THEATRE REVIEWS
Sleek ‘Much Ado’ Takes a Mediterranean Break At The Old Globe
On the sunny Riviera of the 1930s, Facist troops take a break from combat to pursue the ancient nonsense of the beloved Shakespearean comedy ‘Much Ado About Nothing.’ almost everybody does a fine job and there’s one extraordinary turn.
Read MoreMoonlight’s OK ‘Hunchback’ Is Torn Between Two Competitive Worlds
The world has enjoyed author Victor Hugo’s “The Hunchback of Notre Dame” since its original publication in 1831 — so much so that the story has commanded lots of attention amid technical advancement. Moonlight Stage Productions is giving the live show, based on Disney’s 1996 animation, a go — and the result is a cautionary tale about the theater’s errant place in matters that probably shouldn’t concern it.
Read MorePromoting Tolerance With Musical Comedy
Director John Waters is no stranger to tasteless comedies for adults. Fans of movies such as “Female Trouble” and “Pink Flamingos” would probably never have guessed that one of his more popular films would be a feel-good PG 1988 movie, “Hairspray.”
Read MoreBeginning a New Chapter of Life
For its summer season, New Village Arts Theatre has produced two musical comedies with somewhat deeper stories than one might expect. Avenue Q used puppets to explore themes about adulthood, and Legally Blonde starting off as a modern romantic comedy, turns into a plot about self-improvement.
Read MoreOld Globe ‘Barefoot in the Park’ Again But Broadway Comedies Have Changed
The imaginary romantics of Neil Simon’s early smash hit return to the stage of the Old Globe Theatre to remind us that, among other things, Broadway comedies have changed a lot in 50 years.
Read MoreSinging Ghosts Return to California
After an extended hiatus, the Welk Resort Theatre is once again open to the public. Welcoming audiences back to Escondido are the ghosts from the musical-comedy revue, Forever Plaid.
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