Now in its sixth national tour, this evening of shtick is good for a few laughs if you don't mind the premise.
Karen WeinsteinTheaterLos Angeles,
Are you thinking you caught me leaving out some important information in the heading? Like the actor's name? Well, I am glad you are awake, but here is the dilemma: At this point I think I should put in a ...
The world premiere of this comedy of manners takes pains to remind you of its Chekhovian inspiration, with often less-than-inspired results.
George AlexanderTheaterLos Angeles,
The program for “The Country House” digs its pointy elbow into your ribs to ensure you get “it” — the parallels, that is, between this Donald Margulies play and Anton Chekov’s “The Seagull,” “Uncle Vanya,” and “The Cherry Orchard.”
...
The latest in a series of works about the mysterious death of Pope John Paul I, this drama presents the back story in a compelling new way.
George AlexanderTheaterLos Angeles,
Wal-Mart? A mom-and-pop corner store, despite its 2.1 million employees worldwide. Bank of America? A payday loan business, despite its $115 billion in assets. Chicago? A shining city on the hill, despite its long and well-earned history of municipal corruption ...
The time-honored theme of academic principles versus entitlement gets a twist in this invigorating drama.
George AlexanderTheaterCA,
Spoiler Alert: Animals are, indeed, hurt in this play.
They’re the oxen gored by playwright Steven Drukman and they can be found at almost any university today — from the president to a major department chair to a ...
Though this production's point is unclear, it certainly makes a statement in rhinestone and brocade.
Karen WeinsteinMusicCA,
“Thaïs.” Does the name ring a bell? If you are not an opera aficionado, the likely answer is no, unless you happen to recall the haunting "Méditation from Thaïs." If so, you are on the right track. This late 19th-century ...
The playwright's "Fat Pig" runs at Hollywood's Hudson Theater through June 1, 2014
Jordan RiefeFeaturesCA,
Tom loves Helen. And why shouldn’t he? She’s smart, pretty and has a great sense of humor. But she’s also fat, and for Tom that just may be a deal breaker. This is the conundrum at the heart of Neil ...
This "new old-fashioned musical" strives to be both things simultaneously and ends up neither.
George AlexanderTheaterCA,
As someone who loves George Gershwin’s music, could listen to it 24/7 and never tire of it, I’d looked forward to reviewing "The Ghost of Gershwin" at the Lonny Chapman Theatre in North Hollywood.
But I quickly tired of ...
Edward Albee's drama explores a family living atop a psychological Superfund Site and suffering the dire consequences.
George AlexanderTheaterCA,
It’s Saturday and you’ve just been given tickets to an Edward Albee play.
What to wear, what to wear? You look through your closet for something appropriate:
(a) Tux. Un-huh.
(b) Business casual. Ahh, no.
(c) Hazmat suit. Hmmm….
Answer ...
This deft, if gloomy, account of the struggles of the Plantagenet clan owes its success to the talented cast.
George AlexanderTheaterCA,
It’s a story as old or older as any to be found in the Old Testament: a dysfunctional family; a husband and wife at each other’s throats; adult children twitching with ambition and sibling rivalry and, of course, a pearl ...
Though ambitious in scope, this one-man show shortchanges dramatic development in summarizing Paul Robeson's life.
Karen WeinsteinTheaterCA,
Paul Robeson sang the soundtrack of my childhood. I wore out two copies of his 78-rpm album, "Ballad for Americans," yet continued to play it, scratches and all. When I was about 8 years old I met him after a ...
