Ashley Steed

This is an inventive way of presenting three separate works in progress (adaptations of Passing by Nella Larsen, The Underdogs by Mariano Azuela, and Nightwood by Djuna Barnes). Director Kate Motzenbacker has done a great job of piecing together the three works, interweaving them into one performance, all the while ensuring that each piece never gets lost. They also have a wonderfully captivating ensemble giving top-notch performances. There are some lovely threads thus far and I look forward ... full review

****This review first appeared on STAGE RAW**** “This is your city. Welcome home.” Sometimes traversing the large urban sprawl that is Los Angeles can feel like an odyssey in and of itself – that is why this walking-tour performance Bike Odyssey LA, which takes Homer’s Odyssey and fuses it with Los Angeles, works so well. We are greeted by a collection of characters who take us on our journey where we meet Odysseus (Jesse Sirkus-Brown), triumphant in the Trojan War and ready to r... full review

If you love 1950s sci-fi B-movies, this musical is for you. If you hate 1950s sci-fi B-movies, this musical is for you. If you’re sick of zombies, this musical is definitely for you. And if you love pure entertainment, then this musical is most definitely for you. James Valcq’s musical is a wonderfully charming parody of 1950s sci-fi B-movies which takes place in the Milwaukee Space Center. There’s an all-female alien invasion led by Zombina (Alison England) who have come to earth to “zombify... full review

As I child I loved trees and could always be found up in a tree. As an only child I often anthropomorphized most things, including the tress which all had names. So I was delighted to see Four Tree Plays which are four short plays all on the topic of trees. “Seeking Still” depicts online dating for trees – smart and engaging writing by Nicolas Hoover cleverly encapsulates qualities of trees. “Tree Counsel” by Stina Pederson is about an old tree that could possibly have been an old site of w... full review

I have never been so enthralled by a Greek tragedy before. This production of Medea, imaginatively directed and designed by Michael Burke, is filled with enough intensity and fervor to shoot straight up to Dionysus. Walking past the bird-esque Chorus into the theatre, sets the tone straight away. The feathered costumes, haunting projections, chilling sounds and perfectly choreographed chorus astounds the senses. Melissa Fenton as Medea is wrought with fervent intensity, brimming with rage and... full review

This radio show is truly a one-of-a-kind experience. The ensemble and band are wonderfully gifted performers. This program’s theme was America as July 4th is fast approaching. And America is the perfect topic to make fun of. The mixture skits and “radio spots” with hilarious and catchy songs is sure to delight. Clever, unique and hilariously subversive, I’m definitely a newly devout listener of Lost Moon Radio. ... full review

The Birthday Boys is definitely one of the top shows in the Hollywood Fringe Festival. The writing by Aaron Kozak is a deep, powerful and refreshingly funny depiction of three soldiers stationed in Iraq, who have been captured while on security duty. These three men couldn’t be more different: There’s the smart-ass Lance, the military bred Chester and the anxiety ridden Collin. Through the majority of the play, the men are blindfolded and bound, limiting their movement to scooching around on thei... full review

The Irish lass Maire Clerkin grew up in London - and for anyone who’s familiar with British politics knows the cultural tug-of-war is enough to make and child stuck in the middle a bit jaded. Growing up with a workaholic Irish dance teacher for a mother, Clerkin was determined to win the praise of her mother. She had great feet and wonderful height but there was just one problem: her right arm. It never stayed down. Thus she shares with us a wayward life stuck in between two cultures and never b... full review

It is immediately clear that Patt Benson has been a performer her whole life. Her awareness and connection to the audience is unparalleled. Growing up in New York City, she was obsessed with the comedian and first television star Milton Berle, or Uncle Miltie as fans called him. Her obsession eventually led her to the funeral of Berle’s mother. Sharing a moment that would last a lifetime, she becomes his protégée and enters show business – hoping to be just like Milton Berle. Growing up with a... full review

A Picnic at the Asylum is a touching an honest look into Angela Neff's relationship with her larger-than-life bi-polar father. She aptly transitions between all the characters in what feels like a vignette of childhood memories. Although well written, the text seems like a better fit for prose or even transformed into visuals for a film. Each scene is detailed and descriptive but not very theatrical. That being said, this is definitely a compelling story, told and performed with ease by Neff. ... full review