#HFF23 – THE BOX @ Zephyr Theatre

Tracey Paleo – Gia On The Move On the night that Stephen plans to propose to his girlfriend Alice, her father Cal shows up ahead of her to talk him out of it.  You might be thinking: one of the uglier scenarios in relationship hell.  And you would be right.  Because it doesn’t stop there … Read more

TINA – THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL @ Pantages Theatre

Tracey Paleo – BroadwayWorld Even if it wouldn’t have been great, it was already getting a pass.  It’s Tina Turner.  The music legend, the feminist heroine, the Warrior Goddess, and Queen of Rock & Roll. Read more… Patrick Chavis – The Orange Curtain Review (Segerstrom Center for the Arts) A biographical play is a dramatic … Read more

Center Theatre Group Selects CTG Leadership Circle Cohort 2023

Center Theatre Group is continuing its mission to uplift, celebrate, and support early- and mid-career staff members at Los Angeles’ largest theatre company by selecting its newest cohort of employees who identify as BIPOC, as well as individuals from intersectional and marginalized identities. The latest cohort, which started in December 2022 and will run through … Read more

A SOLDIER’S PLAY @ Ahmanson Theatre

Tracey Paleo – BroadwayWorld Don’t get me wrong. The production values are absolutely stellar. Lighting and sound are magnificent. The stage appropriately dressed. So well in fact, that the two-tiered set of upper walkway and then lower floor barracks that turned into various offices, not only amplified the story, but in a way, the hierarchy … Read more

SIX the Musical and other theatre briefs

Tracey Paleo – Gia On The Move Six wives, six musical powerhouses and six opportunities to vote for your favorite Tudor Queen! As brief as their royal reigns (with the exception of first wife Catherine of Aragon) the story of SIX is a nice bit of feminist reductionism and may in fact be the future … Read more

AVAAZ at South Coast Repertory

Martίn Hernández – Stage Raw. After actor-playwright Michael Shayan’s years of pestering his Iranian-Jewish immigrant mother Roya to tell her life story, she finally relented to being recorded. After a writing retreat exercise, he took his mother’s interview and his own imagination and melded them together to craft a compelling one-person show. Part stand-up comedy … Read more

HAIRSPRAY at Dolby Theatre

Harker Jones – BroadwayWorld. Aerosol in the air as Tracy Turnblad, Penny Pingleton, and the teens of Baltimore bring politics and pizzazz to Hollywood with a stunning production of one of the best and beloved musicals of all time… It’s a thrilling, unsinkably upbeat show, gleefully over the top, with colorful characters, costumes, and sets. … Read more

BATTLESONG OF BOUDICA, School of Night at The Hudson Theatre

Tracey Paelo – Gia On The Move. As is her trademark…actor, producer, fight choreographer Jen Albert who also plays the title role, is 100% committed to a display of historical context about an ancient, iron-age war in Celtic Britannia, and the legendary woman who, for a brief glorious moment, brought the disunified tribes together to … Read more

PRIVATE LIVES at Independent Shakespeare Co.

Katie Buenneke – Stage Raw. At moments, the play is an absolute delight. Melville seems born to play a Coward crank, and really shines in the role. Chalsma is charming, especially when Amanda is at her most flustered. Charles is also strong as Victor, a gentleman who reaches his breaking point as things cycle out … Read more