“Light in the Piazza” Ahmanson Theatre Oct. 31 through Dec. 10 They say that theater is the willful suspension of disbelief. Rarely does a show come along that does not require the will. Read more...

So Jay-Z’s back. Surprise, surprise. When he announced his “retirement” in 2003, it wasn’t long before most of us realized he’d be back. “The Black Album” hinted at his return more than a couple times, and his variety of collaborations and cameos since showed he had no intention of slowing down. Read more...

In the midst of a leafy residential area of Leimert Park sits an amalgam of business and ideas. The Lucy Florence Coffeehouse opened its doors in 1996 but has since become much more than just a place to eat. Read more...

Call of Duty 3 Activision Xbox 360 While the first-person shooter (FPS) genre has experienced a glut of war games in recent years, particularly those based on World War II, there’s no reason this should stop if games such as “Call of Duty 3″ are the result. Read more...

Incubus “Light Grenades” Epic Records When you find a formula that works, you have one of two choices: You can ride that formula for as long as possible ““ maybe changing a few little things here and there ““ or you can constantly try to better yourself and start from scratch every time. Read more...

Kenny Burrell has played with pretty much everyone who’s anyone in jazz. Whether laying down the guitar support behind a John Coltrane rampage or stretching out in a solo while collaborating with Jimmy Smith, his experience and discography are immense. Read more...

Little boys don’t play with dolls, but little men certainly do in the world of director Lee Breuer’s “Mabou Mines Dollhouse.” In the Mabou Mines acting troupe’s take on Henrik Ibsen’s play “A Doll’s House,” women fill the role of dolls who have fallen into the vicious cycle of being domineered by the men in their lives. Read more...