Anita W. Harris – LA Theatrix While the play’s focus on teen trauma in a positive spirit is commendable, and its likable cast delivers invested, high-energy performances, the writing relies heavily on cliches, belabors points and leaves some plot elements hanging, reducing the overall emotional impact of the story, despite the cast’s stellar efforts. Read … Read more
Elaine Mura – Splash Magazines Luis Valenzuela helmed the production with authenticity and artistry as the story reached its tragic conclusion. Projected subtitles assisted in understanding English and Spanish – as well as Nahuatl – but it is likely that the audience would have followed the story even without translation, so powerful were the multiple … Read more
Ed Rampell – Hollywood Progressive In playwright Joe DiPietro’s Conscience the hero – or rather, heroine – is a real-life historical figure who truly did do something rather heroic: Senator Margaret Chase Smith (Sharon Gardner). Maine and senators have been much in the news lately, but in 1950 Smith was the only woman serving … Read more
Ed Rampell – Hollywood Progressive …in his unyielding crusade to warn his neighbors about the dangers of the “healing” H2O, Tom reveals himself to be quirky and self-righteous. In doing so, he undermines his cause, taking the spotlight off the urgent issue on hand, and putting the focus on his own erratic self instead. … Read more
Anita W. Harris – LA Theatrix You don’t have to have grown up with “Sesame Street” or “The Muppet Show” to enjoy Brian Henson’s “Puppet Up!” — an improv show with puppets who do whatever the audience tells them with the help of their talented handlers. Read more…
Anita W. Harris – Long Beach Post Musical Theatre West’s updated rendition of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice’s 1968 musical “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat” is as flashy and colorful as its title suggests, thanks to glitzy costuming by Adam Ramirez and Geovanni Virella-Torres and dynamic lighting by Jared Sayeg. Read more…
Anita W. Harris – LA Theatrix Though it’s been 25 years since Jeanie Linders’ “Menopause The Musical” first performed in a small theatre in Orlando, talking about “the change” in women’s lives is still such a whispered event that the show continues not only to entertain but inspire. Read more…
Ed Rampell – Hollywood Progressive “The Revolutionists” ponders the issue of political violence – which of course is very timely – and revolutionary violence in particular. In addition, the play deals with race, gender, class and the role of the arts in social movements. And this play is told from women’s point of view, … Read more
Anita W. Harris – LA Theatrix Overall, though, “Red” is a highly interesting and densely woven play that is a brilliant ode to Rothko, and also to art itself and humanity’s impulse to create. Laguna Playhouse’s rich production — with two talented and committed actors — brings the story to vibrant life, immersing us in … Read more
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