Hearts Like Fists by Adam Szymkowicz. Pauline Adamek – ArtsBeatLA A chop-socky cartoon on stage, Hearts Like Fists, written by Adam Szymkowicz, is an action-packed adventure romance set in the surreal world of female crime-fighting superheroes. Nurses by day, skilled warriors by night, a band of ferocious and feisty femmesbattle the dastardly and elusive Dr. X and his deadly war against romance. Read … Read more
Pauline Adamek – LA Weekly Oft staged, Arthur Miller’s 1947 tragedy is a modern American classic for good reason; its powerful message endures. On the surface All My Sons is a slice of post WWII small town family life. Beneath that homespun layer lurk cold-hearted monsters. Read more…
Memphis by David Bryan(music and lyrics) and Joe DiPietro (lyrics and book). Pauline Adamek – ArtsBeatLA Kicking off with a frenetic pace that never lets up, Memphis is a high energy, original musical about the explosion of black musical artists into the mainstream during the late 1950s. Read more… Bob Verini – Variety The sleek, stylish Memphis exemplifies the Broadway show tour done very … Read more
Mutually Assured Destruction by Peter Lefcourt. Pauline Adamek – ArtsBeatLA It’s difficult to pinpoint exactly what is wrong with this play and production. The acting is good. The staging is fluid. The storyline is amusing. The French farce underpinnings give the show some energy. The central conceit is clever and well developed… So why doesn’t this play … Read more
The Government Inspector by Nikolai Gogol. Dany Margolies – ArtsInLA It’s petty to complain that the clever lines are so plentiful that we don’t have a moment to reflect on them, that the sight gags are too numerous to take in fully, and that the actors are so adept and in sync with [Stefan] Novinski’svision that we sometimes … Read more
The Exorcist by John Pielmeier. Pauline Adamek – ArtsBeatLA The Geffen Playhouse have commissioned John Pielmeierto adapt author William Peter Blatty’s legendary horror story to the stage for a world-premiere presentation, and it’s difficult to comprehend why. Why take a sensational novel that was cleverly parlayed into a hit movie to great effect and then – almost forty years later … Read more
Stoneface by Vanessa Claire Stewart. Pauline Adamek – ArtsBeatLA Be advised – Vanessa Claire Stewart’s wonderful play about Buster Keaton is not a barrel of laughs. Dealing largely with the latter, dismal years of the legendary silent film comedy star’s career and failed marriages (two), many of the dramatic scenes are truly heartbreaking. That’s thanks to superbly subtle and emotional performances … Read more
War Horse by Nick Stafford. Pauline Adamek – ArtsBeatLA War Horse, the spectacular stage show that captivated Steven Spielberg, is now playing at the Ahmanson Theater in Downtown LA until July 29, 2012. A unique theatrical experience that combines intense drama with elaborate staging and dazzling puppetry, War Horse is essentially a love story between a boy and his horse. At the heart … Read more
At a May meeting of the Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle, David C. Nichols was chosen as the Circle’s president for a one-year term. Nichols, who writes for the L.A. Times and other local publications, had previously held that office from 2008 to 2010. Outgoing president Bob Verini, who has held the office since 2010, will take over as Awards Chair for the LADCC Awards ceremonies … Read more
Prize recipients, nominees, critics, publicists, theater practitioners and aficionadi all mingled in the foyer of A Noise Within’s glamorous theater in Pasadena following the 43rd Annual Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle Awards event, which was held on Monday, March 19, 2012. For a full list of the nominees, go here. You can now follow theLos Angeles Drama Critics Circle on twitter via @LADramaCC. Enjoy this photo … Read more