LA Theater Review

Brightly Packaged 'Catch Me If You Can' Re-Creates the Swingin' '60s

The national tour of Terrence McNally, Marc Shaiman, and Scott Wittman’s musical version of Steven Spielberg’s 2002 film “Catch Me If You Can” soars at the Pantages Theatre.

‘Tribes’ Raises Timely Issues

The deaf son of a hearing family falls in love with a woman who is going deaf, and matters quickly get ambiguous, in Nina Raine’s hot new play “Tribes,” from Center Theatre Group.

'Trainspotting' Finds the Right Balance Between Grim and Funny

Harry Gibson’s stage version of Irvine Welsh’s novel “Trainspotting” is not for the faint of heart, but Roger Mathey’s strong direction and solid performances deliver the goods.

'Alabama Baggage' Lacks Believable Characters

Buddy Farmer’s “Alabama Baggage,” at Theatre Asylum, a tale of molestation and revenge, touches on relevant issues, but the muddled script fails to convey the gravity of its subject.

'Wolves' Never Makes It From Low Growl to Full-On Howl

Steve Yockey’s “Wolves,” at Celebration Theatre, promises thrills and chills and lots of blood but leaves you wondering in more ways than one who is going to clean up the mess.

Flashy 'Songs of Bilitis' Lacks a Center

Rogue Artists Ensemble has pulled out all of the design stops for “Songs of Bilitis,” a muddled pastiche of words, imagery, music, and movement at Bootleg Theater short on story.

Four Short Plays Make Up Pithy and Provocative 'Unscreened'

In “Unscreened,” at the Lillian Theatre, fledgling screenwriters Will Wissler Graham, Corinne Kingsbury, Daria Polatin, and Mallory Westfall get a fine showcase for their wares.

Intelligent 'Therapy' Shrinks From Drama

Jeff Bernhardt’s “Therapy,” at the Secret Rose Theatre, is a well-performed, interesting visit with three therapists and a patient whose issues touch each of them, but it’s too safe.

'Mommune' Can't Decide What It Wants to Be

Dorothy Fortenberry’s “Mommune,” from Chalk Repertory Theatre, about delinquent mothers and staged in a real daycare center, is an unusual but uncertain theatergoing experience.

‘The Graduate’ Looks Good but Fails to Pass

Terry Johnson’s flawed 2000 stage adaptation of “The Graduate,” based on Charles Webb’s 1963 novel and Mike Nichols’ 1967 film version, misses the mark at Long Beach Playhouse.