THEATRE REVIEWS – Page 127

Great ‘Henry V’: What’s Old Is New

By Martin Jones Westlin | November 4, 2014 |

Henry V loved France so much that he took it (and Catherine of Valois) for his own in 1415’s Battle of Agincourt. The story’s more complicated than all that, of course — and the debut of New Fortune Theatre is just the occasion on which to tell it, through a very good ‘Henry V.’

Old Globe’s ‘Bright Star’ Sings of Secrets & Forgiveness

By Kris Eitland | October 26, 2014 |

Even if you don’t have an ear for distinct bluegrass rhythms or songs about suffering, heartache, and heaven, deep tones in the music prelude will cut into your bones and skin. With all its predictability and symbolism, Bright Star remains as rewarding and bitter sweet as a dark molasses pie, with delicious characters and two stories that unfold over two decades in Ashville, North Carolina.

Rise of New Jersey Legends

By David Dixon | October 24, 2014 |

Ten years have passed since The Four Seasons’ jukebox musical, Jersey Boys, premiered in San Diego at the La Jolla Playhouse. From that time on, it became a Broadway megahit with many successful productions performed all over the world.

Arguably, ‘Freud’s Last Session’ Is a Hit

By Martin Jones Westlin | October 23, 2014 |

Two of the 20th century’s greatest men of letters came from uniformly different backgrounds and have equally opposite beliefs about God’s existence. In North Coast Repertory Theatre’s ‘Freud’s Last Session,’ we get quite a nice look at the debate that would have followed if the two had ever met.

Boxing as Ritual in Old Globe’s “The Royale”

By Welton Jones | October 11, 2014 |

Boxing is far too violently intense for easy stage interpretation but Rachel Chavkin’s ritual staging of Marco Ramirez’s play “The Royale,” now at the Old Globe Theatre, shows that imagination and skill can respect the sport while ming it for metaphor.

Everybody Flock to Cygnet’s Shepards

By Martin Jones Westlin | October 7, 2014 |

The American Dream is in reality the American Nightmare, and Sam Shepard is here to prove it. Cygnet Theatre’s very good Shep-Rep fare, comprising “True West” and “Fool for Love,” is Shepard come alive, with two emotionally raw scripts and a scathing indictment of a country that’s clearly lost its way.