World Premiere of Paul Robeson Play at La Jolla Playhouse Resonates with Contemporary Events

By Bill Eadie | October 18, 2013 |

Mr. Beaty’s subject is Paul Robeson, the singer and actor who rose to the heights of his profession prior to and during World War II and then plummeted to the depths by his open admiration for equal treatment of people of color within the Soviet Union, an admiration that soured once Stalin came to power. Nevertheless, Mr. Robeson was called before the House UnAmerican Activities Committee, and like so many artists so called, he lost his prestige and his ability to work as an entertainer for years to come.

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Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson Worth the Drive to the OC

By Bill Eadie | July 17, 2013 |

You’d be foolish to see Chance Theatre’s production of the musical, Bloody, Bloody Andrew Jackson instead of going to summer school to learn U. S. history, even though there’s a lot of history that bleeds into Alex Timbers’ book. But, if your idea of beach reading is plowing through an entertaining and energetic historical novel, then this show is for you…

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Company at Cygnet Goes For The Gags

By Bill Eadie | July 14, 2013 |

In general, audiences see Stephen Sondheim shows to be entranced by Mr. Sondheim’s clever lyrics and to hear how he pushes the envelope as he sets those lyrics to music. The books of Mr. Sondheim’s shows, which are always written by others, tend to be considered the weak link when compared to the score. So, it is quite a reversal to see Sean Murray’s production of Company at Cygnet Theatre push the humor of George Furth’s book to the foreground. The result is the funniest Company imaginable, though perhaps made so at the expense of the music…

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