Spooky season has arrived in Orange County! We may still be enjoying sunshine and 80-degree afternoons, but that doesn't mean we can't get into the Halloween spirit. And our local theatres are ready to help, with a delightfully eerie mix of macabre musicals, murder, monsters, dark comedy, and a little theatrical magic. This October, you can spend an evening with the delightfully strange Addams family at Cabrillo Playhouse or Yorba Linda Cultural Arts Center, encounter a comed

A kooky family crisis comes to life. From left, Christopher Vournas, Isabella Klein, Patrick Brannelly, Juliet Fischer, Rebecca Leeds, Andrew Whitwell and Rob Bergman. Photo courtesy of Cabrillo Playhouse By MaryAnn DiPietro Every family has its problems. Some involve miscommunication, growing children or awkward introductions to the in-laws. For the Addams family, naturally, things get a little stranger. Cabrillo Playhouse opens its 2026-27 season with “The Addams Family,” t

Are you making the most of your life? Billy Mann. Photo courtesy of Catherine Oregon By Shannon Cudd One of the many things that separates human beings from the animal kingdom is our awareness of our own mortality. That awareness takes on new meaning for the six teenagers who pass while riding a roller coaster at a traveling fair at the beginning of their young lives. Theatergoers under 30 will recognize “Ride the Cyclone” while more mature aficionados might not yet be aware

A close shave: Bringing the darkness up close. From left, eff Sable, Em Flosi, Amanda Colclough, Tyler Marshall, Robert Hoyt, Jaylen Bahem, Patrick Geringer, Sammy Linkowski, Caitlin Lopez and Jackie Cox. Photo courtesy of Sej Patel By MaryAnn DiPietro There is murder, revenge, corruption and, of course, a rather unsettling approach to pie. But for Beatrice Casagrán, producing artistic director of Ophelia’s Jump Productions, there is also something irresistible about stepping

Sondheim takes aim at the American dream. From left, Jake Burnett, Christopher Diem, Spike Pulice, Jaycob Hunter, Brandon Sanchez, Taras Wybaczynsky Jr., Luis Alex Rodriguez, Reese Chavez, Genevieve Kauper and Aaron Lipp. Photo courtesy of Francis Gacad & Jonathan Infante By MaryAnn DiPietro There is something inherently uncomfortable about laughing during “Assassins.” That, of course, is part of the point. Stephen Sondheim and John Weidman’s darkly comic musical gathers a co

Shakespeare’s infamous move gets a modern reckoning. From left, Zoe Hertzberg, Sophia Blake and Mae Linh Young. Photo courtesy Eric Keitel Photography by Anne Reid Shakespeare’s centuries-old “bed trick” gets a decidedly modern makeover in “The Bed Trick,” Keiko Green’s contemporary comedy about sex, friendship, deception and consent at Chance Theater in Anaheim. Directed by H. Adam Harris, the California premiere follows three college freshmen, Lulu, Marianne and Harriet, as

The ultimate whodunit. From left, Cat Hanson, Hillary Mead, Oliver Egan, Noah Chin, Haven Hanson, Aaron Espinosa and Phyllis M. Nofts. Photo courtesy of Amicus Community Theater by Anne Reid Amicus Community Theater is putting its own intimate spin on the classic murder mystery “Clue.” Fresh off the Ahmanson Theatre’s run of the show in Los Angeles earlier this month, Amicus had to keep its production under wraps while the touring production was still in the area. This put an

September Is Here: Make Room for Local Theatre As summer begins to wind down and autumn starts to peek around the corner, it’s a great time to make a little room in your calendar for something that never goes out of season: live theatre! September brings an incredible variety of productions to stages throughout Orange County—from beloved literary classics and sweeping musicals to outrageous comedies, dark dramas, and brand-new works. And with October productions already begin

A Whimsical Reminder of the Power of Books, Hope and Forgiveness From Left, Emma Hansen, Vihaan Sammi, Troy Whiteley, Maria Wang, Sam Aguirre. Photo courtesy of Katelyn Abaya by Shannon Cudd Growing up isn’t easy, especially when the fate of Narnia, a magical alternate universe, is at stake. This is the very predicament the four Pevensie siblings find themselves in while staying in the countryside. Bibliophiles will recognize the central conflict of C.S. Lewis’ classic novel

Comedy tonight, along with some chaos and a little ancient Roman mischief. Photo courtesy of Westminster Community Playhouse By MaryAnn DiPietro Ancient Rome may not immediately bring to mind door-slamming farce, flirtatious courtesans, mistaken identities and a stage full of people desperately trying to get what or who they want. In the world of “A Funny Thing Happened on the Way to the Forum,” Rome is less about emperors and history books and more about comedy. “This is a b

History, horror and a modern take on something wicked Photo courtesy of Larking House. By MaryAnn DiPietro There are no witches in “The Crucible,” at least not the kind with pointy hats, broomsticks and bubbling cauldrons. More than 300 years after the Salem witch trials and more than 70 years after Arthur Miller turned them into one of the best-known 20th-century dramas, “The Crucible” at The Larking House and Curtis Theatre still hits a little too close to home. “It’s an ac

Some stories are built for spectacle. Others are built for imagination. Mark Brown's stage adaptation is both. From left: Patrick McMahon and Adam Furguson. Photo courtesy of Cabrillo Playhouse By MaryAnn DiPietro A train, an elephant, a ship and nearly 40 colorful characters appear and disappear in the blink of an eye. And somehow, it all happens on the intimate stage of Cabrillo Playhouse in San Clemente. "It's basically the magic of theater," director Frank Minano said. "W

Outback Adventure Meets Disco Delight. Photo courtesy of No Square Theatre by MaryAnn DiPietro “Priscilla, Queen of the Desert” asks audiences to hop aboard a weary lavender bus, cross the Australian outback with three drag performers, sing along to a soundtrack of disco classics and open their hearts along the way. That sounds like quite a journey and, according to Joe Lauderdale, the show’s director and No Square Theatre artistic director, that's exactly the point. "This is

August may be winding down summer, but Orange County stages are keeping things lively! There’s plenty to see this month, from swashbuckling adventures and new plays to a dark musical classic and one wonderfully bizarre ride. Our Organizational Member theatres are bringing a great mix of stories to the stage, and we’d love for you to get out there and support the artists creating them. 🌍 Cabrillo Playhouse — Around the World in 80 Days 📝 Curtis Theatre — Page to Stage Playwr

Love, Loss and Family in a Landmark Queer Musical From left, Gabrielle Maldonado, Jake Burnett, Riley Blackwell, Carolyn Lupin and Joshua Leduc. Photo courtesy of Craig Tyrl By Shannon Cudd A homosexual man hiding his truth, a woman whose husband leaves her for another man and the lover who is diagnosed with a mysterious new disease – these are just some of the characters audiences can expect to encounter in The Wayward Artist’s production of “Falsettos.” Founding Artistic Di

Summer may be in full swing, but our local stages are anything but quiet! July is filled with an exciting mix of musicals, family favorites, and unforgettable stories presented by Orange County Theatre Guild Organizational Members. Whether you're looking to laugh, sing along, introduce a young theatergoer to live performance, or experience something thought-provoking, there's a seat waiting for you. One of the best parts of our local theatre community is its incredible variet

Musical triumph is an inspiring celebration of fresh starts and the power of what one person can do. From left: Shane Murphy, Jeremy Krasovic, Taylor LaBarbera, Charlie Massey, Sarah Jane Finch, Mary Price Moore. Photo courtesy of Eric Modyman By Anne Reid Cabrillo Playhouse will open its production of “The Spitfire Grill” this summer, bringing the acclaimed musical about redemption, forgiveness and finding home to its intimate San Clemente stage. Based on the 1996 film by Le

Broadway hit explores themes of identity, trauma and healing. From left, Ishan Panjabi, Sol Joun, and Doshima Iyorlu. Photo courtesy of Doug Catiller. by Anne Reid When "Jagged Little Pill" premiered on Broadway in 2019, audiences embraced its unflinching examination of addiction, racism, identity and the complicated realities that often exist beneath the surface of seemingly perfect lives. Now Chance Theater is bringing the Tony Award-winning and Grammy Award-winning musical

The Absurdity of Modern Relationships Explored in New Play From left, Rachel Bailey, Coleman Summers, and Jessica Schreiber. Photo courtesy of Jarid McCarthy. By Shannon Cudd Imagine trying to connect with your partner and an ostrich interrupts by knocking at the door. No, this is not a fever dream but a scene from The Larking House’s world premiere production of “Ostrich in the Room.” This exciting new work by Seanan Palmero Waugh explores the complexities of romantic relati

June is packed with incredible theatre across Orange County, and if you've been meaning to get out and see a show, consider this your friendly reminder. One of the things that makes our local theatre community so special is its variety. This month alone, you can experience laugh-out-loud comedies, powerful dramas, beloved musicals, family-friendly adventures, and thought-provoking new works—all being created by passionate artists right here in our community. Whether you're a