BWW Review: BREATHE Takes Philicia Saunders on a Life-Changing Journey
Like most solo productions, Philicia Saunders’ BREATHE comes from her own experiences.
Costa Mesa Theater Reviews
The latest reviews and critic recommendations from Costa Mesa.
BWW Review: THE FUTURE at Geffen Playhouse Weaves Illusion and Storytelling into a Virtual Crowd-Pleaser
THE FUTURE at The Geffen is a smart new production, once again written by Helder Guimarães and directed by Frank Marshall, that highlights Guimarães’ ability to weave illusion and storytelling into a satisfying theatrical crowd-pleaser.
BWW Review: 3-D Theatricals Gets Glam with its Fun, Fierce, and Fabulous KINKY BOOTS
There are certainly plenty of movie-to-stage adaptations that have appeared (and continue to pop up) on Broadway, but few can boast being one of the most jubilant and unabashedly open-minded as the gloriously glam 2012 hit KINKY BOOTS, the Tony Award-winning stage musical adaptation of Geoff Deane a
BWW Review: Deeply Moving FUN HOME Gets Intimate Staging at OC's Chance Theater
A deeply complex father-daughter dynamic is the central narrative that drives the searingly poignant and emotionally absorbing musical FUN HOME, the Tony Award-winning stage adaptation of Alison Bechdel's 2006 autobiographical graphic memoir now appearing in an admirable new intimate theater product
BWW Review: Musical Theatre West Revisits the Epic RAGTIME in Grand Splendor
Fifteen years after its first production of the musical, Musical Theatre West revisits the Tony Award-winning musical RAGTIME for only its second time---smartly reviving the musical in a similarly lavish production that beautifully converges the show's classic staging and vibe with wonderfully integ
BWW Review: Old School Musical Comedy SHE LOVES ME Mostly Charms at OC's South Coast Repertory
Though SCR's admirable new production of the 1963 Broadway musical SHE LOVES ME, for the most part, still has many charming, beautifully-staged, and well-sung moments, it also somehow feels like it is slightly reigned in, as if there was a purposeful attempt to downscale some of its built-in whimsy
BWW Feature: Seven Date Night Recommendations for a Sensational Valentine's Day
With Valentine's Day right around the corner, it's time to get your date night plans in order.
BWW Review: Tony Award Winner Lillias White Makes Divalicious Return to OC's Segerstrom Center
During the opening night performance of her fun return engagement at Segerstrom Center for the Arts' Cabaret Series at the Samueli Theatre, Tony Award winner Lillias White felt strongly about putting on a a?oehappy show,a?? as a way to combat all the sadness and fear that have overtaken our world.
BWW Review: Stirring Drama FIREFLIES Explodes at OC's South Coast Repertory
In their continued and laudable feat of presenting diverse voices in theater, Orange County's South Coast Repertory is currently staging another stirring new drama, this time from playwright Donja R.
BWW Review: PETER PAN & TINKER BELL Panto Flies Into Laguna Playhouse
The family-friendly fun of Lythgoe Family Productions' annual holiday British Panto returns to the Laguna Playhouse, this time with the reimagined Yuletide re-telling of PETER PAN & TINKER BELL: A PIRATE'S CHRISTMAS, which continues through December 29, 2019 in the city of Laguna Beach.
BWW Review: Megan Hilty Brings Fun, Delightful Cabaret Set to OC's Segerstrom Center
Here's my understatement of the year so far: Broadway star Megan Hilty is one of the most delightful creatures that has ever graced a stage.
BWW Review: South Coast Repertory Serves Slow Burning Food Drama AUBERGINE
Food has many uses, one of which is communicating an emotion.
BWW Review: Gorgeous but Flawed Stage Adaptation of ANASTASIA Substitutes Whimsy for Stilted Drama
At first glance, the musical stage adaptation of ANASTASIA looks and feels like an appropriately grand, luxe affaira?"from its gorgeous costumes designed to the lush soundscapes created by the orchestra and the vocal talents that have been assembled for this tour.
BWW Review: 3-D Theatricals' Deeply Heartfelt ONCE Spreads the Love All Around
The experience of seeing the Grammy and Tony Award-winning stage adaptation of ONCE - THE MUSICAL begins the minute you enter the theatre as you make your way to your assigned seat.
BWW Review: Betty Buckley Returns with Jazzy New Cabaret Set at OC's Segerstrom Center
It's amazing to think that it has only been just six weeks since Tony Award winning stage and screen actress Betty Buckley ended her much-lauded 13-month-long engagement starring as the title role in the recent Broadway national tour production of HELLO DOLLY.
BWW Review: Endearing Gay Rom-Com THE CANADIANS Sails Into OC's South Coast Repertory
For playwright Adam Bock's endearing new gay romantic comedy THE CANADIANS---now having its infectiously giddy World Premiere production at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa through October 20, 2019---the typical blueprint for the usual girl-meets-boy trope gets a fresh, heady spin and an inspired
BWW Review: Stunning MISS SAIGON Revival at Segerstrom Center Can't Wipe Away Its Outdated Problematic Motifs
30 years after its stage debut, experiencing MISS SAIGON nowadays exposes just how outdated and out-of-touch it is with our increasingly diverse world view.
BWW Review: Gloriously Reimagined LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS Kills at Pasadena Playhouse
At its core, the original production of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS (and the movie adaptation it spawned) unabashedly celebrated its campy outlandishness.
BWW Review: Musical Ladies Triumph in the Delightful AMERICAN MARIACHI at South Coast Repertory
Serving as the gloriously buoyant 56th season-opening production at Orange County's South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa, AMERICAN MARIACHI---which continues performances through October 5, 2019---is a wonderful play about the love of family and the love for achieving personal dreams.
BWW Review: Pasadena Pops Shine Under the Stars
Michael Feinstein, once again, brought MGM Movie Classics to life last Saturday with his rare finds and classic orchestrations.
BWW Review: 3-D Theatricals' Revisit with SHREK Offers Colorful Cheeky Fun
As the final show of its 10th Anniversary Season, 3-D Theatricals is revisiting the hilarious SHREK - THE MUSICAL, the stage musical adaptation of the hit 2001 Dreamworks animated film, itself an adaptation of William Steig's 1990 novel.
BWW Review: Broadway Vets Shine in Delightful, Star-Studded INTO THE WOODS at the Hollywood Bowl
An inspired choice of a show, the Hollywood Bowl has decided to present an effervescently buoyant new production of the Tony Award-winning 1986 musical INTO THE WOODS, Stephen Sondheim and James Lapine's much beloved twisted take on traditional fairy tale stories mashed together with witty charm, to
BWW Review: THE LITTLE MERMAID Enchants at Musical Theatre West
Currently docked at the Carpenter Center for the Performing Arts in Long Beach through July 28 is Musical Theater West's wonderfully vibrant new regional production of THE LITTLE MERMAID, Disney's Broadway stage adaptation of their hit 1989 animated classic, which itself was adapted from the Hans Ch
BWW Review: Chance Theater Offers Ambitious 'Intimate' Production of Still Timely Epic RAGTIME
A sweeping, grandiose, and emotionally-searing stage musical adaptation of E.
BWW Review: Postmodern Jukebox Brings the Riffs Back to OC's Segerstrom Center
It is no surprise that Scott Bradlee's inspired and wonderfully genre-crossing creation, Postmodern Jukebox---which recently just finished up its third wildly-received appearance at Orange County's Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa---still garners near sold-out concerts attended by rabid,
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Elton Dom: The Young Elton Experience Rose Center Theater (10/16-10/18) |
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The Music of Bond, James Bond Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall (4/16-4/17) |
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Pink Martini All-Stars Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall (2/19-2/20) |
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Tchaikovsky’s Piano Concerto No. 1: Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall (4/29-5/02) |
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Nobu Plays Rachmaninoff's Mighty Third Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall (11/19-11/21) |
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Adventures of Tortoise & Hare The Laguna Playhouse (1/30-1/30) |
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RENT The Laguna Playhouse (4/07-5/02) |
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The 39 Steps The Laguna Playhouse (10/27-11/22) |
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The Idiot's Paradise The Stomping Ground (10/08-10/17) |
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Chicago: The Musical — in Concert Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall (6/04-6/05) |
