THEATRE news, REVIEWs,
& interviews
EL HURACÁN at Cygnet Theatre
Usually, the vanishing act is everyone’s favorite magic trick on stage, but for one family the magic is in the memories, and tragedy strikes when those start to disappear. EL HURACÁN at Cygnet Theatre explores the matriarchs, the memories, and the magic of one family in Miami through February 19th.
THE NOTEBOOKS OF LEONARDO DA VINCI at The Old Globe
THE NOTEBOOKS OF LEONARDO DA VINCI at The Old Globe brings a visually sumptuous peek into the mind of a creative genius. The production is so much more than a play; it is art, movement, dance, math, and philosophy all brought to life on stage.
RIPPED at Loud Fridge Theatre Group Is an Excellent and Nuanced Look at Sexual Consent
Loud Fridge Theatre Group started off its 2023 theatrical year with an excellent and thoughtfully nuanced look at a sexual assault on a college campus. RIPPED from Loud Fridge Theatre Group is playing through February 5th at OnStage Playhouse.
Directors Kate Rose Reynolds & John Wells III Talk about “RIPPED” at Loud Fridge Theatre Group
Interview with RIPPED directors Kate Rose Reynolds and John Wells III, about working together as joint directors, and why this play is more topical than ever as it explores from multiple angles an incident of a female college freshman who believes she was sexually assaulted.
Lauren Nicole Chapman brings Arendelle to the San Diego Civic Theatre in FROZEN
Lauren Nicole Chapman plays Princess Anna, who is arguably one of the most popular royals ever, so, of course, we took a moment to chat with her - because no one turns down the chance to interview a Disney princess. Chapman and the entire talented cast bring Arendelle and FROZEN to the San Diego Civic Theatre through Broadway San Diego January 18th - 29th.
Playwright Interviews for “CELEBRATING COMMUNITY VOICES” at The Old Globe
Playwrights Gignerlily Lowe and Daryl ”Scooter” Davis talk about their plays and being a part of the CELEBRATING COMMUNITY VOICES presentation, a part of the upcoming 10th annual Old Globe Powers New Voices FestivalJan 13 - 15, 2023.
ROMANCE OF THE WESTERN CHAMBER
ROMANCE OF THE WESTERN CHAMBER is a lovely and lyrical operetta telling ”A modern love story from long ago.” With only two performances this weekend, through January 8th, this show is making its West Coast Premiere at the Poway Center for the Performing Arts.
AIN'T TOO PROUD - THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS
It seems appropriate that the musical AIN’T TOO PROUD - THE LIFE AND TIMES OF THE TEMPTATIONS, like the band its story tells, is consistently entertaining, and full of impressive musical performances. Playing through January 8th at the San Diego Civic Theatre by Broadway San Diego.
Favorite theatre experiecnces 2022
Here is a list of some of my favorite theatre experiences in San Diego in 2022! This is by no means a complete list of everything that was excellent in this past year, but now we get to turn towards 2023 and all of the fantastic theatre that is sure to come our way.
From Shelter To Star - an interview with animal trainer Bill Berlonion finding Sandy
Bill Berloni, the animal trainer to Broadway and beyond and who helped train the original Sandy talks about finding and training the dogs for performances, and their connection with the human cast. Playing at the San Diego Civic Theatre through Broadway San Diego, Annie is running from December 27th through January 1st.
The Who’s who of the Who’s in Whoville
It's not the holidays at The Old Globe Theatre without those adorable Who's down in Whoville and the green meanie Grinch plotting in DR. SEUSS'S HOW THE GRINCH STOLE CHRISTMAS! Now it's time to meet the young performers of the show and learn who's who in Whoville!
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.