Orange County Theatre Reviews

December, 2014
Archive

December 31, 2014 | Musical, Musical Theatre Village, Review, Uncategorized Comments Off on Christmas Carol @ Musical Theatre Village in Irvine – Review |

Christmas Carol @ Musical Theatre Village in Irvine – Review

Written by Patrick Chavis

Christmas time is over, but that doesn’t stop the influx of Christmas plays, especially that Classic Charles Dickson play, A Christmas Carol (we reviewed three this year but couldn’t make them all). I’ve seen the movies, the plays, and the Christmas straight-to-TV versions. There is no shortage of creative versions here. Musical Theatre Villages version, ‘Scrooge,’ is a welcome addition to the ever-growing lexicon of Christmas Carol adaptions. With catchy music, exceptional performances by a few, and a fun-filled laid back spirit, this a perfect show for the entire family. Continue Reading

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December 31, 2014 | Anaheim, Garden Grove, Gem Theater, Gypsy, Review, Santa Ana, South Coast Repertory, The Chance Theater, Theater, Uncategorized Comments (4) |

Top 5 Best Theatre Shows in Orange County 2014!

Graham Hamilton and Jaimi Paige in South Coast Repertory's 2014

Graham Hamilton and Jaimi Paige in South Coast Repertory’s 2014

 1# Venus & Fur –  South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa

Click to read Review  Continue Reading

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December 25, 2014 | Behind The Orange Curtain, Uncategorized Comments (2) |

OC Theatre : A Tale of Loss & Success – Behind the Orange Curtain with Scott Keister #2

IMG_1025_100dpi 2Written by Scott Keister 

Like many of us in the OC, local theaters are often forced to seek out new nests for any number of reasons. Sometimes they sadly become homeless and fall away into the abyss, and sometimes they move on to bigger and brighter homes. Continue Reading

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December 21, 2014 | Costa Mesa, Review, South Coast Repertory, Theater, Uncategorized Comments (3) |

A Christmas Carol @ South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa – Review

The cast of South Coast Repertory's 2013 production of A CHRISTM

photo courtesy: South Coast Repertory

Written by Alina Mae Wilson 

What exactly makes a story and show stand the test of time? The obvious challenge in answering this question stems from the fact that each show is different and therefore entertains its audience in another way. In the case of Charles Dickens’s A Christmas Carol, the more arguable answer is the continued relevancy of the main character’s journey. South Coast Repertory’s newest presentation of this iconic tale lives up to theatergoers’ expectations in most ways, bringing the play to you with visual beauty and convincing acting. Continue Reading

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December 19, 2014 | Anaheim, Musical, Review, The Chance Theater, Uncategorized Comments Off on She Loves Me @ The Chance Theater in Anaheim – Review |

She Loves Me @ The Chance Theater in Anaheim – Review

All photos by Doug Catiller, True Image Studio

All photos by Doug Catiller, True Image Studio

Written by Alina Mae Wilson 

Welcome to the original “You’ve Got Mail.”  Oddly enough, I had no idea going into this show that is what it is, but there you have it: You’ve Got Mail is set in Hungary in the 1930s.  And infinitely worthy of so much more recognition than that–this is one of the classier and more enjoyable romantic shows I have seen in years. However, I am confident this can be attributed more to the songs’ peppiness than to the script’s originality. Continue Reading

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December 18, 2014 | fullerton, Review, Stagestheatre, Theater, Uncategorized Comments Off on It’s A Wonderful Life : A Live Radio Play @ STAGEStheatre in Fullerton – Review |

It’s A Wonderful Life : A Live Radio Play @ STAGEStheatre in Fullerton – Review

SONY DSC

Photo Courtesy: StagesTheatre

 Written by Patrick Chavis 

It’s A Wonderful Life: A Live Radio Play at STAGE theatre in Fullerton hits all the right Christmas-y notes, and something new is added to the classic story– but the fact that the show is more of a history lesson than a staged play leaves the audience a little detached from the heart of the story. Continue Reading

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