Tribes by Nina Raine. Pauline Adamek – ArtsBeatLA Intense and heartbreaking, Nina Raine’s drama Tribes is about a turbulent family and the one member who feels left out. A Bohemian British family consisting of a loud, domineering and profane writer father, a hippy mother, and three grown children — two sons and a daughter, who have all moved home — all … Read more
Master Class by Terrence McNally. David C. Nichols – L.A. Times It’s a softer-grained “Master Class” than usual in Long Beach, but just try to look away. Although more muted than some past editions, this adroit International City Theatre revival of Terrence McNally’s Tony-winning fantasia on Maria Callas’ life and art carries real immediacy and thematic point. Read more… Hoyt Hilsman – The Huffington Post Gigi … Read more
Mrs Warren’s Profession by George Bernard Shaw. Deborah Klugman – LA Weekly George Bernard Shaw made his case for women’s lib in this 1894 play involving the contentious struggle between an assertive young feminist and her brothel-managing mom. Educated at Cambridge, Vivie (Rebecca Mozo) exemplifies a new breed of woman who loves her work and is lukewarm to … Read more
End of the Rainbow by Peter Quilter. Pauline Adamek – ArtsBeatLA If you didn’t get to see legendary actress and singer Judy Garland perform live, then a new play with music about the last days of her turbulent life may offer you the next best thing – that is, if you’re okay with a cringe-worthy and exaggerated depiction of … Read more
Belz! The Jewish Vaudeville Musical by Pavel Cerny. Mayank Keshaviah – LA Weekly An ersatz cross between Fiddler on the Roof and Cabaret, writer and director Pavel Cerny’s 1979 show enjoyed a successful 1984 run at the now defunct Callboard Theatre. But like the Callboard, the show’s best days may be behind it. Read more…
One Night with Janis Joplin by Randy Johnson. David C. Nichols – L.A. Times The legend that was and is Janis Joplin has influenced countless female rockers, many of them epic talents in their own right. And few if any theater events have done full justice to this trailblazing force of nature’s vocal impact and unflagging connection with an … Read more
Eurydice by Sarah Ruhl. Pauline Adamek – LA Weekly Playwright Sarah Ruhl’s melancholy and slightly surreal drama is a whimsical and updated take on the classic Greek myth of Orpheus, the divinely inspired musician who defied nature and descended into Hades to retrieve his slain wife. This exciting modern interpretation grants the tale of enduring love a more recent … Read more
The Trouble with Words by Gregory Nabours.. Pauline Adamek – LA Weekly This scintillating 90-minute, two-act show is packed with eighteen appealing and pretty songs. Musical Director and composer Gregory Nabours’ engaging musical (restaged and newly completed with five additional new songs) is smart, sexy, funny and heartbreaking. Presented as the opening number, the title tune is catchy enough … Read more
The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle has announced the winners and special awards for excellence in Los Angeles and Orange County theatre for the year 2012. The 44th Annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards ceremony took place Monday, March 18, 2013 at the Los Angeles Theatre Center in Downtown Los Angeles. Home-grown productions handily held their own against touring fare at the 44th … Read more
AN APOLOGY FROM BOB VERINI, PRODUCER OF THE LADCC AWARDS SHOW 3/19/13 Dear Friends of the LADCC: Thank you so much for your support of our efforts at last night’s awards show. We are so pleased at the reactions to the event and the delighted reactions so many of the nominees, recipients, presenters, sponsors, and audience … Read more