A white nationalist, protests and a professor caught in the middle of it all – “Power of Sail” explores chaos in the world of academia. After opening Tuesday at the Geffen Playhouse, the play stars Bryan Cranston as Harvard professor Charles Nichols, who receives backlash after inviting a white nationalist to campus to speak at his annual symposium. Read more...

Photo: Brandon Scott (left) and Bryan Cranston (right) play Baxter Forrest and Charles Nichols in “Power of Sail” at Geffen Playhouse. The play tackles issues with free speech in an academia setting. (Courtesy of Jeff Lorch)

If the phrase “augmented reality theater” sounds unfamiliar, allow “A Most Favored Nation” to demonstrate. In conjunction with the Center for Research in Engineering, Media and Performance, the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television is welcoming the UCLA community to the live-to-tape immersive theater experience with “A Most Favored Nation.” The play’s action occurs in 1963 Chicago yet extends three sets of characters’ storylines across two alternate timelines, allowing viewers to choose which aspects of the production to follow. Read more...

Photo: (From left to right) Paulyne Youri, Marisa Moenho and Jacqui Kolker play Hana, Sabine and Gene in “A Most Favored Nation.” The live-to-tape show combines augmented reality with real life performances. (Courtesy of UCLA Department of Theater)