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Florida is the land of great tennis and is the home or training headquarters of many professional tennis players. If you are planning a vacation in Florida you will certainly find good facilities for playing tennis. However, rather than just hoping that the proximity of the tennis greats will rub off on you, you can take some positive steps to improve your game by taking some lessons while you are in Orlando.

Here are some of the places where you can take tennis lessons while vacationing in the Orlando area:

No Limits Tennis Performance at The Winter Park Racquet Club:

A wide variety of tennis instruction is offered at No Limits and this includes group and private tennis lessons, programs for juniors and adults, summer tennis camps. In addition, ATP and WTA players are on hand for professional coaching.

The academy is located at the Winter Park Racquet Club, a facility which is known to have one of the best sets of clay courts in Central Florida. The club is situated at 2111 via Tuscany, Winter park, FL 3200 and the phone number is (407) 259-8944

Grand Cypress Racquet Club – Tennis Academy:

This academy is part of the Hyatt Regency Grand Cyprus Resort in Orlando. They offer tennis instruction ranging from a beginner’s program right up to programs for amateurs who are regular tournament participants. Their Tennis Academy I program is called “Finding the Zone” and is designed for beginners and their Tennis Academy II is for intermediate to advanced students who want to refine “playing in the Zone.”

Both programs include five hours of private or semi-private instruction, complimentary use of the ball machine, complimentary court time, use of demo racquets and game matching service. If you go as a four person group then the price is $125 per person. A three person group will cost $150 per person and complete private instruction costs $369. For more information contact the academy at (407) 239-1234. The resort is located at One Grand Cypress Blvd., Orlando, Florida, USA 32836

6th Sense Tennis Academy:

Here is a newly opened academy which is guided by Justine Henin and Carlos Rodriguez. The academy is part of the Mission Inn Resort and Club in Howey-In-The-Hills and offers programs for adults, juniors and mini-tennis (for kids as young as four years old). The mini tennis program is a comprehensive course that extends for 15 weeks. The adult programs offer the possibility to train over weekly periods or weekend periods.

The weekly adult program includes two hours of Tennis Training on court from Monday through Friday and costs $600.00. It is also possible to get your training done in intensive weekend session consisting of three hours daily on Saturday and Sunday for $450.

The academy is located at Mission Inn Resort & Club. 10400 County Road 48, Howey-In-The-Hills, FL 34737 and you can get information about the tennis program by contacting a.devos@6senstennisacademie.com

As you can see these programs are not cheap but they do offer a high level of instruction in luxurious surroundings. If you are ready and able to learn tennis from professionals, then these academies are just for you.

Janice McSherry is an Orlando tourism specialist and is the proprietor of http://www.homesneardisney.us Visit her website for great deals on vacation homes near Disney World.

Sometimes you read something on the internet and even though it’s posted on several “reputable” sites, by several different writers, you still don’t believe it’s true.

A month ago I experienced this phenomenon when I read that Sean Penn was cast in the new Three Stooges movie. I experienced it again in regards to the new Spider-man musical that’s heading to Broadway.

Surprisingly, I completely believe Spider-man would provide fodder for the musical stage. Like Hollywood, Broadway’s profit margins are so thin they can’t take many chances on new material. They have to use well-known source material in order to secure the financial backing necessary to produce a Broadway show.

Of course, I might have chosen a Disney movie or gone the route of a cheesy jukebox musical instead of having everyone’s favorite web slinger croon and prance around on stage.

Spider-man is probably the most sarcastic superhero around and musical theater is the one medium that eschews sarcasm. After all, it’s hard to be acerbic when you’re expressing your feelings in song.

What shocked me about “Spider-Man: Turn off the Dark,” a musical directed by Julie Taymor, is the show’s composer. It’s none other than Messrs. Bono and Edge.

Taymor and Bono worked together on her Beatles musical, “Across the Universe.” For the project Bono covered two Beatles’ classics, “I Am the Walrus” and “Lucy in the Sky with Diamonds.”

Still, Taymor must have some incriminating pictures of the U2 duo, or maybe she’s has pull with the Malibu city council and can help the Edge build those houses. Either way, this project seems an odd undertaking for the coolest-half of the coolest rock band in the world.

Nationwide casting calls are currently underway although rumors had Rachel Evan Wood slated to play Mary Jane. However, Taymor dismissed the speculation stating she wants to go with unknown actors.

The casting process began April 9th in Orlando and ends May 27th in Austin, Texas. When it’s all said and done, casting directors will have visited six U.S. cities.

What are they looking for besides someone that tingles their Spidey senses? Well they’re looking for “performers with dynamic rock/pop voices including those with experience in bands and as solo performers.” Fortunately, that leaves out Tobey Maguire.

The musical, which begins previews in 2010 (but of course Spiderman tickets go on sale this June), caused a bit of stir on the internet over the announcement that it included a “lead female villain.”

It makes sense, Doctor Octopus, the Green Goblin, Venom, Carnage, Electro, the Sandman, the Vulture, the Hobgoblin and Sam Raimi would be too hard to recreate for the stage.

The casting call described the show’s villain as “Sinead O’Connor with a Middle Eastern/Bulgarian/Greek twist.” You have to love the way entertainment types mix and match characteristics; I have no idea what they are talking about.

Some speculated that the unnamed villainess is Dr. Victoria Von Doom while others claimed it’s Black Cat. Another thinks it’s Hillary Clinton. According to several sources the new bad girl, created specifically for the show, is Swiss Miss (the name doesn’t fit the description though).

The nerds at Aint It Cool News had an interesting post claiming the villainess is a new character called Arachne. She’s your typical time traveling beauty that turned herself into a “spider for her hubris.”

Who knows, you can’t believe everything you read on the internet.

Ryan Hogan writes for ClickitTicket.com, a website that sells affordable Broadway tickets to shows like Spider-Man the Musical.

Whether you are a movie buff per say or just like to go and watch a good movie for the sheer pleasure is a matter of personal taste! There are those who think a particular movie is boring while others will rave over it! That’s what makes us all individual and unique!

This year sees the release of some long awaited movies, however those who have either seen or managed to get a sneak preview are already slamming some of them and categorising them as the most boring movies this year!

1. Top of the list appears to be Transformers Revenge of the Fallen: It’s somewhat surprising that people are saying that this is a boring film, however if you are not a Transformer ‘lover’ then it’s undoubtedly a boring film which many are considering has an very familiar ring to it.

2. Watchmen: This movie is an adaptation of Alan Moore’s novel of the same name. For some this movie is boring, especially if for those who were not a fan of the novel. Other viewers are criticising the movie to such an extent they are saying it should never have been made!

3. Angels and Demons: There are very mixed opinions on this movie. Many say that Tom Hanks has really pulled it off this time while others say it was as boring as The Da Vinci Code!

4. Terminator: Salvation: Well Terminator movies are a bit like Marmite, you either love them or loathe them! While many are keenly awaiting for the release of this movie there are those who would rather be eating Marmite on toast to relieve their boredom!

5. Race to Witch Mountain: Disney are releasing this film which like many Disney movies is the same story line re-jigged, in fact it’s a re-make of Escape to Witch Mountain, so yet another boring movie, unless you are about six years old!

6. X-Men Origins-Wolverine: Once again the movie fans are divided on this film. While some anxiously await the launch others are saying it’s a cheesy film that just isn’t worth watching unless you want to be bored to death….Each to their own!

7. Harry Potter and the Half-Blood Prince: Like many sequels this movie is awaited with baited breath by Potter fans, while others are saying that this is just another spin off that verges on the totally boring!

8. Dragon Ball: Evolution: For many movie fans this is their number 1 most boring film this year, with many saying the producers can release as many trailers as they like nothing would entice them to go and watch this movie!

9. Public Enemies: Michael Mann’s movie seems to be having more raves about the music than the film! The is one of the least criticised movies on the boring scale, that’s as long as you like gangster style movies!

10. Fast and Furious: Unless you are an avid Van Diesel fan this movie looks to be so boring that wild horses may have to drag you to the cinema to watch this ‘yet another boring van Diesel movie’!

As with all new movies the trailers and the exquisite poster printing is aimed at enticing folk to go and watch the movie, as they are all hoping to make this year’s blocker buster hit list!

Solopress is the printing company in UK, dedicated to produce the high quality poster printing with super fast turn around times.

Zac Efron was born Zachary David Alexander Efron on October 18, 1987 in San Luis Obispo, California to parents David Efron, a power plant engineer, and Starla Baskett Efron, a former secretary. Zac is best known for his role in the Disney original movie High School Musical. He has also starred in the TV series Summerland as well as the film version of Hairspray. He has been touted to be the biggest teen star in the US as of 2006. He has been featured on the cover of Rolling Stone magazine which declared him to be the “poster boy for tweenyboppers.”

Zac Efron has always considered his childhood to be normal. He was born to a middle class family and has a younger brother named Dylan. He is an agnostic, but is of Jewish ancestry. In school, Zac was very studious, always aiming to get straight A’s. He was also considered to be the class clown. When he was eleven, Zac’s father encouraged him to act and take up singing lessons. He then performed at their local theater in plays such as Peter Pan, Gypsy, Little Shop of Horrors, and The Music Man. His drama teacher then recommended him to an agent in Los Angeles who later signed Zac on to the Creative Artists Agency.

In 2002, Zac Efron started making guest appearances on television shows such as ER, The Guardian, and Firefly. He had his first recurring role as Cameron Bale on Summerland, which he starred in along with actors Lori Loughlin and Jesse McCartney. He continued with guest roles on several TV shows such as The Suite Life of Zack and Cody, The Replacements, and CSI-Miami. In 2003, Efron was nominated for Best Supporting Actor Performance in a TV Movie at the Young Artist Awards for his role as one of two autistic twins in the drama Miracle Run. Efron got his biggest break in 2006, when he starred as Troy Bolton in the Disney Channel original movie High School Musical alongside girlfriend Vanessa Hudgens. This role garnered Efron several awards including Teen Choice Awards’ Breakout Star and the Choice Chemistry award with Vanessa Hudgens. The songs Getcha Head in the Game and Breaking Free from High School Musical sung by Efron and Hudgens debuted at the Billboard Hot 100 shortly after the TV movie’s release. After High School Musical, Efron appeared in Vanessa Hudgens’ music video “Say OK” as well as on an episode of Punk’d. He also went on to star in the big screen adaptation of the Broadway musical Hairspray, which received positive reviews. In 2007, High School Musical 2 was released again as a TV movie which set a new record in US history with over 18 million viewers watching its premiere. High School Musical 3 was then released in 2008 in theaters. Zac Efron will be starring in upcoming films such as 17 Again, Me and Orson Welles, as well as the remake of Footloose. I hope this article has helped you with obtaining valuable information on Zac Efron and I wish you the best of luck!

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Teen pop idol and Hannah Montana superstar Miley Cyrus has had quite the successful year in the spotlight as her vocal career has taken off alongside her hit Disney Channel television series, and the starry-eyed pop princess is currently in the middle of a whirlwind of awards shows and live performances. Even without Miley Cyrus tickets, fans have undoubtedly seen the vocal wonder perform at live shows and on television, and yesterday was just another day taking care of business for the teenager.

Kicking off her day with a performance on ABC’s Good Morning America, Miley sang a duet with her father Billy Ray Cyrus in New York before traveling to Nashville for the night, where the father/daughter combination presented a trophy at the 42nd Annual CMA Awards show. Donning an elegant but fun Roberto Cavalli halter gown, a sweeping ponytail and her father at her side, Miley Cyrus made an appearance at the 2008 CMAs while her boyfriend Justin Gaston appeared onstage as Prince Charming during friend and fellow teenage star Taylor Swift’s rendition of her newest single “Love Story.” Cyrus’ cameo at the CMAs is just one awards show on the talented artist’s agenda, as she is also scheduled to perform (along with Swift, Christina Aguilera, Mariah Carey, Kanye West, Rihanna and the Jonas Brothers) at this month’s American Music Awards in Los Angeles. The 36th annual event takes place on Cyrus’ 16th birthday, and there will be no better or more fitting way for Cyrus to ring in her sweet sixteenth than onstage in front of millions of viewers.

Cyrus practically grew up in the spotlight, born to mullet-rocking, “Achy Breaky Heart”-singing country music superstar Billy Ray Cyrus. Miley, born Destiny Hope Cyrus, had a bubbly personality from the beginning, and she was nicknamed Miley as a shortened version of “Smiley,” her family’s moniker for her cheerful disposition as a baby. Miley’s entertainment career began in 2003, as the preteen appeared in an episode of the television show Doc, soon thereafter landing a small role in Tim Burton’s film Big Fish. Tasting these first sweet drops of stardom, Cyrus began singing and became known for her title role in the Disney show Hannah Montana in 2005, sparking a Miley Cyrus sensation across the nation. Hannah Montana, a show about a teenage girl leading a double life (the ordinary Miley Stewart by day, pop star Hannah Montana by night), was a smash success, and the show also became Cyrus’ vehicle into the music industry.

In 2006, a soundtrack CD to Hannah Montana was released, including mostly Miley Cyrus songs and also a duet with her father entitled “I Learned from You.” Since then, Cyrus has released several hit pop singles and albums, most recently with her number one-charting album Breakout and the smash singles “See You Again,” “7 Things” and “Start All Over.” When she’s not busy being Hannah Montana, Miley Cyrus is jet-setting the nation with her several live performances. If you haven’t yet seen the talented teenager and her booming vocals dominate the stage, look to http://www.stubhub.com/miley-cyrus-tickets/ for your in to a Miley Cyrus concert.

This article is sponsored by StubHub.com and was written by Jenna Jay. StubHub is a leader in the business of selling Miley Cyrus tickets, sports tickets, concert tickets, theater tickets and special events tickets.

Perhaps no entertainment venture intended solely for a live audience has been seen as much as “Phantom of the Opera.”

The Broadway production of Phantom, playing at the Majestic Theatre, is the Great White Way’s longest running show of all-time. It surpassed the former record holder, “Cats,” on January 6th, 2006.

Phantom can still be seen in London’s West End at Her Majesty’s Theatre. It began its run on September 27th, 1986 and celebrated its 9,000th performance on May 31st, 2008. It’s the second longest running West End musical in history. Only “Les Mis?rables” has run longer.

The Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical has been seen by more than 80 million people in 124 cities in 25 countries, including Australia, Brazil, China, Japan and Poland.

A production in Argentina is scheduled to debut on March 19, 2009. And there’s a rumor of a Russian production of Phantom opening in 2009.

If you’re in Las Vegas you can see one of only two Phantoms allowed to deviate from the original staging. “Phantom: The Las Vegas Spectacular” is a 95-minute, intermission-less production of the show playing at The Venetian Resort Hotel Casino. The show features state-of-the art technology and a $40 million custom-built theater.

There are currently three touring productions of Phantom; one in the United States, one in Canada and the other in Southeast Asia.

In 2009, the American touring company will be performing “Phantom of the Opera” at the Temple Buell in Denver, Colorado; the Music Hall Kansas City in Kansas City, Missouri; the North Shore Music Theatre in Beverly, Massachusetts; the Bushnell Theatre in Hartford Connecticut; and the Orange County Performing Arts Center at the Renee and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall in Costa Mesa, California.

While Phantom is one of the most familiar musicals of all-time there are still several aspects of the show you may not know.

For instance, Jim Steinman declined Lloyd Webber’s offer to write Phantom’s lyrics because of a previous commitment to produce a Bonnie Tyler Album.

Lloyd Webber then enlisted the services of Alan Jay Lerner (“Gigi,” “My Fair Lady,” “Camelot”) but he died shortly after joining the project.

Before Michael Crawford originated the role of the Phantom, he was best known in England as star of the BBC comedy series “Some Mothers Do ‘Ave ‘Em” and in America as the star of the Disney movie “Condorman.”

When a theater is too small to accommodate Phantom’s large orchestra, the show uses pre-recorded tracks. These pre-recorded tracks are employed during the Overture and the first two verses of the title song.

Pre-recorded tracks are also used for most of the Phantom’s off-stage voiceovers and they are sometimes used for Christine’s high note at the end of the title song. The recording help protects the actress’ voice from the strain of singing that high note on a daily basis.

Rob Guest played the Phantom for 2,289 performances over a seven year period in Australia. That’s more performances of that role than any other actor including Crawford.

Sarah Brightman, who originated the role of Christine Daa?, was married to Lloyd Webber from 1984 to 1990.

The first Phantom production permitted to change the original staging began in 2003 at the Mad?ch Theatre in Budapest, Hungary. The production used original sets, costumes and direction.

“Phantom of the Opera” was adapted from the French novel by Gaston Leroux. The novel was first published as a serial in a French newspaper from September 23, 1909 to January 8, 1910.

Judy Kaye, who played Carlotta Giudicelli in the original Broadway cast of Phantom, later went on to star as Rosie in the original Broadway cast of “Mamma Mia!”

“Phantom of the Opera” has grossed more than $5 billion since it first premiered in 1986. It’s the most successful entertainment venture of all-time, even out grossing the world’s highest-grossing film “Titanic.”

Mark Andersen enjoys Broadway musicals and often writes about his impressions for ClickitTicket.com. Read original entertainment articles at ClickitTicket’s blog and article library and find cheap Broadway tickets.

You can find lots of excitement in various skateboarding video games. Many of the professionals lend themselves to these games. You can perform the moves and tricks of your favorite skateboarders in them. This is a fun source of entertainment that the entire family can enjoy. It is also fun when it is too late or the weather is too bad for you to engage in the real thing.

One of the earliest skateboarding games was called Skate or Die and was used on the Atari as well as the early Nintendo came out in 1987. The game was very popular due to the number of people that could play at once, up to eight individuals. The downside is that only five events were featured which players could easily master shortly after purchasing this particular video game.

Tony Hawk is one of the most well known of all professional skateboarders. Therefore you shouldn’t be surprised to find him in many of these video games. In fact, there are fifteen Tony Hawk skateboarding games to choose from. You want to carefully explore them to find the one with the moves and tricks that interest you the most. The fact that they are made from many home gaming consoles is a plus too. You can get them for Xbox, GameCube, Playstation, and GameBoy.

Evolution Skateboarding was introduced in 2002. Developed for both the GameCube and the Playstation 2, it quickly became a top seller. There are plenty of popular professional skateboarders in this video game. They include Danny Way and Rick McCrank to name a few of them. This particular video game offers plenty of thrilling adventures for players to take part in. You have to master certain elements of the game though before you can move on to explore others.

One skateboarding video game that didn’t do very well in 2002 was the Simpsons Skateboarding. While many people love the show and the fact that Bart rides a skateboard this particular game just wasn’t well made. Common complaints include that the graphics are terrible and that it was hard to use the controllers to make the various moves in the game.

Disney took advantage of the thrill of skateboarding video games too. In 2003 they introduced a video game for younger players called Disney’s Extreme Skate Adventure. It features several of your favorite Disney characters including Woody from Toy Story, Tarzan, and Simba from the Lion King. In 2003 they released another called Disney Sports Skateboarding. More of their primary characters including Mickey and Minnie Mouse, Donald Duck, and Goofy are featured in that one.

The prices for skateboarding video games will vary. The new releases are going to cost you more than those that have been on the market for a while. You can find plenty of used ones too. They can be purchased at video game stores and online auction sites. This is a great way to add some of these terrific video games to your collection. The fact is that many of them have amazing sounds and graphics really bring the skateboarding process to life for you.

If you haven’t explored the various skateboarding video games out there, you are really missing out. They offer hours of fun and most of them have many different levels. You can start out with the easy ones and then continue to make it more difficult in order to challenge yourself. This way you don’t get bored with the game either. Don’t worry about having to go through those lower levels again and again though. With a memory card you can easily start these games where you want to.

Recently, longboard skateboard as a new kind of skateboards become more and more popular in skateboarding world. As a result, there are increasingly manufacturers become produce longboards. Loaded is one of the big brands which provided longboards. You can find loaded longboards in SkateboardsPro.com

Perhaps it’s the fact that “Dirrty” singer recently had a child and is so out of the loop that she’s missed the newest Lady GaGa’s video/style, but I’m pretty sure pop icon Christina Aguilera has people to check that kind of thing, right? The poptress, who has sold over 42 million records worldwide since she first premiered with her oh-so-innocent “Genie in the Bottle” single, has denied seeing a connection between the electro-pop newcomer Lady GaGa and her new retro bangs and boots. If you’re all for the new look and new ignorant attitude, continue to check out http://www.stubhub.com/christina-aguilera-tickets/ for the best upcoming Christina Aguilera tickets!

Talking with MTV the pop singer mentions almost every contemporary artist, except GaGa. “I wanted to give [fans] a little sneak preview of what’s to come. The vein of the new material [from her new album Keeps Getting Better] is a futurist take on what is inspiring me at the moment…and it’s got a very pop-art feel, visually. [There’s a] throwback to Andy Warhol and all the colors and vividness and bright boldness that was in that artwork. I’m a big collector of pop art and graffiti art at this point, too – D* Face and Banksy, also Roy Lichtenstein…and it’s been very fun venturing off into that zone.” Don’t musical artists incorporate all that “vividness” just as much as some painters do? I think so, Ms. Aguilera, who along with her new look is beginning to promote her new album. Her influences have sparked more contemporary musical artists, aka Lady GaGa, so much so that the exceedingly tacky pleather outfits and raccoon eye makeup almost seem to be hashed/designed by the same art director. The “connections” were initially fraught with utter unawareness, as interviews with the star indicated that when asked about the similarities between the two artists, Aguilera said “I’m not quite sure who this person is, to be honest.”

While the army brat was initially compared to other ‘90s pop icon Britney Spears as the two debuted their sound around the same time and had grown up together on Disney’s Mickey Mouse Club, Aguilera easily separated herself once she grabbed onto a sultry side of her voice and style, spawning everything from dreadlocks to heavy bronzer and rap. It was almost a change of pace to see the Pittsburg native donning sassy curls and pleated skirts after the birth of her child Max with husband Jordan Bratman, but once again Aguilera’s pop rebellion hasn’t stunted as a return to pleather and knee high stripper-esque boots has made a return in her wardrobe.

Keeps Getting Better is not only a preview of the future; it’s a look at the decade that has allowed this pop star to showcase her work. “It was tough looking back – it was surprising,” she told MTV News. “It was really gratifying to see how much hard work I’ve put in over the last ten years. When you’re in it, you just don’t realize as it accumulates how much you’ve done and how far you’ve come. I can’t believe it’s been a decade already.” The album, which includes a few remixed version of some original work (“Genie in a Bottle” and “Beautiful”) also shows fans what’s in store for them come the next Aguilera album – “Keeps Gettin’ Better” is a furiously futuristic hit that easily adjusts to the stars new rocks inspirations like Blondie and Velvet Underground.

This article is sponsored by StubHub and was written by Meaghan Clark. StubHub is a leader in the business of selling Christina Aguilera tickets, as well as sports tickets, concert tickets, theater tickets and special events tickets

Los Angeles is known the world over for its movie stars and television actors. Yet when “The Theater” is mentioned one immediately thinks of Broadway and not the City of Angels.

However, Los Angeles has a bustling theater scene replete with award winning talent and state-of-the-art venues. After all, actors and directors need to do something in between film projects.

The Pantages Theatre is located on Hollywood Boulevard and is one of the city’s most endearing landmarks. The theater opened in 1930 and was once owned by Howard Hughes.

The theater seats over 2,600 and is a great place to see some of Broadway’s best musicals.

“Rent,” “Grease,” “Mamma Mia!,” “Dirty Dancing,” “Fiddler on the Roof,” “Legally Blonde” and “How The Grinch Stole Christmas,” are all schedule to perform at the Pantages in 2009.

“Rain: The Beatles Experience,” is a Beatles cover-band that will having you believing it’s 1965 all over again. The fake fab four has been booked for an extended engagement in April.

The Ahmanson Theatre is located at 135 North Grand Avenue and is one of the premier venues in Los Angeles for plays, musicals, classics and revivals.

The Ahmanson has debut six Neil Simon plays and featured performances by such legends as Katharine Hepburn, Elizabeth Taylor, Rex Harrison, and James Earl Jones.

Remodel in 1995, the state-of-the-art theater has a seating capacity of 1,600 to 2,000, depending on size and scope of the production. This historic and versatile venue has the largest subscription base of any theater on the West Coast.

In 2009, you can expect to see “Minksy’s” a musical set in the prohibition era, “Frost/Nixon” starring Stacy Keach, and the Tony Award winning musical “Ain’t Misbehavin.”

Later in the year, the Ahamanson will be visited by Dame Edna, the Ballet Hispanico, and Patti Lupone & Mandy Patinkin.

The hilarious musical comedy “Monty Python’s Spamalot” will raise Ahamanson’s curtain as well as the 2008 Pulitzer Prize winning play, “August: Osage County.”

Come 2010, look for performances of “Mary Poppins” and “DreamGirls.”

The Ahamanson Theatre is located within the Los Angeles Music Center, which is one of the three largest performing arts centers in the United States.

Besides the Ahamanson Theatre, the Music Center encompasses three other venues: the Mark Taper Forum, the Walt Disney Concert Hall and the Dorothy Chandler Pavilion.

The Dorothy Chandler Pavilion used to host the Academy Awards but the last time the Pavilion gave out Oscars was in 1999.

The Pavilion seats 3,197 and is home to the Los Angeles Opera.

Upcoming performances at the Pavilion include the first two operas in Wagner’s ring cycle, “Das Rheingold” and “Die Walkure.” Also on the schedule is Verdi’s classic “La Traviata.”

Also appearing at the Pavilion in 2009 is Alvin Ailey American Dance Theater, The Birds, and the American Ballet Theatre.

The Mark Taper Forum, yet another venue at the L.A. Music Center, also has its share of world-class theater productions. The award winning “Pippin” makes an extended run on its stage, as well as “Lydia,” “Uncle Vanya,” “The Lieutenant of Inishmore,” “Parade,” and “Palestine, New Mexico.”

The Mark Taper Forum opened in 1967 and underwent a $30 million renovation just a few years ago. The Taper is known for staging innovated and risk-taking plays. It was also the host for the world premiere of “Angels in America.”

Pulitzer Prize winning writer Donald Margulies’ new work, “Time Stands Still,” can be seen at the Geffen Playhouse. The low-key drama about journalists covering the Iraqi War stars Alicia Silverstone and Anna Gunn.

The Geffen Playhouse, located in Westwood, was originally built in 1929. In 2001, it was updated with a $17 million remodel. The theater is quite cozy, seating just 525 patrons.

The Ralph Freud Playhouse is yet another destination for theater goers. You can find the theater on the campus of UCLA in the James West Alumni Center.

This year, the intimate theater, and its 586 seats, are schedule to host performances of “Man of La Mancha,” “David Rousseve Reality” and “The Fantasticks”.

It’s quite clear that Los Angeles has a vibrant and diverse theater scene. With its state-of-the-art facilities and its award winning talent, the city of angels produces more than just movies and television shows, it also produces great theater.

Mark Andersen is a writer who has lived in Los Angeles for many years. He loves L.A. and he regularly contributes to LosAngelesSmarts http://www.losangelessmarts.com and has been to many Broadway shows in Los Angeles too. Visit LosAngelesSmarts to find out what to do in Los Angeles.

It only takes about thirty minutes to get anywhere in Los Angeles, and no matter where you are headed something fun and exciting can be just around the corner. Los Angeles is one of the most glamorous cities in the United States, but instead of hitting some of the same hot spots over and over why not spend a bit of time looking for someplace new and exciting?

Sure, everyone knows that while you are in Los Angeles Disneyland and Universal Studios are right around the corner to keep you busy. However, instead of hitting up the same old amusement park maybe you should consider visiting the Hollywood Wax Museum. At the Hollywood Wax museum you will get to hob knob with some of your favorite stars. You will have the chance to see Julia Roberts accepting her Oscar up close and personal. These wax replica’s are incredibly lifelike, and can provide for a fun evening. Perhaps one of the best things is that you can have a lot of fun at the Hollywood Wax Museum for under twenty dollars a person!

Or maybe you are looking for a little more rest and relaxation with your Los Angeles getaway. It that is the case than you might want to check out the Agua Spa at the Mondrian hotel. Located on the historic Sunset Boulevard Agua has been recently renovated to make it one of the most luxurious and tranquil places in the city. It is outfitted with a Zen feel to allow you to take some time out to attend to yourself both body and soul. The spa has a myriad of treatments for you to choose from, and is open from 9 am to 9pm. Reservations are recommended to be sure that you are able to receive the perfect treatment for your weary bones.

If you are looking for a bird’s eye view of the Los Angeles area then you might want to check out Celebrity Helicopters. Celebrity Helicopters offers a variety of tours to its customers to really have the chance to see what Los Angeles is all about. One of the more popular packages is the “Sightseers Dream” tour. On this areal tour of California you will spend twenty five minutes up in a small airplane.

Throughout the tour your pilot will narrate the tour pointing out some of the more popular and beautiful landmarks. This is truly a tour that is focused on a more natural view of Los Angeles. Or if you are looking for a stunning nighttime ride then you might want to check into the “Deluxe Night Tour.” With this tour you will have the chance to see some of the beautiful skyline of Los Angeles. Additionally you will get ground transportation and dinner at one of the hottest eateries in the Los Angeles area.

Speaking of a great place to eat, dinner in Los Angeles can be remarkably different and delectable. One really unique dinner spot is The Stinking Rose. The Stinking Rose is actually in the opulent Beverly Hills area, and the restaurant has a true affinity for garlic. Here most of the menu is infused with garlic. In fact, you can even have a garlic martini or an inconceivable bowl of garlic ice cream! It is truly not an experience to miss!

To finish off your Los Angeles evening why not have a nightcap. If you are looking for that old Hollywood glamor then why not visit the Tropicana Bar at the Roosevelt Hotel. The Tropicana Bar has been around since 1927, and has specialized in serving stars since then. Being located near to the historic Grauman’s Chinese Theatre the Tropicana Bar is the perfect destination after a late night stroll. While at the Tropicana you can sit poolside and enjoy a stylish cocktail before heading in for the night.

The key to a great Los Angeles evening is to think outside of the box. So get creative and search out something fun and exciting to make your Los Angeles memories unforgettable.

Mark Andersen writes for LosAngelesSmarts, a website that offers a wealth of original information on Los Angeles, CA. At http://www.losangelessmarts.com learn about things to do at night in L.A. and more.