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Review: Remarkable ‘Exit the King’ at A Noise Within
Henri Lubatti (King Berenger) in "Exit the King" at A Noise Within (Photo by Craig Schwartz) A play called “Exit the King” seems perfect now when democratic values and personal freedoms are under threat by a president who seems to have monarchical ambitions. Eugène Ionesco’s 1962 play, currently on stage at A Noise Within, does skewer tyrannical behavior, but also makes clear that the tyrant is each of us. Translated from the French by Donald Watson and directed by Michael Mi
Anita W. Harris
May 133 min read


Review: Gripping ‘All My Sons’ at Antaeus Theatre Company
From left: Bo Foxworth (Joe) and Matthew Grondin (Chris) in Antaeus Theatre Company's "All My Sons" (Photo by Craig Schwartz) Arthur Miller wrote his Tony Award-winning play “All My Sons” in the immediate aftermath of World War II. No doubt it carried that resonance when it premiered on Broadway in January 1947. Through excellent staging and acting, Antaeus Theatre Company’s current production of this gripping play carries some of that same resonance — its weighty themes ring
Anita W. Harris
Mar 193 min read


Review: ‘Richard III’ at A Noise Within
Ann Noble (Richard) in "Richard III" at A Noise Within (Photo by Craig Schwartz) A Noise Within theatre company has a knack for making old plays seem new. William Shakespeare’s historical tragedy “Richard III” is no exception, not least due to casting Ann Noble in the title role. Her performance as the ruthlessly manipulative would-be king is riveting, heightening our emotional investment in this gruesome tale of royalty behaving badly. Directed by Guillermo Cienfuegos with a
Anita W. Harris
Feb 184 min read


Review: ‘One Man, Two Guvnors’ at A Noise Within
Foreground, from left: Kasey Mahaffy (Henshall) and Trisha Miller (Dolly) with ensemble cast of "One Man, Two Guvnors" at A Noise Within...
Anita W. Harris
Sep 11, 20253 min read


Review: The Troubadours’ ‘Oedipus the King, Mama!’ at Getty Villa
From left: Matt Walker (Oedipus) and Beth Kennedy (Jocasta) in "Oedipus the King, Mama!" at Getty Villa (Photo by Craig Schwartz...
Anita W. Harris
Sep 7, 20254 min read


Review: ‘A Man of No Importance’ soars at A Noise Within
From left: David Nevell (Carney) and Kasey Mahaffy (Alfie) in "A Man of No Importance" at A Noise Within (Photo by Craig Schwartz)...
Anita W. Harris
May 15, 20254 min read


Review: ‘Macbeth’ mesmerizes at A Noise Within
From left: Julanne Chidi Hill (Lady Macbeth) and Kamal Bolden (Macbeth) in A Noise Within's "Macbeth" (Photo by Craig Schwartz) Imagine...
Anita W. Harris
Feb 27, 20253 min read


ANW’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ brings Dickens to vivid life
With its haunting sets, vivid costuming and energetic performances, A Noise Within’s (ANW) annual production of “A Christmas Carol”...
Anita W. Harris
Dec 12, 20243 min read


Review: August Wilson’s “The Piano Lesson” at A Noise Within
The title of August Wilson’s Pulitzer Prize-winning “The Piano Lesson” – one of his cycle of plays on African American life in the 20th...
Anita W. Harris
Oct 30, 20244 min read


ANW’s zany ‘The Skin of Our Teeth’ succeeds in breaking the rules
“The Skin of Our Teeth”—continuing through Sept. 29—is a weird play excellently executed by A Noise Within (ANW) with compelling acting...
Anita W. Harris
Sep 11, 20244 min read


ANW’s ‘Sweeney Todd’ keeps it minimal and melancholic
Stephen Sondheim and Hugh Wheeler’s musical dark-comedy “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street” has continued to enthrall...
Anita W. Harris
Feb 27, 20243 min read


ANW’s ‘The Bluest Eye’ gazes intently at internalized racism
Lydia R. Diamond’s adaptation “The Bluest Eye”—deftly dramatizing Toni Morrison’s novel of the same name—is gracing Pasadena’s A Noise...
Anita W. Harris
Sep 13, 20233 min read


Teen-girl drama meets ‘The Crucible’ in ‘Our Dear Dead Drug Lord’ at Kirk Douglas Theatre
A collaboration between Center Theatre Group and IAMA Theatre Company, Alexis Scheer’s “Our Dear Dead Drug Lord” finds four young women...
Anita W. Harris
Aug 30, 20233 min read


Review: Smart, funny and poignant ‘The Book of Will’ at A Noise Within
Lauren Gunderson’s 2018 play “The Book of Will”—continuing at Pasadena’s A Noise Within (ANW) through June 4—dramatizes how William...
Anita W. Harris
May 18, 20233 min read


A Noise Within’s lively ‘Much Ado About Nothing’ enriches Shakespeare
William Shakespeare’s comedy “Much Ado About Nothing” is hilariously convoluted, but so much depends on how today’s audience understands...
Anita W. Harris
Feb 24, 20233 min read


Supernatural hijinks haunt ‘2:22 – A Ghost Story’ at the Ahmanson
Review of 2:22 - A Ghost Story at the Ahmanson Theatre by Anita W. Harris for LA Theatrix
Anita W. Harris
Nov 9, 20223 min read


Getty Villa’s ASL/vocal ‘Oedipus’ delivers truth infused with passion
Review of Oedipus at the Getty Villa by Anita W. Harris for LA Theatrix
Anita W. Harris
Sep 12, 20224 min read


A Noise Within’s ‘Animal Farm’ brings Orwell’s cautionary tale to visceral life
Review of A Noise Within's Animal Farm by Anita W. Harris for LA Theatrix
Anita W. Harris
Sep 6, 20223 min read


Review: Rajiv Joseph’s rhythmic new ‘King James’ at the Mark Taper Forum
Review of "King James" at the Mark Taper Forum by Anita W. Harris for LA Theatrix
Anita W. Harris
Jun 13, 20223 min read


A Noise Within’s ‘Metamorphoses’ transports us to the mythic realm
Review of "Metamorphoses" at A Noise Within by Anita W. Harris for LA Theatrix
Anita W. Harris
May 18, 20223 min read
LA Theatrix Theatre Reviews
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