Posts by David Dixon
La Jolla Playhouse’s ‘As You Like It’ Celebrates Joy
A good amount of shows from the La Jolla Playhouse this year, including Bhangin’ It, Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord and Fandango for Butterflies (and Coyotes) focused on optimistic stories with messages about positive relationships. The company, in association with Diversionary Theatre, is ending 2022 with a great production of another narrative involving life-changing bonds between people, William Shakespeare’s comedy, As You Like It.
Read MoreAwkward First Impressions in Onstage’s Hilarious ‘First Date’
October might seem like an unusual time for Onstage Playhouse to present the frequently funny romantic musical comedy, First Date. However, staging the show around Halloween actually makes sense since the dating experience can be scary and stress-inducing.
Read MoreMusic and Empathy Drive La Jolla Playhouse’s Beautiful ‘Fandango…’
The immigrant experience continues to be difficult for many people living in the United States. However, both the joys and struggles of Latin American immigrants are explored in La Jolla Playhouse and the End Garde Arts fantastic production of the play with music, Fandango for Butterflies (and Coyotes).
Read MoreMoonlight’s Powerful ‘Ragtime’ Explores America
One of the major reasons why the 1998 epic, Ragtime, continues to be produced around the world, is because it is a relevant American story. Many of the themes involving racism, immigration and generational conflicts are topics that strike a chord with modern audiences.
Read More‘New York’ Wonderfully Honors a Musical Genius
Though Leonard Bernstein passed away in 1990, his music continues to be celebrated. Not only was Steven Spielberg’s adaptation of West Side Story, composed by Bernstein, released last year, but a biographical film directed by and starring Bradley Cooper about the conductor/composer/pianist, “Maestro,” will be streaming on Netflix in 2023.
Read MoreDiversionary’s Emotional ‘Eighty-Sixed’ Embraces Hope
Stories from the past are often relevant to modern times. That is very much on display in Diversionary Theatre’s strong world premiere staging of the musical, Eighty-Sixed.
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