Before Hamilton came along, there was another modern musical that took the world by storm, achieving rare crossover appeal with both theater and mainstream audiences and earning a place in the pop culture zeitgeist. That musical was The Book of Mormon, which premiered on Broadway in 2011, is still playing to sold-out New York audiences … More Theater Review: The Book of Mormon at the Pantages
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
“Um, actually.” These seemingly innocuous words are critical to the events of the aptly named Actually, a new play by Anna Ziegler currently playing at the Geffen Playhouse in Los Angeles in a co-world premiere with the Williamstown Theatre Festival. Actually is a smartly written—although sometimes unfocused—thought-provoking examination of the campus rape epidemic that emphasizes fleshing … More Theater Review: Actually at the Geffen Playhouse
Not many musicals literally start with a bang. In the case of The Bodyguard: the Musical, now playing at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles, an opening gunshot was both very startling and pretty effective at getting the stragglers to settle into their seats. Featuring music by Whitney Houston (as well as songs written … More Theater Review: The Bodyguard at the Pantages
Both in theater and in life, things are often not what they seem to be. The power of perspective is a strong influence in Kiss, a play by Guillermo Calderón currently in its west coast premiere at the Odyssey Theatre. Set in Damascus, Syria in 2014, this surprisingly political play has many layers to discover … More Theater Review: Kiss at the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble
Are there any opening notes in musical theater more iconic and instantly recognizable than those of West Side Story? No matter the iteration, the story and music are classic enough to have endured the test of time, resulting in a rare musical where you can hear a ripple of excitement in the audience at the … More Theater Review: West Side Story at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
In a typical suburban home, a woman folds laundry—a young child’s clothes—as she chats with her sister. It’s all typical enough until the sister hesitantly reveals she is pregnant. As we quickly learn, this is a difficult and loaded topic because her nephew, the woman’s child, was recently killed in a tragic accident. Rabbit Hole … More Theater Review: Rabbit Hole at the Lounge Theatre
When you enter the Fountain Theatre to see Building the Wall, the set that greets you is simple. A classic interrogation room of sorts—a table with a pitcher of water and two glasses on it, two chairs, and a mirror. A mirror that hangs in such a way so if you are seated in the center … More Theater Review: Building the Wall at the Fountain Theatre
The set-up is a tale as old as time—seven gifted prep school seniors with the weight of the world on their shoulders spend a lot of time hanging out, stressing out, and making out in the library, their haunt of choice. In Punk Rock, a play written by Tony Award-winner Simon Stephens now in its Los … More Theater Review: Punk Rock at the Odyssey Theatre Ensemble
“What is the victory of a cat on a hot tin roof?” While the cat’s case is less clear, there are many victories to be found in Antaeus Theatre Company’s take on the Pulitzer Prize-winning Tennessee Williams classic Cat on a Hot Tin Roof, which marks the inaugural production at their beautiful new home, the Kiki … More Theater Review: Antaeus Theatre Company’s Cat on a Hot Tin Roof
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