LA Theater Review

‘The Nether’ Entertains While Tickling the Brain

Jennifer Haley’s “The Nether,” a world-premiere technology-gone-dangerous drama from Center Theatre Group, is acted to the nines by Robert Joy, Dakin Matthews, and Brighid Fleming.

Reality-TV Themed 'The Assistants' Isn't Ready for Prime Time

“The Assistants,” Joel Sinensky’s dark new play about shallow reality-TV producers and their lackeys, at Loft Ensemble, starts out strong but turns formulaic and loses steam.

Disappointing 'Rank' Lacks Tension

Billed as a “darkly comic thriller,” Robert Massey’s “Rank,” a tale of Dublin taxi drivers and racketeers, at Odyssey Theatre, is neither noir nor funny, despite good acting.

Frank and Raw, 'Spring Awakening' Is Extraordinary

“Spring Awakening,” Steven Sater and Duncan Sheik’s 2006 Tony-winning musical based on Frank Wedekind’s 1891 drama, gets a heartbreakingly honest production from La Mirada Theatre.

'End of the Rainbow' Looks at Judy Garland's Last Days

As Judy Garland in Peter Quilter’s “End of the Rainbow,” at the Ahmanson Theatre, Tracie Bennett eerily recalls the pain of the diva’s last days but misses her admirable qualities.

'One Night With Janis Joplin' Brilliantly Conjures an Icon

For anyone old enough to remember the Queen, Pasadena Playhouse’s “One Night With Janis Joplin” will make the past 40-plus years melt like a grilled cheese sandwich in a microwave.

'Tomorrow' Is a Treat

Donald Freed’s outstanding “Tomorrow,” from Skylight Theatre Company, Rogue Machine, and Britain’s York Theatre Royal, explores the mentor-mentee relationship among three actors.

‘The Whale’ Gets Successful L.A. Premiere

Samuel D. Hunter’s acclaimed Off-Broadway drama “The Whale” receives a fine production at South Coast Rep, with Matthew Arkin doing tour de force work as its 600-pound protagonist.

Winning 'Nuttin’ but Hutton' Delivers Schmaltzy Musical Entertainment

Premiering at NoHo Arts Center, Diane Vincent and Sam Kriger’s old-fashioned musical tribute to the spectacular Betty Hutton, “Nuttin’ but Hutton,” has definitely got somethin’.

'On the Spectrum' Plants a Flag for Sensitivity and Hope

At the Fountain Theatre Virginia Newcomb and Dan Shaked sensitively portray two autistic people in Ken LaZebnik’s “On the Spectrum,” which owes a small debt to “The Miracle Worker.”