Funny Girl @ AHMANSON THEATRE

Travis Michael Holder – TicketHoldersLA So what makes this old funny girl funnier than ever before? Simply put, Katerina McCrimmon is absolutely the best Fanny Brice I’ve ever seen—and I’m old enough to have seen the original star-making turn by Babs herself before the film version cleaned her up a tad. Evoking Edith Piaf with … Read more

SHE @ ANTAEUS THEATRE COMPANY

Harker Jones – BroadwayWorld SHE is a moving, lyrical story with deft characterizations, luminous performances, and a poetic quality that reflects our heroine’s dreams. Read more… Martίn Hernández – Stage Raw Playwright Marlow Wyatt and director Andi Chapman deliver a heartfelt coming-of-age story, with a strong cast and superior production values. Read more…

DISNEY’S ALADDIN @ PANTAGES THEATRE

Harker Jones – BroadwayWorld There’s something missing that keeps ALADDIN from being a slam dunk. It’s certainly worth the price of admission if you’re interested and/or love the 1992 film. It’s a spectacle that’ll hit your sweet spot. But you still might find yourself left wanting once the magic carpet has spirited our lovers away … Read more

Every Brilliant Thing @ GEFFEN PLAYHOUSE

Harker Jones – BroadwayWorld EVERY BRILLIANT THING is a deeply affecting meditation on grief and mental illness told with humor and a clear-eyed optimism that makes the message that much more powerful. Read more… Patrick Chavis – LA Theatre Bites Podcast 7.5 out of 10! Above Average! Read more… Jonas Schwartz – Theatermania It may … Read more

Blood at the Root @ OPEN FIST THEATRE COMPANY

Deborah Klugman  – Stage Raw Under Shepperd’s direction, a youthful ensemble performs with energy and commitment, and the pace never lags. Read more… Harker Jones – BroadwayWorld Dominique Morisseau’s BLOOD AT THE ROOT is a blistering look at race, prejudice, and the complexity of human relationships. Read more…

Peter Pan Goes Wrong @ AHMANSON THEATRE

Harker Jones – BroadwayWorld The most Fractured of Fairy Tales, “Peter Pan Goes Wrong” is the tonic we all need right now. Read more… Katie Buenneke – Theater Digest Peter Pan Goes Wrong at the Ahmanson [LA]. When this show is good, it’s great, and has some of the most side-splitting comedic moments I’ve experienced … Read more

Last Summer at Bluefish Cove @ Fountain Theatre

Don Shirley – Angeles Stage “Last Summer at Bluefish Cove” isn’t usually considered a classic, but it played an important role in LA theater history as the first lesbian-themed play to have a long run — more than two years at the Fountain Theatre after a 1981 opening. This summer the Fountain has revived “Last … Read more

CRABS IN A BUCKET @ Echo Theater Company

Harker Jones – BroadwayWorld Bernardo Cubría’s world premiere CRABS IN A BUCKET: OR HOW BITTERNESS RUINED THE FUN is a riotous satire of small minds divided by envy. Focused on literal crabs in a shucking bucket, the crabbiest crab, Amargo (Xochitl Romero), and daffy sidekick Pootz, (Anna Lamadrid), spend their days bitching about the crabs … Read more

Beetlejuice @ Pantages Theatre

Jonas Schwartz – Theatermania Broadway hit Beetlejuice, now running at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre before making more stops on its North American tour, features a delightful score and book along with hysterical performances. It’s the must-see show of the season. Director Alex Timbers and his crew have morphed the beloved film into a fun house … Read more

Center Theatre Group presents: A TRANSPARENT MUSICAL @ Mark Taper Forum

Jonas Schwartz – Theatermania A Transparent Musical is special — more for what it is about than what it actually is. The ambition and sentiment are admirably high, but the execution needs serious work. Director Tina Landau gathers an excellent cast who perform strongly, but the text gives them too little with which to produce … Read more