THEATRE news, REVIEWs,
& interviews
THE DARK HEART OF DOOLEY STEVENS at Backyard Renaissance
Horror, dramas full of difficult people, and things that may be hard to explain are all things at which Backyard Renaissance excels. So it is no surprise that when presenting the world premiere of “The Dark Heart of Dooley Stevens,” written by Backyard Renaissance Artistic Director Francis Gercke and playing through March 15th, this play is a mix of all those things.
WE ARE CONTINUOUS at Diversionary Theatre
“We Are Continuous” is an intimate play with an unusual recurring monologue and some in-scene format. Luckily, this production is very well-cast with Marti Gobel, Elliott Sagay, and Eli Wood and is excellently directed by Kian-Kline-Chilton. “We Are Continuous” is playing at Diversionary Theatre through March 9th.
ALABASTER at OnStage Playhouse
It’s not unusual to talk to your pets, though usually, when they start to talk back, it’s a cause for concern. Instead, “Alabaster,” playing at OnStage Playhouse, uses Weezy the goat, who does talk back to her owner, to add a sweet touch of magical realism to this play about love, loneliness, and how to move forward after surviving a trauma. Alabaster is playing through March 2nd.
Interview: Vivian White & Sean Boyd of THE SEUSSIFICATION OF ROMEO & JULIET at Trinity Theatre Company
Interview about THE SEUSSIFICATION OF ROMEO & JULIET with Trintiy Theatre Company Artistic Director Sean Boyd and Director Vivian White.
Interview: Wendy Maples of OUR TOWN at Groundworks Theatre
Wendy Maples is an actress, director, playwright, and teacher, and she can now add “Stage Manager” to her resume. At least as the main character of that title in “Our Town,” playing February 28-March 2, 2025, at Groundworks Theatre. Wendy took time to talk about the draw this show has and what it has been like exploring this classic play with her cast.
HELLO, DOLLY! at San Diego Musical Theatre
San Diego Musical Theatre and Dolly Levi invite you to Yonkers to sing, dance, visit Harmonia Gardens, and maybe even fall in love with “Hello, Dolly!” This classic musical brings the songs and fun of the story to life through March 9th at San Diego Musical Theatre.
Interview: Michele Selene Ang on EMPTY RIDE at The Old Globe
Interview with Michele Selene Ang on working on this role and play to bring it to the stage and what keeps bringing her back to live theatre. “Empty Ride” is playing at the Old Globe through March 2nd.
Interview: Steve Kazee on APPROPRIATE at The Old Globe
Family events are always stressful, but in “Appropriate,” when the funeral of the family patriarch and three siblings come together again for the first time in years, this comedy-drama is full of fireworks. Steve Kazee talks about how this play, his character Bo, and how this play proved to be a tempting chance to explore such a complex family and character dynamic. “Appropriate” plays at The Old Globe through Sunday, February 23rd.
Interview: Maggie Lacey Talks about being APPROPRIATE at The Old Globe
Maggie Lacey is no stranger to bringing what may be called “difficult women” to life on stage. She does it again with her performance as Toni, the older sister in “Appropriate,” playing at The Old Globe through February 23rd. Lacey talks about the play and what draws her to this show and other complex female characters.
SOME LIKE IT HOT is tap-tastic at Broadway San Diego
“Some Like It Hot,” now playing at Broadway San Diego, brings an updated classic film to the stage in a high-energy, tap-tastic show with big Broadway staging. ‘Some Like it Hot” is playing at Broadway San Diego at the Civic Theatre through Sunday, February 2nd.
Interview: Tarra Conner Jones knows that SOME LIKE IT HOT at Broadway San Diego
Interview with Tarra Conner Jones who plays “Sweet Sue” the loving but no-nonsense lead of an all-girls band in “Some Like it Hot” at Broadway San Diego.
Interview: Noa Barankin of 'RHYTHM DELIVERED' at The Grand Ritz Theatre
What do you get when you combine tap dance, innovative and creative percussion performances, and a show that offers performances that continually build on each new thing to create an immersive audience experience? DrumatiX creator and performer Noa Barankin calls it their new show ‘Rhythm Delivered” and promises it will be entertaining for all ages on February 1st at The Grand Ritz Theatre in Escondido.
THE HEART SELLERS at North Coast Repertory Theatre
“The Heart Sellers’ at North Coast Repertory Theatre is a lovely testament to the hope and loneliness of new beginnings and the power of friendship.
THE HISPANIC/LATINO/LATINA/LATINX/LATINE VOTE at TuYo Theatre
"The Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx/Latine Vote” by TuYo Theatre makes its San Diego premiere as part of the National New Play Network's Rolling World Premiere. This timely and thought-provoking play is running through January 19th.
The Shows of 2024 I Just Can't Stop Thinking About
As this year draws to a close and the new theatrical experiences of 2025 are just about to begin, I am looking back at the shows of 2024 that have continued to capture my imagination.
“YOUR LOCAL THEATER PRESENTS: A CHRISTMAS CAROL, BY CHARLES DICKENS, AGAIN” at La Jolla Playhouse
La Jolla Playhouse offers a new perspective on a holiday classic in “Your Local Theater Presents: A Christmas Carol, by Charles Dickens, Again,” which plays through December 15th.
MISERY at Backyard Renaissance
Backyard Renaissance cuts through the seasonal sweetness with a shiver down your spine with Stephen King’s “Misery” through December 7th.
Interview: Jefferson Mays of A CHRISTMAS CAROL: A GHOST STORY at The Old Globe
Interview with Jefferson Mays about his one-man show “A Christmas Carol: A Ghost Story' playing for a limited run at The Old Globe from December 12 - 22nd.
Review: LITTLE WOMEN: THE BROADWAY MUSICAL & OUR DEAR DEAD DRUG LORD At MOXIE Theatre
Moxie Theatre presents two radically different repertory shows with compelling performances reflecting girlhood's myriad experiences, “Little Women: The Broadway Musical” and the dark thriller “Our Dear Dead Drug Lord.” Both are running with the same core cast through December 8th.
Interview: Faith Carrion And Kay Marian McNellen of MIRACLE ON 34TH STREET: A LIVE MUSICAL PLAY At New Village Arts
Interview with “Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Musical Play” co-directors Faith Carrion and Kay Marian McNellen on bringing this show to life with their wonderful cast from November 22 to December 24th.