NEWS | COMMENTARY | REVIEWS

"Master Harold…and the Boys,” Geffen Playhouse, Los Angeles, Apr. 16 – May 10, 2026 April 20, 2026 | By Bruce R. Feldman In Brief: John Kani’s monumental performance quietly builds to an emotionally shattering conclusion in this engrossing revival of Athol Fugard’s drama about racial inequality in South Africa under Apartheid. L-R: Ben Beatty, Nyasha Hatendi and John Kani in Master Harold...and the Boys at Geffen Playhouse. (Photo: Jeff Lorch) In Master Harold...and the

“Level Up,” Latino Theatre Co., Los Angeles, Mar. 26 – May 3, 2026 Apr. 12, 2026 | By Bruce R. Feldman In Brief: A teen-themed drama about sexual identity, family, and the immersive fantasy world young Desi concocts to cope with a vortex of adolescent emotions. The ideas in Gabriel Rivas Gómez’s text aren’t new, but the cast is winning, and the production is first rate. Mathias Brinda, Xol Gonzalez, Khalif J. Gillett in Level Up (Photo: Jenny Graham) In Level Up , two b

“Amadeus,” Pasadena Playhouse, Feb. 11 - Mar. 15, 2026 Feb. 18, 2026 | By Bruce R. Feldman In Brief: Peter Shaffer’s florid period drama was a huge hit in London and on Broadway in the early 1980s. It holds up well some 45 years on, but the real pleasure in Pasadena Playhouse’s lavish staging is Jefferson Mays’s bravura lead performance. Jefferson Mays in Amadeus at Pasadena Playhouse (Photo: Jeff Lorch) Let’s give author Peter Shaffer his due. He took two historical fig

This complex, endlessly fascinating, and superbly staged new drama interleaves the mercurial careers and strained marriages of two female authors. One is a young present-day novelist struggling after early success; the other just happens to be the poet Sylvia Plath, whose short, patchy career, personal demons, and notorious suicide at age 32 catalyzed several generations of women writers.

"Eddie Izzard Performing Hamlet," Montalbán Theatre, Los Angeles, Jan. 22 -31, 2026 January 26, 2026 | By Bruce R. Feldman In Brief: Eddie Izzard essays some 30 characters in Shakespeare’s greatest tragedy. What could have come off as a stunt is instead a remarkable display of breathtaking virtuosity that honors and illuminates the familiar text. Eddie Izzard in her solo Hamlet . After touring to rave reviews, the trans British actor and comedian Eddie Izzard has brought her

Latino Theatre Company, “The Little King of Norwalk,” Sept. 25 – Nov 2, 2025, “Mascogos,” Oct. 2 – Nov. 9, 2025, Los Angeles Theater Center Nov. 3, 2025 | By Bruce R. Feldman In Brief: A topical comedy and a time-shifting historical drama, both inspired by actual events, illuminate little known aspects of the Latino experience in America. Randy Vasquez, Ruth Livier, Richard Azurdia and J. Ed Araiza in The Little King of Norwalk (Photo: Grettel Cortes Photography) In th

"littleboy/littleman," Geffen Playhouse Kenis Theater, Los Angeles, Oct. 1 – Nov. 2, 2025 October 21, 2025 | By Bruce R. Feldman In Brief: A valiant, empathetic mashup of poetry slam, conventional playwriting, and performance art accompanied by a live percussive soundtrack that punctuates and propels the edgy drama. littleboy/littleman may be unorthodox in form, but above all it is a thrilling, memorable theatrical experience. L-R: Marlon Alexander Vargas and Alex Hern

“Am I Roxie?” Geffen Playhouse, Los Angeles, Sept. 3 – Oct. 5, 2025 Sept.11, 2025 | By Bruce R. Feldman In Brief: While not up to the level of the best solo shows in recent years, Roxana Ortega’s determined account of her mother’s battle with Alzheimer’s ultimately is affecting and has its moments. Roxana Ortega in Am I Roxie? at Geffen Playhouse. (Photo: Jeff Lorch) Everyone has a story. The actress and monologist Roxana Ortega wants us to know hers, specifically the c

“Parade,” Ahmanson Theater, Los Angeles, June 17 – July 12, 2025 June 25, 2025 | By Bruce R. Feldman In Brief: Handsomely sung and...