So Cal Arts & Entertainment

John Logan’s “Red” (at South Coast Repertory through Feb. 21) does what great theatre should do—it engages people to think. The Tony Award-winning play, ostensibly about abstract painter Mark Rothko, can pretty much be summed up by its opening line: “What do you see?”...

There’s a stunning performance by Lilly Holleman currently onstage at South Coast Repertory, but you’ll have to sit through a long and less than satisfactory play to see it. Beth Henley’s “Abundance” (though Nov. 15), a revival of a quasi-historical drama that debuted...

Ever seen “Raymonda,” the 19th century Russian work that’s been called the “last grand ballet” of its era? No? Not to worry—Russia’s Mariinsky Ballet and Orchestra will fill this void in your cultural resume (and mine) with the So Cal debut of this masterpiece from...

Steven Harvey Hirsch, who plays Tevye in Mysterium Theater’s current production of ‘Fiddler on the Roof’ at the La Habra Depot, has been seen on So Cal stages as Lazar Wolf in Saddleback CLO's production of “Fiddler,” Mordcha the innkeeper in Irvine Valley College's...

It’s been 35 years since Martin Sherman’s “Bent” premiered on Broadway but the play still packs a wallop, at least in Moisés Kaufman’s superb revival at the Mark Taper Forum in Los Angeles. Let’s face it, not everyone can handle live drama that offers a whack in the...

Heard of Ira Aldridge? It matters not. “Bright Swords” exhumes the 19th century black actor and brings him vividly back to life, telling the story of how he took a fellow thespian's advice when he was 17 and went to England, where he would not face racial prejudice....