THEATRE news, REVIEWs,
& interviews
The Shows of 2024 I Just Can't Stop Thinking About
As this year draws to a close and the new theatrical experiences of 2025 are just about to begin, I am looking back at the shows of 2024 that have continued to capture my imagination.
“YOUR LOCAL THEATER PRESENTS: A CHRISTMAS CAROL, BY CHARLES DICKENS, AGAIN” at La Jolla Playhouse
La Jolla Playhouse offers a new perspective on a holiday classic in “Your Local Theater Presents: A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, Again,” which plays through December 15th.
Review: LITTLE WOMEN: THE BROADWAY MUSICAL & OUR DEAR DEAD DRUG LORD At MOXIE Theatre
Moxie Theatre presents two radically different repertory shows with compelling performances reflecting girlhood's myriad experiences, “Little Women: The Broadway Musical” and the dark thriller “Our Dear Dead Drug Lord.” Both are running with the same core cast through December 8th.
Interview: Director Kym Pappas of TINY BEAUTIFUL THINGS at Scripps Ranch Theatre
An interview with director Kym Pappas for “Tiny Beautiful Things,” which runs at Scripps Ranch from November 15th through December 8th.
INCIDENT AT OUR LADY OF PERPETUAL HELP at North Coast Repertory Theatre
Who remembers the 1970s? This question is asked at the start of “Our Lady of Perpetual Help,” but no matter the answer, North Coast Repertory Theatre brings them vividly to life in this bittersweet family comedy, which plays through November 17th.
Review: LOOPED at The Roustabouts Theatre Co
Tallulah Bankhead once said, “Say anything about me, darling, as long as it isn’t boring.” The Roustabouts Theatre Company rose to that challenge with “Looped.” It is a delightfully funny play showcasing her humor and heartbreak, with a lead performance that Bankhead herself would agree is captivating. “Looped” is playing through October 20th.
PRIMARY TRUST at La Jolla Playhouse
“Primary Trust,” now playing at La Jolla Playhouse, is a lovely and meditative play that offers a portrait of the loneliness of living a life safe within self-drawn limits and how wonderful and sometimes painful it can be to open up your world to new experiences. “Primary Trust plays at La Jolla Playhouse through October 20th.
THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST at Lamb's Players Theatre
“The Importance of Being Earnest” is a lighthearted production with a clever and comedic cast that joyfully delights in poking fun at the rules and protocols of Victorian society. “The Importance of Being Earnest” plays at Lamb’s Players Theatre through November 10th.
A VIEW FROM THE BRIDGE at North Coast Repertory Theatre
“A View From The Bridge,” now playing at North Coast Repertory Theatre through October 13th, brings a classic to the stage anchored by powerful performances.
'CONSTELLATIONS' at Chalk Circle Collective
'Constellations' is touching, smart, funny, and heartbreaking. It is extraordinarily performed with clear and compelling performances that go straight to the heart. “Constellations” is playing through September 29th at Liberty Station.
'FULLY COMMITTED' at Scripps Ranch Theatre serves up lots of laughs
Dinner and theatre have always been a perfect pair, but “Fully Committed,” now playing at Scripps Ranch Theatre through September 29th, shows that there is just as much comedy and drama behind the scenes of the restaurant as there is on stage.
VELOUR: A DRAG SPECTACULAR at La Jolla Playhouse
“Velour: A Drag Spectacular” is a delightfully intelligent, funny, and visually dazzling theatrical fantasia. Playing through September 15th at the La Jolla Playhouse, this show celebrates the art of drag artistry with a lot of heart and humor.
'CLEOPATRA' at Moxie Theatre And Loud Fridge Theatre Group
“Cleopatra” offers everyone an audience with the charismatic Egyptian queen, as performed by Joy Yvonne Jones, through September 7th. A joint production, this play opens Moxie Theatre’s 20th season and closes Loud Fridge Theatre Group’s second season with an adaptation of Shakespeare’s “Antony and Cleopatra.”
DERECHO at La Jolla Playhouse
“Derecho” by Noelle Viñas at the La Jolla Playhouse explores the complex tapestry of relationships between sisters, friends, and spouses and how actions can have an impact even more destructive than the most powerful storm. “Derecho is playing at the La Jolla Playhouse through August 18th.
Interview: Sandra Ruiz of 'ROMEO Y JULIETA' at The 2nd Annual Southwestern Summer Shakespeare Festival
Interview with Director Sandra Ruiz on this new adaption to a Shakespeare classic with "Romeo Y Julieta" playing at the 2nd Annual Southwestern Summer Shakespeare Festival.
Interview: Artistic Director Kim Strassburger of 2024 Southwestern Summer Shakespeare Festival
Kim Strassburger is the Artistic Director of the 2nd Annual Southwestern Summer Shakespeare Festival and the director for “Much Ado About Nothing” on bringing this show to life..
PÁSALE PÁSALE at TuYo Theatre
TuYo Theatre’s “Pásale Pásale” is an invitation to explore the treasures of the swap meet, the community, and the determination to live the American Dream in this joyful and empowering interactive musical theatre experience. “Pásale Pásale” is paying through June 30
Interview: m And Xavier Pacheco of FAT HAM at The Old Globe
Interview with m and Xavier Pacheco from 'Fat Ham' now playing at the Old Globe through June 23rd.“Fat Ham” is playing at the Old Globe through June 23rd.
“FAT Ham” at The Old Globe
“Fat Ham” is a dynamic, tragic, and comedic, remixing key moments of the original into a one-act exploring societal roles and expectations, toxic family dynamics, and being true to yourself in a wholly entertaining and creative way. “Fat Ham” is playing at the Old Globe through June 23rd.
Interview: Melinda Lopez And Joel Perez write and perform STIR at The Old Globe
Interview with 'Stir' writers and performers Melinda Lopez and Joel Perez about their new show about food, family, and love making its world premiere at the Old Globe and plays through May 26th.