San Diego theater

FORGING BONDS BEYOND DIFFERENCES: VISITING MR. GREEN AT POWPAC THROUGH JUNE 11

By Kathy Carpenter

May 28, 2023 (Poway) - In PowPac Theatre's presentation of Visiting Mr. Green, a dramedy by Jeff Baron, the power of connection takes center stage. The play revolves around Ross Gardiner, a successful executive reluctantly assigned by the court to visit Mr. Green, an elderly and grumpy widower, as part of his community service. What begins as an unfavorable obligation soon evolves into a heartwarming journey of friendship and personal growth.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

GOD OF CARNAGE REVIEW: A MORALITY COIN TOSS

By Kathy Carpenter

January 17, 2020 (La Mesa) - Lamplighters Theatre in La Mesa presents "God of Carnage." Written by Yasmina Reza and Directed  by Tyler Richard Hewes, “God of Carnage” is full of moral dilemmas. What is okay for one person outrages another. The result is hilarious--the kind of humor that we should not find funny but do.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

ANNE FRANK AND ME

 
West  Hills High School - show continues Nov. 13 and 14

By Kathy Carpenter

Associate and Youth Reviewer www.sdtheaterreviews.com



November 9, 2015 (Santee) - Anne Frank and Me by Cherie Bennet.is a play about keeping history and memories alive so as not to be forgotten. The question asked in today's world and Ms. Edwards, is how do we motivate students in this short span society to learn things like history?

Let me say bravo to Carrin Edwards for finding a way. Ms. Edwards is a teacher at West Hills in Santee, and the director of this profound piece.Kudos also go out to West Hills High administration for encouraging students and rewarding them to support the arts.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

KEEPING THE DOCTOR AWAY: JULIAN MELODRAMA OCT. 16-18 AND 23-25

 

East County News Service

October 14, 2015 (Julian) – The Julian Triangle Club’s  59th annual October melodrama, “Keeping the Doctor Away”  or “Take Two Apples and See Me in the Morning” continues this weekend and next at the historic Julian Town Hall. 

This year’s director, Sandi Bennett, is cracking the whip over the all-volunteer local cast, who come from all walks of life to put on the traditional Melodrama and raise money for our local charities including scholarships for local students.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

STAGE FRIGHT: LAMPLIGHTERS’ PRODUCTION OCT. 9-NOV. 8

 

October 2, 2015 (La Mesa)--Lamplighters Community Theatre in La Mesa continues its current season with a mystery. Stage Fright by Charles Marowitz will run Oct. 9-Nov. 8.

A leading metropolitan drama critic is led by an attractive production assistant into a recently discovered 19th century theatre. There, the critic will film a television interview for a documentary on the actor John Wilkes Booth, who once acted on those very boards. The critic, F.F. Charnick, notorious for his venomous reviews, visibly warms to the classy elegance of the British P.A. But no sooner has he downed a glass of wine than he falls drugged and unconscious.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

“HAIRSPRAY” SHINES IN PERFORMANCE OF "EPIC PROPORTIONS"

 

 

 

Musical continues Sept. 17-19 in Visionary production at Pt.. Loma High

Review by Kathy Carpenter

Associate and Youth Reviewer www.sdtheatrereviews.com

September 14, 2015 (La Mesa) - Visionary Community Theatre and Visionary Youth Theatre join together for an outreach program of epic proportions to present "Hairspray." What do you get when you mash up several high schools and a professional choreographer? Great dancing, singing, and acting.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

LAMPLIGHTERS THEATRE PRESENTS “LOUIS AND IRVING, THE MOVIE MOGULS” JAN. 23-25

 

January 21, 2015 (La Mesa)--Journey back to the world of 1930s cinema in the play "Louis and Irving, The Movie Moguls." Lamplighter Theatre in La Mesa’s performances continue this week on January 23rd and 25th..

The play portrays the early days of MGM, one of the most successful film studios of all time--all made possible by the two very different, yet passionate, movie moguls Louis B. Mayor and Irving  G.Thalberg.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

ODD COUPLE ON STAGE AT THE LYCEUM: TEATRO MASCARA MAGICA'S RENDITION BLENDS HILARITY AND LATINO SPICE

 

A review by Reina Lisa Menasche

September 21, 2014 (San Diego)--What do you get when you cross Neil Simon’s classic 1960s New York comedy “The Odd Couple” with modern day, southern California references and Latino color, characters, innuendo, and ad libs? A surprising and delightful rendition, zestily presented by the Teatro Mascara Magica at San Diego’s Lyceum Theatre. Dave Rivas, co-producer and co-director of the production, is a Spring Valley resident.

The theme of the play remains true to the original and is universal: divorced bachelors, slob versus neat freak, in a friendship strained not only by conflicts over living conditions but also the poignancy of loss and change. But the seasoning on this well-known dish of a show is exotic, original, up to date, and hilarious.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

ANNIE TAKES STAGE FEB. 14-23 IN EL CAJON

 

February 1, 2014 (El Cajon)--The play Annie goes on stage during the weekend of Friday, February 14 and for the following weekend ending February 23. Performed by the Christian Youth Theatre, with such songs as “Tomorrow” and “It’s a Hard-Knock Life,” this production of Annie is appropriate for the whole family.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

ALADDIN JR ON STAGE IN SPRING VALLEY

 

November 13, 2013 (Spring Valley) – Favorite Disney characters will appear at Young Actors’ Theater, 9620 Campo Road in Spring Valley this weekend, where Aladdin Jr., a stage adaption of the Disney hit film, is being staged. 

The production promises to be filled with “magic, mayhem, and flying carpet rides” along with the Academy award-winning score including “A Whole New World” and “Friend Like Me.”


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

LAMPLIGHTERS COMMUNITY THEATRE RETURNS TO LA MESA

 

Daughters of the Appalachians debuts April 25-27

By Miriam Raftery

April 13, 2013 (La Mesa) – A 76-year tradition returns to La Mesa with the revival of the Lamplighters Community Theatre.  On April 25-27, the group will present “Daughters of the Appalachians”  in the Lamplighters’ first performance since 2006, when the old theater was torn down to make way for the new La  Mesa police station.

The theatrical group was founded back in 1937, originally known as the La Mesa Little Theatre. In 1976, the organization became Lamplighters Community Theatre, performing in the Ben Polak Fine Arts Center until its demolition force the limelight to go dark.  But now , like a phoenix, the group has found new life—and a new theater is rising in La Mesa, a city which just celebrated its centennial. The new Lamplighters theatrical performances will take place at the La Mesa Village Center, 5915 Severin Drive in La Mesa, at the corner of Severin and Amaya drives.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

‘OMIGOD YOU GUYS!’ YAT’S PRODUCTION OF LEGALLY BLONDE IS A HIT


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

OLIVER! TAKES STAGE NOV. 10-20 AT ENCORE THEATRE IN SPRING VALLEY

November 11, 2011 (Spring Valley) – Celebrating its 10th year, Young Actors Theatre re-presents the musical that started it all – Oliver! The public is invited to enjoy the classic Charles Dickens’ tale brought to life onstage at the Encore Theatre in Spring Valley.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

“HAIR” ROLE GROWS ON POWAY ACTOR JOSH LAMON: MUSICAL RUNS OCT. 18-23 AT CIVIC THEATER

 

 

 

 

By Megan McGlamery

 

 

 

 

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

AN OLD-FASHIONED MELODRAMA ADAPTED TO TODAY'S HARD TIMES

Melodrama takes stage Sept. 17-25

 

photograph by Pete Smith

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

OPENING NIGHT ROCKS FOR SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK


Musical continues this weekend and next at Encore! Theatre in Spring Valley

 

by Elena Peña

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

HE AIN'T DONE RIGHT BY NELL: COMEDIC MELODRAMA IN LEMON GROVE TAKES STAGE IN SEPTEMBER

 

August 1, 2011 (Lemon Grove)--The Lemon Grove Historical Society will prevent “a hilarious 19th century melodrama adopted to Lemon Grove, California,” says Helen Ofield, president of the organization. “He Ain’t Done Right By Nell” is set in 1906 in the heydey of the town's citrus packing industry.  Seven showings will be held from September 16 to September 25.

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

SCHOOL HOUSE ROCK COMING TO ENCORE! THEATRE SEPT 9-18

 

by Elena Peña

 

Get ready to witness a different kind of learning experience this fall at the Encore! Theatre in Spring Valley. The Young Actors’ Theatre is set to bring to life the beloved musical animated series School House Rock come September. It’s sure to be a fun, knowledge-infused event for the whole family.

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

BENEFIT PERFORMANCE OF GAM3RS FOR JAPAN RELIEF FRIDAY, JUNE 17

All ticket and raffle sales from the event will assist Japan in rebuilding after earthquake, tsunami


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

REVIEW: A ROLLICKING RENDITION OF RAGTIME AT THE ENCORE! THEATRE

Popular American musical playing March 24-27 in Spring Valley

  

By Miriam Raftery

 

March 22, 2011 (Spring Valley) – Director Jean Isaac calls Ragtime a show that “will get inside your soul.” Drawn to the musical’s epic scale and powerful yet timeless themes, she observes, “It’s a beautiful story to be told," then adds that it's important to tell the story anew in today’s turbulent times.

 

Isaac delivers a moving interpretation, brought to life through often stellar performances by the Young Actors’ Theatre cast. 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

RAGTIME ROLLS OUT MARCH 17-27 AT SPRING VALLEY’S ENCORE THEATRE

 

February 26, 2011 (Spring Valley) – Ragtime, the musical that won a Tony Award in 1998 for best musical score on Broadway, will be performed by Young Actors Theatre at the Encore! Theatre in Spring Valley March 17-20 and March 24-27.

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

SYMPHONY OF CLOUDS: MUSICAL ADVENTURES OF THE BOY MOZART FEB. 18-27 AT SDSU

 

 

February 15, 2011 (San Diego) - Symphony of Clouds (Musical Adventures of the Boy Mozart) will be performed at San Diego State University's Don Powell Theatre in showings Feb. 18-27. 

 

The program is described on the theatre's website as "a joyful production which incorporates milestones in Mozart's early life and work in stormy 18th-century Europe, inspired by letters, biographies, and the music itself." Mozart's rise to fame as a musical prodigy drives the action, dance, song and humor in this production.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

SHAKESPEARE’S HAMLET ONSTAGE AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE MARCH 10-12, 16-19

 

“To be, or not to be; that is the question.”--Hamlet

 

February 7, 2011 (El Cajon) – The Grossmont College Theatre Arts Department will present Hamlet by William Shakespeare, directed by Jeannette Thomas.

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

IMPROV PERFORMANCE OPENS FEB. 4 AT GROSSMONT STAGEHOUSE THEATRE

 

January 26, 2011 (El Cajon)--The Grossmont College Theatre Arts Department will present “Inside the Actor’s Process: Improvisation,” a performance of student actors using improvisational skills, at 7:30 p.m. on Friday and Saturday, Feb. 4 and 5, and at 2 p.m. on Saturday, Feb. 5.

 

Through presentations of scenes and monologues, the show will demonstrate how student actors can develop such improvisational skills as timing, team work and listening.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

TOYS COME TO LIFE IN "TIN" AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE'S STAGEHOUSE THEATRE OCT. 22 & 23

 

October 8, 2010 (El Cajon) -- The Grossmont College Theatre Arts Department will present Tin, written and directed by Jerry Hager, October 22 & 23 at 7:30 p.m. and October 23 at 2:00 p.m. in the Stagehouse Theatre. All tickets for this event are $6 each. The story, Tin, is based on Hans Christian Andersen’s story The Steadfast Tin Soldier, an adventurous tale in which toys come to life in the shadows of night.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

THE MISER OPENS OCT 7 AT GROSSMONT COLLEGE THEATRE; RUNS THROUGH OCT. 16

October 2, 2010 (El Cajon) -- The Grossmont College Theatre Arts Department will present The Miser, directed by Henry J. Jordan, Oct 7-9 and 13-16 at 7:30 pm and Oct 9 and 16 at 2:00 pm in the Stagehouse Theatre.  

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

LES MISERABLES DEBUTS AUG. 27-29 AT KROC CENTER THEATRE

 

August 20, 2010 (San Diego) – The Salvation Army Kroc Center’s Verge Teen Theatre company will present Les Miserables School Edition, the first show for this teen-organized theatre company.

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

NIGHT OF A THOUSAND LAUGHS: AUG. 21 IN SPRING VALLEY

August 19, 2010 (Spring Valley) -- Does your funny bone need tickling? Young Actors Theatre invites you to bring the whole family for a performance by well-known comedy magician/ventriloquist Steve Taylor and his ventriloquist characters Alli The Crocodile, Pokey The Possum and Rudy O'Riley. Attendees are featured on stage with Steve as he selects a member of the audience to star on stage as a “living ventriloquist dummy.”


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

JOSEPH & THE AMAZING TECHNICOLOR DREAMCOAT OPENS JULY 7

 

July 5, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – C. Hook Theater will present Joseph & The Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat July 7-10. C. Hook Theater productions are held at the Performing Arts Center at The Salvation Army Ray & Joan Kroc Community Center, 6845 University Avenue in San Diego (one block west of 70th Street).

 


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.

DOLLAR-WISE DIVAS: FREE & LOW-COST ENTERTAINMENT YEAR ROUND

 

Share creative ideas to assist people of all ages with tips to save money and improve their lifestyle!

 

By Nancy and Dawn Clement

 

November 23, 2009 (San Diego’s East County) - San Diego has excellent theater, and ticket prices are low enough (even free!) that everyone can enjoy great shows.


Error message

Support community news in the public interest! As nonprofit news, we rely on donations from the public to fund our reporting -- not special interests. Please donate to sustain East County Magazine's local reporting and/or wildfire alerts at https://www.eastcountymedia.org/donate to help us keep people safe and informed across our region.