Tag archive for ‘Theatre Reviews’
Home Is Where the Heart Is … in Finding the Burnett Heart
Playwright Paul Elliott’s inspiration for Finding the Burnett Heart came when his mother passed away, and he remembers how his old school, “take charge” father moved in. “He was somewhat of a dictator, from the word go…” where no family member would dare challenge or debate him … til Elliott’s precocious 8-year-old daughter was courageous [...]
Visceral Company Presents The Turn of the Screw in Hollywood
The Turn of the Screw is Jeffrey Hatcher’s creepy and clever adaptation of Henry James’ horrifying classic that weaves a tale using only two actors, yet with multiple characters, minimal costuming, and no props. The Visceral Company specializes in productions with dark themes and this proved to be an interesting pick of a one act [...]
I had a busy weekend. I caught two productions to tell you about …
And spent Sunday afternoon with my family devouring way too much food, at The Smokehouse brunch! (A Mother’s Day “must”!) Songs for a New World A musical play with no spoken dialogue, that tells its tale in about a dozen and a half soul searching songs … the storyline is undeniably thin, but the overall [...]
Moon over Buffalo Celebrates Passion
Group Rep Theatre’s production of Ken Ludwig’s Moon over Buffalo highlights the lovely but loco world of the theatre through charming whimsy and fine performances. The show combines action, one-liners, and romance in a farce of theatrical proportions. The struggling Hays (Chris Winfield and Suzy London) perform “hack versions of popular theater classics” to pay [...]
Synesthesia Celebrates Artistic Process
Webster’s Dictionary defines synesthesia as a subjective sensation other than the one being experienced. The stage production of Synesthesia highlights subjective performances, artfully blending eight differing artistic mediums to create a unique evening of theater, one celebrating the artistic process. Synesthesia begins with one artist choosing a fortune cookie, and then creating a solo work [...]
I only caught one production on the weekend
But it was so unusual, eye appealing, and multi-faceted … that I hope I can do it justice in my review…. Sleeping Ugly – A World Premiere A hilariously touching, insanely unique theatrical “adult fairy tale” … this ambitiously creative offering is unlike any I’ve ever seen! More of a “performance art piece” with a [...]
Songs and Smiles in Hollywood’s Got Talent
Children’s musical theater is alive and well, and indeed thriving and growing, as evidenced by Joanne Mosconi’s production of Hollywood’s Got Talent, recently showcased at the Magic Mirror Theatre in NoHo. As a vibrant, beautiful young actress/vocalist in progress introduced the show, she encouraged the enthusiastic audience of parents, supporters, and theater community to “Smile, [...]
Collaborative Artists Ensemble Presents The Square Root of Wonderful
The Square Root of Wonderful is one of only two plays written by Southern Gothic writer Carson McCullers and the only one written directly for the stage. The Collaborative Artists Ensemble is presenting this hidden gem currently staging at the Raven. At points, McCullers’ words are thoughtful and beautiful and somewhat autobiographical. In The Square [...]
Janie Steele & Pacific Electric Band Are Eclectic at St. Charles Festival
Janie Steele & Pacific Electric entertained the crowd at last weekend’s St. Charles Festival in North Hollywood by playing an eclectic range of music. The energetic crowd enjoyed the band’s vast list of songs drawing from Classic Rock, Swing, Tango, Easy Listening, and Country Western — something for everyone in the rollicking two hour set. [...]
Sophia Dishes Romance
A cross between romantic comedy and Laugh-In, Write Act Repertory’s presentation of Sophia explores a romantic relationship through songs and skits. Featuring fine performances and hilarious one-liners, the production examines the pursuit of love in often bawdy ways. Set in the swinging days of the mid-1960s, Sophia tells the story of a beautiful, intelligent, but [...]
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