San Diego Musical Theatre Brings the Vintage Broadway Flair
The Kearny Mesa-based company went all out with a hefty cast of 20 performers and lively, pumped-upchoreography by Xavier J. Bush. Omri Schein directs the actors through naughty, pun-filled dialogue, striking a balance between the sixties’ machismo/patriarchy and comedic relief.
Baked Goods, Buzz Aldrin, and Grief Come Together in Scripps Ranch Theatre’s “Donna Orbits the Moon”
Donna is a wife, a mom, and a baker. Everybody knows her from all the baked goods, and she is in all the sales. One day, she hears astronaut Buzz Aldrin’s voice telling her to “go up before you can land”.
Is the Scientific Method Always Right?
I praise NVA for the work and visual effort of this production, and congratulate them on 25 years of work and on Kristianne’s 40 productions. Wow, it is definitely not easy.
The subject matter is more than pertinent for these times, and Kate Douglas certainly has the right idea. With a bit more shaping and tightening, The Apiary can reach the full effect.
Riot Productions brings “Audition Sides” to the Main Stage
Written by Sarah Alida LeClair, who also performs as (The Woman), ‘Sides was inspired by the unsettled love story of pianist/singer Clara Schumann and Johannes Brahms, composer, pianist, and conductor. The setting of the play is an audition, where The Woman is on her fourth callback and has prepared everything, including songs and monologues.
How do you learn not to question unanswered prayers?
I think there is absolutely nothing unoriginal about this project. Created by Tyler Tafolla, who did it all, book, lyrics, music, and is directing the piece, which in 2018, had a showcase of some of the songs written for the musical, and only one made it into the final version. Last year, there was a staged reading at the City Heights Performance Annex. But truly, it took Tafolla 10 years to bring “Dead Moose” to full production.
North Coast Repertory Theatre Presents World Premiere by Canadian Playwright
San Diego gets to experience this piece for the first time. Now, it is not that we do not get world premieres often in this town, but there is something about a work that has been sitting unknown, and with a Proper Name as a title, that makes it more special.
OnWord Theatre Kicks Off Second Season and First Full, Uninterrupted Season of Programming, with “Red Light Winter.”
Red Light Winter will mostly make audiences uncomfortable and ramble in the brain afterwards. It is a good thing, as reflection and introspection are greatly needed today.
Onstage Playhouse in Chula Vista Opens 42nd Season with “Swing State.”
I have mentioned this before. Onstage maintains this continuity by keeping the game strong with these thriller-like feel-play moments, having audiences glued to their seats through discomfort, questioning, or just following along.
I would never have imagined starting my 2026 theatre year with an interaction with Monty Python, but here we are…
If you are familiar with Monty Python, this production feels like a joyful reunion. If you’re not (like me), it works surprisingly well as an introduction.
From Another Zero’s -Best of 2025- in San Diego Theatre
The 2025 San Diego theatre gave us unique experiences, world premieres, revivals, and crossed feelings. -I had a lot of feelings-. From touring productions to alternate spaces and a bunch of new musicals.
Yuri Viaja a Través de sus décadas de éxitos con la gira Icónica
Yuri se presentó el pasado mes de noviembre en el Civic Theatre de San Diego con un espectáculo de lujo que engalanó su gira titulada Icónica.
Backyard Renaissance’s Production of The Waverly Gallery
Kenneth Lonergan’s The Waverly Gallery is a quiet storm. The story of Gladys Greene (Deborah Gilmour Smyth), an elderly art gallery owner in Greenwich Village whose world begins to contract under the weight of dementia.
