Jason Niedle

Review: La Mirada Theatre Serves Up A Satisfying Slice with WAITRESS

Now having its So. California Regional premiere production at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts thru Oct. 13, 2024, this funny, endearing, and ultimately empowering show is easily, hands-down, this critic's favorite iteration of this musical—in no small part thanks to Desi Oakley's return to the title role and its Sara Bareilles songbook.

Photos: Desi Oakley, Cleavant Derricks, and More in WAITRESS at La Mirada Theatre

La Mirada Theatre For The Performing Arts is opening its 2024-2025 season with the Southern California regional theatre premiere of the hit Broadway musical, WAITRESS, starring Desi Oakley. See production photos here!

Photos: DON'T DRESS FOR DINNER at Laguna Playhouse

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE is currently presenting the hilarious farce, DON'T DRESS FOR DINNER, written by Marc Camoletti, adapted by Robin Hawdon, and directed by Christopher M. Williams through Sunday, September 22 at the Laguna Playhouse. Check out production photos here!

Photos: CAMELOT at Laguna Playhouse

Laguna Playhouse is presenting the transfer of North Coast Repertory Theatre of Lerner & Loewe’s CAMELOT. See production photos here!

Review: Disney's Enchanting THE LITTLE MERMAID Swims Back to the La Mirada Theatre

La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts' mesmerizing, visually-stunning 2016 production of Disney's stage adaptation of THE LITTLE MERMAID has returned for a limited engagement continuing through June 23, 2024. Filled with colorful costumes and sets and soaring mermaids, this spectacular show will enchant both new and repeat audiences alike.

Review: HOLMES & WATSON at Laguna Playhouse

Lovers of Agatha Christie, Knives Out, Michael Connelly, and of course, Sir Arthur Conan Doyle, will be absolutely delighted by this fiendish period mystery starring everyone’s favorite sleuth and cocaine addict.

Photos: First Look at Disney's THE LITTLE MERMAID at La Mirada Theatre

Disney’s THE LITTLE MERMAID opens tonight at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts. Check out production photos here!

Photos: First Look at HOLMES & WATSON at Laguna Playhouse

Laguna Playhouse is now presenting HOLMES & WATSON, written by Jeffrey Hatcher and directed by Laguna Playhouse artistic director David Ellenstein. Check out all new photos here!

Review: A Triumphant JERSEY BOYS Debuts at the La Mirada Theatre

A brand-new, reimagined regional iteration of the Tony-winning 2005 musical JERSEY BOYS now at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts is exceeding all expectations. Featuring a superb ensemble cast performing The Four Seasons' greatest hits, this spectacular, high-energy, crowd-pleasing production continues through May 12, 2024.

Photos: First Look at JERSEY BOYS at La Mirada Theatre

Check out production photos from Jersey Boys at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts here!

Photos: First Look at TARTUFFE at the Laguna Playhouse

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE will present a transfer production from North Coast Repertory Theatre of their critically-acclaimed production of TARTUFFE, written by Molière, translated into English verse by Richard Wilbur, and directed by Richard Baird. Check out all new photos here!

Photos: First Look at A SHAYNA MAIDEL at Laguna Playhouse

Laguna Playhouse is now presenting A SHAYNA MAIDEL, written by Barbara Lebow and directed by Laguna Playhouse Artistic Director David Ellenstein. Check out all new photos here!

Review: MYSTIC PIZZA at Lesher Center For The Arts

What did our critic think of MYSTIC PIZZA at Lesher Center For The Arts?

Photos: First Look At AIN'T MISBEHAVIN' At The Laguna Playhouse

LAGUNA PLAYHOUSE presents the first show of the new year with the roof-raising musical revue, AIN’T MISBEHAVIN’, music by Thomas “Fats” Waller, conceived by Richard Maltby, Jr. and Murray Horwitz, musical direction by Abdul Hamid Royal, choreography by Roxane Carrasco and directed by Yvette Freeman Hartley. See photos from the production.

Photos: Harris Center For The Arts Presents MYSTIC PIZZA West Coast Premiere

As part of its West Coast Premiere, Harris Center For The Arts will present six performances of MYSTIC PIZZA. 

Review: Fun-Filled Musical Remake of MYSTIC PIZZA Debuts at La Mirada Theatre

A lively, vibrant new jukebox musical based on the 1988 film, La Mirada Theatre's fun and entertaining new production of MYSTIC PIZZA—now playing through February 11, 2024—is a charming, if forgivably predictable coming-of-age tale featuring 80's/90's hits and a cast of likable actors and characters that will easily win audiences' affections.

Photos: Get a First Look at MYSTIC PIZZA at Center Repertory Company

Get a first look at Mystic Pizza at Center Repertory Company

Photos: First Look At A CINDERELLA CHRISTMAS At Laguna Playhouse

Laguna Playhouse and Lythgoe Family Productions present A CINDERELLA CHRISTMAS, written by Kris Lythgoe, directed by Bonnie Lythgoe, musical direction by Andy Street, and choreography by Becca Sweitzer. See photos from the production.

Review: Carole King's Life Story Blossoms in BEAUTIFUL at La Mirada

McCoy Rigby Entertainment is currently presenting a superb, highly-entertaining Southern California Regional Premiere production of BEAUTIFUL at the La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts, which continues performances through December 3, 2023. To put it simply, this production is quite well done. Oh, if only all jukebox musicals were this good.

Photos: First Look at BEAUTIFUL: THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL at La Mirada Theatre

Check out production photos for Beautiful: The Carole King Musical at La Mirada Theatre for the Performing Arts here!