Orange County Theatre Reviews

Musical, Newport Beach, Newport Theatre Arts Center, Review, Uncategorized Comments Off on You’re Trapped Underground! : Floyd Collins The Musical @ Newport Theatre Arts Center in Newport Beach – Review |

You’re Trapped Underground! : Floyd Collins The Musical @ Newport Theatre Arts Center in Newport Beach – Review

(photo credit: Ron Yee)

Written by Scotty Keister 

Spelunking, or the exploring of caves, seems to be an odd topic for a stage musical. Floyd Collins, based on the true story of a Kentucky man stuck underground for seventeen days in 1925, proves a little too odd to be a complete success. The musical, now running at the Newport Theater Arts Center, is a handsomely produced show featuring a remarkable set design and solid performances, but there is something missing in the play itself. Continue Reading

Read more

fullerton, Maverick Theatre, Review, Theater, Uncategorized Comments Off on Twist, Pull, Smoke: The Horror of Life After War @ Maverick Theatre – Review |

Twist, Pull, Smoke: The Horror of Life After War @ Maverick Theatre – Review

Written by Scotty Keister 

In the film Patton, George C. Scott (as Patton) while touring an army medical tent famously smacks a GI in the head. The soldier is recovering from what was then called “shell shock” and Patton thinks he’s just malingering. In the military it was generally considered that having an emotional or nervous reaction to anything in war was simply weakness. Psychology has come a long way since then and Post Traumatic Stress Disorder (PTSD) is now widely recognized as a serious result of combat, frequently resulting in suicide. As of 2016, suicides by veterans were averaging 6,000 per year. The VA has now made suicide prevention its highest priority. Continue Reading

Read more

Huntington Beach, Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts, Musical, Review, Theater, Uncategorized Comments Off on The Phantom of the Opera @ Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts – Review |

The Phantom of the Opera @ Huntington Beach Academy for the Performing Arts – Review

Written by Daniella Litvak

Andrew Lloyd Webber’s The Phantom of the Opera (“Phantom”) isn’t just a musical — it’s the musical.  Famous for its dramatic score, elaborate costuming and stage design, iconic title character, and for being the longest running show in Broadway history, Phantom is the musical all other musicals measure itself against.  Seeing a performance is considered a must for any musical theater fan. Continue Reading

Read more

fullerton, Review, Stagestheatre, Theater, Uncategorized Comments Off on World Premiere: Suprema @ STAGEStheatre in Fullerton – Review |

World Premiere: Suprema @ STAGEStheatre in Fullerton – Review

Written by Patrick Chavis 

Wonder Woman is one of most famous superheroes ever created-and most likely the most famous female superhero ever created. The movie Wonder Woman that came out in 2017 broke records. The Amazon from Themyscira is an iconic comic female character in an art form that used to be completely dominated by men. In the new farce playing at STAGEStheatre Suprema, the domination is definitely coming from the women. As we explore the life of William Marston and his wives/collaborators in the most ridiculous situations. Continue Reading

Read more

fullerton, Review, Stagestheatre, Theater, Uncategorized Comments Off on Maple and Vine @ STAGEStheatre In Fullerton- Review |

Maple and Vine @ STAGEStheatre In Fullerton- Review

Written by Patrick Chavis 

There’s science fiction –stories set in the future depicting what humans might do or where they might someday go. Then we also have historical narratives, which explore what happened in humanity’s past. In Maple and Vine we sort of have a combination of both genres.  The characters are frustrated with modern living and explore the possibilities of living a simpler 1950s-like lifestyle in a private community.   Continue Reading

Read more

Costa Mesa, Review, South Coast Repertory, Theater, Uncategorized Comments Off on Life Under A Microscope : Photograph 51 @ South Coast Repertory – Review |

Life Under A Microscope : Photograph 51 @ South Coast Repertory – Review

(Photo by Jordan Kubat/SCR)

Written by Patrick Chavis 

Photograph 51, a production currently at the South Coast Repertory, approaches the autobiographical drama in a new and innovative way.  While the audience puts Rosalind Franklin’s life under a microscope, Franklin uses a lens as well in her — groundbreaking — work of discovering the structure of DNA in this sophisticated meta-narrative. Continue Reading

Read more