San Diego Theatre

INTRIGUING DRAMA ON TRIAL: WITNESS FOR THE PROSECUTION AT POWPAC THROUGH AUGUST 13

By Kathy Carpenter

July 25, 2023 (Poway) - In the hallowed halls of the Old Bailey, a tale of murder, lies, and the enigmatic “Witness for the Prosecution” begins to unfold, presented by PowPac Theatre in Poway. The audience is drawn into the case of Leonard Vole’s story and his subsequent arrest for murder. "Witness for the Prosecution” is a slow, deliberate, tantalizing tease.

This gripping courtroom drama is set in 1950s London. The story revolves around Leonard Vole, a charming and enigmatic young man accused of murdering a wealthy widow. He finds himself in a precarious situation as the primary suspect in a crime he denies committing.

Enter Sir Wilfrid Robarts, a brilliant and seasoned barrister who takes on Leonard's case. Despite Leonard's protestations of innocence, the evidence seems stacked against him. As the trial progresses, Sir Wilfrid's legal skills are put to the test, and he must unravel a web of deception, betrayal, and unexpected twists.


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DIAL M FOR MURDER REVIEW : A GUILTY PLEASURE, NOW THROUGH NOV. 7 AT LAMPLIGHTERS IN LA MESA

Review By Kathy Carpenter

October 18, 2021 (La Mesa) - Is There a Perfect Crime? Lamplighters in La Mesa presents the classic "Dial M For Murder." The play is based on a 1954 movie starring Ray Millank and Grace Kelly, directed by Hitchcock--a thriller perfect for this time of year. Written by Frederick Knott, directed by Calvin Manson, the play combines to bring us a story with both plot and delicious characters--a detailed plot for murder. Will the would-be killer get away with it? 

The plot centers around a tennis star who married a wealthy socialite for her money. He can no longer play tennis and discovers his wife has cheated on him. Now he plans to murder her for her fortune. He concocts quite the plot. The man his wife cheated with is a writer, but her husband's imagination makes them equals.


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ROOSEVELT: CHARGE THE BEAR – ROUSTABOUTS THEATRE VIRTUAL SHOW OCT. 10-NOV. 2 SHOWS HISTORY REPEATS

By Kathy Carpenter

October 11, 2020 (San Diego) - 2020 is a history making year, one historians will be documenting for years. But as much as times change, they stay the same. Almost a hundred and twenty years ago Teddy Roosevelt faced the same struggles we are facing today including bullying, racism and riots.

The Roustabouts Theatre Company, fairly new to the San Diego theatre community, has moved into digital media like some of the others in town. From October 10 - November 2, 2020. they are streaming Roosevelt: Charge The Bear.  A new one man play by Phil Johnson & Marni Freedman, starring Phil Johnson.

With a compelling, storytelling plot, phenomenal actor Phil Johnson has you believing you are in the room with Theodore Roosevelt himself, glued to each word, as he tells his story. The plot is the story of the new President Roosevelt, as he takes over from President William McKinley,.after McKinley’s assassination.


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THE SHOWS WILL GO ON: EL CAJON POISED TO COMPLETE DEAL WITH LIVE NATION TO REOPEN ECPAC

 

By Paul Kruze

November 20, 2017 (El Cajon) – Since the East County Perform Arts Center shut down  in 2010, many East County residents have been frustrated with the slow pace of completing repairs and finding new management.

Finally, at last Tuesday’s El Cajon City Council hearing, residents heard the news they’ve long been waiting for. Mayor Bill Wells and City Manager Doug Williford announced that a preliminary five year management agreement for the theater has been reached with Live Nation, a Beverly Hills-based live-events company focused on producing worldwide concert and entertainment-show promotions.

Details of the final agreement are expected to be shared at the next meeting and approved by the City Council. The vote will mark the culmination of some one-and-a-half years of negotiation by Williford.


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DESTINATION EAST COUNTY: DEC. 17-JAN. 29

 

East County News Service

December 17, 2016 (San Diego’s East County)--This week’s Destination East County includes full moon fishing at Lake Jennings, a concert of many strings, Santa’s reindeer at Grossmont Center, a winter solstice hike up Cowles Mountain, a holiday homes tour and more.

Plus, we’ll tell you about coming attractions  including excursions to Split Mountain in the Anza Borrego desert, a New Year’s Eve party at Viejas, and a wintertime walk up Mt. Helix.

So scroll down for all of these events and many more!


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MONTE VISTA HIGH SCHOOL PRESENTS RADIUM GIRLS NOV. 12-14

 

By Kathy Carpenter

Associate and Youth Reviewer www.sdtheatrereviews.com

November 9, 2015 (Spring Valley) - Students at Monte Vista rock Radium Girls. Was the small theatre at the school full? No. Do the students who work hard for two months deserve a full house, with the school and peers behind them? Yes? I don't understand how the big theatres fill up and the small ones remain unoccupied. Their is no reason those seats should not be full. The arts benefit everyone in a positive way.

Factory workers treated unfairly is the theme of the play, still very much relevant throughout the world today. Is this a popular subject? No. A controversial subject, yes. As the "Grinder", a new television series said tonight, dramatic--which makes for a compelling play.


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“CAFE MURDER” MYSTERY DINNER SHOW NOV. 14 IN SPRING VALLEY

 

 

East County News Service

November 7, 2015 (Spring Valley)- The Catholic Daughters of the Americas Santa Sophia #2520 will be performing “Cafe Murder,. a dinner theatre murder mystery, by Nathan Hartswick.

The performance is at  6 p.m. on November 14 in Prendergast Hall, 9800 San Juan Street, Spring Valley. Join family and friends, enjoy dinner and solve a crime.


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CIRCLE PLAYERS PRESENT “WRANGLER AT RED MOUNTAIN RANCH” NOV. 13-14 IN EL CAJON

East County News Service

October 20, 2015 (El Cajon)--The Circle Players of El Cajon will be performing “Wrangle at Red Mountain Ranch” November 13th and 14th at 7:00pm and November 15th at 2:00pm.  This mystery dinner theatre is set at a dude ranch and we encourage all attendees to wear their western attire and have a rip-roarin’ good time!  Performances will be held at Richardson Hall, 551 Farragut Circle, El Cajon.


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STAGE FRIGHT: A CHILLING DELIGHT

 

Lamplighters Community Theatre, La Mesa, Oct. 9-Nov. 8

By Miriam Raftery

October 11, 2015 (La Mesa)--When a caustic critic is lured to an old theatre under the pretext of a documentary about Lincoln assassin/actor John Wilkes Booth,  he swiftly finds himself drugged,  trussed up and tormented by an actress he’s savaged in reviews. The stage is set for mayhem and potentially, murder.

Devi Noel  portrays first the prim and proper Miss Leamington, who soon sheds her disguise to be revealed as the wickedly scheming actress, Mitzi Crenshaw.  Donning multiple costumes to portray notable roles in between extracting tortuous confessions from her captive critic,  F.F. Charnick, Noel clearly relishes the role and keeps the audience on edge throughout Lamplighters’ production of Stage Fright, a play by Charles Marowitz of Ventura.


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LOVE DANCING AND THE '60's? HAIRSPRAY TAKES STAGE SEPT. 10-19

 

Update: A preview video of Hairspray is now available. Click image below to view.

A second video preview can also be viewed at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=84cAj6m5nMU&feature=youtu.be.

September 6, 2015 (San Diego)--Visionary Community Theatre and Visionary Youth Theatre of east San Diego present Hairspray at the Performing Arts Center at Point Loma High School (2335 Chatsworth Blvd, San Diego, 92106) on September 10-12 & 17-19 at 7 p.m. Enjoy as the diverse and talented Visionary cast and crew welcome you to the 60’s!

It’s 1962 - the ‘50s are out and change is in the air. Baltimore’s Tracy Turnblad, a big girl with big hair and an even bigger heart, has only one passion - to dance. She wins a spot on the local TV dance program, “The Corny Collins Show” and, overnight, is transformed from outsider to irrepressible teen celebrity. But can a trendsetter in dance and fashion vanquish the program’s reigning princess, win the heart of heartthrob Link Larkin, and integrate a television show without denting her ‘do?


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HEAR OUR INTERVIEW WITH MOXIE THEATRE'S COFOUNDER ON THEIR 10TH ANNIVERSARY SEASON

 

 

September 15, 2014 (San Diego) --For the debut of our new "Arts and Music Spotlight" on our East County Magazine Radio Show, reknown theater reviewer/writer David Codden interviews  Jennifer Eve Thorn, Co-founder and Association Artistic Director of Moxie Theatre. They talked about the theatre's special focus on presenting works of women playwrights and plays that break stereotypes about women, also previewing Moxie's tenth anniversary season, which opens this week. 

The interview, originally aired on KNSJ 89.1 FM, is now posted online. Listen now:  https://www.eastcountymagazine.org/sites/eastcountymagazine.org/files/au...

Audio: 


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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.


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


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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. 


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SOUND OF MUSIC AUDITIONS ANNOUNCED BY KROC KIDS JUNIOR THEATER COMPANY

March 8, 2011 (San Diego)—Young actors ages 6 to 18 are invited to audition for an upcoming musical production of The Sound of Music. Young actors will find plenty of opportunities to learn their craft and dazzle onstage,” a press release on the auditions states. Scholarships are available. Everyone who auditions will be in the show!

Auditions will be held Thursday, March 17 from 4-8 p.m. at the Joan B. Kroc Theatre, 6611 University Ave., San Diego. Scroll down for details on the show and auditions.


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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.

 


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KROC THEATRE PRESENTS A CHRISTMAS CAROL DEC. 10-12

 

 

November 28, 2010 (San Diego’s East County) – The Salvation Army Kroc Center Kroc Kids Junior Theatre Company will A Christmas Carol on December 10-12. The beloved holiday production retains its emotional power and pure joy thanks to the marvelously-told story by Ockrent and Ahrens and the powerful Menken/Ahrens score filled with beautiful melodies and emotional lyrics. Sixty youths ages 7-19 will perform.


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TIME FLIES: SHORT PLAYS AT GROSSMONT’S STAGEHOUSE THEATRE

 

November 5, 2010 (El Cajon) -- Grossmont College Theatre Arts Department will present Time Flies and Other Short Plays by David Ives, directed by Beth Duggan. Performances will be in the Stagehouse Theatre on December 2-4 and 8-11 at 7:30 p.m. as well as matinees on December 4 and 11 at 2 p.m.

 


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