Les Spindle – Frontiers L.A. Reaching back to its early years, the 34-year-old Victory Theatre Center is offering a new production of Kos Kostmayer’s On the Money, previously presented there in 1982. The play takes a stab at exploring certain themes still relevant in modern times, primarily the desperate challenges of many American citizens to make … Read more
David C. Nichols – LA Times “I’m smarter than most people. That’s why I’m unemployed and living in a one-bedroom apartment in Hollywood.”So says the protagonist of “The Twilight of Schlomo” at the Elephant Space, and there’s more than just sardonic humor in that assessment. Timothy McNeil’s maturation into one of our most original playwrights … Read more
Les Spindle – Frontiers L.A. Religious fervor, scandal in the Catholic Church and the horrifying rule of the Inquisition in 16th century Spain form the backdrop for actor-playwright Coco Blignaut’s three-hour biographical opus, God’s Gypsy, in its world-premiere run. Based on the novel Sister Teresa by Barbara Mujica and directed by Joel Daavid, the ambitious … Read more
Bob Verini – ArtsInLA The 10th-annual holiday show from Troubadour Theater Company, Walkin’ in a Winter One-Hit-Wonderland, proves to be the occasion for walkin’ down Memory Lane with the previous nine. There’s plenty of reminiscing; video footage of past productions; and in-jokey references to company members and past characters that invest the tight (an intermissionless … Read more
Les Spindle – Frontiers L.A. The holiday-season narrative in Miklos Laszlo’s 1937 Hungarian dramedy Parfumerie will be familiar to fans of three well-known films and a memorable Broadway musical. Unveiling the gorgeous new Wallis-Annenberg Center for the Arts in Beverly Hills is E.P. Dowdall’s 2009 English-language adaptation of the Laszlo play, working from a 1956 … Read more
Les Spindle – Frontiers L.A. “Come look at the freaks!” sings a grotesque carnival barker, introducing a bizarre contingent of sideshow performers—hardly a typical opening scene for a Broadway musical. The adventurous Side Show, which bowed in New York in 1997 to critical acclaim and four Tony nominations, closed following a three-month run. It was … Read more
Les Spindle – Frontiers L.A. The world premiere of a new musical, When You Wish: The Story of Walt Disney—celebrating the life and career of the legendary animator/mogul Disney (1901-1966)—seems well-timed to the upcoming release of a holiday season film, Saving Mr. Banks. The eagerly awaited movie starring Tom Hanks as Disney is set during the making … Read more
Dany Margolies – Arts In LA Suspense and suspension hallmark this sleek production. At the play’s climax, on opening night, no breathing could be heard among the audience members. No one shifted in his seat, no one crinkled her program, no critic dared jot down a note. Suspense reigned. At the top of the play … Read more
Pauline Adamek – ArtsBeatLA Legendary comedy writer Neil Simon’s 1972 play The Sunshine Boys has an excellent premise: two old vaudevillian stars who worked together for over 40 years, but who haven’t spoken in over a decade, are reunited for a TV spot. (In fact, it was a good enough premise for Fellini to copy for Ginger e … 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