Orange County Theatre Reviews

Musical
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December 31, 2020 | Anaheim, Musical, Review, The Chance Theater, Theater, Uncategorized Comments Off on A Very, Very Chance Holiday Cabaret @ Chance Theater in Anaheim – Review |

A Very, Very Chance Holiday Cabaret @ Chance Theater in Anaheim – Review

Written by Patrick Chavis

A Very, Very Chance Holiday Cabaret is a streamed show full of Holiday Musical performances. The musical performances are split up by the comedic styling of well-known Chance Performers Alex Bueno (Loch Ness) and Matt Takashi (A Charlie Brown Christmas). While some of the songs are quite moving, the choice of mostly slow songs and ballads drags the show quite a bit. If you’re patient enough and can see through the 90’s style video production quality, the show can be quite charming and a throwback in a way. Continue Reading

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November 8, 2019 | Costa Mesa, Musical, Review, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Theater Comments Off on Anastasia The New Broadway Musical @ Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Review |

Anastasia The New Broadway Musical @ Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Review

 (Photo by Matthew Murphy, MurphyMade)

Written by Daniella Litvak 

From the Russian Revolution sprang up a legend — Grand Duchess Anastasia (Little Anastasia played by Delilah Rose Pellow and Eloise Vaynshtok), the youngest daughter of Tsar Nicholas II (Brad Greer) and Tsarina Alexandra (Lucy Horton)— survived the communist takeover and vanished.  Speculation about what happened to her has formed the basis of plays, movies and Anastasia The New Broadway Musical — currently playing at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Continue Reading

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October 28, 2019 | Musical, podcast, Theater, Uncategorized Comments Off on 1st Annual LA Theatre Bites Awards/ 4th Annual Orange Curtain Awards 2019! |

1st Annual LA Theatre Bites Awards/ 4th Annual Orange Curtain Awards 2019!

Hello Orange Curtain readers in conjunction with LA Theatre Bites, here is a list of our favorite shows in Los Angeles and Orange County in 2019.  Continue Reading

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October 5, 2019 | Costa Mesa, Musical, Review, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Uncategorized Comments Off on Miss Saigon @ Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Review |

Miss Saigon @ Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Review

(Photo by Matthew Murphy)

Written by Patrick Chavis

The subject of tragic love has been covered in plays and stories for centuries — think of the iconic example of Shakespeare’s Romeo and Juliet.  Tragic love stories are told and retold because love is such a powerful and all-encompassing topic. Everyone can relate–whether for an object or a person, people search endlessly for some type of love. When told well, stories can show how fragile love can be and how easily it can be taken away.  It’s no surprise these tales strike a chord deep in our hearts. 

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July 17, 2019 | Musical, Review, The Chance Theater, Theater, Uncategorized Comments Off on Ragtime @ Chance Theater – Review |

Ragtime @ Chance Theater – Review

All photos by Doug Catiller, True Image Studio

Written by Patrick Chavis 

American stories, Chinese stories, even Jamaican stories — there are stories that’s don’t just define individuals but define a collective idea, collective identity or at the very least a strongly perceived identity.  Ragtime is a true American story because it explores the collective idea of America, the idea that anyone, no matter where you come from can make it in America.  Not only does it tell this story but the musical also challenges this idea of anyone can make it in America — highlighting the real-life obstacles put against immigrants, people of color, and adherents of different faiths.  To tell a story of this magnitude, any production of Ragtime needs a wide stage and big cast. Continue Reading

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May 10, 2019 | Musical, Review, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Theater, Uncategorized Comments Off on Fiddler on the Roof @ Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Review |

Fiddler on the Roof @ Segerstrom Center for the Arts – Review

(Photo by Joan Marcus)

Written by Patrick Chavis 

When it comes to storytelling there is often overlap with certain themes.  Storytelling doesn’t happen in a bubble. Stories are told by humans, and because of similar life experiences, similar themes pop up in different stories. It’s the nature of the beast.  While watching Fiddler on the Roof at Segerstrom Center for the Performing Arts one of these themes pops up.  The philosophical struggle between tradition and an ever-changing world and how do we cope with it? Fiddler may have one of the most nuanced solutions.

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