Written by Patrick Chavis
American Coast Theatre Company presents The Marvelous Wonderettes, a jukebox musical, on the Lyceum Stage at Vanguard University from May 28 through June 26. Continue Reading
Interview with Writer/Director Vanda Egginton creator of The Beat Goes On @ Vanguard University in Costa Mesa
An interview with Vanda Eggington creator of Boomers, American Rhythm, and Love Makes the World Go ’Round. We will be talking about her latest project present by The American Coast Theatre Company: The Beat Goes On a Rock and Roll road trip through the last half of the 20th Century with stops in small town malt shops, sunny California beaches, mirror ball disco halls, and MTV studio extravaganzas.Â
June 2nd- July 30th
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Hamlet Goes Gangster : American Coast Theater Company Presents Hamlet @ Vanguard University in Costa Mesa – Review
(Photo courtesy: Susie Sprinkel Hudson)
Written by Alina Mae WilsonÂ
Many, if not most leading characters in successful fiction today have qualities that endear them to the viewer, making them desirable as friends, lovers, or both. Â But before there was all that nonsense about actually liking the star, there was someone else–there was Hamlet. Â An angst-filled Danish prince forever brooding about his castle, Hamlet is often described with words like “depressed,” “whiny,” and “cowardly.” As a result, he has often been the target of viewers’/readers’ scorn, derision, and annoyance. Â In contrast, is the portrayal from American Coast Theater Company’s Hamlet. Â The young prince here is heavily sarcastic, bitter, and volatile. He is not likable or sympathetic, but he has a strange energy to keep you hooked. Â Continue Reading
American Coast Theatre Company: Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead @ Vanguard University in Costa Mesa – Review
Written by Erin TobinÂ
The play’s the thing at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa.  Well actually no, it’s two plays that are the thing. From June 3– July 3, the American Coast Theater Company will be performing William Shakespeare’s classic tragedy about a conflicted Danish prince and his struggle to avenge his father’s death. In conjunction with Hamlet, the company will also be presenting Tom Stoppard’s less well-known tale about Hamlet’s old college chums, Rosencrantz and Guildenstern Are Dead.
OCR TALK #5 James McHale & Lola Kelly on Hamlet/Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead
Interview with James McHale (associate artistic director) who plays Hamlet and Lola Kelly (Miss Julie at SCR, and The Grinder on FOX ) who’s playing Ophelia. In the upcoming play of Hamlet going side by side with a showing of Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead at Vanguard University in Costa Mesa.  If you like this show please let us know in the comments. Continue Reading
American Coast Theatre Company presents : Always A Bridesmaid @ Vanguard University – Review
Photo courtesy: Susie Sprinkel HudsonÂ
Written by Daniella Litvak
It’s not summer until you’ve eaten a barbecue, gone to the beach, or attended a wedding. Luckily, “Always A Bridesmaid” by American Coast Theatre Company invites you to four weddings. During their high school prom, we meet Libby Ruth (Susan K. Berkompas), Deedra (Maria Cominis), Charlie (Vanda Eggington), and Monette (Deborah Marley), who are four best friends making a pact to be bridesmaids at each other’s weddings. Time passes, and now they have to make good on their promise –over and over again.
The plot is just an excuse to get four friends together in a room and let them engage in snark-to-snark combat while wearing ridiculous bridesmaid dresses before the impending nuptials occur. The downside of this repetitiveness is that the few times “Always A Bridesmaid” tries to discuss something seriously, it feels shoehorned in. The instance that sticks out is Libby Ruth’s fear that her daughter won’t find love. While the first scene is necessary to establish characters, tone, and a normal atmosphere to heighten the contrast with later wackiness, the scene could be trimmed down a fair bit to make the story tighter. The upside is the show stuffs itself with great one-liners and banter, which makes for a fun viewing experience. Continue Reading
