Theatre reviews by Makayla Hoppe
George and Martha are pulling no punches, and their unsuspecting guests are caught in the middle of the fight. Backyard Renaissance Theatre's production of "Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf?", co-directed by Coleman Ray Clark and Francis Gercke, showcases a powerhouse of performances in the three-hour dramatic classic. After a university faculty party, Martha (Jessica John)... Continue Reading →
"There's no place like home," Dorothy says as she takes her long-awaited trip back to Kansas. In "Somewhere Over the Border" by Brian Quijada, Reina also searches for home, but one she has only ever heard of. Directed by Carlos Mendoza, the musical currently playing at Cygnet Theatre tells a story of immigration and determination... Continue Reading →
Like fingerprints, no two people share the same kind of grief. Whether it be a significant other, friend, or relative, the way we process loss is unique to each of us. In "Rabbit Hole" by David Lindsay-Abaire, the main characters need to deal with the grief of losing their 4-year-old son. The Pulitzer Prize-winning play... Continue Reading →
SDMT put on a great show, featuring a stellar cast, a fun set and jovial choreography. However, the 1961 musical is terribly dated and doesn't retain the golden-age-of-musicals charm that so many other shows seem to have.
Chalk Circle Collective has become a theater that pushes the envelope of what theater can produce—both in itself and in its audiences. Nowhere is that more apparent than in their current production of "The Strangers," written by christopher oscar peña and directed by Coleman Ray Clark. The story follows cris (Steven Lone) as he returns... Continue Reading →
La Jolla Playhouse has taken a crack at the next film-to-stage adaptation with their production of "Working Girl," based on the 1988 film starring Melanie Griffith, Harrison Ford and Sigourney Weaver. The stage show features music and lyrics by Cyndi Lauper and book by Theresa Rebeck. Tess (Joanna "JoJo" Levesque) is a secretary in a... Continue Reading →
In her autobiographical glam rock musical, Shakina recounts a moment from her trip to Thailand, where she cared for formerly-abused elephants. Accompanied by some very charming puppetry designed by Iain Gunn, Bridget Rountree and Animal Cracker Conspiracy Puppet Co., she sings of hope and the persevering idea that "spirits don't break." That trip to Thailand... Continue Reading →
Over the years of its many productions, Cygnet Theatre has returned time and time again to the great works of Stephen Sondheim. From "A Little Night Music" to "Sweeney Todd" and "Assassins," the company continues to successfully and beautifully produce the works of one of Broadway's greatest composers. It's fitting that Cygnet has selected another... Continue Reading →
Based on the French novel “Réparer les vivants” by Maylis de Kerangal, La Jolla Playhouse’s musical adaptation, “The Heart,” follows the events of a heart transplant within a 24-hour window. The show opens by introducing Simon (Zachary Noah Piser), a young San Diegan who spends his early mornings surfing. What follows is a tragic car... Continue Reading →
This new adaptation from the screen to the stage has proven successful so far, and PowPAC's production is well done. The show runs until Aug. 17 and is a fulfilling theatrical contribution to Poway and the surrounding San Diego area.
To See or Not To See 