Lydia: Tale of a Dysfunctional Family Lyrically Told

Lydia is not the main character of the play, “Lydia” (now at the Mark Taper Forum), but is the name of the character who acts as a catalyst toward freeing the dark secrets of one Texas family. Of course, dysfunctional families are more interesting than the Cleavers. This tale is lyrically told and although some of the reasons for the sexual encounters are tenuous, the story is told with lyrical language and as the tragic Ceci, Onahoua Rodriguez fills the stage with innocent enthusiasm of a wasted youth. For a longer review, go to Examiner.com.

STAGE in Pasadena: Winter Schedule

WINTER SCHEDULE

31 December 2008: Glendale Centre Theatre – Barefoot in the Park

This Neil Simon classic was made into a movie with Jane Fonda (before her Vietnam protest and aerobics video) and Robert Redford (before Sundance and the Sundance Kid). Ends 7 February.

10-25 January: A Noise Within - Waiting for Godot

A reprise of this wonderful production. I might even go see it again!

10-25 January: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion – The Magic Flute

15 January: Mark Taper Forum – Pippin

This small but popular musical is directed by Jeff Calhoun and produced with Deaf West Theatre. Ends March 15.

16 January: The Sierra Madre Playhouse – Murder on the Bounding Main

This comedy mystery takes place on a ship. Ends 21 February 2009.

21 January: Ahmanson Theatre – Minsky’s

A racy new musical set in a time when entertainment was about legs and laughs is what the Web site professes. Ends 1 March 2009.

21 January: Pasadena Playhouse – Stormy Weather

Leslie Uggams as Lena Horne. Written by Sharleen Cooper Cohen. Ends 28 February 2009.

18 February: David Henry Hwang Theatre – Ixnay

This play by Paul Kikuchi is about a Japanese American who refuses to be reincarnated as a Japanese American. Ends 15 March 2009.

21 February: The Theatre@Boston Court – Tartuffe

21 February – 15 March: Dorothy Chandler Paviilion – Das Rheingold

Moliere’s classic re-envisioned by director Josh Chambers. Ends 22 March 2009.

6 March: The Sierra Madre Playhouse – Picnic

7 March: A Noise Within - Taming of the Shrew Ends 17 May.

William Inge’s classic about love, lust and a wandering man who causes trouble in a small town. Ends 11 April 2009.

20 March: Pasadena Playhouse – Mauritius

Written by Theresa Rebeck and directed by Jessica Kubzansky, this follows a woman and her relatives trying to get the rights to a rare stamp collection. Ends 26 April 2009.

21 March: A Noise Within – Ghosts

Henrik Ibsen’s play is billed as a haunting tale of unrequited passion and revelation. It ends 9 May.

4-25 April: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion - Die Walkure

11-16 April: Dorothy Chandler Pavilion – The Birds

18 April: A Noise Within – The Rehearsal

In Jean Anouilh’s play a count looks for salvation in the purity of a young visitor.

9 May: The Theatre@Boston Court – Courting Vampires

A world premiere written by Laura Schellhardt and directed by Jessica Kubzansky. Is about a young woman who falls victim to a fatal blood disease and a vampire is involved (but probably no garlic).

13 May: David Henry Hwang Theatre – Marry Me a Little & The Last Five Years

Two musical plays about love for the price of one. Ends 7 June 2009.

No current production schedule for:

The Fremont Centre Theatre in South Pasadena

Furious Theatre Company at the Carrie Hamilton Theatre in Pasadena.

StillSpeaking Theatre in San Marino