THEATRE news, REVIEWs,
& interviews
POE & MORE POE by Write Out Loud at the historic Villa Montezuma
The 1887 Queen Anne Victorian mansion is equal parts Gothic whimsy and jewel-box museum, which sets the perfect stage for“Poe & More Poe”, Write Out Loud’s annual immersion into the master of the macabre.
WE LOVERS at Loud Fridge Theatre Group
“We Lovers” is an imaginative evening that lingers like moonlight long after you leave the clearing. Directed by Kate Rose Reynolds at the Light Box Theatre in Liberty Station.
MANIFEST PUSSY at Diversionary Theatre
Diversionary Theatre’s current show, “Manifest Pussy”, is a wild, warm, and deeply human solo show by Shakina Nayfack full of heart, humor, and revelation.
FOLLIES at Cygnet Theatre
“Follies” remains a glittering ghost story about theatre itself, what it means to chase applause, and to live forever in memory. With Cygnet’s production, “The Joan” gets its first haunting, and it’s a glamorous one.
A STREETCAR NAMED DESIRE at Backyard Renaissance
Backyard Renaissance’s “A Streetcar Named Desire” isn’t just a drama; it’s a ghost story. Director Rob Lutfy leans into the spectral energy of Tennessee Williams’ New Orleans, conjuring a version of the classic that feels both timeless and supernatural.
OKLAHOMA! at Cygnet Theatre is Classic Musical Theatre with a Modern Kick
Director Sean Murray brings a fresh twist to this Rodgers and Hammerstein classic with a spirited, skillful blend of the classic and the contemporary. There is toe-tapping joy with frontier tension in a land where romance is risky, rivalries are real, and the possibilities rise "as high as an elephant's eye."
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 DARK HEART OF DOOLEY STEVENS at Backyard Renaissance
Horror, dramas full of difficult people, and things that may be hard to explain are all things at which Backyard Renaissance excels. So it is no surprise that when presenting the world premiere of “The Dark Heart of Dooley Stevens,” written by Backyard Renaissance Artistic Director Francis Gercke and playing through March 15th, this play is a mix of all those things.
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.
ALABASTER at OnStage Playhouse
It’s not unusual to talk to your pets, though usually, when they start to talk back, it’s a cause for concern. Instead, “Alabaster,” playing at OnStage Playhouse, uses Weezy the goat, who does talk back to her owner, to add a sweet touch of magical realism to this play about love, loneliness, and how to move forward after surviving a trauma. Alabaster is playing through March 2nd.
HELLO, DOLLY! at San Diego Musical Theatre
San Diego Musical Theatre and Dolly Levi invite you to Yonkers to sing, dance, visit Harmonia Gardens, and maybe even fall in love with “Hello, Dolly!” This classic musical brings the songs and fun of the story to life through March 9th at San Diego Musical Theatre.
MISERY at Backyard Renaissance
Backyard Renaissance cuts through the seasonal sweetness with a shiver down your spine with Stephen King’s “Misery” through December 7th.
MIDNIGHT AT THE NEVER GET at Diversionary
Midnight at the Never Get is an intimate show that offers a wonderful musical experience and an entertaining and emotional look at how love, social justice, ambition, and some torch songs can create a life—but can they create a happily ever after?
SWEENEY TODD: THE DEMON BARBER OF FLEET STREET at San Diego Musical Theatre
“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” is not just a bloody good time at the theatre but one of the best shows ever from San Diego Musical Theatre. Playing through October 20th, do not miss this show about love, family, betrayal, and those delicious meat pies.
DRACULA: A COMEDY OF TERRORS at The Old Globe
Drac is back just in time for San Diego's spooky season at the Old Globe, in the fast-paced, campy, silly, and sexy spoof “Dracula: A Comedy of Terrors.” Dare I say, it’s a fang-tastic time at the theatre.
AGATHA CHRISTIE'S MURDER ON THE ORIENT EXPRESS at The Old GlobE
The Old Globe doubles down on bringing famous literary detectives to the stage with a comic twist. They follow their recent Sherlock adaption with the famously fastidious Hercule Poirot in “Agatha Christie’s Murder on The Orient Express.” With a stunning set design and a spirited cast, this whodunit has been extended through October 20th.
'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.
Interview: Elizabeth A. Davis is a Warrior Queen in 'HENRY 6' at The Old Globe
Interview with Elizabeth A. Davis, who plays the dynamic and driven Queen Margaret in 'Henry 6,' which is playing at The Old Globe through September 15th.
Interview: Conversation with the King - Keshav Moodliar talks 'HENRY 6' at The Old Globe
Interview with Keshav Moodliar, who plays Henry VI in 'Henry 6' parts one and two, and is now playing at the Old Globe through September 15th.
MS. HOLMES & MS. WATSON - APT 2B at The Old Globe
Sherlock Holmes has had many pop culture reinventions over the years, from traditional to modern and edgy, and now in a fun and fast-paced gender-flipped pop culture-infused comedic parody that pays homage to Sherlock with lots of humor. “Ms. Holmes & Ms. Watson - Apt 2B” plays at the Old Globe through September 1st.