Fresh on da Scene — Inland Valley Repertory's 'Born Yesterday'

Why is it that political plays always seem timely? Perhaps it's because nothing in the American political landscape has changed during the last century. Or, at least, not enough's changed to make plays like Inland Valley Repertory Theatre's earnest production of Garson Kanin's Born Yesterday seem old school. Fact is, after our last particularly vicious political season, much of Kanin's sexagenarian text is as chord-striking as ever.

Spontaneous, Hilarious Romance — Impro Theatre's 'Jane Austen UnScripted'

There is nothing like staying at home for real comfort. 
~ Jane Austen

All due respect, Ms. Austen would've never written this had she seen Imprō Theatre lampoon her innovative oeuvre. Not that this is a raunchy Comedy Central roast or screwball Wayans movie. The ingenious Imprō company has nothing but respect for their source material. What they create anew night-after-night is a tasteful, cultured, theatrical marvel; a hilarious ad-libbed homage sure to leave you awe-inspired and sore from laughter.

Sparkling Verbal Symphony — The Theatre @ Boston Court's 'Cassiopeia'

What's the average distance between two airline seats? An inch? Less if you're on the fluffy side. Or maybe it's a couple feet, at most, in the not-paying-your-fair-share section. Either way, that distance is infinitesimally small compared to the imaginary chasms we create between ourselves and strangers, acquaintances, even friends and family members. Vast distances separating us, based on reasons as shallow as skin tone. Excuses as intangible as thoughts themselves. Speaking of thoughts, did you know a good dose of static shock can be 50,000 volts, while a memory is little more than 1/10 of a single volt? To what should we give more credence?

A Classic Tribute — Candlelight Pavilion's 'Sound of Music'

Confession time: I'm an anti-musical-ite. Given the choice to spend a few hours watching a straight play or a musical, I'd reject the musical about 96.5% of the time. However, despite such a blatant bias, I have a second confession: Candlelight Pavilion's production of the classic musical "The Sound of Music" was quite entertaining.

My biggest problem with "Sound of Music" in particular — to be fair, it's not the show's fault, just everyone else's — is that the songs are sooo played out. It should have been difficult to refrain from cringing as each song started. What with years of hearing people incessantly belting "The hills are alive," or whichever single chorus line they remember. Then there's the endless TV ads sampling Rodgers and Hammerstein. (How many insurance or lasagna commercials have you heard set to the same endless loop of "These are a few of my favorite things"? Honestly.) 

But, again, not the show's fault. And especially not the fault of talented director Douglas Austin or his beautifully voiced cast. About two notes into the opening number I ditched my baggage and surrendered to the great dinner theater ride.