A diner, a wide-open road, and a story that proves even the smallest places can hold the biggest hearts. Sadie Black. Photo courtesy of American Coast Theater Company. by MaryAnn DiPietro American Coast Theatre Company is heading somewhere a little quieter this summer, somewhere with porch swings, mountain air and the kind of stories that sneak up on your heart. The company invites audiences into the small town of Gilead, a place where folks know your name and all of your bus

A Close-Up, Heartfelt Production About Defying Expectations. Sammy Spiegler. Photo courtesy of Laura Lejuwaan By Shannon Cudd Omigod you guys! Westminster Community Playhouse looks good in pink, a make-over courtesy of its latest production, “Legally Blonde.” This high-energy musical is based on the 2001 hit film of the same name starring Reese Witherspoon as the charismatic and intelligent ingénue Elle Woods. After her college boyfriend, Warner, dumps her because she isn’t s

Outstanding Production of a Musical, Tick, Tick...BOOM! at Chance Theater. Photo courtesy of Eric Modyman. Chance Theater, Curtis Theatre, and Costa Mesa Playhouse Among Top Honorees May 12, 2026 – Orange County’s vibrant theater scene took center stage on Monday night at the 5th Annual OC Theatre Guild Awards, held at the Samueli Theater at Segerstrom Center for the Arts. Artists, designers, and companies from across the county were recognized for their creativity, dedicatio

Shakespeare comedy reimagined through a Western lens. From left: Mary Price Moore, Shane Murphy, Jeremy Krasovic, Taylor LaBarbera, Sarah Jane Fince, Charlie Massey. Photo courtesy of Cabrillo Playhouse By Anne Reid “Twelfth Night” is a beloved Shakespearean romantic comedy about twins Viola and Sebastian, who are separated by a shipwreck. In this modern take, it’s set on the coast of California, where Viola seeks to rebuild her place in the world. She disguises herself as a