SHAKESPEARE HIS WIFE AND THE DOG at the Broad Stage

Ellen Dostal – BroadwayWorld It takes an awfully long time to get to the point in Philip Whitchurch’s original one act play directed by Julia St. John. Set during a fictional night in the lives of William Shakespeare (played by Whitchurch) and his wife Anne (Sally Edwards) at their home in Stratford-upon-Avon, the story reveals … Read more

PICK OF THE VINE at Little Fish Theatre

Dany Margolies – The Daily Breeze Little Fish Theater’s annual short-play festival “Pick of the Vine” this year features nine plays touching on the theme “Secrets We Keep.” Bringing meaning and polish to the plays are a uniformly firm feel even though various directors are involved, crisp designs and solid acting.Read more… Now running through … Read more

FREUD’S LAST SESSION at the Odyssey Theatre

Neal Weaver  – Stage Raw George Bernard Shaw once observed that it is useless to argue with a clergyman because his livelihood depends on his not changing his mind. But the remark could equally well be applied to anyone whose career depends on defending and maintaining a particular point of view —and that could be … Read more

ALADDIN at the Pantages Theatre

Erin Conley – On Stage & Screen There is an inescapable nostalgia factor attached to Disney Theatrical Productions, and it was on full display at the Pantages in Los Angeles last night as the national tour of Aladdin opened to a very receptive crowd. For the most part, this stage adaptation of the 1992 film, which debuted … Read more

deLEARious at Atwater Village Theatre

Dany Margolies – The Daily Breeze It takes guts, or gleeful insanity, to tackle the three pillars of civilization: the Judeo-Christian Bible, Shakespeare’s “King Lear” and audition songs. Whatever the motivation, Phil Swann and Ron West do exactly that in “deLEARious,” Open Fist Theatre Company’s revival of its 2008 production, playing through Dec. 16 in … Read more

CHASING MEM’RIES at the Geffen Playhouse

Dany Margolies – The Daily Breeze The individual elements may be among the best, but that’s not always sufficient to construct a worthy piece of theater. Take, for example, “Chasing Mem’ries,” subtitled “A Different Kind of Musical,” in its world premiere at the Geffen Playhouse through Dec. 17. It boasts lyrics by Alan and Marilyn … Read more

THE NIGHT BEFORE THE NIGHT BEFORE CHRISTMAS at the Little Fish Theatre

Dany Margolies – The Daily Breeze It’s Dec. 16 in the New Jersey home of Lou and Carol. Their daughter Pia has grown into a foul-mouthed, somewhat Goth adult, his younger sister Mona gets on his nerves, and Carol is just too amenable.Read more… Now running through December 11

BRIGHT STAR at the Ahmanson Theatre

Dany Margolies – The Daily Breeze “Bright Star” is a fairly new musical by Steve Martin and Edie Brickell. It had a life on Broadway last year and has arrived at L.A.’s Ahmanson Theatre.Read more… Jonas Schwartz –  TheaterMania Bright Star has so many winning attributes that one can easily forget its shortcomings and simply enjoy … Read more