‘Footnote,’ Israeli film that won Academy Award nomination, tells of...
By Cynthia Citron LOS ANGELES — Two men, one in a suit and the other in a sweater, sit side by side in folding chairs in a small auditorium. They are listening to an unseen speaker introducing a new...
View ArticleOf three one-acts, one definitely needs a rewrite
By Cynthia Citron NORTH HOLLYWOOD — As ratings go, two out of three isn’t bad. And so, two good plays out of three new one-acts making their debut with the Vagabond Players makes for an entertaining...
View ArticleVolok and Lazarev, friends from Russia, team in Hollywood
By Cynthia Citron WEST HOLLYWOOD, California — “A really good actor knows something the writer doesn’t know,” Ilia Volok says. “The actor brings his life –the life of a human spirit — to the stage,...
View Article‘Diary of a Madman’ tends to get tedious
By Cynthia Citron Cynthia Citron WEST HOLLYWOOD, California — Diary of a Madman is considered one of Nikolai Gogol’s greatest short stories. As an 80-minute monologue, however, it’s a bit much. But...
View ArticleTwo Davids share a new love: ‘Laura’
By Cynthia Citron BEVERLY HILLS, California — Two Davids met as freshmen at St. Gregory’s, which was then a community college in Shawnee, Oklahoma. After two years, they moved on — David McClendon to...
View Article‘Magic Bullet Theory’ goes beyond tasteless
By Cynthia Citron LOS ANGELES — Those of us who voted for John Fitzgerald Kennedy in 1960 were fortunate enough to experience the exhilaration, the hope, and the joyful anticipation that his election...
View ArticleMeet Cheri Steinkellner: her life is written in plays
By Cynthia Citron VENTURA, California–Most women, when faced with a diagnosis of lymphoma, might be overcome by despair. But Cheri Steinkellner turned the experience into a one-woman musical monologue...
View ArticleBaryshnikov stars and even dances in ‘In Paris’
By Cynthia Citron SANTA MONICA, California — Unless you’re an aficionado of the ups and downs of the Russian Revolution of the early 20th century, it’s very hard to keep track of the players without a...
View ArticleHolocaust musical is poorly conceived
By Cynthia Citron SAN DIEGO — Not since Mel Brooks’ outrageous Springtime for Hitler has there been a Holocaust musical as ill-conceived and badly performed as No Time to Weep, now onstage at L.A.’s...
View Article‘Early and often’ a silly play about when one should vote
By Cynthia Citron HOLLYWOOD, California –They weren’t projecting, they were SHOUTING! And even if they were better actors, the play would still be a lot of frivolous twaddle. It’s Early and Often, a...
View ArticleYour talent may get you through the darkest of times
By Cynthia Citron SAN DIEGO — Hold on to your music. It will be your best friend.” This has been the Golabek family mantra for four generations of concert pianists. As pianist and playwright Mona...
View ArticleRaves for ‘Cyrano’ in its sign-language adaptation
By Cynthia Citron LOS ANGELES– I can’t rave enough to adequately convey my excitement and admiration for the new adaptation of Cyrano de Bergerac that opened this week at the Fountain Theatre. Written...
View ArticleWhat’s the difference between a reviewer and a critic?
By Cynthia Citron LOS ANGELES — “A review is something I read before I see a play. A critique is something I read after,” actress Deidrie Henry said. She was responding to a question about the...
View Article‘Love Struck’ and ‘Synthesthesia’ offer some new theatre approaches
By Cynthia Citron BEVERLY HILLS, California — In my view, it’s cause for rejoicing when a play is beautifully written and is performed by actors who are at least as brilliant as the writing....
View ArticleFind his plays incomprehensible? Well, then, you’re not worthy!
By Cynthia Citron LOS ANGELES — I discovered something very interesting when I interviewed poet-playwright Murray Mednick last week: If you want to get a provocative interview, start by making the...
View Article‘Beautified’ needs more action to sustain interest
By Cynthia Citron LOS ANGELES — A rather persnickety lady from Newton, Massachusetts wanders into a beauty salon in Framingham, forms an unlikely friendship with the hairdresser, and keeps coming...
View ArticleA family’s feud makes for poignant theatre
By Cynthia Citron LOS ANGELES — Sonny Burl is a country music star who can fill a stadium with his voice and his guitar. You may never have heard of him, but he is the focal point of Mark Roberts’...
View Article‘Stoneface’ a hilarious tribute to Buster Keaton
By Cynthia Citron HOLLYWOOD — If you’re pining for perfect pratfalls, you’ve got to see Stoneface because its star, French Stewart, has them down prat. Stewart, best known for his six seasons as the...
View ArticleWhat do artistic directors actually do?
By Cynthia Citron LOS ANGELES — “Here at the Geffen, I consider myself a curator of a museum of theatrical fare,” said Randall Arney, artistic director of the Geffen Playhouse. Arney was responding to...
View Article‘No Way But Through’ an endless exercise in psycho-babble
By Cynthia Citron BURBANK, California — No matter how intently you pay attention, No Way Around But Through doesn’t make a lot of sense. Billed as a “dark romantic comedy,” this new play by...
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