Philip Brandes – Stage Raw In the eclectic, intricately-constructed theatrical confections of L.A.’s prolific playwright Tom Jacobson, the dialectics around salvation and damnation and the role of sacrifice are never far from the surface. Hell Mouth,in its world premiere from The Road Theatre Company, is no exception — though in approaching those themes it marks … Read more
F. Kathleen Foley – Stage Raw The superb actors, many of whom have been with the Latino Theater Company for years, deliver on all levels, from the funny to the devastating. The ease of their long association is apparent in director José Luis Valenzuela’s staging, which establishes an authentic family dynamic of liveliness, humor, and … Read more
Philip Brandes – Stage Raw Where the typical jukebox formula pre-selects a catalog and reverse engineers enough plot to thread the songs together, Sternin and Fraser started with four fully imagined characters and a dramatic structure tracing the adult arcs of a generation that came of age partying to the music of the ‘70s and … Read more
Martín Hernández – Stage Raw It is a mixed bag of sorts, ranging from the mundane to the mildly entertaining in both text and performances. Read more…
Deborah Klugman – Stage Raw The success of a production can understandably rise or fall on the strength of the actor playing Willy, (though I’ve been to one where the performance of the actor playing Biff was riveting beyond all others and elevated the entire show). Read more… Patrick Chavis – LA Theatre Bites Podcast … Read more
Jonas Schwartz – Theatermania The national tour of the 2023 Broadway revival of Monty Python’s Spamalot has galloped into Los Angeles at the Hollywood Pantages, and the musical numbers remain as boisterous, energetic, and gleefully goofy as ever. Unfortunately, the book scenes, largely lifted from the famous dialogue of Monty Python and the Holy Grail, have lost much … Read more
Martín Hernández – Stage Raw While the staging and interplay between the actors is unseen, they nonetheless strategically move about the stage, allowing for talented vocal deliveries from unsuspecting places in the large salon-like setting. Read more…
Deborah Klugman – Stage Raw Running an economical 72 minutes (including an intermission) The Best Boarding House in Delaware, which the playwright also directs, is a fun ride that has potential to go further than it does. Ryan opts for an inky comedy that is short, sweet, and powered by the comedic acting chops of … Read more
Ed Rampell – Hollywood Progressive Pinter’s slyly subversive 30-ish minute piece does to those veddy British drawing room plays what The Texas Chainsaw Massacre’s Leatherface does to human beings. Although I hasten to add that this is not to say that Party Time is a horror production per se, but rather that it Pinteresquely piquantly … Read more
Martín Hernández – Stage Raw MacLean’s ham-fisted lyrics focus on the theme of individualized female empowerment through therapy and self-reflection rather than on Hildegard’s work with women’s communities. Nonetheless, Beatrice Casagran’s thoughtful direction and mis en scene, in tandem with the exceptional vocal work of the cast, makes for a production that is visually and … Read more