Ester Benjamin Shifren – Page 2

“The Joy Wheel” at Ruskin Theatre Mines Laughs From Current Culture – Interview With Writer Ian McRae

February 21, 2019 Ester Benjamin Shifren 0

Rising to the surface of Ian McRae’s colorful and witty characters, there comes the hint of weighty concern. Familiar, in the sense that this concern occurs in our own lives, as we recognize the questions […]

“Family Secrets” at the Braid in Santa Monica Review – JWT Peels and Reveals

January 24, 2019 Ester Benjamin Shifren 0

Every family harbors secrets that can be embarrassing, dangerous, humiliating, shocking, well-intentioned or even wonderful. The first show of Jewish Women’s Theatre’s 2019 Salon Season reveals plenty of them in Family Secrets that opened January 19 at the Braid in […]

Rodgers And Hammerstein’s “South Pacific” Review – Rubicon Theatre’s Fabulous Two-Piano Version with Cast of 28

December 12, 2018 Ester Benjamin Shifren 0

Katharine Farmer and the team have found artists with gorgeous voices who are also extraordinary actors intent on mining the rich human truths of their characters Rubicon Theatre’s 20th Anniversary Season culminates with a two-piano […]

“Cal in Camo” Explores Postpartum Bonding, at VS. Theatre – Interview With Actress Bree Turner

November 7, 2018 Ester Benjamin Shifren 0

She is perhaps best recognized for her role as Rosalee Calvert on NBC TV’s GRIMM for six seasons, but Bree Turner is now receiving positive critical recognition for her portrayal in the title role […]

“Real Women Have Curves” Review – The Relevance of Latina Immigration Issues

October 16, 2018 Ester Benjamin Shifren 0

Real Women Have Curves, a coming of age comedy, is set in a tiny, family run dress factory, in East LA. The owner, Estela (Sherry Mandujano), is in debt, and undocumented. She lives in […]

Tour De Force Performance In “Swansong” Garners LA’s Attention – Interview With André de Vanny

September 29, 2018 Ester Benjamin Shifren 0

After two sell out seasons at Sydney’s The Old Fitz Theatre as well as Melbourne’s Metanoia Theatre, and most recently at Theatre Works in Melbourne, the Australian Theatre Company and Skylight Theatre Company partnered […]

“American Saga – Gunshot Medley: Part 1” Director Desean Kevin Terry Interview – Rogue Machine’s Last Show at The MET

September 5, 2018 Ester Benjamin Shifren 0

Existing outside the boundaries of time, Dionna Michelle Daniel’s play “American Saga – Gunshot Medley Part 1” is the last production that Rogue Machine will stage at the MET Theatre, September 9 – 23. As […]

“Ain’t Too Proud Review -The Life and Times of the Temptations with Thrilling Performances and Staging

August 29, 2018 Ester Benjamin Shifren 0

“Ain’t Too Proud—the Life and Times of the Temptations” opened Friday August 24th at the Ahmanson Theatre in the Music Center and runs through September 30th. It’s the story of how, against all odds, five […]

“Sacred Resistance” at The Braid Review – Another Winner at Jewish Women’s Theatre

July 11, 2018 Ester Benjamin Shifren 0

Vicki Juditz, a nice Christian girl of German ancestry, loved Santa Claus and the Easter Bunny. She met and dated Steven, a nice Jewish boy, who, unlike many of her previous boyfriends, had a […]

Compelling New Play At Rogue Machine – Interview With Playwright Leslie Ayvazian

June 16, 2018 Ester Benjamin Shifren 0

Handed down through generations, “it is a story that all Armenians carry” says writer Leslie Ayvazian. According to several reliable sources, during the last century in April of 1915 the Ottoman authorities, their troops and […]