THEATRE news, REVIEWs,
& interviews
ALL'S WELL THAT ENDS WELL at The Old Globe
The Old Globe gives “All’s Well That Ends Well” the royal treatment with glam costumes and a game cast, but that only goes so far in distracting from the lack of romance in this romantic comedy.
BIRTHDAY CANDLES at North Coast Repertory Theatre
“Birthday Candles”, now playing at North Coast Repertory Theatre, is a curious mix because existentialism and birthday cake are not a combo I usually crave. Yet thanks to a charming cast and a moving central performance by Margot White, this blend of humor, heartache, and hope is something richer than expected.
LA LLORONA ON THE BLUE LINE at TuYo Theatre
TuYo Theatre’s “La Llorona on the Blue Line”, written by Mabelle Reynoso and directed by Maria Patrice Amon, is an immersive production that blends myth and memory into a powerful, time-jumping ghost story—where La Llorona doesn’t just wail, she bears witness.
THE MOUNTAINTOP at New Village Arts
“The Mountaintop,” now at New Village Arts through June 22, imagines a very human Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. on the last night of his life. He’s tired, cranky, chain-smoking, and wants a cup of coffee. What he gets instead is a cosmic surprise disguised as a hotel maid.
ONE OF THE GOOD ONES at The Old Globe
Gloria Calderón Kellett’s “One of the Good Ones,” now onstage at The Old Globe, is like a live taping of your favorite sitcom—complete with fast banter, heartwarming family chaos, and the kind of well-meaning disaster that can only be caused by bringing a piñata to a dinner party.
MERRY ME at Diversionary Theatre
If you like your theatre smart, sexy, and a little bit sacrilegious, then “Merry Me” is the genre-bending farce for you! Running at Diversionary Theatre through June 15th.
THE COUNTER - Coffee, Contemplation, and Connection at MOXIE Theatre
In “The Counter,” Meghan Kennedy places us in a small-town diner, where coffee is always brewing and regulars never need to look at the menu. Here, waitress Katie and diner customer Paul are two lonely people who find a connection over coffee and conversation, and a chance to change each other's lives.
PERIL IN THE ALPS at North Coast Repertory Theatre
Agatha Christie’s famous Hercule Poirot is back on the North Coast Rep stage, this time in the world premiere “Peril in the Alps”, a sequel to ‘Murder on the Links” from two years ago. This is a lighthearted, quick, comic murder mystery and is running through May 25th.
KNOCK LOUDLY! at OnStage Playhouse
OnStage Playhouse brings the golden age of movies to the stage in this new play Knock Loudly! playing through April 27.
THE HOT WING KING at Cygnet Theatre Cooks with Heart
Katori Hall’s 'The Hot Wing King,” now playing at Cygnet Theatre through May 2nd, has plenty of humor, heart, and heat.
WHAT THE CONSTITUTION MEANS TO ME at North Coast Repertory Theatre
When was the last time you thought about the Constitution? I mean really thought about it and how it impacts your life? Probably not that often, but that will change after seeing North Coast Rep’s stellar production of ‘What The Constitution Means To Me,” which is playing through March 30th.
WE ARE CONTINUOUS at Diversionary Theatre
“We Are Continuous” is an intimate play with an unusual recurring monologue and some in-scene format. Luckily, this production is very well-cast with Marti Gobel, Elliott Sagay, and Eli Wood and is excellently directed by Kian-Kline-Chilton. “We Are Continuous” is playing at Diversionary Theatre through March 9th.
THE HEART SELLERS at North Coast Repertory Theatre
“The Heart Sellers’ at North Coast Repertory Theatre is a lovely testament to the hope and loneliness of new beginnings and the power of friendship.
THE HISPANIC/LATINO/LATINA/LATINX/LATINE VOTE at TuYo Theatre
"The Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx/Latine Vote” by TuYo Theatre makes its San Diego premiere as part of the National New Play Network's Rolling World Premiere. This timely and thought-provoking play is running through January 19th.
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.