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

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 picture-perfect 1950s dream, a life styled to perfection, and the moment the fantasy starts to slip. From left: Shane Murphy, Jeremy Krasovic, Taylor LaBarbera, Charlie Massey, Sarah Jane Finch, Mary Price Moore. Photo courtesy of Eric Modyman By MaryAnn DiPietro At first glance, it looks like perfection. But in “Home, I’m Darling” at Cabrillo Playhouse, that polished facade is only the beginning. In a production that leans into both nostalgia and nuance, director Hilary Pe