Brothers PlayReviewed by Martίn HernándezBreak With Traditions ProductionsThrough February 5RECOMMENDEDIt is Christmas in Chicago, and for Irish American brothers Jude (Jeffrey Nordling), Francis (Rob Nagle), and Thomas (Jamie Wollrab) that means some unseemly celebrations, despite their saintly names. Jude, the oldest, is committed to visiting the local gambling boats; middle child Francis is savoring the […]

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Twelve O’Clock Tales with Ava GardnerReviewed by Taylor KassThe Whitefire TheatreThrough March 5 RECOMMENDED“You’re too young to know Ava Gardner,” said the audience member sitting next to me as I took my seat. He was right; this reviewer is admittedly Gen Z. But when I asked him to share his favorite film of hers, he couldn’t […]

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Ercole Su’l TermodonteReviewed by V CatePacific Opera ProjectThru January 21st  RECOMMENDEDPacific Opera Project (POP) returns with a scintillating new show, a rarity that is simultaneously a centuries-old work yet a United States premiere. Ercole su’l Termodonte (Hercules in Termodon) is an Italian opera in three acts composed by the illustrious Antonio Vivaldi. Although the score […]

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Ain’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations Reviewed by Julia StierCenter Theatre GroupThrough January 1RECOMMENDEDAin’t Too Proud – The Life and Times of The Temptations is back at The Ahmanson as part of a national tour after its initial run in 2018. Even if you’re not a diehard fan of the […]

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Christmastime Origins Reviewed by Martίn HernándezGroup Repertory TheatreThrough January 15RECOMMENDEDWelcome to the studios of K-GRT 73, North Hollywood’s home of radio theatre, otherwise known as the upstairs space of the Group Repertory Theatre. Artistic Director Doug Haverty has adapted four works from veteran Los Angeles theater journalist and playwright Julio Martinez’s The Eight Plays of […]

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 Die HeartReviewed by Terry MorganTroubadour Theater CompanyThrough December 18RECOMMENDED There has been much discussion in recent years on social media concerning whether or not the 1998 film Die Hard qualifies as “a Christmas movie.” On the surface, the Bruce Willis actioner may not seem to be a good candidate for “holiday classic,” what with its brutal […]

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Little TheatreReviewed by Martίn HernándezRogue MachineThrough January 8RECOMMENDEDIn the 1990s, playwright Justin Tanner was the wunderkind of small venue L.A. theatre. Tanner churned out hit after hit, like Pot Mom, Zombie Attack, and Teen Girl, for the now defunct Cast Theatre, where he was resident playwright. The Cast was also where artistic director Diana Gibson […]

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Albee/Pinter Reviewed by Deborah KlugmanPacific Resident TheatreThrough Feb. 5RECOMMENDEDIn 1960, Edward Albee and Harold Pinter were young playwrights whose work challenged theatrical convention and the expectations of critics and audiences. Both Albee’s brief two-hander, Fam and Yam, and Pinter’s lengthier one-act, The Dumb Waiter, received English language premieres that year — Albee’s at the Music Box […]

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Chriskirkpatrickmas: A Boy Band Christmas Musical Reviewed by Julyza CommodoreThe Actors CompanyThru December 11 RECOMMENDEDCalling all fans of boy-band NSYNC before this production says “Bye, Bye, Bye!” With a blend of holiday spirit and NSYNC history, Chriskirkpatrickmas: A Boy Band Christmas Musical is a parody with 12 original songs written by Valen Shore (music) and Alison […]

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MindplayReviewed by Joseph KlinkGeffen Playhouse Through January 8 RECOMMENDEDDirected by Andrew Neisler and co-written with Josho Koenigsberg, Mindplay is the creation of performer and mentalist Vinny DePonto.The show is staged in an intimate space that frequently floods with blue light and shadow (lighting design, Pablo Santiago) and involves participation from members of the audience through their […]

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