LADCC Critics

Twelfth Night @ ANTAEUS THEATRE COMPANY

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Tracey Paleo – Gia On The Move Their current production of TWELFTH NIGHT is Antaeus Theatre Company at its best. And unlike many stagings of a script written by Shakespeare or otherwise, instead of installing cast members who have not “aged out” of the roles, director Armin Shimerman has made “aging in” the spectacular focal … Read more

Harry Potter and the Cursed Child @ HOLLYWOOD PANTAGES

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Jonas Schwartz – Theatermania The play’s real star is Jamie Harrison and his eye-deceiving illusions. Even in the condensed version, actors flip upside down, get sucked through tiny boxes, change costumes (by Katrina Lindsay) in a snap, and shoot fire from their wands. Read more… Travis Michael Holder – TicketHoldersLA The star has to be … Read more

Cambodian Rock Band @ EAST WEST PLAYERS

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Travis Michael Holder – TicketHoldersLA I suspect what has made Lauren Yee’s truly magical play with music such a critically acclaimed production since its debut at South Coast Rep in 2018 has been what former Angeleno theatremaker Chay Yew, now recognized as one of our country’s most noteworthy directors, has brought to the production since … Read more

Jersey Boys @ MUSICAL THEATRE WEST

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F. Kathleen Foley – Stage Raw It’s hard to believe that Frankie Valli, at age 90, is currently on a “farewell tour” scheduled to end this April. Perhaps he’s aging better than Jersey Boys, which despite all the flash and frills, seems timeworn — a tribute to a once stellar act now fading into obscurity. Read … Read more

CAL REP presents: Frantic/Tempest @ CAL STATE LONG BEACH

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Anita W. Harris – LA Theatrix Continuing for one more night at CSULB, the production is enjoyable for its cast and crew’s creative collaboration in staging Shakespeare in this novel way. With time, perhaps it can be tweaked to become more grounded in its purported L.A. setting while bringing the fluidity of the Stefano, Trinculo … Read more

Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends @ AHMANSON THEATRE

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Tracey Paleo – Gia On The Move OLD FRIENDS, a musical review of Stephen Sondheim’s greatest hits starring Bernadette Peters opened last night at the Ahmanson Theatre. And what a treat! Read more… Travis Michael Holder – TicketHoldersLA There simply could not be a more fitting living tribute to the brilliance of Sondheim, the most … Read more