Theater: Fresh from its Carbonell win for the best production of a play in 2011 (All My Sons), Palm Beach Dramaworks opens its first foray into the works of South Africa’s Athol Fugard, Master Harold … and the boys, the first of what producing director William Hayes expects will be an annual exploration of plays on the theme of racial conflict. Written in the midst of his nation’s apartheid policy of sanctioned discrimination, this tale of a young white teenager and the two waiters at his mother’s tea shop who helped raise him, is Fugard’s most personal drama. The intermissionless play is like a slow-burning fuse which seems to dawdling, but explode it does and afterwards, you will see that the initial languid pace was entirely intentional. Continuing through April 29. Call (561) 514-4042 for tickets.
Film: There is an art to the making of sushi and nowhere is that exemplified more completely than in a 10-seat counter-style restaurant located below street level in the Ginza subway station of Tokyo, run by an 85-year-old perfectionist named Jiro. Meticulously, he hand-shapes the fish and rice morsels, creating works of art what earned him a three-star Michelin rating — the highest possible — triggering foodies from around the globe to make pilgrimages to his humble operation. The film Jiro Dreams of Sushi, a documentary directed by David Gelb, delves into the zen of sushi-making, visiting with Jiro’s sons and disciples as well as the massive central fish market where he selects the choice tuna, octopus and other sea creatures. The result is a feast for the eyes and, if you happen to like sushi, chances are you will make a beeline for a Japanese restaurant after the movie. Opening at Mos’Art Theatre in Lake Park this weekend.
Music: This coming Tuesday, the Palm Beach Symphony gets ready for its future with a gala benefit concert at the Kravis Center featuring a major conductor and a rising soloist. Jahja Ling, now with the San Diego Symphony, will lead an expanded version of the 38-year-old orchestra in the Dvorak Eighth Symphony (in G, Op. 88) and the Piano Concerto No. 1 (in B-flat minor, Op. 23) of Tchaikovsky. The soloist for the Tchaikovsky will be the Tashkent-born pianist Lola Astanova, recently featured in Carnegie Hall’s tribute concert to Vladimir Horowitz. The concert also is a fundraiser for the orchestra, and begins with a 7 p.m. cocktail hour, followed by the concert and a dinner. The music starts at 8 p.m., and tickets start at $30. The reception in the Cohen Pavilion features performances by duo harpists and exhibits from artists Matt Dine and Emanuele Viscuso. Reservations for the cocktail hour and dinner (tickets range from $125 to $500) can be made by calling 561-833-3044. For more information, visit www.kravis.org/pbsgala, call the Kravis at 561-832-7469, or send an email to info@palmbeachsymphony.org.
Dance: Jerry Opdenaker left Ballet Florida to strike out on his own a few years back, and the stage at the Kravis Center is his for the weekend. His FestOval of Dance features his own O Dance group as well Reach Dance Company, Surfscape Contemporary Dance Theatre, and Houston’s Infinite Moment Ever Evolving. It promises to be an interesting evening of contemporary dance with a host of local performers. Performances continue at 2 p.m. and 7:30 p.m. today, and 3 p.m. Sunday. Tickets: $35. Call 832-7469 or visit www.kravis.org.