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Review: Letting It All Hang Out

"Jaja’s African Hair Braiding," Mark Taper Forum, Los Angeles, Oct. 1 – Nov. 9, 2025 Oct. 9, 2025 | By Bruce R. Feldman In Brief: Jocelyn Bioh’s uninhibited comedy soars with prickly wit, sharply etched characters, indelible performances, underlying dramatic tension, and a timely message. Jaja’s African Hair Braiding is a 90-minute masterclass in outstanding writing, acting, and directing. Superb! The company of Jaja's African Hair Braiding at the Mark Taper Forum. (P

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Drama Review: Where in the World is Carmen Ortega?

“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

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Review: In Hollywood, No One Can Hear You Scream

"Yankee Dawg You Die," East West Players, Los Angeles, July 3 – 27, 2025 July 15, 2025 | By Bruce R. Feldman In Brief: East West Players revives a seminal 1980s play about how Asian-Americans are portrayed in movies and television. The good news is that it’s stylish, poetic, and engagingly acted. The bad news is that the play’s themes are still pertinent some 35 years later. Daniel J. Kim and Kelvin Han Yee in Yankee Dawg You Die at East West Players (Photo: Andrew Ge) “I did

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