Edward Hong – The Nerds Of Color There are many incredible ingredients at work with the Los Angeles premiere of Jackie Sibblies Drury’s 2019 Pulitzer Prize-winning drama Fairview, now playing at Rogue Machine Theatre: a crackling ensemble cast, an intriguing and twisty premise, and a thrilling direction by Oz Scott. But despite these elements present, … Read more
Ed Rampell – Hollywood Progressive Red Harlem uncovers and dramatizes a cinematic slice of film history… According to Kimba Henderson’s play, the Communist Party USA recruited African Americans in Harlem to travel to the Soviet Union circa 1932 in order to act in a movie produced by the CPUSA and financed by Moscow about racism … Read more
F. Kathleen Foley – Stage Raw Since it was first produced in 1899 at the Moscow Art Theatre, adaptations of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya have proliferated. It appears that adaptors can’t wait to get their ink-stained fingers on Chekhov’s classic tale about the conflicts raging on a struggling Russian estate where the arrival of an elderly … Read more
Jonas Schwartz – Theatermania A new staging of the Broadway cause célèbre Here Lies Love has arrived at the Mark Taper Forum. But without the benefit of seeing the original Alex Timbers production in New York, it’s hard to pinpoint exactly why, in this reimagined version helmed by Center Theatre Group artistic director Snehal Desai, the … Read more
Patrick Chavis – LA Theatre Bites Podcast 9 out of 10! Exceptional Show! LA Theatre Bites Recommended! Listen more… Deborah Klugman – Stage Raw Some of the most impressive moments are the fight scenes, eliciting kudos for both fight coordinator Jonathan Rider and a disciplined ensemble. Equally, the final showdown between Richard and his nemesis, … Read more
Philip Brandes – Stage Raw In every good chase thriller, an unsuspecting bystander is suddenly called on to save the day by improvising, adapting, and ultimately prevailing against a ticking clock through sheer resourcefulness, the grace of unlikely allies, and coincidences that couldn’t possibly happen — but somehow do. Against all odds, Rubicon Theatre Company’s … Read more
F. Kathleen Foley – Stage Raw Lady Day at Emerson’s Bar and Grill, Lanie Robertson’s play about the legendary jazz songstress Billie Holiday, has become a popular offering in theaters both large and small since its 1986 debut, with Audra McDonald winning a Tony for Best Actress during its 2014 Broadway run. Read more… Travis … Read more
Martín Hernández – Stage Raw While truth may be stranger than fiction, it is not always funnier, due to the show’s stereotyped characters, clunky exposition, and strained attempts at humor. Read more…
F. Kathleen Foley – Stage Raw In her program notes, Sorgen urges empathy for those gaslit by a narcissistic abuser. It’s a worthy goal. However, Punish Me does not so much shed light on narcissistic pathology as exploit it. Read more…
F. Kathleen Foley – Stage Raw At a time when families hide in their homes for fear of being deported—or worse — the parallels to Franciosa’s timely play are obvious. Read more…