BILL AND DR. BOB at the Noho Arts Center

Lovell Estell III – Stage Raw Ask anyone whether they’ve heard of Alcoholics Anonymous (A.A.) and you’ll probably get a quick “yes,” along with an annoyed “what a stupid question” stare.  But it’s a safe bet that the names Bill Wilson and Dr. Bob Smith wouldn’t be recognized. They were the men who started the organization in the unenlightened … Read more

SPIES ARE FOREVER at the NoHo Arts Center

Neal Weaver  – Stage Raw This slick little musical is a spoof of the James Bond movies, with emphasis on their snazzy-jazzy opening credits. The book is by Tin Can Brothers, a team made up of director Corey Lubowich and ensemble members Joey Richter and Brian Rosenthal, with a score by Clark Baxstresser and Pierce … Read more

ADAM & EVE AND STEVE: A MUSICAL at the Noho Arts Center

Les Spindle –  Edge on the Net As if on cue, following the recent landmark U.S. Supreme Court ruling on Marriage Equality,  and Wayne Moore’s exuberant musical spoof “Adam & Eve and Steve: The Musical”floats into the L.A. theater arena at precisely the right moment. Parlaying the age-old Biblical story of Adam and Eve into a … Read more

SERIAL KILLER, BARBIE at the NoHo Arts Center

Les Spindle –  Edge on the Net This fall, a string of new musicals that spoof horror films was kicked off with “Scary Musical, The Musical” and “Scream!” Those productions are now joined by ”Serial Killer Barbie,”featuring a book and lyrics by Colette Freedman, with music and additional lyrics by Nickella Moschetti. Despite its amusing title, … Read more

SCARY MUSICAL AT THE NoHo Arts Center

Les Spindle –  Edge on the Net Picture the myriad sequels and copycat films that were spawned by “Scary Movie,” which itself seemed inspired by “Airplane!” the granddaddy of all off-the-wall genre sendups. Add in a goofy rock score that is equal parts “Rocky Horror Show” and “Rock of Ages,” with a touch of Monty … Read more

THE GUARDSMAN at the Noho Arts Center

Deborah Klugman – Stage Raw Hungarian playwright  Ferenc Molnar’s The Guardsman has been viewed in this country mostly as a theatrical confection, an entertaining comedy about a jealous actor who undertakes an elaborate charade to establish his wife’s fidelity, or lack thereof. Alfred Lunt and Lynne Fontanne brought it to the stage in 1924, then reprised their … Read more

BE A GOOD LITTLE WIDOW at the Noho Arts Center

Les Spindle –  Edge on the Net Gracefully segueing from what initially seems like a breezy romantic comedy to a thoughtful and heart-wrenching portrait of grief, family dynamics, and life’s unpredictable twists and turns, Bekah Brunstetter’s 2011 Off-Off-Broadway play “Be a Good Little Widow” shines in its L.A. debut. The West Coast premiere of this absorbing 90-minute … Read more