O: A Rhapsody in Divorce @ OUTSIDE IN THEATRE

Ed Rampell – Hollywood Progressive According to playwright Jami Brandli’s playbill note, O: A Rhapsody in Divorce is “a comedic reimagining of The Odyssey,” featuring a crucial plot twist in Homer’s saga wherein, as Brandli observes, “the male hero go[es] on this life-changing journey while the woman stays home waiting for their man to return.” … Read more

Primary Trust @ CENTER THEATRE GROUP

Terry Morgan – Arts Beat LA One never knows where inspiration will strike. Eboni Booth’s play, Primary Trust, is partly set in a tiki bar that is its protagonist’s favorite place on Earth. Although the story is set in New York, Booth mentioned in an interview that her inspiration for that bar was Damon’s, an … Read more

Antigone @ ANTAEUS THEATRE COMPANY

Martin Hernandez – Stage Raw Despite a puzzling Orientalist bent at times, this update of the Greek tragedy remains a pungent critique on governmental repression and the hubris it fosters; woe to those who fail to heed its message. Read more… Edward Hong – The Nerds Of Color Kenneth Cavander’s translation & adaptation of the … Read more

Ascent @ SKYLIGHT THEATRE COMPANY

Edward Hong – The Nerds Of Color Henry Ong‘s final play Ascent, now having its world premiere at the Skylight Theatre Company, is an urgently relevant production from Plain Wood Productions based on a true story about Chinese aerospace engineer Qian Xuesen. Though the play’s pacing is bogged down by far too many short scenes … Read more

Exit the King @ A NOISE WITHIN

Ed Rampell – Hollywood Progressive If cinéma vérité filmmakers such as D.A. Pennebaker, Richard Leacock, Jean Rouch or the Maysles Brothers had cameras inside of the Trump White House (that is, what’s left of it), their fly on the wall footage would likely reveal lunacy akin to that of “Exit the King’s” court. I’m sure … Read more

Picasso, Le Monstre Sacré @ THE ODYSSEY THEATRE

Ed Rampell – Hollywood Progressive During his 70-ish minute one-man show performed without an intermission, Tate never convinced me that he was Picasso. While being nosy about Pablo’s sex life (which really is none of our goddamned business) may be of prurient interest, his creative process and radical politics are far more important. Read more…

Warsaw @ INTERNATIONAL CITY THEATRE

Patrick Chavis – LA Theatre Bites Podcast  8.2 out of 10! Good Show! Listen here… Anita W. Harris – LA Theatrix Van Valin makes a convincing doctor hiding a deep hurt, Scoufaras embodies financier David in a tailored suit (costumes by Kim DeShazo reinforce each character well) and Del Carmen brings a delicate sweetness to … Read more

The Piano & Me @ ENSEMBLE THEATRE COMPANY

Travis Michael Holder – TicketHoldersLA This freshly conceived production, which swerves from the usual formula of all the previous successful Hershey Felder one-person explorations over nearly 30 years, examining the lives and music of the most famous composers in the history of music, uniquely captures the essence of how one of our time’s most prolific … Read more