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

‘Sex, Lies and Harold Pinter,’ Odyssey Theatre, West Los Angeles, Mar. 20 - Apr. 26, 2026 April 3, 2026 | By Bruce R. Feldman In Brief: The modestly stimulating double-bill now at the Odyssey offers a glimpse into the mind of Harold Pinter through the lens of two of his lesser-known works, one from early in his development, before he had achieved fame and notoriety, and the other written some 30 years later. Michelle Ghatan, Paul Marius, Larry Eisenberg, Mouchette Van Helsd

Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company, “Still/Here,” Royce Hall, Los Angeles, Mar. 5, 2026 Mar. 8, 2026 | By Bruce R. Feldman In Brief: The Jones company performed a potent full-length dance and theatre piece with grace, vitality, and conviction. It was here in Los Angeles for one night only. Kick yourself if you missed it. Bill T. Jones/Arnie Zane Company in Still/Here . (Photo: Nir Arieli) In 1992, Bill Jones conducted the first of what he called “survival workshops.” They

“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

“Perfect World,” El Portal Theatre, North Hollywood, Nov. 1 - 9, 2025 Nov. 4, 2025 | By Bruce R. Feldman In Brief: A professional, polished production that overwhelms the slight story and elusive main character. Still, this new musical has its enjoyable moments. Charlie Rowan McCain, far left, and the Perfect World ensemble (Photo: Jim Cox Photography) When my late mother-in-law was 85, my wife and I took her to dinner and a hit show in New York. The restaurant was price

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