When the lights rise on Handjob, a play by Erik Patterson currently in its world premiere at the Echo Theater Company in Los Angeles, we meet Keith (Steven Culp). Keith is a gay, white writer, and he has hired Eddie (Michael Rishawn), a younger black man, to provide a service that at first glance seems … More Theater Review: Handjob at the Echo Theater Company
In How We’re Different From Animals, a world premiere play based on short stories by Miranda July, there is one common theme—romance. Romance is, after all, how July argues we are different from animals. For example, humans are the only animal that kiss. Presented by Elan Ensemble in their inaugural production at the Atwater Village … More Theater Review: Elan Ensemble’s How We’re Different From Animals
When Gloria, a Pulitzer Prize-finalist play by Branden Jacobs-Jenkins currently in its west coast premiere at The Echo Theater Company, begins, it seems like a modern workplace comedy. We meet four 20-somethings, three editorial assistants and an intern, who are dragging their way through another workday at a magazine in New York, dealing with ridiculous … More Theater Review: Gloria at The Echo Theater Company
If you watched only the opening scenes of Forever Bound, a play written by Steve Apostolina now in its world premiere at the Atwater Village Theatre in Los Angeles, you would likely never guess the turns the story eventually takes. Presented by Sankalpa Productions, it is one of those shows that is difficult to discuss … More Theater Review: Forever Bound at the Atwater Village Theatre
Someone stands in front of you with a cat in one hand and a knife in the other, threatening to kill it. What do you say to save the cat? In An Undivided Heart, a co-production of Echo Theater Company and Circle X Theatre Company that opened this past weekend at the Atwater Village Theatre, … More Theater Review: Echo Theater Company and Circle X’s An Undivided Heart
Every family has its secrets, and in an uncertain political climate, precarious situations and relationships that have held on by a thread for years can quickly become threatened. Species Native to California, a new play by Dorothy Fortenberry currently being presented by the IAMA Theatre Company at the Atwater Village Theatre, takes a comedic yet … More Theater Review: IAMA Theatre Company’s Species Native to California
Two teenagers drag two freshly dead corpses into a storage unit. The moment they leave, the corpses sit up and start talking to each other, and it would be like nothing ever happened if not for the gaping bullet wounds in both of their chests. This grisly scene sets the tone for That Long Damn … More Theater Review: Red Cup Theatre Co’s That Long Damn Dark
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
“Punch me.” These are the opening words of Dry Land, the play by Ruby Rae Spiegel currently in its west coast premiere. They are spoken by Amy (Teagan Rose), a high school swimmer, to her new friend and teammate, Ester (Connor Kelly-Eiding) in the locker room. Why does Amy want to be punched, specifically in … More Theater Review: Echo Theater Company’s Dry Land
Considering we humans spend about a third of our lives sleeping, it’s only logical that the lone location for Bed, the world premiere play that opened this weekend in Los Angeles, is, you guessed it—a bed. Written by Sheila Callaghan, directed by Jennifer Chambers, and presented by the Echo Theater Company, Bed examines a dysfunctional relationship over … More Theater Review: Echo Theater Company’s Bed
ON STAGE & SCREEN 