Bob Verini – ArtsInLA The Burnt Part Boys, now at the Third Street Theater in a co-production with West Coast Ensemble Theater, is an energetic hoot-’n’-hollerin’ musical play that would benefit from a little less hoot-’n’-hollerin’ and a little more straight talk. Read more… David C. Nichols – LA Times If “Floyd Collins” and “Stand By … Read more
David C. Nichols – LA Times A star is reborn in “Funny Girl,” now marching its band out in Fullerton (and soon after, Redondo Beach). This solid 3D Theatricals revival of the classic 1964 musical generally engrosses, and triumphs in lead Nicole Parker. Shining in every detail, Parker’s nuanced, platinum-voiced Fanny Brice withstands the Streisand … Read more
Mayank Keshaviak – LA Weekly The theme of fathers and sons occupies well-trodden ground in the theater, but Joe Orrach’s exploration of his relationship with his Puerto Rican father is unique in its presentation. Having been a professional boxer and tap dancer, Mr. Orrach is hardly an average Joe, and he and co-writer Lizbeth Hasse … Read more
Neal Weaver – LA Weekly Elin Hampton’s play derives its comedy from the antics of an eccentric family. At 39, Molly (Cameron Meyer) has never escaped from the tyranny of her critical, exploitative parents, who have decided she’s a lesbian because she won’t wear makeup, and taunt her about her lack of a social life.Read … Read more
Pauline Adamek – LA Weekly An all-female production of Hamlet — why?! The gender-bending (and multicultural) casting permits this motley cast of women to tackle the tragedy’s meaty classic roles but adds nothing to the production. Rather, it distracts and detracts. Lisa Wolpe and Natsuko Ohama co-direct and star (as Hamlet and Polonius, respectively) in … Read more
Deborah Klugman – LA Weekly Adapter and director Ramon Monxi Flores weaves Mayan mythology into this otherwise predictable message drama about a gangbanger and his uncertain journey toward redemption. Originating from a 1992 script by Victor Tamayo, which focused primarily on drug abuse, the familiar plot revolves around Carlos (Johnny Ortiz), a parentless youth living … Read more
Les Spindle – Frontiers L.A. Following its aptly acclaimed 2000 world premiere run at the Hudson Theatre in Hollywood, the groundbreaking bare: A Pop Opera (now retitled bare: A Rock Musical) met with success off-Broadway and in regional theaters, developing a strong cult following. The passionate and musically vibrant pop-rock piece returns to L.A. following … Read more
Dany Margolies – Arts In LA Robert Begam and Art Shulman wrote this play as a courtroom drama. Their story could also pass for a gothic tale. Unfortunately, it totters between styles, and director Rick Walters makes a simultaneous case for both. And so this production sits precariously, leaving its audience wondering how to react.Read … Read more
Bob Verini – ArtsInLA As Greek tragedies go, Prometheus Bound poses something of a staging nightmare. There’s no betrayed wife out to murder her own children and her rival, no king brought to understand the truth about the older woman he married. Instead, it’s a solemn religioso pageant in which the god who created mortal … Read more
Dany Margolies – Arts In LA Coyotes don’t play fetch and greet us at the door and guard us in our homes. Coyotes are the predator version of our snuggly pups. They are the canines with the need to kill, excused—but not usually forgiven—because they’re programmed that way. Do we know of people like that?Read … Read more