Non-Registered Critics: Julia Stier
THE $5 SHAKESPEARE COMPANY
The play is a love letter to L.A. theatre, Shakespeare, and all the artists who put up with less-than-desirable circumstances out of their yearning to perform. The $5 Shakespeare Company shares that feeling of magic that comes with performing stories that have been around long before our time, and which will remain long after we are gone.
Gianni Schicchi / L'enfant et les Sortilèges
These fun, accessible works are the perfect introduction to anyone new to the art form, and are sure to live up to the expectations of any veteran opera-goer.
Canceled - Supportive White Parents
The show’s catchy tunes keep the audience in stitches, even though her character’s pain, thinly veiled with a comedic veneer, is still very much present. - RECOMMENDED
The Legend of Georgia McBride
Written by Matthew Lopez and directed and choreographed by Michael J. Marchak, The Legend of Georgia McBride is a comedy with a lot of heart.
As the countrified drag queen Georgia McBride, Unger delivers lively renditions of “I Cain’t Say No,” and “Before He Cheats.” Michael Mullen as Miss Tracy Mills, Casey’s teacher in all things drag, is a showstopper. The character’s confident, carefree attitude is infectious, and her performances are as glitzy as the dresses she wears.
THE CURIOUS INCIDENT OF THE DOG IN THE NIGHT-TIME
The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time is a captivating story. You will laugh, you may cry, and you will not forget it anytime soon. - RECOMMENDED
The Wrong Kind of People
The play is a fun night, full of film noir–esque twists and turns. As the heightened circumstances get more and more ridiculous, the risk that Theo’s bright future could fade increases.
Beasts from the Sea!
The space is cleverly laid out so that it feels huge. The low light and the in-your-face posturing of the actors are disorienting, yet wonderfully unsettling — everything a haunted maze is meant to be.
Dancing at Lughnasa
Dancing at Lughnasa captures the human need to connect. Michael treasures the too few moments he gets with his father. Father Jack yearns to return to the community he found in Africa. The sisters don’t always dare admit their fancies aloud, but each has a moment when the possibility of love lends them a glow. It’s a refreshingly simple play that asks its audience to contemplate their own lives, happiness, and connections.
THE CHRISTIANS
One reason the play succeeds is that it doesn't try to paint belief as either good or bad. Without coming off as preachy, it gives both sides space to state their case, and ends up presenting an eloquent and engaging debate. The play does not try to crown either side as right, and in remaining impartial it avoids coming off as propaganda.
Sand Moon
Sand Moon offers a profound look at the intricacies of domestic abuse, both physical and emotional, and a glimpse of the manipulative power of gaslighting. The unexpected turn the narrative takes excellently mirrors how quickly things can change for the worse. It's an intense and thought-provoking play that ends on an empowering note.
The Second Coming of Klaus Kinski
Perez is unpredictable as the explosive Kinski. One never knows when he is going to pop into the audience, or succumb to a fit of rage. The production is a marathon for any actor; it also brilliantly showcases Perez's well-researched and skillful writing. He is fascinating to watch, and while the show's non-linear nature can make it challenging to follow, his larger-than-life performance commands attention.
Canyon
Canyon tells a touching tale that highlights family and the sacrifices we make for the ones we love. It also does a wonderful job of exposing how quickly people abandon practicing what they preach when they feel trapped.
America Adjacent
Humorous and compassionate, America Adjacent is not to be missed. A strong, all-female cast brings these vibrant characters to life…Top Ten! - RECOMMENDED
MAN OF GOD
The show manages to be horrifying yet hilarious as it exposes the extent of the power play that goes on behind abuse. Relevant and well-executed, this production of Man of God manages to make the audience both laugh and squirm. - RECOMMENDED
The Cripple of Inishmaan
RECOMMENDED
The script is full of twist and turns, some shocking, others heartbreaking, with one very hopeful one right at the end. The Cripple of Inishmaan makes no attempt to mask the blatant discrimination its characters have against the physically disabled, and in so doing exposes a very ugly side of human nature.
Special
The show is a good time for fans of Star Wars. You do not have to have seen The Star Wars Holiday Special to enjoy it, but a love for the franchise is a must. So sit back, relax, and — as they say in this show — “May the Force Bea Arthur.”
Clarissant
The message of the play is clear and strong — that self-acceptance allows us the power to create our own stories.
Vendetta Chrome
While the meshing of these varying aesthetics makes it hard to place the production, it does help reinforce the idea that strict societal norms for women are present in every time period. However, with so many story lines, this important message isn't as clear as it might be.
Desert Rats
An off-stage, dramatic ending to this comedic and thought-provoking piece allows for the audience to decide the characters' fate for themselves.