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Costa Mesa Theatre Newsroom

The latest news on live theatre in Costa Mesa from Broadway shows on tour to regional theatre.

Cirque Du Soleil Has Raised Its Iconic Big Top In Laguna Hills
by BWW News Desk - May 16, 2025


Cirque du Soleil raised its Big Top at the Laguna Hills Mall in preparation for the May 23rd opening of Cirque du Soleil ECHO - its newest Big Top production.

Review: South Coast Repertory Presents World Premiere Play THE STAIRCASE
by Michael Quintos - May 09, 2025


Set in the part of the 'real' Hawaii that tourists are unlikely to ever see, THE STAIRCASE—the World Premiere play from Noa Gardner directed by Gaye Taylor Upchurch—is an admirable new play that features a superb acting ensemble, relatable themes, beautifully authentic cultural representation, and an intriguing (if slightly predictable) premise. Using many long stretches of orations to un-peel its surface layers, the play is mostly commendable in artistic execution and cultural specificity, but could, perhaps, use some more editing in its hopefully ongoing evolution.

Preview: CIRQUE DU SOLEIL ECHO at Laguna Hills Mall
by Melissa Heckscher - May 09, 2025


A look at Cirque du Soleil's newest touring show, ECHO (playing in Laguna Hills May 23 through June 29), which features a high-tech, moving 'cube' to act as a background and acrobatic launch pad.

South Coast Repertory Reveals 2025/26 Season
by BWW News Desk - May 08, 2025


South Coast Repertory has announced its 2025-26 season, featuring the return of Million Dollar Quartet, the milestone 45th anniversary of Charles Dickens’ A Christmas Carol, and more.

THE IMPORTANCE OF BEING EARNEST- A WILDE NEW MUSICAL World Premiere Set for At American Coast Theater Company
by BWW News Desk - May 07, 2025


American Coast Theater Company has announced the Orange County premiere of The Importance of Being Earnest: A Wilde New Musical, with music by Bret Simmons and book/lyrics by David Howard, a fresh and spirited adaptation of Oscar Wilde's classic comedy.

Rose Center Theater To Host SOMETHING ROTTEN! Gala Performance
by BWW News Desk - May 01, 2025


The Rose Center Theater will present a highly anticipated Gala Performance of Something Rotten! on Saturday, June 28, 2025, at 6:30 PM. This exclusive event will feature an evening of world-class entertainment, delicious dining, and local talent.

SOMETHING ROTTEN! Hits The Stage At Rose Center Theater
by BWW News Desk - May 01, 2025


What happens when two desperate playwrights try to outshine Shakespeare by inventing the musical? Total theatrical mayhem-and a whole lot of laughter. The Rose Center Theater will present the Broadway smash hit Something Rotten!, running June 27 through July 20, 2025, in Westminster, CA.

Colette Gregory BLACK BEST FRIEND To Steppenwolf's Lookout Series In June
by BWW News Desk - May 01, 2025


The award-winning multi-hyphenate artist Colette Gregory returns to her Chicago home with her acclaimed one-woman show, Black Best Friend, as part of Steppenwolf's LookOut series June 12-14, 2025.

South Coast Repertory Reveals Casts, Creative Teams For 27th Annual Pacific Playwrights Festival Readings
by BWW News Desk - April 30, 2025


South Coast Repertory has announced the casts and creative teams for its renowned Pacific Playwrights Festival. The highly anticipated showcase of new works, part of the theatre's new-play development arm—The Lab@SCR—begins Friday, May 2 and runs through Sunday, May 4.

4th Annual OC Theatre Guild Awards Celebrate Orange County's Theatre Scene
by BWW News Desk - April 30, 2025


On Monday night, the Orange County theater community gathered once again to celebrate excellence in live performance at the 4th Annual OC Theatre Guild Awards.

ORDINARY DAYS to be Presented at The GEM Theatre This Spring
by BWW News Desk - April 29, 2025


One More Productions at The GEM Theatre will present the musical, ORDINARY DAYS! Directed and Musically Directed by Damien Lorton, this production will run in May. Learn more!

Review: Tony Award-Winning Musical HAMILTON Returns to OC's Segerstrom Center
by Michael Quintos - April 28, 2025


Now ten years old, HAMILTON—which was birthed during a more welcoming time when such a creative, innovative endeavor felt like a step in necessary progress—still lives up to its initial hype, but also now feels more groundbreaking and particularly poignant than ever before.

THESE SHINING LIVES to be Presented by The Curtis Theatre And Begins And Ends With 'A' Productions
by BWW News Desk - April 24, 2025


The Curtis Theatre and Begins and Ends with 'A' Productions will present 'These Shining Lives,' written by Melanie Marnich and directed by Amanda Hallman. Learn more!

Review: Cheyenne Jackson Makes OC Cabaret Debut at Segerstrom Center
by Michael Quintos - April 21, 2025


With a notable career that spans stage and screen, musically-gifted actor Cheyenne Jackson delivered a wonderfully charming, wickedly hilarious OC solo debut set during his three-night run at Segerstrom Center for the Arts' Samueli Theatre from April 10-12, 2025. Backed by the superbly talented Willy Beaman behind the piano, Jackson not only showcased his impressive, Broadway-honed singing chops but also his knack for touching and comedic storytelling, providing OC with a program that was as magnificent as it was swoon-worthy—with plenty of emotion, laughs, and ribald cheekiness generously served in between.

Catalina Museum Announces The 38th Annual Avalon Silent Film Showcase
by BWW News Desk - April 16, 2025


The Catalina Museum for Art & History will present the 38th Annual Avalon Silent Film Showcase, one of the longest-running celebrations of silent film in the world. This year's event spans two days, Friday, May 16 and Saturday, May 17, 2025, offering rare screenings, live music and expert commentary in two iconic Avalon venues.

FREMONT AVE. By Reggie D. White To Have World Premiere a South Coast Repertory
by BWW News Desk - April 14, 2025


South Coast Repertory has announced two of the country's most prestigious regional theatres are coming to together to produce the world premiere of Fremont Ave. by Reggie D. White.

World Premiere of THE STAIRCASE Comes to South Coast Repertory
by BWW News Desk - April 11, 2025


South Coast Repertory will bring the singularly unique voice of Hawaiian playwright Noa Gardner to theatregoers with the world premiere of The Staircase. Learn more here!

Review: Musical Theatre West Ventures Back INTO THE WOODS in Long Beach
by Michael Quintos - April 03, 2025


For Musical Theatre West's new, winning large-scale production—now on stage at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach through April 13, 2025—director Kari Hayter and a company of terrific performers have revived the musical in an expected, true-to-the-classic staging, bursting with the color and aura of a storybook fairy tale come-to-life. While, sure, nothing necessarily new is presented in MTW's vibe, this lively, genuinely spirited presentation reminds old and new fans exactly why the show—for many theatergoers—continues to be a beloved show decades after it first conjured itself on stage.

Irvine Barclay Theatre Celebrates 35th Season
by BWW News Desk - April 03, 2025


 Irvine Barclay Theatre, one of Orange County’s top performing arts venues, will kick off its 35th season of bringing top-tier artists to Southern California with a community celebration of music and dance.

Sierra Madre Playhouse Showcases Celebrated Clarinetist Joshua Rubin on WAVES IN BLOOM
by BWW News Desk - April 03, 2025


Joshua Rubin, a master of both modern and historical clarinets, collaborates with several of his esteemed musical colleagues on “Waves in Bloom,” a concert exploring the fascinating intersection between classical composition and electronic innovation.

JOURNEY TO THE CENTER OF THE EARTH to be Presented at Vanguard University
by BWW News Desk - April 02, 2025


Vanguard University's Theatre Arts Department has revealed the upcoming production of Journey to the Center of the Earth, a thrilling adventure based on Jules Verne's classic novel. Learn more!

Pageant Of The Masters Expands Access To The Arts Through Masters At Giving Program
by BWW News Desk - April 02, 2025


The Festival of Arts of Laguna Beach invites the community to help make the arts more accessible through its Masters at Giving program. Learn more here!

Laguna Art Museum Expands Free Admission To All Visitors Ages 19 And Under
by BWW News Desk - April 01, 2025


Laguna Art Museum has announced a significant expansion in youth accessibility, admission is now free for all visitors ages 19 and under. New support given by attendees to the 43rd Annual California Cool Art Auction Paddle Raise t extends this benefit to remove financial barriers for teens and young adults.

THE SECRET GARDEN Comes to Golden West College
by BWW News Desk - April 01, 2025


The Golden West College Theater Arts Department, under the direction of Martie Ramm, will present the Tony Award-winning musical The Secret Garden.

Review: RENT In Concert is a Symphonic Triumph at OC’s Segerstrom Center
by Michael Quintos - March 21, 2025


Perhaps the biggest takeaway from experiencing RENT - IN CONCERT—a symphony orchestra-backed concert version of Jonathan Larson's iconic musical which recently played to a full-capacity crowd for a one-night-only performance on March 15, 2025 at OC's Segerstrom Center for the Arts in Costa Mesa—is that this Tony and Pulitzer-Prize-winning 1996 show truly deserves to always have a full symphony orchestra playing its memorable score. Aided by a talented ensemble led by Coby Getzug, Abigail Barlow, and Frankie Rodriguez, this beautifully-presented music showcase proved to be an entertaining evening.


Videos


Grease! in Costa Mesa Grease!
The GEM Theatre (6/12 - 7/20)
Hoopla! in Costa Mesa Hoopla!
Bluebird Park (6/7 - 6/7)
Nic & Desi: Broadway to Hollywood in Costa Mesa Nic & Desi: Broadway to Hollywood
The GEM Theatre (6/6 - 6/6)
Something Rotten! – Gala Performance at the Rose Center Theater in Costa Mesa Something Rotten! – Gala Performance at the Rose Center Theater
Rose Center Theater (6/28 - 6/28)
Something Rotten! in Costa Mesa Something Rotten!
Rose Center Theater (6/27 - 7/20)
Pacific Symphony Presents Verdi's Requiem in Costa Mesa Pacific Symphony Presents Verdi's Requiem
Renée and Henry Segerstrom Concert Hall (6/5 - 6/7)
The Wiz in Costa Mesa The Wiz
The Phantom Projects Theatre at La Habra Depot (6/6 - 6/22)
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