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Monty Python’s Spamalot Review
This. That. “‘Tis but a scratch” and a whole lot of Spam on the quest for the Holy Grail. Absurdity reigned supreme in Monty Python’s Spamalot presented at the Segerstrom Center for the Arts and directed and choreographed by Josh Rhodes. This North American tour embraced British satire while translating its humor and fantasy for…
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Sweeney Todd Musical Review
He never forgets, he never forgives. But is revenge ever justified? A tale as haunting as it was melodic arrived at La Mirada Theatre in an almost sold-out production of Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street. Under the direction of Jason Alexander, this musical thriller was reimagined through a new psychological lens transforming this…
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The Notebook: The Musical Review
How far are you willing to go for love? Noah Calhoun and Allie Hamilton were not meant to be together. They emerged from backgrounds and lifestyles that set them on different paths. Making its Broadway Debut in 2024 at the Gerald Schoenfeld Theatre, Segerstrom Center for the Arts hosted The Notebook: The Musical.
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The Book of Mormon Review
What is the next best thing that comes to mind when you think of Matt Stone and Trey Parker besides the creators of South Park? A musical satire, of course! In this nine-time Tony Award-winning musical, the Book of Mormon continues its 15th year at the Eugene O’Neill Theatre, proving that satire still has a…
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Death Becomes Her: The Reimagined Musical Review
How far are you willing to go for perfection? Tony-winning musical Death Becomes Her provides one answer by witnessing the rivalry between Madeline Ashton and Helen Sharp. These two women were bonded by envy, betrayal, and an increasing desire for lasting beauty and prestige. Between a twisted neck and a hole in the midsection revealed…
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The Wiz Review
This touring revival of The Wiz preserved the familiar narrative of The Wizard of Oz while recentering the story within Black cultural expression. The production did not pursue radical reinvention in the manner of Hamilton; instead, it refreshed the tone and texture through funk-inflected orchestrations, bass-forward grooves, and design choices rooted in Black theatrical traditions.
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Moulin Rouge: The Musical Review
How far can love transcend, especially when life demands certainty? For one week, Segerstrom Center for the Arts invited audiences back into the velvet-drenched world of Moulin Rouge: The Musical. Following their 2021 Tony Award success for best musical, Director Alex Timbers continued to extend Baz Luhrmann’s 2001 film into a high-voltage stage experience. Set…
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Some Like it Hot Review
What happens when you mix jazz, booze, comedy, and a few gangsters in Prohibition-era Chicago? You grab a wig, a dress, and a train ticket to California. At least, that was the survival plan for Matt Loehr (Joe / Josephine) and Tavis Kordell (Jerry / Daphne) in the touring production of Some Like it Hot,…
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Come From Away Review
On Tuesday, September 11, 2001, the world paused. Planes were grounded, skies fell silent, and questions filled the air: Was this an accident? Was the United States under attack? What will happen next? Thousands of flights were diverted to new destinations, one of which was Gander, Newfoundland, a small Canadian town that suddenly doubled their…
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& Juliet Review
What if Juliet decided not to die for Romeo? David West Read’s & Juliet was not another adaptation of the classic tale; instead, this contemporary jukebox musical delivered a revisionist tale that introduces a new ending: what would have happened if Juliet had never taken the lethal poison.
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Avenue Q! Review
Who needs Avenue A, B, or C when you’ve got Avenue Q? Garden Grove’s GEM Theatre may be an intimate space, but this One More Productions staging of the puppet-filled, satirical musical packs more laughter than some Broadway houses. Sesame Street navigated simple issues for children. It is time to meet the older sibling who…
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Les Miserables Theater Review
At the end of the day, what would you be willing to sacrifice for the sake of love and redemption in a world that is not always fair? Concluding the 2024-2025 season, the John F. Kennedy Center for the Performing Arts delivered a tour de force production of Les Misérables–a fitting tribute to the venue’s…
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Frozen: The Musical Review
How do you adapt a $1.2 billion animated film into a compelling stage production? A simple live-action version plays it safe but questions the necessity of the project. Or, an adaptation that extends beyond the warm snowman to understand more about the characters. While the atmosphere was chilly, La Mirada Theater brought a hot but…
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Mamma Mia! Theater Review
For one week, and one week only, Segerstrom Center for the Arts hosted Mamma Mia!, a musical that has charmed audiences since its debut in 1999. With its vibrant ABBA soundtrack, heartfelt performances, and nostalgic flair, this musical continues to experience generational success, allowing audience members to channel their own “Dancing Queen.”
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Legally Blonde: The Musical Review
“OMIGOD you guys!” Grab your pink because Legally Blonde: The Musical has come to La Mirada Theater for a night filled with fun, music, and of course, ‘Bends and Snaps!’ Complete with themed drinks like the “Harvard Law Punch” or “Pink Brief” from the Elle-vated Menu, this production delivered a comedic, yet thought-provoking commentary on…
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