Los Angeles Theater Reviews

Review: ROMEO AND JULIET by New Adventures at Center Theatre Group
by Andrew Child - February 05, 2024

Matthew Bourne has certainly crafted a “New Adventure” under the title Romeo and Juliet. Purists may come up empty-handed if they mine the kaleidoscopic geometry of the mesmerizing opening sequence for any semblance of “Two households, both alike in dignity”....

Review: LA COCINA at Loft Ensemble
by Evan Henerson - February 02, 2024

The high wire act that is Tony Meneses’ play LA COCINCA is a feat that companies of greater capabilities than Loft Ensemble might not pull off. There are 19 performers barreling across that stage, dispatching orders, picking up plates, whisking, saucing, grilling and doing all the other things that ...

Review: GOMBURZA's Fate Remains a Burning Protest
by Jude Cartalaba - January 31, 2024

Until Friday, February 2, films from different genres from the 49th annual Metro Manila Film Festival in the Philippines, will be screened during the inaugural Manila International Film Festival at the TCL Chinese Theatre, Hollywood Boulevard....

Review: Broadway's Jessica Vosk Honors the Songwriters of Laurel Canyon at OC's Segerstrom Center
by Michael Quintos - January 30, 2024

A spectacular one-night-only concert at OC's Segerstrom Center starring one of Broadway's most acclaimed stars, Jessica Vosk's 'California Dreamin'' is a rousing, informative tribute to the incredible singer/songwriters that populated the Laurel Canyon artists community in Los Angeles that included ...

Review: POTUS: OR, BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE at Geffen Playhouse
by Harker Jones - January 29, 2024

POTUS: OR, BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIVE is a a laugh-out-loud riot that would benefit from a few moments of introspection and nuance....

Review: CAROUSEL OF FOOLS at Rogue Artists Ensemble
by Andrew Child - January 27, 2024

It’s 2024 and theatres shouldn’t be taking anything for granted anymore. No standard of existence or tried and true method should be undertaken without scrutiny. Rogue Artists Ensemble has appropriately blown the lid off the standard fundraising gala event, opting instead for a Carousel of Fools on ...

Review: Fun-Filled Musical Remake of MYSTIC PIZZA Debuts at La Mirada Theatre
by Michael Quintos - January 25, 2024

A lively, vibrant new jukebox musical based on the 1988 film, La Mirada Theatre's fun and entertaining new production of MYSTIC PIZZA—now playing through February 11, 2024—is a charming, if forgivably predictable coming-of-age tale featuring 80's/90's hits and a cast of likable actors and characters...

Review: KATE at Pasadena Playhouse
by Andrew Child - January 23, 2024

Upon entering the theatre, one is met by Berlant herself engaged in a Yoko Ono-esque performance flanked by an artist’s statement which has appeared verbatim in the program for every show I’ve reviewed in the past year....

Review: MERCURY at The Road Theatre On Magnolia
by Harker Jones - January 23, 2024

Overall, the show is wickedly funny and a trenchant meditation on entitlement, revenge and justice, even if that justice is one-sided. Another bull’s-eye for the Road Theatre....

Review: SUKKOT at Skylight Theatre
by Evan Henerson - January 21, 2024

Nestled uneasily in a space between comedy and misery, SUKKOT makes shoddy use of a good cast to serve up a banquet of familial angst and misery....

Review: Broadway Talents Honor Olivia Newton-John at OC's Segerstrom Center
by Michael Quintos - January 19, 2024

Hosted by Scott Coulter at OC's Segerstrom Center, this beautifully-curated 'greatest hits' showcase celebrating Olivia Newton-John provided an entertaining tribute, delivered via superb performances from the likes of Jessica Hendy, David Burnham, and Mike Schwitter, plus a first-person testimonial ...

Review: MJ THE MUSICAL Moonwalks Into the Hollywood Pantages
by Tracey Paleo - December 28, 2023

MJ the Musical currently at the Hollywood Pantages may be the most intimate Michael Jackson biopic yet....

Review: THE GRINCH Stage Musical Slithers Back into OC's Segerstrom Center
by Michael Quintos - December 21, 2023

The touring stage adaptation of Dr. Seuss' cheeky holiday tale returns to the OC's Segerstrom Center with a non-equity cast. While the show itself is still a charmer—especially for young audiences—the bad audio mix at Costa Mesa's largest theater leaves most of the show's lyrics and dialogue indecip...

Review: SANTA'S CIRCUS at Montalbán Theatre
by Harker Jones - December 20, 2023

Hit the Montalbán in Hollywood for a night out with family and/or friends. Just because this is appropriate for the kids doesn’t mean it’s not fun for the rest of us. Jingle your balls all the way to the North Pole!...

Review: A CHRISTMAS STORY at Ahmanson
by Evan Henerson - December 17, 2023

Lenz’s production is solid family stuff, a little bit cock-eyed, and easy on the treacle. Knowledge of the original movie is by no means a prerequisite to enjoyment of ACS: TM. If you’re craving certain iconic moments from the movie, rest assured you’ll find them, possibly even amped up or with a mu...

Review: A PERMANENT IMAGE at Pacific Resident Theatre
by Evan Henerson - December 17, 2023

The production directed by Andy Weyman for Pacific Resident Theatre taps the bile and makes use of Hunter’s scabrous humor. The journey to that resolution is an uncomfortable slog in which we share the company of some pretty despicable people who, at PRT, are portrayed by actors who embrace their ch...

Review: THE WHITE (ALBUM) CHRISTMAS at Colony Theatre
by Amanda Callas - December 10, 2023

The award-winning Troubadour Theater Company has been doing their beloved annual Christmas mashup shows for decades, with loyal fans who return year after year. The closest thing I can compare it to is live performances I have seen of The Rocky Horror Picture Show....

Review: DOG MAN: THE MUSICAL at Kirk Douglas Theatre
by Amanda Callas - December 09, 2023

Dog Man: The Musical is a fun, goofy musical romp running through January 7th at the Kirk Douglas Theatre in Culver City. This bright, happy show is almost solely aimed at children, and what a wonderful thing that is....

Review: THE QUEEN'S CARTOONISTS'S HOLIDAY HURRAH at Smothers Theatre
by Amanda Callas - December 08, 2023

The Queen’s Cartoonists execute jazz with exquisite polish, verve, cheeky humor, and manic energy, recalling the early days of hot jazz in the 1920s and 30s. Holiday Hurrah shines bright and merry with the most vivacious, high-energy of holiday tunes....

Review: A CHRISTMAS CAROL at A Noise Within
by Amanda Callas - December 06, 2023

Fresh and glorious to behold, with bold, impressive stagecraft and truly innovative and imaginative costume design.  There are frequent moments of awe and breathtaking sprinkles of magic.  Although it feels off to me in some of its performance and art direction choices, this is a remarkable and stun...

Review: LA VIRGEN DE GUADALUPE DIOS INANTZIN at Latino Theatre Company
by Andrew Child - December 04, 2023

It feels like a slight to write about this piece as just another theatrical performance offered this time of year. The community clearly comes out in droves to hear the choral narrations, see the beautiful artistry of Vanessa M. Gomez’ tilmas, and celebrate a treasured story....

Review: SANTASIA – A HOLIDAY COMEDY at Whitefire Theatre
by Amanda Callas - December 04, 2023

Santasia is a must-see sketch comedy take on the glory and insanity of the holidays at the Whitefire Theatre in Sherman Oaks, created by and starring Brandon and Shaun Loeser.  Ongoing for 24 years and frequently sold out at every show, with performances in Los Angeles and Off-Broadway in New York, ...

Review: FREIGHT at Fountain Theatre
by Evan Henerson - November 29, 2023

Per playwright Howard L. Craft, the spirit of the human soul has the capacity to return to earth multiple times until it successfully learns…well…whatever it is supposed to learn. Can’t speak for the soul, but the performer J. Alphonse Nicholson needs no do-overs to embody the five incarnations of A...

Review: CORI CABLE KIDDER'S HOLIDAY SPECTACULAR at Sierra Madre Playhouse
by Amanda Callas - November 27, 2023

Cori Cable Kidder's Holiday Spectacular is a marvelous musical holiday revue at the Sierra Madre Playhouse. More than a show, Cori Cable Kidder's Holiday Spectacular is a transportive experience, an escape into a charmed world of nostalgia, holiday merriment and velvety 1940s music of breathtaking l...

Review: RADICAL OR, ARE YOU GONNA MISS ME? at IAMA At Atwater Village Theatre
by Evan Henerson - November 26, 2023

hot through with equal parts rancor and compassion, Jess McLeod’s production of this, IAMA’s first commissioned play, is effective despite some narrative speedbumps....