“MASTER HAROLD” … and the boys


The Colony Theatre Company’s last production, Trying, proved to be its biggest and
most critically acclaimed hit in years, and has scored an impressive 8 Ovation
nominations—in every category for which it was eligible. A decidedly tough act to
follow, but follow it they have, with a superb and supremely moving production of
Athol Fugard’s “Master Harold” … and the boys.
(read more)

SPIN


Maryland governor Ben Wiley’s approval rating is down to 32% following an
incident in which he “copped a quick feel” in his private office in the State house. 
It was a setup, he tells gubernatorial advisor/“miracle worker” Billy Dodge. She was
wearing no bra and “they were hanging there like ripe fruit.”  What was a
governor to do?
(read more)

DANGEROUS CORNER


Theatre 40’s revival of Dangerous Corner, J.B. Priestley’s 1932 London and Broadway mystery thriller, is both a well realized period play, with attention paid to costumes, hair, and set design, and a surprisingly modern piece of theater with plot twists any contemporary playwright would be proud of. Fast paced, well acted and directed, and authentically designed to take the audience back seventy-five years, Dangerous Corner is a suspenseful and conversation-provoking treat.
(read more)

LETTING GO

RECOMMMENDED
Letting Go is a collection of four one-acts about just that, “letting go.” In the first,
a mother must let go of hope and a daughter of lies. In the second, a dying man
must let go of his fragile hold on life. In the third, the mother of a young child must
let go of illusions. In the fourth, an older woman must let go of the past in order to
face the promise of the future.
(read more)

CANNED PEACHES IN SYRUP


Seeing a show at the Furious Theatre in Pasadena is a virtual guarantee of a 
brilliantly acted and staged production. Dámaso Rodriguez and his furiously 
fearless band of thespians invariably pick edgy and topical pieces of writing 
which they bring to vivid life upstairs at the Pasadena Playhouse, and Canned 
Peaches in Syrup is no exception.  Set in the not so distant future, in a world 
where food and water are so scarce that half the remaining inhabitants of our 
planet have turned to cannibalism to survive, Canned Peaches is, as they say, 
as topical as today’s headlines. It’s also an outrageously funny comedy, and a 
love story a la Romeo and Juliet to boot.
(read more)

SWIMMING TO THE MOON

NOT RECOMMENDED

The Beatles’ hit “When I’m 64” came out in 1967, the same year that Jim
Morrison recorded the most famous Doors hit, “Light my Fire.”  Interestingly, had
he not died under mysterious circumstances in 1971 (at the age of 27), Jim
Morrison would be turning 64 this year.
(read more)

THE ROOM


Twentieth century history comes vividly to life in Michael Franco’s fascinating
(and informative) world premiere drama, The Room.
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A DELICATE BALANCE


Ventura’s esteemed Rubicon Theatre Company follows its cute and funny
world premiere of Bad Apples with a quite memorable indeed revival of
Edward Albee’s Pulitzer Prize winning musings on the nature of family and
friendship, A Delicate Balance.  The title refers to the delicate balance
maintained by a suburban WASP couple in their marriage and home life.  This
Rubicon production is a perfect example of theatrical balance; everything,
performances, direction, and design have come together to create about
as fine a production of Albee’s contemporary classic as can be imagined.
(read more)

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