Laguna Playhouse Youth Theatre Presents : Romeo & Juliet @ The Laguna Playhouse in Laguna Beach – Review
Reaches For The Stars & Grabs It : Abundance @ South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa – Review
Alina Mae Wilson

Photo Courtesy : Debora Robinson South Coast Repertory Lily Holleman (Bess Johnson) Paige Lindsey White (Macon Hill)
Every once in a while you come across a show that causes you to feel a genuine emotional investment. It is the type of show that speaks the truth about human nature without being totally grim and allows us as viewers to feel for and understand each of the characters onstage. A show like this makes us want good things to happen for these people onstage because the people we are watching are us. They are every person at their best and worst moments in life. And as in life, a show like this keeps us guessing. Abundance at South Coast Repertory is one of these shows. Continue Reading
Bickering Royalty : The Lion In Winter @ Costa Mesa Playhouse in Costa Mesa – Review
Written by Alina Mae Wilson
New way, new day, new play—new things abound. I had not seen this play before. Although the name is something I’ve heard often enough. Costa Mesa Playhouse is currently running The Lion in Winter –an impressive title if ever there was one. (The Chronicles of Narnia can just step aside because the war of the titles is over). The storyline is about a king and his captive queen living in a castle while their three sons argue and scheme to inherit the throne. It’s a basic story with what turns out to be some great characters, but the acting is not as impressive.
Fetus’s Day Out : Samsara @ The Chance Theater in Anaheim – Review
Written by Alina Mae Wilson
Samsara: the cycle of death and rebirth to which life in the material world is bound.

Courtesy: Chance Theatre
Consider a scenario where an American couple hires a surrogate to carry their child to term, and the unborn have a say in the matter. The witty fetus peppers the woman, carrying him with questions about the world while his parents-to-be prepare for his arrival psychologically and emotionally. You now have the premise for the Chance Theater’s newest show Samsara. Fascinating on the surface, Samsara just isn’t that bold or innovative when you dig deeper inside.
A Christmas Carol @ South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa – Review

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