Review Roundup: THE CAKE at La Jolla Playhouse
by Alan Henry - Feb 19, 2018
La Jolla Playhouse presents THE CAKE, which opened February 6th and runs through March 4th. THE CAKE follows conservative baker Della, whose traditionalist values are put to the test when she is asked to bake the wedding cake for a friend's daughter - who is marrying another woman.
BWW Review: Forever Entertaining FANTISTICKS Receives a Sterling Production at Pasadena Playhouse
by Don Grigware - Sep 13, 2016
The longest running musical in the world The Fantasticks is always at its best when produced and performed with simplicity. When I first saw it in New York in the 60s, it was performed in a cabaret space against a brick wall, with the suspension of a paper moon above. You can't get much simpler than that. In the current revival at the Pasadena Playhouse, the setting is bigger: a dilapidated, war-torn theatre in Southern California, shuttered since 1969, into which the actors enter to create art. The space may be bigger than the original, but the fine work on display maintains simplicity, especially in its message of love. This is a stunning production, one of the very best I have seen, with a magnificent interracial cast under the seamless direction of Seema Sueko.
Pasadena Playhouse's REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES to Play Final Performance This Weekend
by Tyler Peterson - Sep 28, 2015
REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES is now in its final performances at The Pasadena Playhouse (Artistic Director, Sheldon Epps) and must close Sunday, October 4, 2015. The 25th anniversary production of Josefina Lopez's play directed by Playhouse Associate Artistic Director Seema Sueko was a smash hit with both critics and audiences alike.
BWW Review: Funny and Titillating, REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES Opens Big at Pasadena Playhouse
by Don Grigware - Sep 15, 2015
The film of Josefina Lopez's Real Women Have Curves in 2002 was a big hit in art houses and won several Sundance prizes including an audience award for Best Actresses Lupe Ontiveros and America Ferrera, long before her Ugly Betty fame. Lopez's semi-autobiographical play from the 90s about the garment industry and the Latina women who struggle to survive in it - the basis for the film - is currently running at the Pasadena Playhouse through October 4 and has terrific direction from Seema Sueko and a closely connected ensemble of five actresses.
Stage, TV Vets to Star in Josefina Lopez's REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES at The Pasadena Playhouse
by Tyler Peterson - Aug 10, 2015
The cast has been announced for The Pasadena Playhouse production of REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES by Josefina Lopez and directed by Seema Sueko. The cast will feature Blanca Araceli (FX's The Bridge), Santana Dempsey (HBO's The Newsroom), Diana DeLaCruz (ABC Family's Chasing Life), Cristina Frias (The Motherf*cker with the Hat at South Coast Repertory), and Ingrid Oliu (HBO's Real Women Have Curves, Stand and Deliver). REAL WOMEN HAVE CURVES plays September 8 through October 4 (press opening on Sunday, September 13).
San Diego Theatre Critics Circle Reveal 2013 Craig Noel Award Nominees
by Tyler Peterson - Jan 2, 2014
Dominating the nominations in the musical category is the current Broadway sensation 'A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder,' which made its world premiere in February 2013 at San Diego's The Old Globe (a co-production with Hartford Stage). The musical racked up 11 nominations, including nods for New Musical, its versatile star Jefferson Mays (a UC San Diego alumnus) and its director Darko Tresnjak (former co-artistic director and Shakespeare Festival director at The Old Globe).
Billy Crystal's Pre-Broadway Engagement of 700 SUNDAYS to Open 10/22 at State Theatre
by Tyler Peterson - Oct 3, 2013
The acclaimed Billy Crystal will perform 700 Sundays, his Tony Award-winning, record breaking, autobiographical play in Minneapolis October 22-26, 2013 at the historic State Theatre. Scheduled for six performances only, this exclusive pre-Broadway engagement is the only one before the final Broadway run in the fall. 700 Sundays is a special addition to Hennepin Theatre Trust's 2013/14 Broadway Across America-Minneapolis Season. To purchase tickets and for more information visit HennepinTheatreTrust.org, call 800.982.2787 or stop by the State Theatre Box Office at 805 Hennepin Ave., Mpls.
Billy Crystal's 700 SUNDAYS to Play Pre-Broadway Engagement in Minneapolis, 10/22-26
by Tyler Peterson - Jun 7, 2013
The acclaimed Billy Crystal will perform 700 Sundays, his Tony Award-winning, record breaking, autobiographical play in Minneapolis this October 22-26, 2013 at the historic State Theatre. Scheduled for six performances only, this exclusive pre-Broadway engagement is the only one before the final Broadway run in the fall.