians. Musco Center for the Arts, Chapman University, 415 N. Glassell, Orange. Sat., 7:30 p.m.; next Sun., 4 p.m. $25-$58. (844) 626-8726. muscocenter.org

The Spirit of the Season with Voctave The a cappella group sings holiday favorites. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Sat., 8 p.m. $23 and up. (949) 553-2422. PhilharmonicSociety.org. Also at Younes and Soraya Nazarian Center for the Performing Arts, 18111 Nordhoff St., Northridge. Next Sun., 3 p.m. $36-$65. (818) 677-3000. thesoraya.org

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American Youth Symphony Brass Ensemble Classical and holiday favorites. Laemmle Monica Film Center, 1332 2nd St., Santa Monica. Next Sun., 11 a.m. Free; reservations required. eventbrite.com

A Christmas Festival of Nine Lessons & Carols Music by Briggs, Adelmann, Paulus, Josquin des Prez, Berlioz, Rütti, Phillips and Tavener. All Saints’ Church, 504 N. Camden Drive, Beverly Hills. Next Sun., 5 p.m. Free. (310) 275-0123. allsaintsbh.org

Darkness Sounding: Satsang 1 Singer-composer Odeya Nini and artistic director Christopher Rountree lead a program of group sings, sound baths, readings and discussions. Craft in America Center, 8415 W. 3rd St., L.A. Next Sun., 7 p.m. Free. wildup.la

Duke Ellington’s Nutcracker The Duke Ellington Orchestra performs its namesake’s reimagining of the Tchaikovsky classic. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Next Sun., 7 p.m. $28 and up. (949) 553-2422. PhilharmonicSociety.org

Home for the Holidays Los Cancioneros Master Chorale presents C.P.E. Bach’s Magnificat and more, plus an audience sing-along. Armstrong Theatre, Torrance Cultural Arts Center, 3330 Civic Center Drive, Torrance. Next Sun., 7 p.m. $15, $25. (310) 781-7171. LCMasterChorale.com

LACMA’s Sundays Live Members of the Capitol Ensemble perform Beethoven’s Piano Trio in E-flat Major. St. James’ in the City, 3903 Wilshire Blvd., L.A. Next Sun., 6 p.m. Free. (323) 857-6234. lacma.org

Los Angeles Symphony Christmas Concert Works by Handel, Rutter, Verdi and more. Cerritos Center for the Performing Arts, 18000 Park Plaza Drive, Cerritos. Next Sun., 7 p.m. $25-$80. (562) 916-8500. cerritoscenter.com

O Magnum Mysterium Los Angeles Master Chorale performs the Lauridsen favorite plus works by Nico Muhly and Dale Trumbore. Walt Disney Concert Hall, 111 S. Grand Ave., L.A. Next Sun., 7 p.m. $29-$149; children under 6 not admitted. (213) 972-7282. lamasterchorale.org

Organic II This Jacaranda series continues with organist James Walker performing works by Bach, Ives, Hugo Distler and David Lang. First Presbyterian Church, 1220 2nd St., Santa Monica. Next Sun., 2 p.m. $10, $55. jacarandamusic.org

Why Music Matters: Jazz and Early American Music The Duke Ellington Orchestra celebrates the legendary pianist, bandleader and composer. Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall, 600 Town Center Drive, Costa Mesa. Next Sun., 3 p.m. Free. (949) 553-2422. PhilharmonicSociety.org

MIAMI
 — 

Investigative reporter Michele Gillen spent her career rooting out injustice.

One of South Florida’s most recognizable TV personalities, Gillen worked at CBS-owned WFOR-TV Channel 4 for two decades — earning 25 prestigious regional Emmy Awards. She exposed inhumane treatment of mentally ill inmates in the Miami-Dade jail, leading to reforms. Earlier in her career, when Gillen was an NBC News correspondent in her native New York, her coverage prompted the government to create mammography machine standards.

“She was an excellent reporter,” recalled former CBS executive Steve Mauldin, who led CBS’ stations in Los Angeles, Dallas and Miami. “I once sent her to Europe to cover some big story, I think it was the pope.”

But Gillen’s distinguished career fell apart in September 2016, when she was forced out of WFOR, which lags in Nielsen ratings. The journalist, now 64, filed an age and gender discrimination lawsuit against CBS last year, alleging the company also retaliated against her.

Attorneys representing Gillen and CBS reached a tentative agreement in late November, just two weeks before a trial that could have raised questions about the workplace culture at CBS and how the company handles complaints from its veteran TV station employees. The company continues to deny Gillen’s claims.

“WFOR-TV, CBS and Michele Gillen have reached an amicable resolution,” a CBS representative said.

CBS, in court documents, said it was justified in firing the veteran reporter because she wasn’t keeping up with the two men on WFOR’s special projects team. In a court deposition, WFOR general manager Adam Levy said: “Michele was the least productive and the highest paid. So … I decided to eliminate Michele’s position.”

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But Gillen traces the unraveling of her career to a July 2014 staff meeting at the CBS-owned station, which is tucked in an industrial park not far from the Trump National Doral Golf Club. Then-WFOR special projects producer Caridad Hernández-Wood had called the meeting to urge her team to generate stories with tangential ties to CBS’ prime-time shows.

According to Gillen’s lawsuit, reporter Jim DeFede said he wasn’t interested in pursuing stories that would appeal to “women [who] are menstruating while watching ‘Blue Bloods,’ ” a reference to a CBS network show starring Tom Selleck. (DeFede did not respond to requests for comment.)

DeFede then tore into Gillen, the station’s chief investigative reporter, suggesting that she was to blame for the group being asked to contribute more stories because she had been on the air infrequently, according to interviews with witnesses of the incident and court documents.

“I watched one colleague cannibalize another: chew her up, spit her out, and chomp on her some more, without the benefit of any management protection,” former WFOR producer Jilda Unruh wrote in a memo that described the incident. The memo became part of the court record. In a September court deposition, DeFede acknowledged that he may have stepped out of line. “It wasn’t the best way to handle the situation,” DeFede said.

CBS, in court documents, said it launched an investigation into the incident, and the station manager and an HR official interviewed the special projects producer and the men who were present.

Unruh, who has since left the station, questioned the thoroughness of the investigation. In an interview with The Times, Unruh said she was troubled that no one talked to her and so she asked a CBS HR executive in New York about the oversight.

She said the HR executive told her: “What are we supposed to do? Interview everyone?” But there were only six people in the meeting.

“They interviewed everyone except for the one woman who could back up Michele’s account,” Unruh said.

Gillen said after that meeting, she found it increasingly difficult to be productive in the newsroom that she felt was hostile to her. In court documents, managers acknowledged the tensions. For years, WFOR producers had been frustrated by Gillen’s labor-intensive reporting methods, which they felt were out-of-date amid the relentless cost-cutting in local TV news. In an interview with the Times earlier this year, Gillen described her bosses mocking her, telling her she didn’t work at “60 Minutes,” the network’s vaunted news magazine.

“The culture of demeaning women was so rampant,” Gillen said. “The men are empowered, bad-boy behavior is protected, but the women are held to a different standard.”

Gillen’s former colleagues corroborated her account. Cameraman Wilfred Ardley, who still works at the station, filed his own discrimination lawsuit against CBS in 2017, describing what he called a hostile workplace.

Ardley alleged that co-workers lobbed racist insults at him because he was Muslim and an African American. His suit has since been settled, and CBS denied liability. The suit also cited an incident in which a supervisor allegedly disparaged Gillen, telling Ardley: “I can’t stand that old bitch[,] make her work.”

“Like I was some farm animal,” Gillen said. (The manager, in a court deposition, denied making such disparaging remarks.)

In her final years at the station, Gillen said she reported several instances of unequal treatment to CBS’ human resources division. When she complained to the HR director in Miami, Gillen said she was told: “We must rely on the man upstairs” (God) for help, according to her suit.

An HR executive in New York told her she didn’t have grounds to complain about discrimination because WFOR’s news director was a woman. Another time, Gillen said, the HR executive told her: “Favoritism is not illegal.”

Even three years later, it’s difficult for Gillen, a woman who was the valedictorian of her college class and a former network correspondent, to accept her unceremonious departure.

“I spent so much of my career trying to bring voices to the people who weren’t being heard,” Gillen said. “I couldn’t envision leaving with my tail between my legs. At the end of the day, it is about respect.”

I read the article about “juice-jacked” USB ports (“Beware Public USB Ports,” On the Spot, by Catharine Hamm, Dec. 1). Although the focus was on ports we encounter when we travel, I assume we’re at risk at any public ports, as in the neighborhood coffeehouse or local mall. I must admit I should have recognized the risks these pose, but I didn’t until Hamm’s article.

One solution she offers is carrying our own battery chargers. But I thought many airlines reject these items now as fire risks.

Eric Wilks
Los Angeles

Editor’s note: The Transportation Security Administration’s website says, “Portable chargers or power banks containing a lithium ion battery must be packed in carry-on bags. For more information, see the FAA guidance on portable rechargers (faa.gov/hazmat/resources/lithium_batteries/).”

::
Airlines and airports may be passenger focused by providing charging stations and Wi-Fi. But protecting your privacy and data? That costs money many people just don’t want to spend.

Whenever you plug your device into a corded charging station or log on to public Wi-Fi, you give the provider carte blanche to use anything it wants with the information on your device. The providers at least give fair warning on Wi-Fi when they ask you to agree to terms of use before connecting. With corded chargers, it may not be so obvious.

I never have left a credit card number in their database. Many credit card issuers can help if you have a problem, but the process can be long and frustrating. It is all on you, and you must be vigilant.

Paul Brown
Santa Ana

::

I’ve read about this scary tactic, but it begs the question: Why hasn’t something been done about it? Surely, the changing ports hijacked by the “bad guys” — nobody saw them doing this with all the security around? — can be un-hijacked by security experts? How long can that take to make charging stations safe?

Come on, folks. We live in sophisticated times. Anything that can be done can be undone. Why should travelers have to buy extra items, unless that’s the idea in the first place? Yes, practicing safety is key; having the airport be safer is best.

Shelley Keith
Sherman Oaks

Kids need to be regulated

We recently flew from Bozeman, Mont., to Minneapolis with our official emotional support animal, documented by the Department of Veterans Affairs. She is an extremely well-behaved Australian Yorkie.

I wish I could say the same for the child who sat behind us. I had to cover my ears for 60% of the trip, because the child screamed constantly. I have young grandchildren and tolerate fussiness, but I did not understand the parents’ lack of control and the lack of empathy for people sitting around them.

Where were the earplugs or headsets that the airline should have offered us?

Let’s set some guidelines for unruly children. Emotional support dogs fill a real need. We understand parents’ dilemma, but let’s also have consideration for people who need emotional support dogs and physicians who recognize this need.

Sharon Kieffer
Bozeman, Mont.

::

I have had animals for more than 55 years, and I think we need to put regulations on these so-called emotional support animals. I have heard people say it’s a therapy dog, and it has behaved very badly. If it’s a trained animal for people with a medical condition, I support the person and the trained animal 100%.

My animals give me a lot of support, and I can always count on them for that, but not in restaurants or planes. They are pets, not animals trained to do a job.

Vickie Barbour
Los Angeles

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BOULDER, Colo. — 

When I studied at the University of Colorado in Boulder, I skied as often as I could. I usually headed for Aspen, Vail, Steamboat, Keystone or other big resorts because that was where friends with cars were going and had places to stay — even if it meant sleeping on the floor.

But I never made it up Colorado 119 through twisting, picturesque Boulder Canyon to Eldora Mountain, which was 21 miles from my modest basement room in a house a few blocks off campus.

So on a visit to Boulder and my old college haunts last December with my two youngest children we stayed at the lovely St Julien Hotel, a block off the public-art-filled Pearl Street Mall. When it came time to ski, we avoided the often backed-up Interstate 70 to the major resorts and had a great time carving turns at Eldora.

Eldora was purchased in 2016 by Powdr Corp., but retains something of a low-key, mom-and-pop feel. It has gentle terrain, ideal for beginners, as well as double-black-diamond runs for experts who like to challenge themselves. It also has a Nordic center where you can cross-country ski or snowshoe on about 25 miles of wooded trails.

Eldora is relatively small by Colorado standards (650 acres versus Vail’s 5,289) but it’s no slouch, with a 1,600-foot vertical drop, 300 inches of annual snowfall, seven chairlifts and 65 runs. Its 9,200-foot elevation may leave you wheezing on your first day. I was.

Because the resort is close to Boulder, you can ski and ride during the day to your heart’s content then stay overnight in a sophisticated college town and enjoy its myriad entertainment and restaurant offerings. Eldora also is less than 50 miles from Denver.

On our first afternoon at Eldora, my kids and I hopped on the new six-person Alpenglow lift with ski patrolman Richard Bartkowiak, a wildland firefighter for the U.S. Forest Service when the snow melts.

Bartkowiak described Eldora as more laid-back than the better-known resorts he’s skied in Colorado and Utah.

“For the most part, it’s a Boulder locals’ mountain,” he said. “We get a lot of people from Denver and Fort Collins [about 70 miles away] who don’t want the hassle of Interstate 70. But we also have some folks from much farther afield. Just the other day I rode the chairlift with a girl from Texas who’d never been on snow before. She was loving it.

“There’s a strong [ski] racing culture here, and I sometimes see grade schoolers who are better than I am,” he said, exaggerating slightly. “But for the most part, this is a great family area with something for everyone. And there’s hardly anyone here weekdays.”

After a warm-up lap on the intermediate (blue) Hornblower run, we moved on to other blues, such as Windmill, Dream and Scream, Jolly Jug and Lower Ambush, most on the front of the mountain. When it came time to call it a day, we headed for Timbers Lodge, where the kids grabbed a hot chocolate and I sipped a Boulder-brewed beer in the Tap Room.

After a good night’s rest — and some needed altitude acclimation — we got back on the snow a little after 9 a.m. and did a few warm-up runs before heading to the backside of Eldora and mostly black runs such as Red Tail,Mule Shoe and Alpen Horn. If there had been a bit more fresh snow, I might have tried tree skiing in Brian’s Glades.

For lunch, we stopped at the Lookout, which serves gourmet pizzas, sandwiches, chili, hot chocolate and beer at 10,800 feet on the top of the Corona Bowl. Best of all, it has wonderful views stretching to the Great Plains to the east and the Continental Divide a metaphorical stone’s throw to the west.

On our final day, for a bit of a different experience, we rented snowshoes at the Nordic Center and tromped through the trees on a rolling trail that led to a rustic cabin that looked as if it might have been built in the 1800s. Along the way, we stopped to read small signs that told of the region’s history as a Native American and mining post.

I know Boulder will draw me back. And if it’s during the winter and the snow is good, I’ll do my best to make a side trip to Eldora for a few laps on Hornblower. And maybe I’ll even hop into Brian’s Glades.

If you go
THE BEST WAY TO DENVER

From LAX, American, United, Southwest, Delta and Frontier offer nonstop service to Denver; Southwest offers direct service (stop, no change of planes); and Delta, Southwest, United and American offer connecting service (change of planes). Restricted round-trip airfare from $287, including taxes and fees.

Eldora, 2861 Eldora Ski Road, Nederland, Colo.; (303) 440-8700. Lift tickets: Adult, full-day tickets, $129 ($99 early-season rate); kids 5-15, $79; senior, 70 and older, $79; children 4 and younger, $19. Ikon, which are good at Big Bear, Mammoth, June Mountain, Squaw Valley, Aspen Snowmass and other resorts, provide unlimited access to alpine skiing and snowboarding at Eldora.

WHERE TO STAY

St Julien Hotel, 900 Walnut St., Boulder, Colo.; (720) 406-9696. Opened in 2015, this upscale hotel offers afternoon tea; music some nights in its lobby by the fireplace and on the outdoor terrace in warm weather; Jill’s Restaurant & Bistro; and a spa and pool. Doubles from $300 a night.

Hotel Boulderado, 2115 13th St., Boulder, Colo.; (303) 442-4344. Listed on the National Register of Historic Places, the Italian Renaissance/Spanish Revival Boulderado is in the heart of downtown. It appears in the Stephen King novel “Misery” and has a working 1908 elevator and a speakeasy-style bar in the basement. Doubles from $169.

Adventure Lodge, 91 Fourmile Canyon Drive, Boulder, Colo.; (303) 444-0882. The A-Lodge has regular rooms, a hostel and wooden decks for camping, which make it a popular hangout for skiers and other outdoor enthusiasts. Doubles from $139, hostel beds from $39.

WHERE TO EAT
Blackbelly Market, 1606 Conestoga St., Boulder, Colo.; (303) 247-1000. Blackbelly, the first restaurant by “Top Chef” winner Hosea Rosenberg, is in East Boulder and has a meat-centric menu from its in-house butchery. Entrees from $25, though you can get a beef burger for $16.

Corrida, 1023 Walnut St., No. 400, Boulder, Colo.; (303) 444-1333. Opened in 2017, Corrida’s meals are inspired by northern Spain’s Basque Country. Beef entrees from $40, though small tapas begin at $3.

Timbers Lodge, 2861 Eldora Ski Road, Nederland, Colo.; (303) 440-8700. Breakfast burritos and cheeseburgers from $10. The Timbers Tap Room serves regional microbrews, margaritas and gourmet pizzas.

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When SpaceX’s broadband service starts mid-2020, the initial experience will be “bumpy,” company President Gwynne Shotwell said Friday.

However, she said she expects SpaceX to mature as an internet service provider by 2021.

The company will take pre-sales for customer service, similar to what fellow Elon Musk-led company Tesla Inc. has done for new vehicles, Shotwell said during a media roundtable at the company’s Hawthorne headquarters. And early customers will be part of that learning curve.

“We’re not going to fib and say it’s going to be the best thing ever,” she said. “When you get service, it’s going to be great. But it’ll be bumpy for a while.”

SpaceX has already launched two rounds of 60 satellites each. The company expects it will need 24 launches, with about 1,440 satellites, to have enough to provide full global coverage. SpaceX has not yet determined customer pricing.

Shotwell said subsequent launches will see satellites with experimental coatings to reduce their brightness in the sky, which has been a concern for astronomers who fear the satellites could affect telescope images. The satellites are in low-Earth orbit and there could be a lot of them — SpaceX has asked an international regulatory group for permission to eventually operate as many as 30,000 satellites.

In addition to the satellite broadband service, SpaceX is also continuing to work on its capsule, which is intended to begin carrying NASA astronauts to the International Space Station as early as February.

The next hurdle for the company’s Crew Dragon capsule is its in-flight abort test, scheduled for Jan. 4. The test will simulate what would happen if the crew needed to immediately blast away from the rocket in an emergency.

On the military side, the company is competing against Northrop Grumman Corp., billionaire Jeff Bezos’ Blue Origin and United Launch Alliance, a joint venture of Lockheed Martin Corp. and Boeing Co., for future national security launch contracts. Currently, only SpaceX and ULA launch spy satellites for the U.S. government.

The U.S. Air Force is expected to select the two winners next year. Though Shotwell said she hopes the company will win — SpaceX bid its workhorse Falcon 9 rocket and its larger Falcon Heavy rocket, both of which have been used to launch national security missions — she added that the company’s customer base is diverse enough to weather a loss.

“It will be a very unhappy day at the company for sure,” she said. “But we will survive.”

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1/16

Grammy-winning producer Philip Lawrence shelled out $10.55 million for the Encino home of former Dodger Jimmy Rollins. 

(Daniel Dahler)

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A grand domed entry leads into the mansion, which was built in 2017. 

(Daniel Dahler)

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The neoclassical-inspired home features 14,900 square feet of living space. 

(Daniel Dahler)

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A wine cellar inside the Encino mansion. 

(Daniel Dahler)

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The home sits behind gates on more than half an acre with a sports court, a resort-style swimming pool and a guesthouse. 

(Daniel Dahler)

6/16

Set along the waterfront in Southampton Village, the onetime home of comic Mel Brooks and actress Anne Bancroft sold for the full asking price of $4.995 million.  

(Douglas Elliman)

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Clad in shingle siding, the two-story cottage features updated interiors, a brick fireplace and walls of windows in the living and dining rooms. 

(Douglas Elliman)

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The Bel-Air home of late romance novelist Judith Krantz, listed for $10.5 million, sits on about half an acre and has direct access to the Bel-Air Country Club driving range. 

(Jeffrey Ong / PostRAIN Productions)

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Built in the 1930s, the Italianate-vibe house features detailed wrought ironwork, a rotunda entry and a two-story library. 

(Jeffrey Ong / PostRAIN Productions)

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The 6,657-square-foot residence features grand common areas including a living room with a fireplace and a garden-view breakfast room. 

(Jeffrey Ong / PostRAIN Productions)

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A two-story library with walls of built-ins sits off the rotunda entry. 

(Jeffrey Ong / PostRAIN Productions)

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The home dates to the 1930s. 

(Jeffrey Ong / PostRAIN Productions)

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Walls of windows at the home of late comedian Robin Williams look onto a back patio with a swimming pool and waterfront views. 

(Jacob Elliott)

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The estate on a double lot in Tiburon’s Paradise Cay enclave features unobstructed views of San Francisco Bay. 

(Jacob Elliott)

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Listed for $7.25 million, the Mediterranean-style house features mesquite wood front doors, ceramic tilework and a stone fireplace in the living room. 

(Jacob Elliott)

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The roughly 6,500-square-foot house, built in 1987, has six bedrooms, 6.5 bathrooms, a wood-paneled library/den and an office. 

(Jacob Elliott)

Former Major League Baseball star Jimmy Rollins has sold his home in Encino to Grammy-winning producer-songwriter Philip Lawrence for $10.55 million in a deal completed off market.

The gated neoclassical-vibe house, built in 2017, has 14,900 square feet of polished living space, a gym, a home theater and indoor and outdoor swimming pools. Two curving staircases bookend the entry, which sits under a gigantic dome skylight.

The two-story floor plan includes formal living and dining rooms, an office, a wine cellar, eight bedrooms and 12 bathrooms. Bi-folding doors in the open-plan kitchen and family room open to a patio for indoor-outdoor living. There’s also a sauna.

Outside, grounds of more than half an acre contain a sports court, a cabana/kitchen, lawn and landscaping. A detached guesthouse with a second kitchen sits across from the pool.

Rollins, who played for the Phillies, Dodgers and White Sox, bought the property roughly two years ago for $10.65 million, at the time a neighborhood record. Earlier this year, he bought another home in Encino for $8.7 million.

The 40-year-old Rollins won four Gold Glove Awards at shortstop and was the 2007 National League most valuable player. The three-time all-star spent the majority of his 17-season career with Philadelphia and won a World Series title with the team in 2007.

Lawrence, 40, has won eight Grammys including one for album of the year in 2016 for his work on Bruno Mars’ “24K Magic.” Adele, Lil Wayne and Wiz Khalifa are among other artists Lawrence has worked with as a producer or songwriter.

Marc Noah of Sotheby’s International Realty and Dennis Chernov of Keller Williams Realty were the listing agents.

Good morning, Tiburon

The Bay Area estate of late actor and comedian Robin Williams has come up for sale at $7.25 million.

Located in Paradise Cay, an enclave that hugs the Tiburon peninsula, the single-story Mediterranean residence sits on a double lot abutting San Francisco Bay.

The roughly 6,500-square-foot house, built in 1987, has six bedrooms, 6.5 bathrooms, a wood-paneled library/den and an office. Walls of windows in the living room and kitchen look out toward the bay.

A swimming pool with a spa and stone patios fill out the grounds.

Williams, who graduated from Redwood High School in Marin County, bought the property through a trust in 2008 for $4.05 million. After his death in 2014 at age 63, the property was transferred to a trust tied to his widow, Susan Williams.

Among the world’s most successful entertainers of his time, the comic rose to fame in the late 1970s with his starring role on the sitcom “Mork & Mindy,” a spinoff of the popular “Happy Days.” As a film actor, Williams is remembered for prominent roles in “Good Morning, Vietnam” (1987) and “Dead Poets Society” (1989). He won an Oscar for his supporting role in “Good Will Hunting” (1997).

Compass’ Wright-Mulligan Team holds the listing.

New keep for ‘Purge’ actress

Actress Paola Núñez, known for her roles in Mexican telenovelas and TV series “The Purge,” must have liked what she saw in this Hollywood Hills home. She recently paid $1.349 million — or $100,000 over the asking price — for a scenic property in Laurel Canyon.

Designed for loft-style living, the split-level pad makes good use of its space. Rolling ladders ascend to a bookcase and lounge, and a lofted living room overlooks the skylighted floor plan below.

Lumber pops up plenty in the common spaces, where intersecting beams hang over hardwood floors. Wood covers the cabinetry and breakfast bar in the kitchen, which extends to a dining room under tall ceilings.

Within 1,500 square feet of space are two bedrooms and two bathrooms. Vaulted ceilings and a fireplace accent the master suite, which opens outside to one of two spacious patios. A rooftop deck with sweeping canyon views completes the scene.

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Marissa Faith of Deasy Penner Podley held the listing. Jason Paukovits of Dream Realty Asset Management represented the buyer.

Núñez, 41, had leading roles in “Las Juanas,” “Amor en custodia,” “Pasión morena” and “Reina de corazones” in the 2000s before more recent roles in the English-language shows “The Son” and “The Purge,” which is currently airing its second season on USA Network.

Estate to start a new chapter

The longtime Bel-Air home of late romance novelist Judith Krantz has come up for sale as a pocket listing for $10.5 million.

The Italianate-vibe house, dating to the 1930s, sits on a gated lot of more than half an acre that abuts the Bel-Air Country Club. Views from the site, which is surrounded by hedges and mature trees, take in the greens and fairways as well as the surrounding canyons.

The 6,657-square-foot residence features grand common areas including a living room with a fireplace and a garden-view breakfast room. A two-story library with walls of built-ins sits off the rotunda entry. There’s also an elevator.

Set beneath vaulted ceilings, the master suite has dual bathrooms, walk-in closets, a fireplace and a terrace. There are six bedrooms and six bathrooms in all.

Outside, box hedges frame stone pathways and formal gardens. The grounds also have a swimming pool, a detached guesthouse, lawn and landscaping. At the far end of the property, a private gate provides direct access to the Bel-Air Country Club’s driving range.

Krantz, who died in June at age 91, had owned the property since 1986.

The author was born in New York City and worked in Paris and New York as a fashion publicist before beginning her career as a magazine journalist for Good Housekeeping. Her first two novels were the New York Times bestsellers “Scruples” and “Princess Daisy,” the latter of which set the record at the time for the highest price ever paid for a novel. Many of her books have been adapted as TV miniseries including “Secrets” and “Torch Song.”

Stefan Pommepuy, Jonathan Ruiz and Mauricio Umansky of the Agency hold the listing.

Quick sale for comedy legend’s haunt

A coastal New York cottage once owned by comedy icon Mel Brooks and his late wife, actress Anne Bancroft, has sold roughly two months after hitting the market.

Set on a waterfront lot in Southampton Village, one of the largest summer colonies in the Hamptons, the 1960s house came up for sale in September and sold for the full asking price of $4.995 million.

Past a wood-shingled exterior, the two-story opens to renovated living spaces overlooking Shinnecock Bay. The floor plan fits four bedrooms and 3.5 bathrooms into 2,400 square feet. Walls of glass line the living and dining rooms, and the kitchen adds stainless-steel appliances and splashes of marble.

Upstairs, a brick fireplace anchors the master suite. The bedroom overlooks the bay, as does the spa tub in the bathroom.

A grassy landscaped yard sits off the front, while rear decking spans the length of the home. The grounds encompass about 1.33 acres.

Michaela Keszler of Douglas Elliman held the listing. Mary Quatroche of Morley Agency represented the buyer.

Mel Brooks, 93, starred in “Blazing Saddles,” “Young Frankenstein,” “Spaceballs” and “The Producers,” for which he won an Oscar. A musical adaptation of the film ran on Broadway from 2001 to 2007. He’s one of 15 people to win Emmy, Grammy, Oscar and Tony awards, a feat otherwise known as an EGOT.

Bancroft, who died in 2005 at age 73, is remembered for her roles in “The Graduate,” “The Miracle Worker” and “Agnes of God,” among others. She won an Oscar for her lead role in 1962’s “The Miracle Worker.”

But for a broken leg from a surfing mishap, Diana Abruscato of Huntington Beach might never have picked up a pickleball paddle. “I found I couldn’t cover the tennis court like I used to after my accident,” said Abruscato, 54, who is an “ambassador” for the USA Pickleball Assn., teaches classes and runs the annual Surf City Pickleball Tournament that’s held each July in Huntington Beach.

“Now I’m out spreading the gospel,” said Abruscato, who described the game as a combination of tennis, pingpong and badminton that’s played in a space about a third the size of a tennis court. The plastic ball is something akin to a Wiffle ball. A starter set of four paddles and balls can start at $25, while a more expensive composite or graphite paddle could set you back $150.

The rapidly growing sport had more than 3.1 million players in 2018, up 12% from 2017, according to USA Pickleball Assn. spokesman Drew Wathey. Scores of new courts are being added around the country each month. No specific figures are available for California, but it is one of the top five states in the nation for pickleball, along with Texas, Arizona, Nevada and Florida.

But it’s not just the older set playing pickleball.

Mark Florian, 14, of Simi Valley plays tennis and pickleball, and prefers the latter sport because it’s easier and more social. “It seems like you get to hit the ball more during a point in pickleball compared to tennis, because the pickleball court is smaller,” he said. “And it’s more fun because it helps me meet more people. You rotate positions more and get to play with other partners.” Florian can almost always find players in Simi Valley parks on any given morning. “And they usually applaud my hustle on the courts,” he said modestly.

Pickleball’s roots go back to 1965, when three dads on Bainbridge Island in Washington state invented the sport for their bored kids. Paddles were improvised and rules were kept simple. As the story goes, one of the families had a dog named Pickles, hence the name. Fast-forward half a century and middle schools in places such as Simi Valley are bringing the sport to a younger and more diverse audience.

Meanwhile, ambassadors like Abruscato keep recruiting newcomers. “It’s reached a critical mass now, and I think it’s here to stay because it’s not hard to learn, is easy on the joints, is relatively inexpensive and is very social,” she said.

Paddle tennis, which uses a solid racket and a depressurized tennis ball, is competing for court space. But pickleball is more popular because, in part, the racket is lighter, smaller and easier to wield, making the game open to a wider range of participants, Abruscato said.

Eighty miles north in Simi Valley, Ed “Fast Eddie” Florian, an assistant tennis coach at Royal High School, said he and his kids, ages 14 and 16, picked up the sport about four years ago after his son lost interest in running. “We’re lucky because the Simi Valley parks and recreation department has lots of dedicated courts for pickleball,” said Florian, 47.

“We don’t just play here in Simi Valley either,” he added. “Since we’ve picked it up, we take our tennis rackets and pickleball paddles and balls and play both sports on every vacation that we’ve gone on.”

Florian praised the city and its school district for promoting the sport. “All three of the middle schools converted their tennis courts, which were cracked, in disrepair and without nets, into pickleball courts. And now they have a tournament between the three schools, which is a nice way to bridge the gap.”

Florian said he believes pickleball is easier to learn and play than tennis. “If you have some basic hand-eye coordination, you can do it,” said Florian, who noted that Simi Valley has pickleball leagues that players can join. “You might be walking by a court and someone will lend you a paddle and ask you to play; it’s that easy.”

While the sport is growing among kids, Rand Corp. physician and researcher Deborah Cohen said it’s popular with seniors and helps get them outdoors. She said Rand recently did a national study on the use of neighborhood parks, which found that seniors are under-represented. “Park use is very disproportionate, with teens and kids over-represented,” she said. “Only 4% of the users were seniors. Even though they are 18% of the population, we hardly saw them in parks.”

One of the exceptions, she noted, was a park in the Midwest with a pickleball court.

“It’s not as taxing as tennis, so it would be great to promote it more for older adults. It takes some investment, but not a lot because you can convert existing tennis courts,” Cohen said.

She said pickleball also could be a good fit for low-income communities because equipment is not expensive. “Parks and rec departments could just loan out the paddles and balls, like they do now with basketballs,” Cohen said. “It would take some investment for nets and equipment, but not that much.”

Abruscato, who at one time was a top singles tennis player, said pickleball is growing among younger players. “It’s kind of been stereotyped as being mostly for older folks, and it’s true that the largest percentage of players is among the 50-plus set,” she said.

“But all age levels play, and there are youth programs that are growing. In fact, I teach kids and it’s part of after-school programs. It’s in three of our middle schools and three of our four high schools. So the sport is trending younger. And we’re trying to build up league play for kids.”

Abruscato said pickleball courts are popping up all over Orange County, with five dedicated facilities built in the past 18 months.

And if there aren’t any dedicated courts with posts and nets?

“You can simply tape the lines on tennis courts and use mobile nets,” she said. “Because the game is growing faster than our cities, schools, parks and country clubs can keep up, that’s what we are doing. We make do with the surfaces available, including basketball courts.

“Dedicated courts are costly to build, at around $65,000 to $75,000 per court,” Abruscato said. “Many cities are afraid to make this investment because they aren’t sure if this is a fad. But I’m sure we’ll be seeing more in the months to come. It’s a game that’s going to stick around.”

While the sport is most popular as a game with friends, she said it can be played all the way up to the professional level. “You can make it as easy and social as you want it to be — or as competitive,” said Abruscato.

“For most folks, it’s a fun recreational activity,” she said. “I like to play at a more intense level and compete in tournaments.

“After my surfing injury, I tried golf and even soccer. But I couldn’t find anything that replaced tennis for me,” Abruscato said. “It was a gap of about a decade, and that was tough. Pickleball was a godsend for me when I was introduced to it six years ago. I’d say it was absolutely life-changing.”

Jeaney Garcia, 57, another USA Pickleball Assn. ambassador, was a collegiate basketball player at Kansas State. She now teaches the sport as the lead instructor for the Los Angeles Recreation and Parks Department. She also teaches in El Segundo, where courts are being built, and in other cities in Southern California. Before moving to Los Angeles, she was a pickleball ambassador in Honolulu, where she continues to lead clinics at the Pacific Club.

“Friends asked me to play four years ago, and I’ve been addicted from the start,” said Garcia, a champion at the international level. “It’s now grown into a full-time gig, though a lot of what I do is as a volunteer. Really, it’s a labor of love.

“It was transformative for me to become a competitive athlete again with pickleball,” added Garcia, who took part in the recent Margaritaville USA Pickleball National Championships held Nov. 2-10 in Indian Wells, Calif.

“People with a background in racket sports probably pick up the game the quickest,” she said. “But it’s a great activity because it’s a fit for people who aren’t as mobile as they used to be. Someone who is 80 can show up because an acquaintance recommended it as a way to have fun, get a workout and make new friends.

“Anyone who’s over 50 is considered a senior, and over 60 is a super senior,” Garcia said.

Garcia wishes every public tennis court in Los Angeles could be striped for pickleball.

Los Angeles now has 16 dedicated pickleball courts. Recreation centers in Woodland Hills and Tarzana have courts striped as part of a refurbishment program of gyms funded by the Los Angeles Clippers.

She said she’s also talking with Leslie Richter, who is in charge of Los Angeles’ 29 senior centers, about striping lines on center tennis courts to make them dual-purpose.

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“Pickleball is a happening thing,” agreed Richter, 56, a former tennis player who has taken a lesson from Garcia. Richter describes herself as a beginner but has competed in two tournaments.

“It’s a great sport for all ages but is especially good for older adults who want to stay active,” Richter added.

Garcia said she looks north to Simi Valley as the “gold standard” for pickleball because of its numerous dedicated courts around the city of 130,000.

“That city got on the pickleball bandwagon a while back and has made a major commitment to the sport,” she said. “People from around the country go there to take part in their tournaments. I’d say we’re taking baby steps now in Los Angeles and I’d love to replicate what Simi Valley has done.”

Places to learn and play for free

Encino Community Center, 4935 Balboa Blvd.; four pickleball courts behind the community center, across the street from the elementary school

Granada Hills Park, 16730 Chatsworth St.; four courts south of the community center

Tarzana Recreation Center, 5655 VanAlden Ave.; two courts

Woodland Hills Rec Center, 5858 Shoup Ave.; four outdoor courts on Farralone Avenue

El Segundo Park, 401 Sheldon St.; four courts next to the volleyball area

Sinaloa Middle School, 301 Royal Ave in Simi Valley; 12 courts open to the public on Saturdays and Sundays

Worthy Community Park, 1801 Main St. in Huntington Beach; four lighted courts

SEOUL — 

North Korea says it has carried out a “very important test” at its long-range rocket launch site that will have a key effect on the country’s strategic position.

The Korean Central News Agency said the test was conducted at the North’s Sohae Satellite Launching Station on Saturday afternoon. It said Sunday that the result of the test was reported to the Central Committee of the ruling Workers’ Party.

The test results will have “an important effect on changing the strategic position of [North Korea] once again in the near future,” the agency reported.

The report didn’t say what the test was about. But media reports say a new satellite image indicated North Korea may be preparing to resume testing engines used to power satellite launchers at the site.

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The reported test came as North Korea is stepping up pressure on the U.S. to make concessions in stalled nuclear talks.

The U.N. bans North Korea from launching satellites because it is considered a forbidden test of long-range missile technology.

After repeated failures, North Korea successfully put a satellite into orbit for the first time in 2012 in a launch from the same site. North Korea had another successful satellite launch in 2016.

At the United Nations, a statement released by North Korea’s U.N. ambassador, Kim Song, said that denuclearization had “already gone out of the negotiation table.” It said North Korea does not need to have lengthy talks with the United States. Leader Kim Jong Un had set an end-of-year deadline for substantial U.S. concessions in nuclear diplomacy.

The statement accused the Trump administration of persistently pursuing a “hostile policy” toward the country “in its attempt to stifle it.”

“We do not need to have lengthy talks with the U.S. now and the denuclearization is already gone out of the negotiation table,” he said.

Song’s statement was a response to Wednesday’s condemnation by six European countries of North Korea’s 13 ballistic missile launches since May. He accused the Europeans — France, Germany, Britain, Belgium, Poland and Estonia — of playing “the role of pet dog of the United States in recent months.” He called their statement “yet another serious provocation” against North Korea’s “righteous measures of strengthening national defense capabilities.”

“We regard their behavior as nothing more than a despicable act of intentionally flattering the United States,” Song said.

NEW DELHI — 

At least 43 people died on Sunday in a devastating fire that broke out in a building in a crowded grain market area in central New Delhi, police said.

Firefighters fought the blaze from 100 yards away because it broke out in one of the area’s many alleyways, tangled in electrical wire and too narrow for vehicles to access, authorities said.

Dr. Kishore Singh of a government-run hospital said the victims were brought to the hospital by rescuers. An additional 16 people were being treated for burns or smoke inhalation. They are in stable condition, Singh said.

The cause of the fire, which erupted about 5:30 a.m., is being investigated.

Fire Services Chief Atul Garg said the blaze was put out by 25 firetrucks and the rescue operation completed.

About 60 people, including casualties, were taken out of the building, said police spokesman Arun Kumar Mittal.

The Press Trust of India news agency quoted Manoj, who uses one name, as saying that his 18-year-old brother Naveen was working in a handbag manufacturing unit in the building.

“I got a call from his friend informing that he has been injured in the incident. I have no clue which hospital he has been taken to,” he said.

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Manoj Tiwari, a Bharatiya Janata Party lawmaker from New Delhi, said most of the casualties occurred on the third floor of the building.

Prime Minister Narendra Modi described the fire as “extremely horrific.”

“My thoughts are with those who lost their loved ones. Wishing the injured a quick recovery,” Modi tweeted. Authorities are providing all possible assistance at the site of the tragedy, he said.

Fires are common in India, where building laws and safety norms are often flouted by builders and residents.

In 1997, a fire in a movie theater in New Delhi killed 59 people. In February, 17 people were killed in a New Delhi fire in a six-story hotel that started in an unauthorized rooftop kitchen.