When Janelle Dote graduated from the theater department in 2003, her interest in acting was just emerging from backstage to front and center. In the Geffen Playhouse’s revival of Alan Jay Lerner and Frederick Loewe’s “Paint Your Wagon,” Dote will get to hone in on all aspects of the stage skills she learned at UCLA. Read more...

With a single light, a simple stage and a sequence of steps, artists are revealing stripped performances of raw, handmade expression. On Dec. 8 at 6:30 p.m., professors, along with graduate and undergraduate students from the world arts and cultures department will present their material in “Handmade.” This informal showcase during the 10th week of every quarter allows students and faculty to exhibit polished and rough performance gems. Read more...

U2 “How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb” Interscope Records In theory, U2’s new album should be its best in years. “How To Dismantle An Atomic Bomb” has everything a great U2 album needs: soaring choruses as only Bono can sing them, the Edge’s trademark delayed guitars, and even a song about God (“Yahweh”). Read more...

Hey, I was wondering. … Where have all the toilet seat covers gone? In previous years, they were in every bathroom. This year, I have yet to see them in any building on campus. Read more...

Jean-Pierre Jeunet is fast becoming the French Tim Burton. Quickly emerging as an accomplished creator of vibrant and original modern-day fairy tales, Jeunet’s deftness reminds one of early Burton. Read more...

It’s not every day that one finds Indiana Jones on the stage of a theater singing a song from Stephen Sondheim’s hit musical “Into the Woods.” Nor is it a common occurrence to see Bill Clinton serenade Monica Lewinsky with the song “Too Much in Love to Care” from Andrew Lloyd Webber’s musical “Sunset Boulevard.” Both of these rather perverse episodes may be found at the venue 2100 Square Feet starting on Dec. Read more...

For UCLA extension student James Ayala, taking a class for the third time has nothing to do with failure. In fact, having the opportunity to learn how to market movies and impress industry people, including directors and producers, keeps him returning to a class titled “The Marketing Challenge: Selling New Movies From the Sundance Institute Filmmakers.” The first time was for credit, but since then, Ayala has gone back for Ira Teller’s inspirational teaching and the hands-on creative work. Read more...