THE CRUCIBLE

posted on December 15th, 2007 at 4:02 PM by Steven Stanley


When Arthur Miller’s The Crucible was written in 1953, it was considered an allegory 
for the McCarthy “witch hunts,” in which Communism took the place of Satan in 
the original Salem Witch Trials of 1692. Today, as religious fundamentalists (of 
various creeds) use blind belief in dogma as a way to persecute those they 
disagree with, The Crucible stands even stronger than before as an indictment of 
religious fanaticism gone amok.  2007 seems an particularly fitting time for a revival 
of this Miller classic, and the production currently running at the Matrix more than 
does justice to Miller’s words.
(read more)

posted in Drama, Hollywood/West Hollywood, WOW!

EXTRAORDINARY DECEPTIONS

posted on December 15th, 2007 at 3:53 PM by Steven Stanley

RECOMMENDED
Though I’m not a big magic aficionado, I thoroughly enjoyed Michael Gutenplan’s
hour of Extraordinary Deceptions–A Magical Holiday Extravaganza, now playing at
the Powerhouse in Santa Monica.
(read more)

posted in Cabaret/Concert/Variety

BOB’S HOLIDAY OFFICE PARTY

posted on December 13th, 2007 at 3:47 PM by Steven Stanley

RECOMMENDED
Bob’s Holiday Office Party is an outrageously fun and funny 80 minutes of very non-
conventional Christmas hijinks, though probably not for everyone’s tastes.   For the 
uninitiated, the following paragraphs will serve as a preview of Bob’s R-rated 
humor. But beware.  Spoilers abound!
(read more)

posted in Comedy, Los Angeles, Recommended

HERO

posted on December 9th, 2007 at 3:42 PM by Steven Stanley

RECOMMENDED
Luis Alfaro’s Hero, directed by Jon Lawrence Rivera, is an intelligent and funny 
comedy about a returned Iraq war vet and his L.A. based family. (Hero is both 
the title of the play and our the name of one of the protagonists, though both 
are used ironically.)
(read more)

posted in Comedy, Los Angeles, Recommended

CONFESSIONS OF A CHRISTMAS BANSHEE

posted on December 9th, 2007 at 3:40 PM by Steven Stanley


Confessions of a Christmas Banshee is a charming, delightful, and just a bit racy
hour of holiday entertainment, showcasing the triple-threat talents of its L.A.
based cast of four (who met a few years back while performing on Broadway).
(read more)

posted in Musical, North Hollywood, WOW!

A CHRISTMAS CAROL

posted on December 8th, 2007 at 3:08 PM by Steven Stanley


The universality of A Christmas Carol has never been more evident than in the 
Celebration Theatre’s fabulous new GAY adaptation of the Charles Dickens 
classic. There have been numerous previous adaptations of ACC for “niche” 
audiences. An imdb search turns up The Muppet Christmas Carol, Mickey 
(Mouse)’s Christmas Carol, Mister Magoo’s Christmas Carol, An All Dogs Christmas 
Carol, a Diva’s Christmas Carol, A Flintstones Christmas Carol, Skinflint: A Country 
Christmas Carol, Bugs Bunny’s Christmas Carol, A Carol Christmas (with Tori 
Spelling as Carol), The Jetsons Christmas Carol, Brer Rabbit’s Christmas Carol, and 
A Sesame Street Christmas Carol. Now, at last, the gay community has a 
Christmas Carol it can call its own.
(read more)

posted in Comedy, Hollywood/West Hollywood, WOW!

A TUNA CHRISTMAS

posted on December 7th, 2007 at 3:31 PM by Steven Stanley


Earlier this year, Jaston Williams and Joe Sears brought the two dozen or so Tuna,
Texas denizens they created to La Mirada, in a big theater production of
Greater Tuna, which scored both of them Ovation Best Actor nominations.
(read more)

posted in Comedy, Los Angeles, WOW!

WINTER WONDERETTES

posted on December 6th, 2007 at 3:26 PM by Steven Stanley


In a town where a 3-4 month run in a 99-seat theater can be considered a
smashing success, The Marvelous Wonderettes’ 16 month run at the El Portal
is nothing short of miraculous, and proof positive that even in much
maligned L.A., if you stage it right, they will come.
(read more)

posted in Musical, Musical Revue, WOW!

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