Theater Digest - October 28, 2024
New thoughts on The Importance of Being Earnest at Antaeus, and Blood/Love at the Crimson.
Hello theater lovers! I’m Katie, and I see a lot of theater! Currently, I’m seeing 0-2 shows a week, depending on my schedule.
Since this newsletter is geared towards people in the entertainment industry, there's a good chance I won't like a show that you or someone you know was involved in. I'm sure that you/your friend put a lot of effort into your/their work! I've been in a few shows, I know how much work goes into putting on a show. But just as you're entitled to dislike TV shows your friends worked on, I'm allowed to dislike theater you/your friends may have worked on. I try not to be vindictive, but I also do make it clear when I don't think a show is worth the price of a ticket or the time spent watching it.
I won't be writing much/any synopsis in these blurbs, but feel free to check out other reviews for synopses! Or just check out other reviews in general! Keep theater journalism alive & well!
Worth seeing:
The Importance of Being Earnest at Antaeus [LA]. I’ll admit some bias here, as I went to college with one of this production’s leads, Jay Lee, and directed him in some scenes in my directing class and I think the world of him. I’ve always loved The Importance of Being Earnest as a text, and this production, directed by Gigi Bermingham, is wonderfully frivolous and charming. A delight for fans of Oscar Wilde as well as those who have never seen his work performed!
Closes November 18 in Glendale.
The Roommate on Broadway [NY]. Read my thoughts on it here!
Closes December 15 in New York.
The Lehman Trilogy on the West End [London]. Read my thoughts of the touring production in LA here!
Closes January 5 in London.
Six on Broadway [NY] and on the West End [London]. Read my thoughts on it here!
Mac King Comedy Magic Show at Excalibur [Vegas]. Read my thoughts on it here!
Magic Mike Live in Las Vegas and London [Vegas/London]. Read my thoughts on it here!
A mixed bag:
American Idiot at the Mark Taper Forum [LA]. Read my thoughts on it here, or my full review for Stage Raw here.
Closes November 16 in downtown LA.
Crevasse at the Victory Theatre Center [LA]. Read my thoughts on it here!
Closes November 10 in Burbank.
Cabaret on the West End [London] and on Broadway [NY]. Read my thoughts on the West End production here.
Back to the Future on the West End [London] and on Broadway [NY]. Read my thoughts on it here!
Mad Apple at New York New York [Vegas]. Read my thoughts on it here!
Hadestown on tour and on Broadway [NY]. Read my thoughts on it here!
& Juliet on Broadway [NY]. Read my thoughts on it from when I saw it in London in 2019 here!
The Play That Goes Wrong off-Broadway and on the West End [NY/London]. Read my thoughts on the 2019 tour national tour here, or my full review for Stage Raw here.
Not worth it:
Blood/Love at the Crimson [LA]. If this were more of a developmental production, I’d give it an easier time, but this new work is not in strong enough of shape for how much money went into the production or how much the tickets cost ($60 for general, $90 for premium, though the latter seem to be sold out, and the former seem to offer an obstructed view). There are a handful of good songs—one of the composers, Dru DeCaro, is a writer and producer for pop artists, and he clearly knows the power of a strong hook—but the story’s a bit of a mess, and the cast leave much to be desired, aside from Erin Boehme and Cam Anthony, who play the best friends of the main character. The choreographers, Jonathan and Oksana Platero, appear in the ensemble and are also entrancing to watch in their partnered dance moments.
Closes November 3 in Hollywood.
Kimberly Akimbo at the Pantages [LA]. Read my thoughts on it here.
Closes November 3 in Hollywood.
On my radar:
Mamma Mia: The Party in London
Stereophonic on Broadway
Oh, Mary! on Broadway
Why Am I So Single? in London
Once Upon a Mattress on Broadway (coming to the Ahmanson)
Sunset Boulevard on Broadway
Back to the Future at the Pantages (upcoming)
Pacific Overtures at East/West Players (upcoming)
La Cage Aux Folles at Pasadena Playhouse (upcoming)
Teeth off-Broadway
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