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

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

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

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

Putting on a Very Happy Face Bruno A. Satalino and the ensemble of Bye Bye Birdie. Photo courtesy of The Phantom Projects Theatre by Anne Reid Rock-and-roll fever is set to sweep through Phantom Projects Theatre at La Habra Depot as “Bye Bye Birdie,” one of Broadway’s most beloved musical comedies, arrives with laughs, lively dance numbers and timeless charm. Directed and choreographed by Alan M-L Wager, the Tony Award-winning musical follows the chaos that erupts when rock-a

When Elvis leaves the stage, an unexpected journey of identity, family and self-discovery begins. Jacob Wilson. Photo courtesy of Beatrice Casagran. By Anne Reid "The Legend of Georgia McBride" combines broad comedy with themes of identity, family and belonging in a story that explores both performance and personal transformation. According to Ophelia's Jump founder Beatrice Casagran, the production appealed to the company not only because of its humor but because of the huma

Celebration of Shakespeare’s Friendship and Legacy From left, Genevieve Kauper, Kelly Franett and RigelKent Paden. Photo courtesy of Francis Gacad. by Anne Reid Director Amanda Hallman has wanted to stage “The Book of Will” since the moment she first read Lauren Gunderson’s play. After years of waiting for the rights, that vision is finally coming to life at Curtis Theatre through Begins And Ends With A, the production company Hallman co-founded with producer and costume desi

A diner, a wide-open road, and a story that proves even the smallest places can hold the biggest hearts. From Left, Rachel Williams and Sadie Black. Photo courtesy of Dylan Cranford. 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

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