THEATRE news, REVIEWs,
& interviews
2 pianos, 4hands
2 PIANOS, 4 HANDS is a love letter to classical music, the work it takes to dream of a life in music, and to the piano itself. With two talented and entertaining performers, the show is funny, bittersweet, and music to your ears. 2 PIANOS, 4 HANDS is playing at North Coast Repertory Theatre through January 1, 2023.
THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP
THE MYSTERY OF IRMA VEP playing at Diversionary Theatre through December 24th provides a lot of laughter in this zany, fast-paced comedy. A send-up of Victorian Gothic literary tropes, Sci-fi B movies, and more this two-person farce offers queer, high-camp humor making this a great show option for anyone looking for a holiday-themed show alternative.
PLAID TIDINGS
If you’re looking for a holiday season show that is as cuddly as a warm cup of cocoa on a chilly night, then you can’t get more festive than PLAID TIDINGS from San Diego Musical Theatre playing through December 24th on the SDMT stage.
THE OCTOBER NIGHT OF JOHNNY ZERO
THE OCTOBER NIGHT OF JOHNNY ZERO at Backyard Renaissance is a play that has a lot of mystery and secrets woven into the plot - which makes it difficult to write about without spoiling. Playing through December 10th at 10th Avenue Theatre.
AS YOU LIKE IT
The talented cast of AS YOU LIKE IT, now playing at La Jolla Playhouse through December 11th proves how false it is when other places say that casting in a representative way is too difficult to do. With lively performances and songs, along with gorgeous costumes, and scenery, there is much to love in this romantic comedy.
THE CHILDREN
THE CHILDREN, a play by Lucy Kirkwood now playing at MOXIE Theatre through December 4th is a funny, and thought-provoking play brought to life through strong direction and excellent performances. Set in a world after a disastrous event, it asks how much are we willing to mortgage the future to avoid paying the price of our actions today.
MEASURE FOR MEASURE
Power, sex, consent, double standards in leadership -all the themes are as current now as ever in The Old Globe and University of San Diego Shiley's Graduate Theatre Program's production of MEASURE FOR MEASURE by William Shakespeare. Directed by Delicia Turner Sonnenberg, the cast talks about their experience working on the play, which is playing through November 20th.
HAMILTON is back at Broadway San Diego
It can seem a reasonable question to ask of a musical that was so explosively popular that it dominated music charts, history lessons, current-day politics, and social issues all at once - now that some time has passed, is it worth the hype? Well, the touring production of HAMILTON now playing at Broadway San Diego through November 20th yes, the hype is real and it is worth being in the “room where it happens.”
MÍA: ALL MINE
MÍA: ALL MINE makes its US premiere with a powerful and thoughtful play for theatre audiences of all ages. Presented by Bocón, a theatre company that has dedicated itself to creating art for audiences of all ages, director Daniel Jáquez talks about working on this show and directing it for English and Spanish performances through November 20th.
SCOTT ROBBINS AND THE TRAVELING SHOW
Playwright and composer Tyler Tafolla brings his new musical comedy SCOTT ROBBINS AND THE TRAVELING SHOW as a guest production at Diversionary Theatre Friday, November 11th, and Saturday, November 12th only. Tafolla talks about creating the piece, his inspiration , and the hope that this new musical promises to bring a sense of wonder and inspire performers and audience members alike to believe in the magic of theatre.
INTO THE BREECHES
Behind-the-scenes antics, a play within a play, and costumed comedy are well loved because they work, and INTO THE BREECHES! combines them in wartime for a fun night at the theatre. INTO THE BREECHES! is playing at North Coast Repertory Theatre through November 13th.
FIRST DATE
What is funny, with a charming and talented cast, and has many moments that will make you laugh? The musical FIRST DATE now playing at OnStage Playhouse through November 6th.
Interview: Playwright Nathan Englander
It would be easy to wonder about the person who can write a show as funny, heartfelt, insightful, and contemplative as WHAT WE TALK ABOUT WHEN WE TALK ABOUT ANNE FRANK. Yet when speaking with playwright Nathan Englander it becomes clear that the humor, the nimble turn of phrase and topic, and then somehow turning back to come together at the end is exactly how his mind works. Englander talks about his process of turning his short story of the same name into the quick-witted comedy now playing at The Old Globe through October 23rd.
ALWAYS A BANANA, NEVER THE BRIDE
You may watch a show and root for the leads to get their heart's desire, but the audience always walks away laughing at the memorable supporting characters. Taking this as inspiration Alyssa Anne Austin created her one-woman show ALWAYS A BANANA, NEVER THE BRIDE: AN ODE TO BROADWAY'S: "LESSER LADIES" which is playing at the OB Playhouse from October 22 - 24th.
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS
LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS is an audience favorite any time of year, but San Diego Musical Theatre has brought it back just in time for a killer, man-eating plant to fit right in for the spooky month of October.
Junior Theatre Auxiliary costume sale!
It is every theatre kid's favorite kind of event, and one where everyone can find something to love- it's the Junior Theatre Auxiliary costume sale! This event is on October 15th only, making it perfect timing for any theatres, aspiring performers, or people planning the perfect Halloween outfit!!
KRISTINA WONG, SWEATSHOP OVERLORD
KRISTINA WONG, SWEATSHOP OVERLORD, playing at La Jolla Playhouse through October 16th performance artist Kristina Wong gives a funny, sweet, and bittersweet journey of how one woman accidentally became a mask sewing overlord from behind her Hello Kitty sewing machine. It's the comedic rundown of the pandemic that you didn’t know you needed.
AIN'T MISBEHAVIN'
AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’ is a fun musical visit to the age of the Harlem Renaissance and a tribute to the music of Fats Waller. By the end of the show, the joint is definitely jumpin'.
DIDO AND AENEAS
The opera DIDO AND AENEAS may clock in under an hour, but this production by Bodhi Tree Concerts is a delightful evening spent at a theatre. Performances are only this weekend through Sunday, September 25th so don’t delay!
KINKY BOOTS
Like Cinderella, KINKY BOOTS the musical playing at Moonlight through October 1st knows that a good pair of shoes can change your life. This high-energy and heartwarming musical brings plenty of laughs and may have you shopping for some new shoes by the end.