By Thom deMartino/Orange County Tribune Good things come to those who wait. After a notable absence in 2022, a beloved yuletide musical returns by popular demand to Garden Grove’s own Gem Theater. An […]
A ‘Holiday Gem’ to Remember
High flying hijinx in ‘Boeing”
By Thom deMartino/Orange County Tribune Ah, to have all the benefits of a relationship, with none of the messy commitments (well, not as far as his other girlfriends know, anyway…) Westminster Community […]
It’s a goofy, weird beach “Party”
By Thom deMartino/Orange County Tribune Golden West College’s Mainstage theater is having a *crazy* beach party, and you’re invited. (And maybe “crazy” is a little insensitive, all things considered…) Director Tom Amen […]
Review: A bold, risque “Pippin”
By Thom deMartino /Orange County Tribune From the stygian shadows of the wings, the players creep into the unyielding glare of the stage lights, playing there among the bare, skeletal set: beginning […]
“Avenue Q” is not for kids
By Thom deMartino/Orange County Tribune Be forewarned: this ain’t no kids’ show. If “Sesame Street” was kindergarten, consider “Avenue Q” college: complete with late-night parties, early morning hangovers, freshman mistakes, bohemian friends, […]
A moving, powerful ‘Anne Frank’
By Thom deMartino/Orange County Tribune She was a vivacious, headstrong girl on the precipice of adulthood, with dreams of one day becoming a writer: it is a beautiful, tragic irony that it […]
“Pillowman” is raw, jarring
By Thom deMartino/Orange County Tribune These days, the question “what’s in the box?” tends not to end well. Bold and challenging productions are frequently a hallmark of Golden West College: a tradition […]
Madcap wedded mess in “Wife”
By Thom deMartino/Orange County Tribune It’s all fun and games until your presumed dead first wife shows up. Along with ringing in the new year, the Westminister Community Playhouse is coming out […]
A lovable, dazzling “La Cage”
By Thom deMartino/Orange County Tribune The things we do for the ones we love. In a sensational new staging from The Gem Theater, the curtain rises on the fabulous production of “La Cage […]
“Chaperone” a clever musical
By Thom deMartino/Orange County Tribune Imagine sitting in a darkened venue: you’ve been looking forward to this play or musical, when a voice from the darkness erupts – “I hate theater!… well, […]
