THEATRE REVIEWS
Communicating With the Deceased
Rosina Reynolds is far from a novice when it comes to working on plays by the famously clever writer, Noel Coward. In recent years, she has directed a production of Coward’s Fallen Angels at the North Coast Repertory Theatre, and has starred in interpretations of his comedy Hay Fever, and the dark drama, The Vortex, at the Cygnet Theatre.
Read MoreThe Rep’s ‘Fun Home’ a Chamber Musical Delight
There’s the feeling that the Rep and Fun Home should be an excellent match. That feeling was confirmed on opening night…
Read MorePlaywright Takes No Prisoners in Innermission’s Good ‘Revolt.’
The world seems determined to sabotage its best efforts — even as it clearly defines its problems, its myopic better angels can’t deliver the cure. Innermission Productions’ good ‘Revolt. She Said. Revolt Again.’ looks at the state of humanity and doesn’t hesitate for an instant to point the finger of blame.
Read MoreCygnet’s Good ‘Brilliant Thing’ Passes As a Public Service on Rigors of Life
Adjusted for age, the annual U.S. suicide rate increased 24 percent between 1999 and 2014, from 10.5 to 13 suicides per 100,000 people — the highest rate in 28 years. That’s a horrible portent — but Cygnet Theatre Company’s good ‘Every Brilliant Thing’ offers the right philosophical alternative.
Read MoreBreathing New Life Into a Popular Show
Originally staged in London in 1986, The Phantom of the Opera is still full of music, effects and imagery that continues to wow audiences in the West End and on Broadway. For the last few years, however, the touring production of the Andrew Lloyd Webber musical has featured new direction from Laurence Connor and a different set from Paul Brown.
Read MoreCast and Creatives Let ‘Smokefall’ Wash in La Jolla
Philosophers and playwrights like to tackle big questions, though when a playwright writes like a philosopher it takes a special audience to appreciate the result. Noah Haidle’s play, Smokefall, eloquently challenges that special audience and those who rise to the challenge will be richly rewarded…
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