Frank Arthur

FINAL WEEKEND FOR THE END OF THE WORLD If you think the end of the world is scary, how about the end of a run of a terrific new play and you missed it? The Ovation-recommended Apocalypse Play closes up shop this weekend, and you definitely want to be around for the end. I know…

COME RIDE THE CAROUSEL The photos are in for Musical Theatre West’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s musical masterpiece Carousel, which opens tonight and plays through April 9, 2017 at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach.   Truly one of the greatest musicals ever written, Carousel explores the timeless message of message of love,…

COME ON, BABY I wanted so badly to say “Glory, Hallelujah!” after seeing Musical Theatre Guild’s staged concert version of the 1968 Tony-winning musical. While it’s easy to forgive a lead actress who was not her usual self vocally, the spread-out staging, line screw-ups (and they’re on script!), and minuscule orchestra (five pieces!), I am…

A PERFECT TENN The Pasadena Playhouse is currently presenting God Looked Away,  an ode to Tennessee Williams at the end of his career. As an adjunct to this world premiere development production –which stars Al Pacino and Judith Light — the Playhouse is offering readings of four of Williams’ best plays on four consecutive  Monday nights, Feb….

LANG LANDS IN  LA LA LAND Jessica Lang has no doubt made a name for herself in the dance world as an independent choreographer, but dance patrons in Los Angeles may find this in-demand dancemaker difficult to place. Because the majority of troupes that visit here offer programs by the company’s namesake (Paul Taylor, Lar Lubovitch,…

BEE THERE The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee has charmed audiences across the country with its effortless wit and humor. Featuring a fast-paced wildly funny and touching book by Rachel Sheinkin (Tony and Drama Desk Awards for Best Book) and a truly fresh and vibrant score by William Finn (Falsettos), this bee is one…

HOLY DIONYSUS, GREENSPAN! Five-time Obie Award winner David Greenspan’s unique brand of gentle wit and exquisite lyricism will be on display when Odyssey Theatre Ensemble presents the West Coast premiere of his meta-theatrical comic romance, Go Back to Where You Are, beginning July 9 and running through September 4, 2016. In Greenspan’s tender comedy, which…

THE LITTLE MERMAID THAT COULD It is surprising that the stage adaptation of The Little Mermaid took until 2008 to hit  Broadway.  The 1989 film on which it’s based  marked the beginning of a major comeback for the Walt Disney company as a purveyor of animated movie musicals. The movie studio responsible for Bambi and Dumbo had gone…

HONKY IF YOU LIKE RACISM It’s such a weird time in America. From talk shows to a speech from President Obama, it’s clear that the racism remains a topical subject. But we don’t actually  talk about it. Can a white person get a simple answer if they ask a black person, “Why can you say ‘nigger’…