Non-Registered Critics: Bonnie Priever
Neil Simon's Musical Fools
The music and lyrics, so cleverly contrived by Swann West, have a Sondheim-esque tone to them, each musical number outshining the previous. We’re simple people- we know not what we do” has such a catchy beat, you’ll find yourself humming upon leaving the theatre, the tell tale sign of a hit song. To escape a real world, fraught with worry and fear, come see “Musical Fools” filled with a ‘don’t worry, be happy’ vibe.
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Last Swallows
Again, Kiff Scholl’s direction of his play, in the style of a Greek tragi-comedy is a challenge ably mastered. The subtle, subliminal reference/analogy of the swallows as noisy chattering creatures who appear and then fleetingly quiet and disappear, much like the Whitestone adult children is a brilliant metaphor.
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Treya's Last Dance
Treya’ s pain and angst is so real and visceral, as she battles for her voice to be heard. Go see it and you’ll be charmed at first sight.
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Skintight
This focus will definitely resonate with California audiences of any age. Inside jokes and innuendos relating to the fashion design industry, as well as the lives, loves, and travails of the rich and famous add a humorous touch to the overall story. It’s no surprise that this show has been extended due to sold out shows. For a chance to increase your laugh lines, treat yourself to a performance of “Skintight".
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Witch
Playwright Jen Silverman explains, “The Witch of Edmonton is the only play I encountered from that time that boldly announces to the audience that it is going to do this exact thing, and then does entirely the opposite.” Her keen ability to create a revival of this classic piece by Jacobean playwrights Rowley, Dekker, and Ford is something not to be missed, as she recreates the story, now set in contemporary times, even more so resonating with audiences today.
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Anne, A New Play
Each cast member gives a memorable performance, creating each character’s legacy and imprint on us all. Leaves the audience in awe of this courageous, heroic group of people. A must see, especially in today’s world in which we live, with the resurgence of racism, anti-semitism, and senseless intolerance.
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Nancy F***ing Reagan
Hurewitz is spot on in writing good characters, dialogue and conflict; each member of the ensemble making a vivid, memorable first impression.
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LOVE, MADNESS, AND SOMEWHERE IN BETWEEN
Cox proves that humor, performance and strength is the best revenge of all. With candor, raw humility, and grace, Cox reveals the power of ‘writing what you know,’ and this brilliant actor does just that, in this brilliant show, garnering accolades, encores, and sold out crowds at the 2019 Hollywood Fringe.
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THE LAST FIVE YEARS
This musical production is at one a powerful serenade of life and love’s precarious challenges and new beginnings, performed by a cohesive duo. The After Hours Theatre Company is a great example of small musical theatre offerings here in our city of angels.
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Rewind - A New 80s Musical
The audience will cheer on as each character evolves, develops and realizes one’s full potential both personally and professionally, each one hoping for a happy ‘take 2.’
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Invisible Tango
He is at once both good and extremely entertaining, with most of his acts unique and full of mystique, like things you’ve never seen or imagined before. He is like the Cirque de Soleil of Magic. He seems to make playing cards appear out of nowhere and end up in a glass jar. He also plays a perfect poker and bridge game, beating the odds of Vegas’ dealers! He can easily go on America’s Got Talent and win! He is also a superb quick change artist with a variety of stories, situations and tricks, with audience interaction galore. It is perhaps his standout charm, humor and dialect that wins over the audience members as he converses and invites them on stage with them. At show’s end, a mysterious enigma is solved leaving the audience in bated breath, wanting even more.
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HERSHEY FELDER: A PARIS LOVE STORY
This show is typical of the caliber of productions at the Wallis Annenberg Center for the Performing Arts. The use of video on a back screen brilliantly accompanies the enthralling and rapturous music, making this production a must see. This show is for aficionado and novice alike, far and wide, anyone who truly appreciates fine art, music, and the work of one of the most distinguished composers of all time.
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Moving On: The One-Acts 2019
Each one takes the sensitive theme of love and loss and ‘this too shall pass,' with dialogue so resonant and relevant to today's audience, bringing tears of both joy and sorrow. Each of these five winning one acts tell of the lives of disparate, disaffiliated individuals, yearning for connection and a path back.
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BLACK BEAUTY
Black Beauty is indeed a five star triumph and a modern re-emerging of the original book. The children in audience of the opening matinee I attended were completely mesmerized from show's start to finish; they especially liked the dancing horse with uncanny rhythm.
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The Niceties
The dialogue throughout the show is comparable to a strategic chess game of life, where each player thinks five minutes ahead of her next argument, all the while reflecting on her past moves. So many moments include crystal clear language, gestures, and mannerisms, depicting the two actors riding a wave, and holding strong. The play clearly reveals character development, and despite resentment and bitterness toward each other, they maintain composure and eye contact.
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The Wolves
It's evident that the director and writer carefully treats each persona with the utmost of respect. The underlying, yet overlying theme of the show is loss, a shocking tragedy that occurs midway through, which ultimately brings the blossoming young women closer together and finally bonded...
A striking performance, not to be missed.
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The Sound of Murder
the direction by Adrian Cohen is excellent and his talented cast complement his achievement. ...This show is a great example of collaboration at its best. Go see “The Sound of Murder,” a murder mystery, that will leave you tantalized, horrified, and gratified!
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THE ELEPHANT MAN
When the same actors play multiple roles, the audience immediately recognizes the depth of character development and creative teamwork involved...
The show's haunting, exquisite score and music (sound engineering by Beau Bancroft) not only enhances but carries the emotional energy. It has so much potential that a chamber operetta of The Elephant Man could well be on the musical horizon.
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Too Much Sun
Director (Bart DeLorenzo) and his fabulous cast and crew have put this gem of a production together at the stellar Odyssey Theatre, where the bar is as high as Mount Olympus... Go see it; you will be well rewarded!
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The Old Man and The Old Moon
The stunning combination of catchy bluegrass music; shadow puppetry magic; and slapstick physical comedy, along with an adorable shaggy dog who steals our hearts, makes for a winning theatrical experience for the entire family.
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