Put a Little Drama in your Life
KPBS AIRDATE: JANUARY 28, 1998 In theater, as in life, there’s nothing quite so disappointing as a promise not kept. The higher the expectation, the greater the letdown. That’s how my week went, dramatically speaking; I had late-night hopes and Joe Orton dreams. You could say that the life of British playwright Joe Orton imitated his Read More →
KPBS AIRDATE: DECEMBER 31, 1997 There’s been a veritable cross-dressing convention in San Diego theaters this month. Let’s see, there was “Dysfunctional Family Theatre” and “It’s a Wonderful Life” and “Titanic”: The Play, and of course, “Our Gay Apparel,” and now, that unisex, imp-in-a-unitard, “Peter Pan.” I haven’t actually seen PP yet, but the buzz on this national tour has been great. Read More →
KPBS AIRDATE: December 10, 1997 Two decades of holiday entertainment; two San Diego theaters. One keeps reworking a show that’s been a seasonal perennial for 150 years; the other is offering a world premiere that, with a little fixing, could become a new holiday tradition. “A Christmas Carol” and “Festival of Christmas.” Don’t leave the season without ‘em. Read More →
KPBS AIRDATE: December 3, 1997 “My Three Angels” is a holiday perennial for several very good reasons: it’s a little unpredictable, not too sentimental and often very funny. It’s not half as clever as the book Sam and Bella Spewack wrote for the musical “Kiss Me, Kate,” but then they were touched by genius: composer Cole Porter with inspiration from William Shakespeare. Read More →
KPBS AIRDATE: November 26, 1997 If you’re feeling a little constrained and constricted by family obligations as the holiday season begins, consider going to the theater to experience some real confinement and oppression. One current offering is historical and the other is fictional, but they’ll both make you feel incredibly unfettered and free. Guaranteed. “Mad Forest” is set Read More →
THEATRE REVIEW: “ MARRY ME A LITTLE ” at the North Coast Repertory Theatre & “ BLITHE SPIRITS ” at the San Diego State University KPBS AIRDATE: November 19, 1997 The holiday season can be pretty hard on relationships -- even if you’re not in Read More →
“San Diego is a hotbed of theater. Every year, I see 200-250 productions. This is fertile ground for new work. In addition to the prodigious local talent, theatermakers from around the country come here to premiere their latest creations. San Diego sends more shows to Broadway than nearly any other city in the U.S.”
-Pat Launer