Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s holiday “A Christmas Carol” arrives with a talented cast and good intentions, but its minimalist staging and narration-heavy adaptation never find the emotional spark that makes Scrooge’s journey so enduring, leaving this production feeling surprisingly hollow.
Theater reviews
Reviews of productions by theater and drama companies around Santa Cruz County.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Fandom gone fatal in Actors’ Theatre’s ‘Misery’
Who needs ghosts or gore when human obsession can be even more terrifying? Santa Cruz County Actors’ Theatre delivers a slow-burn psychological thriller with “Misery” – a dark dive into the twisted side of fandom and the monsters we create ourselves.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
MCT’s ‘The Addams Family’ delivers delightful campy charm
With a cast brimming with energy and just the right dose of spooky camp and darkly funny charm, “The Addams Family” delivers a delightfully offbeat night at the theater. From Gomez’s irresistible appeal to Wednesday’s drop-dead performance, Mountain Community Theater brings the mix of gothic gloom and laugh-out-loud comedy to Ben Lomond.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
In Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s brilliant ‘Master Harold,’ superb performances deliver devastating truths
Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s “‘Master Harold’ … and the Boys” is both intimate and explosive. What begins with dancing and banter unravels into a devastating portrait of racism, betrayal and moral choice. With five-star performances, this is a must-see.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
All About Theatre delivers energetic take on provocative teen musical ‘Spring Awakening’
If you think community theater can’t rock, “Spring Awakening” at All About Theatre will prove you wrong. With a driving rock score powered by an impressive orchestra and a cast that builds to explosive energy, “Spring Awakening” is messy, moving and alive — a reminder of why supporting local theater matters.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s ‘Pericles’ navigates love, loss and redemption
Pirates, princesses, brothels and shipwrecks — “Pericles” has all the drama of a soap opera with the poetry of Shakespeare, and Santa Cruz Shakespeare gives this wild ride heart and humor. Think “Shakespearean road trip” with emotional payoff and a superb cast.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Moonlight and mischief in Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s delightful ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is a hilarious, crowd-pleasing comedy full of playful magic. This moonlit romp through love and mischief is a midsummer treat.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Santa Cruz Shakespeare goes ‘Into the Woods’ — and strikes gold
Santa Cruz Shakespeare goes musical — and nails it, Lookout theater critic Jana Marcus writes. “Into the Woods” at the outdoor Audrey Stanley Grove is bold, funny and pure summer magic.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Revenge served cold: Cabrillo Stage’s ‘Sweeney Todd’ cuts to the bone with powerful performances
Cabrillo Stage’s “Sweeney Todd” is sharp and strikingly relevant, delivering powerhouse performances and Stephen Sondheim’s brilliance, even if the gore stays on the back burner.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Strong lead performance grounds MCT’s ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’
In Mountain Community Theater’s “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” Wyatt Troxell delivers a masterful portrayal of a neurodivergent teen detective, though the production’s minimal staging fails to match his nuanced performance.