Dina Morrone’s “My Uterus, a Womb with a View” is a searing and humorous exploration of the female experience, delivered through a mix of personal narrative and social critique. Morrone navigates the complexities of owning a uterus, shedding light on the often overlooked and misunderstood aspects of womanhood. Her story blends comedy and pathos in a way that both entertains and educates. The play’s structure allows Morrone to navigate through various stages of her life... Read more →
“Poems for Mary” by Lloyd J. Schwartz, premiering at Theatre West, explores the profound and often uncharted emotional territories within familial relationships. Schwartz, renowned for his diverse work, including “A Very Brady Musical” and “Gilligan’s Island- The Musical,” shows us the subtleties of grief, discovery, and reconciliation. The play’s story revolves around two grown children who uncover their deceased father’s secret poetry, revealing facets of his life and personality previously unknown to them. This discovery... Read more →
Hailey McAfee’s direction of Lisa Kenner Grissom’s “here comes the night” brings a compelling vision to this dark comedic drama. The play revolves around two complex female characters, Olivia and Maggie, who are forced to confront their personal beliefs and friendship amidst the backdrop of a weekend marked by an at-home medical abortion. McAfee balances the themes of reproductive rights and female friendship, presenting them with both sensitivity and a keen sense of dark humor.... Read more →
Lisa Kenner Grissom’s “here comes the night” explores friendship, choice, and social pressures against the backdrop of modern digital life. The story revolves around two women—Olivia, a climate science advocate, and Maggie, a social media influencer—who reconnect during a weekend that challenges their perspectives on reproductive rights and personal agency. Kenner Grissom navigates the complexities of female friendship and the stark contrasts between the characters’ lifestyles and ideologies. The play delivers character development and dialogue... Read more →
Bernadette Armstrong’s direction of “The Seahorse” at Open-Door Playhouse combines subtle storytelling with profound emotional depth. This play, set against the backdrop of an aquarium visit, unfolds a narrative of a father sharing the news of an upcoming addition to their family with his young daughter. Armstrong’s directorial choices enhance the play’s intimate atmosphere, drawing us into the personal and transformative moment shared between the characters. The decision to revive “The Seahorse” during Pride Month... Read more →
Tom Alper’s play “The Pitch” at the Odyssey Theatre dissects the ethical dilemmas and personal challenges faced by a single father in desperate circumstances. The story follows Tom Allen, a widower struggling to support his 15-year-old daughter through a morally dubious job in a boiler-room operation selling machine parts. Directed by Louie Liberti, the production features a mostly new cast, bringing fresh energy to this gripping story. Alper’s script is reminiscent of David Mamet’s “Glengarry... Read more →
Catalina Swinburn’s “Healing Rituals” revalidates the place of women throughout history. Swinburn uses weaving as a metaphor for female expression, a practice that has historically substituted for the silence imposed on women across time. Her works, which she calls “anticipated archaeology,” describe the presence and accumulation of fragments that provide new meaning to the whole. The UV prints on Arches Aquarelle, each 105h x 75w cm, depict heads of female stone, terracotta, and bronze sculptures... Read more →
Bernadette Armstrong’s direction of “Wabi Sabi” highlights the delicate balance between past and present relationships. The play, set in a high school library, serves as a microcosm of the bittersweet nature of reconnecting with friends from the past. Armstrong guides Franco Machado and Whitton Frank through a narrative that questions self-acceptance and the acceptance of others. Her direction realizes the emotional nuances of Rachael Carnes’ script, creating a resonant experience for each of us. The... Read more →
“Psycho Beach Party,” brought to life by Co-Director Tom DeTrinis, blends camp, satire, and psychological intrigue. The play’s fusion of 1960s surf culture and Hitchcockian suspense serves as both a nostalgic homage and a sharp critique of the period’s societal norms. DeTrinis captures the chaotic energy and multifaceted personalities of the protagonist, Chicklet Forrest, whose multiple alter egos navigate a roller coaster of absurdity and profundity. The play weaves comic elements with darker themes, such... Read more →
“Expatriated,” co-written and performed by Candace Leung and Dominique Roberts, offers an exploration of migration and the contrasting experiences of individuals based on racial and socioeconomic backgrounds. Staged at The Broadwater (Second Stage), the play captures the lives of an LA lawyer navigating life in Hong Kong and a Hong Kong lawyer adapting to a new reality in LA. Through a series of poignant and humorous vignettes, Leung and Roberts delve into the complexities of... Read more →
Shelley Cooper’s “Jenny Lind Presents P.T. Barnum” blends historical research and operatic performance to reimagine the story of one of the 19th century’s most intriguing figures. Cooper’s portrayal of Jenny Lind, the Swedish Nightingale, captures the internal conflict of a woman who was simultaneously celebrated and exploited. The production examines Lind’s complex relationship with P.T. Barnum, exposing the moral ambiguities and societal challenges of their era. Cooper’s performance transitions between dramatic monologues and operatic arias.... Read more →
“Expect-Asian,” written and performed by Jeffrey Han and directed by Anne Mesa, explores the Asian American experience, focusing on cultural identity and familial obligations. The narrative follows Jack, a young Asian American, as he navigates his father’s rigorous expectations and societal pressures. This coming-of-age story is both a personal journey and a broader commentary on the challenges faced by many young Asian Americans in their search for self-identity. Mesa skillfully handles the intimacy of a... Read more →
Pam Levin’s “Astrologically Screwed” offers a fascinating look at fate and free will. Through a narrative shaped by a psychic’s ominous prophecy, Levin combines humor and existential dread. The play’s structure, hopping between past events and a foreboding future, creates a tension that mirrors the protagonist’s internal struggle. Levin’s performance is deeply personal and universally relatable, as she navigates themes of destiny, love, and self-determination. Chera Marks’ direction balances mystical elements with grounded human experiences.... Read more →
Matt Ritchey’s direction comes to the forefront in an upcoming audio play written by F.J. Hartland and debuting at the Open-Door Playhouse. The narrative unfolds at a party where two men, played by Matthew Scott Montgomery and Kevin Phan, grapple with conflicting memories of a past relationship. The play’s audio format and its exploration of memory, identity, and truth present challenges and opportunities for storytelling. With over 100 directorial credits, Ritchey’s involvement promises a production... Read more →
Art collective Slavs and Tatars have once again demonstrated their ability to fuse historical narratives with modern conceptual art in their latest exhibition, “Simurgh Self-Help.” Drawing inspiration from Marcel Broodthaers’ pioneering work of institutional critique, “Musée d’Art Moderne: Département des Aigles,” this exhibition translates the secular symbolism of the eagle into the mystical and spiritually significant Simurgh. The Simurgh, a mythical bird from Persianate mythology, represents a metaphysical counterpart to the eagle’s nationalistic and imperial... Read more →
Tom Dugan’s “Irish Goodbye” at Dugan’s Backyard Playhouse reminds us of the power of intimate, site-specific theatre. Set in a small New Jersey pub, Dugan creates a narrative of redemption and unexpected companionship between a disgraced cop and an ex-beauty queen. Their encounter on a cold Christmas Eve transcends the confines of the pub and echoes universal themes of loneliness and human connection. Dugan’s blend of dark comedy with profound emotional moments shows his ability... Read more →
“When He Was Young and Pretty” juxtaposes the experiences of two generations of gay men. The production blends humor with moments of vulnerability. The play’s setting - a modest apartment where an older man prepares dinner for a younger visitor - serves as an intimate backdrop for the unfolding dialogue. Lamb’s direction ensures that the conversation feels organic and deeply personal, drawing us into the characters’ shared and contrasting histories. The production provokes reflection on... Read more →
Mohamed Saleh Khalil’s work explores cultural identity, memory, and the human condition by synthesising traditional and contemporary art practices. His art is distinguished by his meticulous attention to detail, vibrant colour palettes, and the seamless integration of various mediums and techniques. His works transcend visual representation; instead, they invite us to engage in a reflective dialogue about the complexities of modern existence and the enduring impact of historical narratives. His use of traditional motifs and... Read more →
“Serendipitous,” directed by Gary Lamb, examines the shared experiences of LGBTQ individuals. Set in the confined space of a malfunctioning elevator, the play brings together a septuagenarian gay man and a young gay man, whose lives intersect in a moment of unexpected intimacy. The minimalistic setting serves as a crucible for the characters’ stories, revealing layers of vulnerability and strength. Lamb’s direction balances the touching and the comedic, allowing the natural chemistry between Franco Machado... Read more →
Jude Lucas’ direction of “If All the Sky Were Paper” affirms her grasp of theatrical storytelling with its blending historical reverence with innovative stagecraft. With her background in theatre and education, Lucas brings Andrew Carroll’s exploration of wartime correspondence to life with a balance of authenticity and artistic vision. The play looks at the letters written by soldiers and their loved ones and requires a directorial touch that honors the emotional weight of these real-life... Read more →
Tanna Frederick’s “Lion Eyes,” premiering at the Whitefire Theatre, looks at a young actress navigating the treacherous waters of Hollywood. Directed by Levy Lee Simon, this one-woman show uncovers the dark and often exploitative underbelly of the entertainment industry, portraying the stark realities behind the glitz and glamour. Frederick, known for her work in indie arthouse films and notable stage productions, channels this experience into the creation of a character whose life mirrors the chaotic... Read more →
Avery Volk’s “Girl in Reverse: A Feminine Rage Manifesto,” premiering at The Zephyr Theatre, melds the deeply personal with the universally resonant. Volk, both playwright and performer, journeys through the landscape of emotional and sexual awakening with a raw, unflinching honesty. The narrative explores the complexities of identity and desire through the lens of a woman experiencing an unexpected shift in her relational dynamics. The interplay of her inner child, id, higher self, and the... Read more →