Chance Theater’s Stripped-Down Ragtime Resonates
It’s ridiculous to think a 21-year-old musical based on a 1975 novel set in the first decade of the 20th century was ahead of its time. It’s about as ridiculous as giving the musical treatment to E.L....
View ArticleWyn Moreno’s Strong Arm Is Like Chekhov, But Not
Don’t be intimidated by the small type on the program of Wyn Moreno’s play Strong Arm, receiving its world premiere courtesy of the Wayward Artist. Yes, it says “based” on The Seagull by Anton Chekhov,...
View ArticleShakespeare OC and Santa Ana College Present Unexpectedly Timely Zoot Suit
Someday, maybe Luis Valdez’s 1978 play Zoot Suit will be treated with the humble reverence and respect afforded any museum piece, as something that was groundbreaking and pioneering in its time, but...
View ArticleOC-Centric, Other New Local Plays Take Center Stage at OC Theaters
Call it an explosion, a trend, a coincidence or a conspiracy, but something is up with new plays by local playwrights this summer. By the end of September, 15 new or at least original plays by local...
View ArticleA Woman Inspiring Women Leads to County’s First All-Female Playwrighting...
Once that big light goes off and we move on to wherever, or don’t, the best most of us can hope for is a kindly remembrance or two. Rare are those who inspire others after they’re gone. Count Peggy...
View ArticleWhat to See Onstage This Fall
Mid-September may seem a little late for a fall preview, but considering the only F-word this time of year in a dominant chaparral biome like these parts is fire, not fall, you should stop complaining....
View ArticleCanto de Anaheim Presents a More Truthful Look at a City’s History
The ghosts are back in Sara Guerrero’s home. It’s not like she didn’t appreciate them. She may never have finished Canto de Anaheim without them. But when the play opened Aug. 31 in the title city’s...
View ArticleMonsters Are Everywhere—Even Inside Us
There is one positive in turning an ancient ritual of remembrance and rebirth into an ejaculation of consumerism second only to the monstrosity that looms 55 days later: its broad appeal. Because...
View ArticleFood and Feelings Fuel Julia Cho’s Aubergine at South Coast Repertory
If talking and reading about food, watching shows about it, and, of course, eating it, is your great passion, you will probably love Julia Cho’s play Aubergine. However, if your take on food is more...
View ArticleHow I Learned to Stop Hating the French and (Kind of) Tolerate One French Play
This review (what there is of it) is filled with venom and rancor. For it is a review of a play written by a French person. And the French are awful. The French are awful because earlier this year,...
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