EL PORTAL THEATRE

by Michael Quintos - June 08, 2026

You may ask yourself—is seeing a touring stage production of the globally and generationally ubiquitous 1959 musical THE SOUND OF MUSIC still worth experiencing live on stage in 2026? While the stage musical in its current touring form certainly doesn't offer anything revolutionary or new to the s...

by Shari Barrett - June 06, 2026

9 to 5 the Musical was an enjoyably nostalgic experience for those of us who actually lived through working in mid-20th Century offices, albeit losing much humorous dialogue and lyrics due to the faulty sound system....

by Shari Barrett - June 05, 2026

The West Coast premiere of Grangeville is staged to absolute perfection on all levels including the script, director, actors, and overall technical brilliance at the Ruskin Group Theatre....

by Andrew Child - June 04, 2026

Suzanne Andrade and Barrie Kosky’s Magic Flute returns to LA Opera with a whimsical fusion of animations by Paul Barritt. The effect of the production is a bit surprising. Yes, as characters are revealed by revolving doors and interact with animations of barking dogs, Mozart’s music takes on a n...

by Michael Quintos - June 04, 2026

It's a very rare treat—particularly all the way here in Orange County, California—to hear Broadway songs and the stories behind them performed directly by the legendary composer himself, even for just a one-night-only event. But that is exactly the gift bestowed upon a rapt audience recently whe...

by Evan Henerson - June 03, 2026

As substantial as its built-in assets are, the two-time Tony Award winner, musical is lacking in other areas. Book writer Kristoffer Diaz has crafted an exciting leading character, and an even more interesting supporting player. Alas, he has also included a rather perfunctory family triangle that gu...

by Evan Henerson - May 31, 2026

Booth’s deeply sympathetic rendering of a good man navigating a life of crises is 95 minutes of sublimity. And in the role of Kenneth, actor Petey McGee delivers a performance that is as throat lump-inducing as it is uplifting....

by Evan Henerson - May 27, 2026

Andy Wolk's production transports Sophokles’s work off the pages of a high school syllabus and directly across the threshold of our comfort zone....

by Shari Barrett - May 26, 2026

Along with the impeccable acting and Diana Wyenn's brilliant direction, the most striking element of the production is Randy Wong-Westbrooke’s scenic design which features a half-dome representation of a rocket engine....

by Shari Barrett - May 20, 2026

Based on the adventures of Johnston McCully's legendary pulp hero, Armienta infuses his opera with the music and sounds of early-19th century Alta California, including flamenco, corrido, and mariachi, with all performed exquisitely by the 24-member POP Orchestra....