AH, WILDERNESS!
Sunday, March 12th, 2017
A New England teen does considerable growing up over the course of thirty-six midsummer hours in Ah, Wilderness!, Eugene O’Neil’s timeless bit of early twentieth-century Americana, delightfully revived by A Noise Within in a production that could only have been improved by the casting of an age-appropriate lead.
(read more)
A CINDERELLA CHRISTMAS
Saturday, December 10th, 2016
There’s only one place in town where you can see Disney Channel teen idols, a ‘70s/‘80s TV diva, ugly stepsisters in drag, a gender-bending fairy godmother, a pygmy horse, magic effects and transformations galore, and some terrifically danced production numbers; hear over a dozen Top-40 hits (and more one-liners than a Henny Youngman set); and perhaps most excitingly, get to cheer the heroes and boo the villains—and that’s at the Pasadena Playhouse, once again treating L.A. audiences to the British tradition known as “Panto” with this year’s A Cinderella Christmas, the fifth annual Panto At The Playhouse.
(read more)
THE MAIDS
Saturday, October 29th, 2016Stunning performances and a striking production design make A Noise Within’s revival of Jean Genet’s The Maids a must for fans of mid-20th-century French experimental theater. Those less fond of avant-garde fare will find Genet’s talky tale of twisted sisters a considerably tougher go.
(read more)
THE IMAGINARY INVALID
Sunday, October 16th, 2016
Whether you’re a Mel Brooks/Monty Python fan who would never even consider setting foot in “California’s Home For The Classics” or a diehard Molière aficionado who can’t possibly imagine passing up a fresh new adaptation of the 343-year-old Le Malade Imaginaire, Constance Congdon’s 21st-century take on The Imaginary Invalid treats A Noise Within audiences to a laughfest so delectably funny (and playfully raunchy), it would do Mel or Monty proud.
(read more)
WICKED LIT 2016
Friday, October 14th, 2016
It wouldn’t be October in L.A. without the annual return of the creepy, kooky, mysterious, and spooky theatrical event that turns Altadena’s Mountain View Mausoleum And Cemetery into the chills-and-chuckles-packed trilogy of terror and suspense better known as Wicked Lit.
(read more)
THE FANTASTICKS
Tuesday, September 13th, 2016
The world’s longest-running musical (aka The Fantasticks) makes for a crowd-pleasing Pasadena Playhouse season opener thanks not only to its time-tested appeal but also to an excitingly contemporary director’s concept and cast choices that celebrate diversity in the most refreshing of ways.
(read more)
ARCADIA
Monday, September 12th, 2016
Tom Stoppard’s Arcadia can prove quite a head-scratcher when not done right. Fortunately, despite brain-teasing elements that can challenge even the sharpest intellect, all-around superb acting and incisive direction make A Noise Within’s 25th-season opener as entertaining and accessible as Arcadias get.
(read more)
THE GOLDEN DRAGON
Monday, May 9th, 2016RECOMMENDED
Five exceptional performances, Michael Michetti’s highly imaginative direction, and a breathtaking Theatre @ Boston Court production design add up to reason enough to check out Roland Schimmelpfennig’s The Golden Dragon despite a script more pretentious than profound.
(read more)
Since 2007, Steven Stanley's StageSceneLA.com has spotlighted the best in Southern California theater via reviews, interviews, and its annual StageSceneLA Scenies.
COPYRIGHT 2026 STEVEN STANLEY :: DESIGN BY