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The ChildrenReviewed by Philip BrandesEnsemble Theatre Company at the New VicThrough April 23RECOMMENDEDWhat starts out as an intimate, often comically awkward reunion of aging Boomer scientists evolves into a sobering meditation on climate change, intergenerational responsibility, and personal sacrifice in Santa Barbara’s Ensemble Theatre Company production of The Children.British playwright Lucy Kirkwood’s 2016 drama is […]
Blue Reviewed by Deborah KlugmanRogue Machine Theatre at the Henry Murray Space at the Matrix TheatreThrough June 5 RECOMMENDEDMurder-by-cop. In Blue, playwright June Carryl lays out a blueprint for this grim, all-too-frequent horror show, building her story around a character who has taken the life of another human being and is struggling to justify this action both […]
It’s Only a PlayReviewed by Iris MannTheatre 40Through April 23Terence McNally’s sendup of people who populate the Broadway theater is a bit of fluff, and very funny. If the second act is a little long, and could do with some judicious editing, that can be overcome by hitting just the right comedic note. However, the […]
Merrily We Roll AlongReviewed by Julia StierThe Fable Theatre at The Whitefire TheatreThrough April 30thRECOMMENDEDUnder the direction of Conchita Belisle Newman and music direction of Richard Berent, The Fable Theatre is presenting their inaugural production, Merrily We Roll Along – with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim and book by George Furth – at The […]
Unrivaled Reviewed by Dana MartinBoston Court and Playwrights ArenaThrough April 23RECOMMENDEDPlaywright Rosie Narasaki knows that some things never change. Unrivaled, a world premiere co-production of Playwrights Arena and Boston Court, is Narasaki’s contemporary take on an imagined ancient rivalry between two of Japan’s most legendary female poets who traverse the wilds of love, friendship and betrayal.Kyoto, […]
Kiss of the Spider WomanReviewed by Deborah KlugmanA Noise WithinThru April 27RECOMMENDEDIn Manuel Puig’s stage play, Kiss of the Spider Woman, two fundamentally different personalities — a gay man accused of sexual relations with a minor, and a political prisoner-slash-macho straight guy working to overthrow a repressive regime — are housed together in a dingy […]
Menstruation: A Period PieceReviewed by V CateBig Little Theater Company at the Los Angeles LGBT CenterThrough April 16RECOMMENDEDAn educational piece centered on the biological realities of menstruation – a topic that is surrounded with an alarming amount of shame and silence for something so commonplace – would be welcome any time. But now, at a […]
The TempestReviewed by Martίn HernándezShakespeare Center of Los Angeles and After Hours ProductionThrough April 16RECOMMENDEDWhile inundating storms may have receded recently, another one is brewing over at the Shakespeare Center of Los Angeles which has partnered with After Hours Theatre Company for a sumptuous “immersive” co-production of William Shakespeare’s tale of revenge, love, and compassion. […]
