REVIEW: MATILDA BY RYAN LUÉVANO Matilda the musical is now on stage at 5-Star Theatricals with a splendid production that’s a treat for the whole family. This British import plays like a delicious British cake—it’s chock full of hilarious physical comedy, witty and charming songs, and storytelling that so perfectly from the across the pond. […]

REVIEW: COME FROM AWAY  BY RYAN M. LUÉVANO The musical Come from Away is a love letter to humanity, a reminder that when times are tough you can always count on people to help you weather the storm—especially Canadians. The “9/12” musical by Irene Sankoff and David Hein tells the story of what transpired when […]

REVIEW: VALLEY OF THE HEART BY RYAN M. LUÉVANO Proclaimed by president Barack Obama for “bringing Chicano culture to American drama”, playwright Luis Valdez’s (most notably known for Zoot Suit) latest play Valley of the Heart brings both Chicano and Japanese culture to the stage. Based on Valdez’s life experiences as a child growing up […]

REVIEW: TENOR BY NIGHT BY RYAN M. LUÉVANO With shows like Fresh Off the Boat and the recent summer hit Crazy Rich Asians the Asian community is more and more receiving representation in the entertainment industry which is a boon for all minorities. That being said, the recent original musical Tenor by Night that played […]

REVIEW: SWEET CHARITY BY RYAN M. LUÉVANO The theatre company formerly known as Reprise! (now Reprise 2.0) is back and better than ever serving up a sensational presentation of the classic musical Sweet Charity. For their inaugural season the resurrected theatre company has partnered with the UCLA School of Theatre, Film, and Television’s Department of […]

REVIEW: VIOLET BY RYAN M. LUÉVANO Unless you’re a musical theatre aficionado or follow the work of composer the brilliant composer Jeanine Tesori, you may have never heard of the 2014 musical Violet. But just because show’s name isn’t familiar, doesn’t mean that Violet should be overlooked. Violet may not have the sparkle of a […]

REVIEW: NATIVE SON BY RYAN M. LUÉVANO In high school Richard Wright’s 1940 novel Native Son was required reading, the book about a young African American man living in poverty in 1930s Chicago who kills, rapes, and then is sentenced to death. Everything that happens in this book is heavy and dark, truth be told […]

REVIEW: ALLEGIANCE BY RYAN M. LUÉVANO The musical Allegiance, which had a short run on Broadway from October 2015 to February 2016, is experiencing it’s Los Angeles premiere by the East West Players and the Japanese American Cultural & Community Center featuring George Takei reprising his original role from the Broadway run. Also reprising their Broadway roles […]

2017 Ovation Award Winners BY RYAN LUÉVANO The moment you’ve all been waiting for . . . AND THE 2017 OVATION AWARDS GO TO: Best Season ROGUE MACHINE Dutch Masters Les Blancs Still Life The Super Variety Match Bonus Round Best Production of a Play (Intimate Theatre) 33 VARIATIONS Actors Co-op Best Production of a […]