Shari Barrett

Boston-born Apollo Dukakis most important lifelong role has been as the adoring brother of his sister, Academy-Award winning actress Olympia Dukakis, who left us in 2021. To honor her memory, Odyssey Theatre Ensemble is presenting OK, OLYMPIA, LET’S GO!, a multi-media celebration of her life that includes YOU AND ME, a one-act play written by Apollo.

Thanks to de Santos’ insightful direction, the on-going dialogues never seem to drag and the action flows at a pace which keeps the audience interested in just what happens between these well-written characters.

Director Max Mayer keeps the action authentic and story realistically contrite after helping execute the play’s workshop, making this production an especially meaningful return to the material.

Hilarity ensues as alcohol is consumed, leading to brilliant cat and mouse games during which laughs abound.

I really enjoyed the story, acting and staging, along with recognizing the Yiddish comments, behavior and attitudes from my own life being raised by a close-knit Jewish family.

Here's my interview with director Guillermo Cienfuegos and Richard III star Ann Noble about their vision for the production.

Here's my interview with Director Sabra Williams about directing the play, why it was selected to be presented at Little Fish, and how the intimate theater is a perfect setting for the play.

I spoke with Director Barry Pearl about taking on I Love You, You’re Perfect, Now Change, his vision for the production, and how he plans to direct only four actors into 40 characters.

Bitterman’s script encompasses so many universal truths about the battle of the sexes in working out relationships that everyone will identify with the ups and downs that challenge even the closest couple to survive and stay together. The dialogue is fast-paced and delivered with the necessary emotional skill by James and Edwards.

Justin Tanner works as a creative consultant for numerous projects in theatre, film, and television and has credits including more than 20 produced plays as well as credits writing TV shows and web series. I decided to speak with him about the process of writing such a personal play.

I decided to speak with its two stars, Will Swenson and Lesli Margherita about the challenges faced during their journeys to taking on Sweeney Todd and Mrs. Lovett and how working with Director Jason Alexander for the La Mirada production has inspired them to bring these two iconic characters to life.

What Opa Did is masterful and brutally honest storytelling at its best, with each actor dedicated to showing each person as a human being, not just either good or bad, while trying to cope with the reality of their lives in Germany in World War II.

How did Melissa Barak (Artistic Director) and Julia Rivera (Executive Director) decide on which three ballets to present and how is each representative of the work the group has done and plan to do in their future?

I spoke with playwright Catherine Butterfield about the development of her play BROWNSTONE, its structure and subject matter, and her fascination with brownstones.

This world premiere musical comedy is fast-paced, hilarious, and sneakily poignant, skewering the utter depravity of reality TV and how it can corrupt even the most wholesome element of humanity – children!

Here's my interview with Dawn Robinson-Patrick about the Family Fest | Lunar New Year’s inception, organization, family atmosphere & activities, and the youth theatre presentation of The Great Race at The Wallis on Saturday, January 17.

J.B. Priestley’s Hitchcockian suspense drama An Inspector Calls enjoyed a very successful run at Theatre 40 during this past November/December, directed with great skill and innovation by Cate Caplin. As of January 8, the production moves into the stately Greystone Mansion in Beverly Hills, a perfect location for the play’s action. Here is my interview with Cate about moving the production there.

The world premiere of Eden Espinosa's solo concert Woman Is… brings her back to Los Angeles, promising to blend Broadway spirit with a pop edge, and a glimmer of holiday magic.

The hilarious and irreverent comedy has become a vital part of every Christmas season in Los Angeles since 1995, and dedicated fans have been returning over the years to laugh at all the riotous antics. 

The four pieces performed during BODYTRAFFIC: Check-Mate highlighted the dance company’s technical prowess and ability to masterfully embody diverse choreography styles via their dazzling versatility.