Prepare for a rollicking good time in Gilbert and Sullivan’s uproarious comic opera, brimming with endearing pirates, bumbling policemen, zany escapades, and delightfully ridiculous paradoxes.
By G. A. McNeeley
Photos by Heather Longfellow
March 25, 2025 (La Mesa) — The Pirates of Penzance is a comic opera that was created by Arthur Sullivan and W. S. Gilbert. Directed and Choreographed by Melissa Glasgow, with Musical Direction by Patrick Marion, this is one show at the Grossmont College Stagehouse Theatre you won’t want to miss.
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September 1, 2023 (La Mesa) - "Silence is rest for the mind," says Masha - a thought that rings true when pondered upon. With any kind of sound, your mind engages in interpretation. Lamplighters Community Theatre in La Mesa is currently staging the uplifting comedy, "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike." For years, I resisted watching this play due to its seemingly unappealing title. I stand corrected. This production turned out to be uproariously funny and while San Diego hosts numerous humorous shows, not many prompt genuine, laugh-out-loud reactions. "Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike" is an exception.
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July 18, 2023 (La Mesa) - A delightful culinary treat where Martha Stewart meets Jerry Springer takes stage as Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa presents The Kitchen Witches. The recipe for this play? Take a spoonful of fun, whisk in plenty of witty dialog, sprinkle in some food chatter, and you will be spellbound for 90 minutes. Written by Caroline Smith, “The Kitchen Witches” combines humor, friendship, the love of food and witches for a spell that will leave you hungry for more.
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June 6, 2023 (La Mesa) - "Gioia di vivere!” The joy of living is expressed in Slikworms, Lamplighters Theatre’s latest production, by local playwright Connie Terwilliger. A world premiere, Silkworms represents three generations of women. Silkworms need mulberry leaves to survive; both are interdependent. Similarly, the women in this play need each other for support and love.
The grandmother provides wisdom and guidance, the mother provides love and support and the daughter provides hope and new beginnings. Together, they form a strong and unbreakable bond that sustains them through good times and bad. Silkworms is relatable, humorous and poignant.
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April 26, 2023 (La Mesa) - Honky Tonk Angels delivers an electrifying dose of pure country energy with a powerhouse cast and a playlist of iconic hits that will have you singing along and cheering for these fierce, flawed and unforgettable women. Written by Ted Swindle, directed by Jonathan Sturch and with Jerrica Ignacio as music director, this musical revue is a must-see for fans of classic country music and the stories that come with it.
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March 21, 2023 (La Mesa) - The Roustabouts may be small, but their shows pack a powerful punch. With a mission to deliver more than just a theatrical experience, but something that audiences can take home and incorporate into their lives, The Roustabouts bring you the World Premiere of Will Cooper’s gUnTOPIA at the Moxie Theatre. This Twilight Zone-esque production is fresh and awesome, offering a thought-provoking commentary on gun control and social issues in our society.
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February 6, 2023 (Poway) - Does air turbulence scare you? Take a ride with a plane full of awkward characters facing both metaphysical turbulence and unpredictable aircraft motions. PowPac presents “Air Turbulence," a new comedy by local playwright Daniel Watts. Engaging characters tickle your funny bones as you are sucked into the airborne experience in this amusing perspective of a rough flight.
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January 19, 2023 (La Mesa) - After tragedy, life needs to be rebuilt. Lamplighters Theatre presents The Revlon Girl, written by Neil Anthony Docking. With so many tragic events hitting the news these days, it's hard to recall the details from month to month. Disasters need to be remembered and documented. The Revelon Girl humanizes Aberfan in England in 1966, delivering the stories and healing process of four women who lost their children and the woman who volunteers to help them.
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October 24, 2022 (La Mesa) - Lamplighters Community Theatre deliver a breath of fresh air as we breeze through October into November in a keystone-cop type comedy presentation of The 39 Steps. This play lightens the mood, when normally at this time of year it's all things dark and spooky. The play is a treat -- light-hearted, delightful and a bit of a spoof on film noir classic Hitchcock.
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"Oh, it's hard to give in! But it is worse to risk everything for stubborn pride." --Creon quote from Antigone by Sophocles.
September 29, 2022 (Poway) - PowPac is presenting Another Antigone. A wry, witty, drama written by AR. Gurney, the play portrays the battle of wills between a college professor and his student. The play compares collegiate life to a Greek tragedy. Four tremendous acting jobs, touches of humor, and thought-provoking moments guide us through this look at the repercussions of choice. Does anyone win when pride becomes involved?
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August 2, 2022 (Poway) - Not as well-known as perhaps some of Agatha Christie's other novels but often considered one of her best, "A Murder is Announced" is presented by Powpac now through August 21. Novels featuring detective Hercule Poirot are generally the Christie stories one thinks of first, such as "Murder on The Orient Express” and "Death on the Nile." I actually love sweet-little-old Miss Marple, the sleuth in "A Murder is Announced," which was written in 1950. The mystery, filled with twists and turns, will keep you guessing until the end.
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July 14, 2022 (La Mesa) - Who says boys can't be drama queens or their male counterparts? Lamplighter's presents Brighton Beach Memoirs by Neil Simon and directed by Dennis Floyd. It’s an emotional rollercoaster filled with laughter and tears.
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June 14, 2022 (Poway) – The Dining Room, presented by PowPac Theatre, is a comedy of manners, which satirizes behavior of a particular social group, usually upper class. In this case, 19 mini skits intersecting around a dining room table through time. These are snapshots of a dying tradition over time and a showcase of tremendous acting as six actors portray 57 diverse characters. There is no shortage of talent on this stage.
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November 28, 2021 (La Mesa) - Once upon a time, before scrolling through your social media feed, before television, in a simpler time, there was radio--with only a couple of options to choose from. But the family came together and listened. Lamplighter's theatre presents "The 1940s Radio Hour," a musical by Walton Jones touching on the nostalgia of the era. The play is a soothing and peaceful interlude among the chaos of the holiday season’s hustle and bustle.
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November 24, 2021 (La Mesa) - Roustabouts return to the theatre, bringing much needed laughter, The theatre group returns with For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls, four short one-act plays. Producer and director Phil Johnson, a master of laughter, wanted to add humor for audiences returning to the theatre. He feels, and I agree, that after what everyone has been through, we need to not only laugh but laugh together and we did.
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May 5, 2019 (El Cajon) - More than a few teens can identify with Ariel, The Little Mermaid, who hates her dad because he won't let her do what she really wants to do. Her dad doesn't understand or love her. The theme is brought to us in fun fairy tale fashion, The Little Mermaid, based on the Disney version and yes, Disney does everything possible to entertain.
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November 1, 2016 (La Mesa) - Happiness filled my heart at the sight of a full audience for the Highland players on Thursday night. The production ofAlmost Maine featured romantic, funny, and filled with awe moments. The show has closed, but if you fill the need to support or you did not get your Halloween fix, West Hills High in Santee is doing Zombie Prom this weekend.
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Prepare for a rollicking good time in Gilbert and Sullivan’s uproarious comic opera, brimming with endearing pirates, bumbling policemen, zany escapades, and delightfully ridiculous paradoxes.
By Kathy Carpenter 
Review by Kathy Carpenter
By Kathy Carpenter
By Kathy Carpenter
By Kathy Carpenter
By Kathy Carpenter
By Kathy Carpenter
By Kathy Carpenter
By Kathy Carpenter
Review by Kathy Carpenter
By Kathy Carpenter
By Kathy Carpenter
By Kathy Carpenter
By Kathy Carpenter
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