First of all, it’s great to see the Open Fist in production once again at the Atwater Village Theatre. It has been a long hiatus since reviewing “Rorschach Fest—Inkblot A: Ghosts” back on March 7, 2020. This bold, venerable company always comes up with unique shows. This time out it’s an hour long one-acter by … Continue reading “The Soldier Dreams” at Open Fist Theatre Company
Chiara Atik’s new play, Poor Clare, is an astonishing new piece of theatre. Not knowing what to expect, save for it being based on the famous saint, I was amazed to hear the characters spouting modern vernacular such as might be heard in a high school. Is it funny? Oh yes! Is it a good … Continue reading “Poor Clare” at Echo Theater Company
As a boy from a small rural town in Minnesota, I have had so much to learn. It would take a thick bound tome to write the autobiography, not that anyone would ever care to read it. Along the way I became aware of the blues. As a teenager, I bought a double album of … Continue reading “Blues in the Night” at International City Theatre
Ascension. Photo by Ahmed Best Interactive theatrical productions, where audience members are asked to participate, are a risky business. Some audience members may be shy, others too outspoken. This is not like a performer who may go out into the audience or might address an audience member. The great Irish performer, Pat Kinevane, often jollies … Continue reading “Ascension” at Echo Theater Company
With a big nod to Graham Greene’s Our Man in Havana, Mark Wilding’s Our Man in Santiago, set in 1973, is a black comedy send-up that features a low-level CIA operative, Daniel Baker (Nick McDow Musleh), flown in to Santiago, Chile, to assist in the take down of that country’s duly elected president, Salvador Allende, … Continue reading “Our Man in Santiago” at Theatre West
There are all kinds of solo performances. Some are musical, some are comedic, some dramatic. It takes a certain bravery to undertake the endeavor. A few I have seen were ill-conceived, an embarrassment with friends of the performer cheering them on. Others are okay, mildly entertaining, enough to give it a positive review. Some others … Continue reading “The Wolfe & The Bird” at The Matrix Theatre
Neil Simon’s London Suite, now playing at The Group Rep, follows the schemes of his previous plays, California Suite and Plaza Suite, in which four short plays are presented in two acts all in the same hotel. The comedic styles range in forms and situations from brittle humor at the outset to outrageous slapstick at … Continue reading ‘London Suite” at The Group Rep
The title above is misleading. You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown is performed outdoors at nearby Sierra Madre Memorial Park. And it is great to be in the company of happy adults and children outdoors under the sky with covid protocols observed. You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown has been around for along time, having … Continue reading “You’re a Good Man, Charlie Brown” at Sierra Madre Playhouse
With the horror of Afghanistan and the Taliban going on as I write, I am slinking towards the twentieth anniversary of 9/11. I will never forget coming into work and watching the damage to the Twin Towers and then the horror as the buildings, where I had once stood atop, where Phillipe Petit danced on … Continue reading “Closely Related Keys” at International City Theatre
After the doors close at Theatricum Botanicum, Leandro Cano comes on and gives a “curtain speech” in front of the stage addressing the audience as “The Playwright.” Like the Stage Manager in Our Town, he sets the scene— the town of Fillmore in Ventura County, which has a motto: “The Last, Best Small Town in … Continue reading “The Last, Best, Small Town” at Theatricum Botanicum
