Orange County Theatre Reviews

Musical
Category

August 10, 2022 | Laguna beach, Laguna Playhouse, Musical, Review, Theater, Uncategorized Comments (0) |

Xanadu @ The Laguna Playhouse – Review

(Photo credit: Matthew Saville)

Written by Daniella Litvak

Xanadu began life as a film. The film is remembered for a few things. It was a notorious flop – to the point of inspiring the Razzies. The soundtrack was a worldwide smash. The film starred Olivia Newton-John and Gene Kelly, who turned in good performances in spite of everything, and it was Gene Kelly’s final film role.   In the 2000s, Xanadu was adapted into a successful Broadway musical and scored several Tony nominations. Now it is closing out the Laguna Playhouse’s historic 100th anniversary season. Continue Reading

Read more

July 25, 2022 | Anaheim, Musical, Review, The Chance Theater, Theater, Uncategorized Comments (0) |

Green Day’s American Idiot @ Chance Theater – Review

Photo credit : (Camryn Long & Doug Catiller)

Written by Daniella Litvak

“We are the kids of war and peace/From Anaheim to the Middle East”[1]

A lot has been said about the similarities between the Vietnam War and the Iraq War. One way they differ though is how they impacted popular music. While the Vietnam War spawned a subgenre of protest songs that are highly regarded to this day, the protest songs commenting on the Iraq War are not numerous or as well remembered. Green Day’s 2004 rock opera American Idiot is the exception to the rule. In addition to becoming a commercial and critical success, American Idiot spawned a Broadway musical adaptation of the album, and now it’s playing at the Chance Theater. Continue Reading

Read more

June 22, 2022 | fullerton, Maverick Theatre, Musical, Review, Uncategorized Comments Off on Doobie Doobie Doobie: Reefer Madness @ Maverick Theatre in Fullerton – Review |

Doobie Doobie Doobie: Reefer Madness @ Maverick Theatre in Fullerton – Review

Written by Patrick Chavis

Maverick Theatre’s production of Reefer Madness is a wild, fast-paced, humorous night of song and satirical drug humor – doobie not required. It’s a hilarious show all on its own. Continue Reading

Read more

June 15, 2022 | American Coast Theatre Company, Musical, Review, Uncategorized Comments Off on American Coast Theater Company Presents: The Marvelous Wonderettes @ Vanguard University – Review |

American Coast Theater Company Presents: The Marvelous Wonderettes @ Vanguard University – Review

Written by Patrick Chavis

American Coast Theatre Company presents The Marvelous Wonderettes, a jukebox musical, on the Lyceum Stage at Vanguard University from May 28 through June 26. Continue Reading

Read more

June 6, 2022 | La Mirada Theatre, Masterpiece, Musical, Review, Theater, Uncategorized Comments Off on McCoy Rigby Entertainment presents : In the Heights @ La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts – Review |

McCoy Rigby Entertainment presents : In the Heights @ La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts – Review

(PHOTO CREDIT: TAKE Creative)

Written by Patrick Chavis

Before Hamilton, Lin Manuel Miranda penned In the Heights, a musical that garnered praise in 2008 and won the Tony Award for Best Musical. Under the skillful direction of Benjamin Perez, the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts created a stage masterpiece with their latest offering. It is one of the best shows I’ve seen from this theatre company, and it’s one of the best theatre shows I’ve ever seen. This show has everything: heart, soul, and incredible music. Currently, it’s the best show of the year. Continue Reading

Read more

May 24, 2022 | CSUF, Musical, Thank me later, Theater, Uncategorized, Video Comments Off on Thank me Later : Funny. A Cabaret by Natalie Giannosa |

Thank me Later : Funny. A Cabaret by Natalie Giannosa

Written by Patrick Chavis

Many talented theatre artists from Orange County and Los Angeles slip through the cracks or don’t get the exposure they deserve. So I’m creating these posts to let people know about these artists. I’m calling these “thank me later posts.” Hopefully, this will be the first of many. If you know of anything theatre-related in LA and Orange county that is good but overlooked, please message us and let us know. It might appear as a “thank me later post.”

Continue Reading

Read more