(photo credit: Amy Gettys)
A Bronx Tale, the musical loosely based on actor Chazz Palminteri’s life growing up in the Bronx during the 1960s, had its Southern California premiere at the Stage Door Repertory in Anaheim. Stage Door’s production lacks the tightness and finesses a stripped-down musical version like A Bronx Tale needs. Even die-hard fans would have trouble rekindling old memories from the film or the original play that inspired it. Continue Reading
( Photo credit: Francis Gacad )
I had the pleasure of seeing the world premiere of this play at the Geffen Playhouse about five years ago in 2017. At the time, I was impressed with the frank language and impressively drawn characters. What I didn’t know at the time was how well this story would age. It has aged like a fine wine, and it’s a warning about judging cases like this too rashly. Continue Reading
(photo credit: Stephanie Noel Garrison)
You know how Game of Thrones has been described as The Sopranos meets Middle Earth and Breaking Bad as Goodbye, Mr. Chips meets Scarface? If I had to play that game with Dancing at Lughnasa, I would say it is Pride and Prejudice meets Angela’s Ashes. Continue Reading
Almost, Maine — playing at Cypress College — explores various forms of love during a snowy night in an imaginary town in Maine. The play echoes the romantic comedy film Love Actually that preceded it in 2003 but forges a unique path under the dark melancholy lights of the north. Continue Reading
(photo credit: Jenny Graham)
The Civil Rights movement has been captured in numerous plays, films, and media throughout the decades with various levels of quality and production. South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa has produced a stunningly unique and heartfelt production of Nina Simone: Four Women that lets the audience explore the late singer’s psyche and the diverse experiences and views of Black women during the era. Continue Reading
(Photo credit: Doug Catiller, True Image Studio)
Pro-wrestling and theatre. When you think about it, it’s not a weird combination. Isn’t pro-wrestling recycled theatre with jocks? The stage is the wrestling ring, and the script determines the outcome. The only things that change are the characters (wrestlers), the storyline, and the performance. The Chance Theatre puts on a spectacle with the pro-wrestling satire The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity. Continue Reading
