Stage Takes

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Paranormal Activity at The Ahmanson Theater

I’m back to reviewing, or so //i hope. Been a little burnt out from the 68 shows I reviewed in June at HFF. Bear with me. It’s tough typing with a disabled hand. I can write about my own journey too, ya know. It’s been a tough past month. Thanks for reading.

I have been wanting to see Paranormal Activity on stage for quite some time now, and it is the first thing I’m doing thing since my recent injury. Thanks to Black Friday tickets. I was a big fan of the hit movie in 2009 and had a big expectations. Horror on stage is risky, as in it might not hit, but this show strategically found good moments and fit the music in at the right spots. Sitting back row at a big theater did not help. I spent the first quarter thinking about how lonely I was in the auditorium. There were two people I tried to talk to, but nothing came of it. First quarter of the show is very long, draining. Ordinary couple, with unanswered questions. It kind of seemed two dimensional. Performances were standard, these characters had nothing extraordinary about them – It seemed. Lou deals with depression and hid it well. It is a play about the shadow, un dealt with life that seeps up to the surface. Cher Álvarez does a great job in flipping her shadow switch on and off, Patrick Heusinger plays straight man until the character can no longer hold it together, and has us hold him till the very end. Both actors do a good job with mediating the supernatural and real life. The theater magic Surprises us at the right times. All in all, I will say the show starts out pretty slow, but once the suspence begins, you will be jumping out of your seats. It is not a straight up adaptation of the movie, but a similar concept.

December 4, 2025

film, horror, movies, review, reviews
Hollywood Fringe Festival day 23

Kittens at The Broadwater

Wow, this show blew me away! It had the heart and soul of Fringe in it, a strong message with excellent story and not too complicated design. Had to cry in my car before congratulating the writer; one of the few shows that made me cry. Expertly written (and performed) characters who have both conscious and unconscious goals that develop throughout the story. Historical fiction that bites into our soul, with no unneeded emphasis on sexuality. Shows the dualities of a woman’s experience living within a man’s world. This show has strong roots, and I can’t wait to see how it develops. One of my Fringe favorites.

Magnet of Chaos at The Broadwater

Sarah Lazarus is one of a kind! Sarah takes us on an interdimensional journey with Jennifer Coolidge and Bernie Sanders, both voiced by her, to find her own trauma. This piece was incredibly fun, super funny, and tackles raunchy themes.

The Eddies and the Pypers at Actors Company

Powerful show about death and grief, a strong subject for the stage. One of the few shows I have seen that made me cry. Very strong acting with an excellent supporting cast. Nice direction and good use of the stage. Because this was originally written for the screen (as stated in the program), I wanted to hate this but couldn’t – the story was excellent and philosophical in nature. It felt very written for the screen. Short scenes and quick blackouts. The audience would clap after every blackout even if it was just a transition scene.

Beth Wants the D at The Broadwater

An incredible one person show on mental health. Beth starts the show off an an audience member for a production of Dog Hamlet and jumps on stage due to her compulsive thoughts. She takes us down the rabbit hole of those thoughts, mixes them with mental health, and educates us about the journey of mania and depression which leads to her diagnosis. Even though the subject matter can be tough, she keeps the show fun with her one of a kind, comedic personality. A truly inspiring and insightful story.

June 30, 2025

book-review, review, reviews, theatre, writing
Hollywood Fringe Festival, day 20

Chasing Sunstreaks at Easwood Performing Arts Center

A music show with all of the right elements. I wondered if this was the premiere of an album, as vinyls were being sold outside. A rich, poetic, and meditative experience. Tara takes us on a journey through song and storytelling, creates a safe space for us to travel to. I had no idea what to expect and left the stage with bliss. The story itself is broken up by Tara’s music.When we walked into the stage, we see two musicians seated, who remained on stage. I wondered why the two musicians were on stage throughout the performance, they didn’t play often enough to be needed for the full show.

Smut with Entendre Entendre at Actors Company

An excellent show for the Actors Company Studio Space theater, intimate show. Entendre Entendre presents her memoir and engages with the audience using her confidence, charm, and dare I say, sexual energy. Bryn captivates the crowd, creates risky moments, and makes us laugh throughout.

June 30, 2025
Hollywood Fringe Fest day 17

Too Much of a Good Thing at Skiptown Playhouse

Show started 15 minutes late, breaks the golden rule of Fringe. Loved Rachel’s energy as she carried this show. She plays a few characters throughout. I feel I am not the audience for this show, I could tell most of the audience was her friends. It is a personal piece and there is very strong musical theater school energy to it. Show filled woth humor.

Titi Lee: Good Girl Gone Baddie at The Yard Theater

Started out with a dance bit, got the crowd’s energy moving. But then, I’m thinking, is this a stand up show? Unlike some of the other one person shows that I’ve seen, this one is so fresh — Lee speaks to us as if this is her first time saying these words, so natural in their delivery. The show moves through different themes smoothly and makes us laugh throughout. Very eye opening into living the non binary experience. Loved the final message!

June 29, 2025
Hollywood Fringe Fest, day 20

Just To Be Close To You

Electrifying show that utilizes clown work and audience participation. Cameron Poter does such a great job with making something out of nothing. The production has structure to it yet Poter magically makes us, the audience, feel like we are guiding it. I walked in late and the character had greeted me, in front of everyone, asked an audience member to give me his seat; he refused and I thanked him for the refusal. Cameron makes every audience member a part of the show. I loved how, throughout all of the randomness, we are led to a touching, heartfelt finish.

79 Ways To Die at LGBT Center

One of the most entertaining shows I have seen this year, and a brilliant concept. Fans of the bard, rejoice! A unique experience that gives light and laughter to some of Shakespeare’s darkest scenes. This immersive experience uses audience participation to the max. A show with two dynamic hosts who run through all of the deaths in Shakespearean plays, as if it were a game show, with two actors (was three but one died – it’s an inside joke). The hosts are live, they are working with what the audience gives and keeping us all safe. I loved how extreme some of these battle scenes got, the audience members who got on stage had no idea what they were doing but the fun energy had us all commit to the bit. Physical comedy executed by the two actors is so eloquent and smooth. This show is a once in a lifetime experience, quite literally because each audience will commit differently. You don’t want to miss it!

June 27, 2025
Hollywood Fringe Festival, day 19

Paris + Juliet at The Broadwater, studio

Charlie Day is back at it again with this brilliant spinoff of Romeo and Juliet; in it, he plays Paris, the man who was originally supposed to marry Juliet. I remember him from last year, in the show Rock Bottom, and I was blown away. His fierce marketing pays off. What a great idea and definitely going in my list of funniest Fringe shows. Charlie is a master performer, engaging and seducing the audience. He gives humanity to Shakespearean characters, dare I say! Unfortunately, this was his last show, but I will keep an eye on him for when he returns.

June 25, 2025
Hollywood Fringe Fest, day 16

And Her Children at The Hobgoblin Playhouse

I will never miss a Hailey McAfee performance, and what an interesting concept. We watch this character, who is reminiscent of Caroline Leavitt, tell stories and live through them with us. In it, we get a taste of the dark shadows of living a life of leadership, trying to hide the truth until it consumes the self. The show got darker and darker, and we as audience members become bewildered at what angle to perceive this in. The show is ultimately engaging and thought provoking, and McAfee’s performance is one you will not forget about. I appreciate how this show does not preach to the choir and shows a darker side of humanity.

The Dog Log at The Broadwater

Short and sweet, a fun show. Richard Lucas takes a simple personal scenario and adds complexity to it, giving a subtle and standout performance. Richard is talking to us throughout the show, storytelling and making the other characters come to life, and keeping us engaged. I can’t imagine how he wrote a book on the subject as well but I sure am intrigued. Really well done Fringe show!

Kami Girl at Skiptown Playhouse

Clown Show that does clown right down to a tee. Comedy reminiscent of Borat and/or Andy Kaufman. Kami Dimitrova (the actress) plays an Eastern European girl trying to fit in American culture, and working a new job as a waitress in her dad’s restaurant. She interacts with the audience well and has a well-thought out structure, constantly in character despite any mishaps (by the audience). Kami showcases many talents in hr production including singing and playing musical instruments. A 5-star comedy!

June 25, 2025
Hollywood Fringe Festival, day 15

Slurt

Brilliant! A clown show about being a stranger to metropolitan life. The tagline is that this is a Live Documentary and wow, what an experience. Emily Maverick interacts with the audience purely speaking gibberish and fully commits to the bit. The physical humor is unmatched, playful, and her energy reminds me of Borat traveling to the United States. This show is truly a one of a kind experience. By the time I posted this there is one more show on Wednesday July 25, 2025 at 8:30 PM in The Madnani Theater.

Family Fries at The Broadwater

Wild, funny, entertaining! Great acting and chemistry. I loved the storyline, as it is full of goofy twists, but I feel like there were more questions to be asked/answered in the story, or characters. It is an entertaining piece, but I’m not left thinking about the themes, etc. The marketing for this show is so good.

June 25, 2025
Hollywood Fringe Fest, day 14

Ms. Edwards at The Broadwater

Really well-crafted, personal, one-person show with different characterizations. Sydney’s confidence shines and we love her energy! A touching tribute to her loved ones. Sydney embodies different characters from her upbringing to show how she became who she is.

June 25, 2025
Hollywood Fringe Festival, day 12

Napolean’s Whore Sister at The Broadwater, second stage

Wildyly entertaining and feircly intelligent! Very funny show, with a strong ensemble; Shannon Corbeil’s script is smart writing; powerful messages coated with humor. The show pokes fun at the history of misogyny. Style similar to The West Wing, I think – taking a subject of serious manner and flipping it (or highlighting a certain aspect) and making it funny with comedic characters. Both deadpan and slpastick humor, each character gets us laughing.

Absolute Legends at The Broadwater Mainstage

Absolute Hilarity! Nonstop laughs! Dynamic duo. Will Thomas McFadden and Alan Linic create a smash hit for the Fringe Festival, not to be missed! Marco and Rubio take us through two legends from their big book and recreate fantasies for us to see. Loved the costume changes and cannot stop laughing as I think of one of the characters Alan played. I highly recommend this show for healing belly laughs.

June 25, 2025