theater

West Coast Premiere of ‘By The Way, Meet Vera Stark’ Tackles Race and Identity in Hollywood

With a stellar Sanaa Lathan in the title role, the L.A. premiere of “By the Way, Meet Vera Stark,” Lynn Nottage’s satire of racial identity in the Hollywood studio system, is an enjoyable fusion of comedy and comment, at least until polemic overtakes the proceedings.

Pieces

Chris Phillips’ “Pieces,” a Fringe drama about the murder of a gay L.A. producer, has muscular dialogue and interesting characters but also believability issues.

Broadway Faces Labor Strike During Busy Holiday Season

Local 32BJ of the Service Employees International Union, representing Broadway theater service workers, threatens to strike if new contract isn’t approved by Dec. 30.

Silent

“Silent,” actor-author Pat Kinevane’s rich, detailed solo show about a homeless man’s guilt over his brother’s suicide, at Irish Arts Center, dazzles but lacks emotional resonance.

Ed Begley Jr Reunites with David Mamet for Political Comedy ‘November’

The six-time Emmy nominee for his role on “St. Elsewhere” stars as the President of the United States in Mamet’s “November,” running at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles.

'Black Women: State of the Union—Taking Flight' Hits Home

“Black Women: State of the Union—Taking Flight,” at Katselas Theatre Company, is an uneven mix of six new plays, presented by a talented ensemble with personal urgency and passion.

'Buyer & Cellar' Is Inventive, Witty, and Pretty Wonderful

In Jonathan Tolins’ witty “Buyer & Cellar,” at Rattlestick Playwrights Theater, an impish Michael Urie plays a struggling actor who gets an unusual job working for Barbra Streisand.

'Long Way Go Down' Challenges Cast And Audience On Illegal Immigration

Zayd Dohrn’s play, enjoying its West Coast premiere at L.A.’s Harold Clurman Laboratory Theater Company, challenges cast and audience alike on illegal immigration.

'Midsummer [a play with songs]' Is Too Meta for Its Own Good

David Greig’s “Midsummer [a play with songs],” from Edinburgh’s Traverse Theatre, wastes impressive theatrical resources on two losers slouching toward an uncertain relationship.

L.A. Summer Musicals Now Casting

Musicals "Bloody Bloody Andrew Jackson," "Nine," "Chicago," and others will be holding auditions in L.A. over the coming weeks.