Patrick Chavis – The Orange Curtain Review The Pulitzer Prize-winning production of Sam Shepard’s Buried Child, playing now at Costa Mesa Playhouse, brings back this brilliant play with a staging that does the material justice and shows us why it is just as relevant as when it initially arrived in the 1970’s. Read more…
Martίn Hernández – Stage Raw Seventy years after its first iteration as a television play, Reginald Rose’s work – originally titled Twelve Angry Men – remains a pungent critique of racism and xenophobia. Sherman L. Sergel adapted the teleplay for the stage in 1955 and Rose did the screenplay for the classic 1957 film featuring … Read more
Terry Morgan – ArtsBeatLA But the thing I will remember most from this show is Ann Noble’s fierce, breathtaking performance as Hermione’s friend/champion Paulina. I’ve admired Noble’s work for many years, as both a superb actress and playwright, but her portrayal here is outstanding; one of those blessed confluences of actor and role that produces … Read more
Anita W. Harris – LA Theatrix While the story and attitudes of “42nd Street” may feel more aligned to an older generation, this production’s dazzling staging, costuming, singing and dancing—with a message of staying true to yourself and your dream—still make it entertaining today. Read more…
Socks Whitmore – Stage Raw With violence on the rise, corruption in the spotlight, and extremist ideologies more polarized than ever, the need for radical change is as palpable as the need for conversation about it. For playwright Nick Salamone and director Jon Lawrence Rivera — the duo behind Playwrights’ Arena’s productions Helen & Billy … Read more
Anita W. Harris – LA Theatrix While the music and spirited performances of “The Lion King” are certainly compelling, it’s the immersive artistry of the puppets and the visually striking details adorning their human animators that make this production must-see theatre. Read more… Patrick Chavis – The Orange Curtain Review Segerstrom’s production does not disappoint, … Read more
Tracey Paleo – Gia On The Move As an African and African-American experience, Both And (A Play About Laughing While Black) is one of the heavier, yet also weightless adventures I think I’ve ever taken. Meaning? Well, the material is beautifully written. Deep and extremely serious. Yet, there is levity that keeps the harsher, potentially … Read more
Anita W. Harris – LA Theatrix A fusion of remarkable choreography, dance, music and story, Matthew Bourne’s “Romeo + Juliet” offers a charged take on an age-old tale, one that speaks to being human in a cold, oppressive world where love nonetheless finds a way—however fleetingly. Read more… Travis Michael Holder – TicketHoldersLA The … Read more
Don Shirley – Angeles Stage If LAist wants to cover LA’s performing arts with any depth and discernment, the LA stage scene would be a good place to start. Plus reactions to ‘Kate’, ‘POTUS’, a ‘Mystic Pizza’ musical, ‘Sukkot’ ‘Middle of the World’. Read more…
Travis Michael Holder – TicketHoldersLA A little judicious tweaking and Juan Jose Alfonso’s Middle of the World could be something quite special. In the meantime, the performances of the two leading actors are alone worthy of attention. Read more… Deborah Klugman – Stage Raw Playwright Juan Jose Alfonso’s Middle of the World skillfully encapsulates the … Read more