Author: Melanie Hooks ^{p. 2}

THEATRE REVIEW “Let Me In” has been the theme of this season at Pasadena’s A Noise Within (ANW) theater company. If ever a character stood for that,...

THEATRE REVIEW As a critic, what does one do when a show has no apparent flaws? In this case, the first L.A. Ragtime revival in twenty years at the Pasadena...

Esteemed architectural historian Dr. Robert Winter passed away this past Saturday, February 9, 2019, at the age of 94. By Melanie Hooks Dr. Winter’s love of...

How could you lose with a holiday TV special built around the biggest blockbuster film of all time? By Melanie Hooks CBS and Star Wars managed it in fine style....

Hold onto your hats, playgoers. It’s time for silly, surreal love and friendship. By Melanie Hooks Two shows, both down to their last two weekends — one...

Many Pasadenans might be familiar with the annual Hillsides Gala held every February at The Langham Huntington, a highlight on the social calendar. They might...

THEATRE REVIEW “We women have failed. We’ve raised men who believe we’re less than human.” By Melanie Hooks This was the line that took audience breath...

THEATRE REVIEW Good news for lovers of great musical theater and dreamers both: Pasadena’s A Noise Within (ANW) is jump starting their 2018-19 season with a...

THEATRE REVIEW ‘Under Milk Wood’ oozes a troubled yet exuberant lust for life and love, much like Dylan Thomas himself. In these troubled days, full of...

If you haven’t yet heard of Culture Clash, now is your chance. The Latino/Chicano playwright/performer trio has been banging the drum of southwestern...

Though she never appears onstage, Nigerian-American playwright Mfoniso Udofia might just be the real star of Boston Court Pasadena’s newest show “Her...

THEATRE REVIEW In the end, the problem lies with the play. Henry V asks: is there a moral war? And answers “Yes”… because God wants me to win. Who...

THEATRE REVIEW – “Sinner’s Laundry” Friday night launched the IAMA Theatre Company’s 10th Anniversary celebration and the premiere of Sinner’s...

THEATRE REVIEW – “The Dream on Royal Street” “To sleep, perchance to dream”…of Vegas? By Melanie Hooks Lounge singers anyway. Tatiana and...

Want to see Metallica? Green Day? Bruins football? With free parking? Easy peasy. Just ride your bike. By Melanie Hooks and Misch Anderson Looks like the Rose...

THEATRE REVIEW – “The Marvelous Wondrettes” – (EXTENDED!) Sierra Madre Playhouse’s summer musical comes in two parts: Act One – 1958. Senior...