Orange County Theatre Reviews

February, 2019
Archive

February 22, 2019 | News, Press Releases, Uncategorized Comments Off on Old Acquaintances @ Westminster Community Playhouse March 8 – March 25 |

Old Acquaintances @ Westminster Community Playhouse March 8 – March 25

A delightfully witty play about two childhood best friends who are now dealing with success and love on their own terms. Both well-known authors; one a critical darling and the other a prolific bestseller. No nonsense gal Katharine “Kit” Markham, is currently working on her latest novel and carrying on a steamy love affair with a younger man. While the other; a meddling divorcee, Mildred Drake is refusing to loosen her overbearing claws on her free-spirited daughter Deirdre and struggles with a deep hidden jealously of Kit.

Once a 1943 film by the same name with stars Bette Davis, Miriam Hopkins and Gig Young; WCP brings you another Hollywood Classic that tackles the boundaries of friendship and true meaning behind the word “frenemy”.

Spotlighting the talents of:

Kimberly Wooldridge, Maria O’Connor, Grace O’Neill, Jeremy Krasovic, Rick Werblin, Laurie Robbins, Tamra Talbert

March 8 – March 25

 

 

 

Address: 7272 Maple St, Westminster, CA 92683
Phone: (714) 893-8626

(Paid by Brandon Ferruccio) 

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February 17, 2019 | Anaheim, Musical, Review, The Chance Theater, Uncategorized Comments Off on Rockin’ Lizzie Borden : Lizzie The Musical @ Chance Theater – Review |

Rockin’ Lizzie Borden : Lizzie The Musical @ Chance Theater – Review

Written by Patrick Chavis 

(All photos by Doug Catiller, True Image Studio)

“Lizzie Borden took an axe
And gave her mother forty whacks.
When she saw what she had done,
She gave her father forty-one.”  -anonymous

I had heard of Lizzie Borden before this production and previously listened to the folk rhyme I posted at the top of this article. However, that was the extent of my Lizzie Borden knowledge. While I know a little more now after watching the show, I wouldn’t say Lizzie the Musical is the place to satisfy your itch for accurate history. What I would say is this: unlike Rent, a rock musical with lots of theatricalities and some rock thrown in, the Lizzie production at the Chance Theater felt like a rock concert with a small dose of theatricality thrown in — but most importantly — it does ROCK!!!

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February 15, 2019 | fullerton, Maverick Theatre, Review, Theater, Uncategorized Comments Off on King Kong @ The Maverick Theatre in Fullerton – Review |

King Kong @ The Maverick Theatre in Fullerton – Review

Written by Alina Mae wilson 

I’ve not seen the old movies, the new movies, nary a graphic novel nor a review about the famed beast have I laid eyes upon–until now.  Ladies and gentlemen, I have been to the Maverick Theater in Fullerton, where I have feasted my eyes on The Eighth Wonder of the World King Kong! And I am so glad I did, it was actually a lot of fun. Continue Reading

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February 11, 2019 | Camino Real Playhouse, Review, Theater, Uncategorized Comments Off on Wait Until Dark @ Camino Real Playhouse in San Juan Capistrano – Review |

Wait Until Dark @ Camino Real Playhouse in San Juan Capistrano – Review

Written by Daniella Litvak 

A common complaint about movies and tv shows these days is that they devolve into overindulgent CGI-fests.  Sure, entire galaxies could be at stake or an endless horde of zombies could overrun humanity, but sometimes when the scope is so broad and the images are so over the top, the ability to connect with the story on an emotional level is lost.  Theater in general, and plays like Wait Until Dark in particular, are a great reminder of how stories with smaller stakes and more intimate settings can be far more intense than any blockbuster.     Continue Reading

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February 7, 2019 | Costa Mesa, Musical, Review, Segerstrom Center for the Arts, Uncategorized Comments Off on Canada Rocks : Come From Away @ Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa – Review |

Canada Rocks : Come From Away @ Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa – Review

Written by Patrick Chavis 

Even though Come From Away is set against the tragic backdrop of 9/11, it focuses more on the tension, feelings, and emotions of the time — as opposed to a more strait-laced recap of the period. The characters we see stranded in Canada remind us of the pain felt by all Americans at home and abroad alike. Yet even in tragedy, the characters were about to find a silver lining.   Continue Reading

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February 6, 2019 | interview, Lake Forest, Modjeska Playhouse, News, Uncategorized Comments Off on The Boys of Modjeska : The Modjeska Playhouse Story |

The Boys of Modjeska : The Modjeska Playhouse Story

(photo credit Patrick Chavis)

Written by Patrick Chavis 

A few years ago, I met up with two of the founders of Modjeska Playhouse, Christopher Sullivan and Joshua Stecker. In the interview below, we discussed the founders’ history and how they decided to start the challenging — especially in an area with very little theatre presence — endeavor of creating a theatre. Even now the Modjeska Playhouse stands as the only performing arts theatre in the city of Lake Forest.  Despite these challenges, the Modjeska Playhouse has consistently released a wide variety of scripted and unscripted shows for Lake Forest and the surrounding communities.  Continue Reading

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