THE WAR THAT FOLLOWED HIM HOME Rather than celebrate a legend, Brian Rohan reveals the man still haunted by war At the outset of World War II, Jimmy Stewart (1908–1997) became the first ma…
THE PROOF IS IN THE FAMILY Ed Begley Jr. and daughter Hayden Begley bring David Auburn’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama to the stage for a four-performance benefit supporting Parkinson’s r…
MAN, OH MAN! MANCHESTER IS IN FINE FORM A warm, witty retrospective celebrates fifty years of songs, stories, and an artist still at the top of her game. Regulars at 54 Below may have done a…
ONE MAN, MANY TRUTHS An extraordinary performer turns theatrical self-examination into something unexpectedly profound Stefan Marks is a spellbinding storyteller, and My One Woman Show (The …
A SONDHEIM SUMMER NIGHT Marriott Theatre’s superb ensemble untangles Sondheim’s deliciously complicated comedy of manners There aren’t many shows that can convince large numbers of cit…
LIFE IN A BLENDER A chaotic solo show anchored by an engaging performer. Kelly Mullis‘s solo show Army Brat at the Broadwater Second Stage carries a very accurate subtitle: “The Fever Dr…
THE DREAM TEAM A compelling new play reminds us that history is rarely made alone The American Five, by Chess Jakobs, offers a convincing and absorbing portrayal of Martin Luther King Jr.’…
REACHING FOR MORE An engaging journey, once it finds its rhythm. Based on the 1999 film of the same name, the new musical A Walk on the Moon makes its New York premiere at the Laura Pels The…
THE TIES THAT STRAIN A hurricane traps a family already under siege. S. Asher Gelman’s emotionally gripping new play, The Zionists: A Family Storm, now at Barrington Stage Company in Miami…
WORKING STIFFS An unapologetically bawdy comedy that delivers laughs with plenty of cheek Palm Springs’ Prism Theatre has selected Ronnie Larsen’s Making Porn as its second production fo…
HE’S CLOSER THAN EVER Brent Barrett proves that artistry only deepens with experience There’s a big difference between a great singer and a true veteran of the stage, and Brent Barrett p…
OUT OF TUNE WITH CHEKHOV Chekhov’s quiet desperation is drowned out by one very loud performance What would a season of theater be without a Chekhov play? Or five? Following Red Theater’…
THE PLACES WE CARRY A tender portrait of family, memory, and the ties that survive distance and time. What Became of Us, Shayan Lotfi‘s intimate new play at Signature Theatre, explores ide…
WE’VE ONLY JUST BEGUN… SINGING ALONG Joanne O’Brien celebrates Karen Carpenter with warmth, superb vocals, and a room full of happy fans If you were at CV Rep this past Tuesday night, …
STEP RIGHT UP A criminally underrated musical proves there’s more under the big top than spectacle Water for Elephants, based on the novel by Sara Gruen, premiered on Broadway in March 202…
READY, SET, SPONGE! A colorful musical that’s tailor-made for kids and SpongeBob devotees SpongeBob SquarePants debuted on Nickelodeon in 1999 and was a quick success, becoming a must-watc…
THE STARS WERE HERE ALL ALONG A celebration of the musicians who make the LA Phil extraordinary If you come to the LA Phil often enough, you’ll begin to recognize the individual players. N…
ABSURDLY EVER AFTER A turtle and a snail walk into a war… Igor Golyak, director of Arlekin Players Theatre‘s Delirium, has never seen a production of Eugène Ionesco’s Frenzy for Two (…
NEW YORK, NEW YORK… AGAIN After the success of Oklahoma!, Carnegie Hall launches a five-year celebration of classic American musicals. After the sold-out success of Oklahoma! earlier this …
A RING BROKEN OUT OF SHAPE A misguided presentation undermines Wagner’s masterpiece and Gustavo Dudamel’s farewell-season ambitions The Los Angeles Philharmonic’s presentation of Richa…
WAR OF THE ROSES, BLOOMING AGAIN Five hours fly by in this gripping, emotionally rich adaptation. William Shakespeare is generally considered one of the greatest playwrights the world has ev…
BURNED BY AMBITION Sometimes the bravest artistic choice is asking for help. In Theft of Fire, Garrett Hildebrandt is presentable, well-spoken, talented, and smart. However, he’s not as ta…
SUCKING FACE Chemistry, comedy, and a little bloodlust make for an irresistible evening. Is there a quality more indefinable and unpredictable than the chemistry between two people, whether …
FROM BARK TO HEART A barking-dog complaint grows into something far more interesting I have been a fan of Richard Lucas since I reviewed his short, humorous, autobiographical novel The Dog L…
SPEAK SOFTLY AND CARRY A BIG SONG Megan Carmitchel delivers a knockout performance in Backyard Renaissance’s latest gem During a recent move, I handed down dozens of DVDs. One I couldn’t…