“When you think of Paris, what comes to mind?” This question, posed somewhat oddly to the audience, sets the tone for An American in Paris, the musical adaptation of the 1951 film of the same name now playing at the Pantages Theatre in Hollywood. While it is a bit off-putting to hear audience members shouting … More Theater Review: An American in Paris at the Pantages Theatre
In the middle of act one of Disinherit the Wind, now playing at The Complex in Hollywood, something rather unusual is asked of the audience. The main character, Bertram Cates (portrayed by the playwright, Matt Chait) leads everyone in the room, actors and patrons alike, in a brief meditation. Out of context, this sounds ridiculously … More Theater Review: Disinherit the Wind at The Complex
Second star to the right and straight on ’til morning… Peter Pan is an iconic story, and the musical adaptation of Finding Neverland, currently playing at the Pantages Theatre in Los Angeles, tells but one iteration. Based on the 2004 movie of the same name, Finding Neverland follows the story of playwright J.M. Barrie and his … More Theater Review: Finding Neverland at the Pantages
Cathy stands center stage, in the spotlight, singing at yet another audition. That is, until Jamie wordlessly steps in front of her and sits on a stool to begin reading from his novel. Cathy, her spotlight now literally and figuratively occupied by her more successful husband, silently retreats, defeated once again. This stunningly symbolic directorial … More Theater Review: The Last 5 Years at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts
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
The human brain is a powerful and fascinating thing. In Plasticity, a world premiere play written by Alex Lyras and Robert McCaskill, a man in a coma struggles to become conscious again, all while his family and friends are forced to make difficult decisions regarding his life and future. The play begins with adventure-seeker David … More Theater Review: Plasticity at the Hudson Guild Theatre
In the opening scene of The Found Dog Ribbon Dance, a world premiere play by Dominic Finocchiaro currently being presented by the Echo Theater Company, a man wearing a Lucha mask uses a webcam to record himself dancing, with ribbons, of course, to “I Wanna Dance With Somebody” by Whitney Houston. This quirky moment sets … More Theater Review: Echo Theater Company’s Found Dog Ribbon Dance
You’re probably familiar with the story of Swan Lake—a beautiful princess is turned into a swan as the result of an evil sorcerer’s curse. Originally written as a ballet by Tchaikovsky, the story has been newly reconceived as a musical. Written by Peter Seibert (music, co-book) and Patrick Lundquist (lyrics, co-book), it came to life … More Theater Review: Swan Lake the Musical in Concert
In 1981, audiences weren’t ready for Merrily We Roll Along. Directed by Hal Prince with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim, the musical was highly anticipated…until it became a flop with critics and audiences, closing just 16 performances after opening night. Now rarely produced but currently playing in Los Angeles in a stellar production at the … More Theater Review: Merrily We Roll Along at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts
“Whether you like it or not…Hedwig!” LA’s Pantages Theatre is the latest home of the national tour of Hedwig and the Angry Inch, a rock musical that grips your attention in its first minutes and never lets go. With music and lyrics by Stephen Trask and a book by John Cameron Mitchell, Hedwig premiered Off-Broadway … More Theater Review: Hedwig and the Angry Inch at the Pantages
ON STAGE & SCREEN 