Dinner parties in plays never go well, do they? This theory certainly applies to Mutual Philanthropy, a new play by Karen Rizzo currently being presented by Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA. A tight 75 minutes, it tells the story of two very different couples who come together for a classy meal, which quickly spirals into a complicated … More Theater Review: Ensemble Studio Theatre/LA’s Mutual Philanthropy
All families have their secrets—but some are darker than others. In Please Don’t Ask About Becket, a world premiere play by Wendy Graf currently being presented by Electric Footlights at the Sacred Fools Theater in Hollywood, a twin—who now considers herself a former twin—looks back on her life and the tragic series of events that changed … More Theater Review: Electric Footlights’ Please Don’t Ask About Becket
This past weekend in Los Angeles, everything was beautiful at the ballet indeed as The Hollywood Bowl presented their annual, fully-staged summer musical, A Chorus Line. This was my fifth time attending, having seen their productions of Hairspray, The Producers, Chicago, and Hair in the past. I was a bit apprehensive going in because A … More Theater Review: A Chorus Line at the Hollywood Bowl
“If Times Square and hell were the last two places on earth, the nice people would live in hell.” Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, which closed last week at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles as part of its ongoing national tour, has many snappy lines like this to offer, along with plenty of recognizable tunes. It’s … More Theater Review: Beautiful at the Pantages
A one-act play is a difficult beast. It is challenging enough to construct a cohesive, complete narrative within the typical three act structure. Successfully communicating all of the necessary information while also making an interesting, creative statement in as short a time as ten minutes is not an easy task. Ensemble Studio Theatre’s currently running Playwrights One … More Theater Review: EST/LA’s 2016 Playwrights One Act Festival (Program A)
When Craftsman, a world premiere play written by Tony Foster and directed by Shaina Rosenthal, begins, it seems like a traditional story. It opens on a couple house-hunting with their realtor in present day Los Angeles…and then a maid dressed in early 1900s attire enters the room and begins quietly setting up breakfast, unseen to the … More Theater Review: Craftsman at the Hollywood Fringe Festival
Have you ever gone on a really great date (or even a few really great dates) only to learn something so disappointing and upsetting about the other person that it pretty much ruins everything you thought you loved about them? Shitty, a world premiere comedy play written by and starring Stephen Chang, explores this concept to an extreme, … More Theater Review: Shitty at the Hollywood Fringe Festival
Last week, I attended my very first Hollywood Fringe show. Having previously attended only New York’s version of Fringe, I wasn’t sure quite what to expect. I showed up on Santa Monica Boulevard shortly before 9pm (many Fringe shows have non-traditional schedules with unconventional start times). As I looked for the line for the specific … More Guide to the 2016 Hollywood Fringe Festival
The setting of Occupation, a new play written by Merri Biechler and produced by Foundry Theatre Works currently running at the Hollywood Fringe Festival, is described as “America, almost now.” When the ensemble of five women takes the stage, they slowly reveal the sad, shocking realities of the world they live in through a combination … More Theater Review: Occupation at the Hollywood Fringe Festival
This is not your grandmother’s Hedda Gabler. That much is clear only moments into Antaeus Theatre Company’s current production, which opens in North Hollywood this weekend. This Hedda wears a chic jumpsuit, and with the removal of just a few dated details, Andrew Upton’s more modern version of Henrik Ibsen’s classic could easily take place today. … More Theater Review: Antaeus Theater’s Hedda Gabler
ON STAGE & SCREEN 