Theatre Talk: From Da Vinci to Seurat

Elizabeth Youngman-Westphal

Special to The Village News

By popular demand, Lamb's Playhouse has had to extend the West Coast premiere of "R*E*S*P*E*C*T" twice. Now it's running until March 26. While I didn't make opening night because of the flu, I am seeing it and will have a review in next week's issue. The playhouse is at 1142 Orange Ave in Coronado, 619-437-6000 and https://www.lambsplayers.org.

"The Marvelous Wonderettes" continues until March 26. For tickets, call the Box Office at 760-749-3448 or 888-802-7469 or visit https://tickets.thewelksandiego.com. Up next is "The Bodyguard." This show is rated a fun-filled 9 out of 10.

Coming through town this month is "Mean Girls" from Feb. 28 - March 5, followed by world famous "Riverdance" April 11-13. For tickets, call 619-564-3000 or visit https://www.broadwaysd.com/.

"El Huracán" closes on Feb. 19 at The Cygnet Theatre. Written by Charise Castro Smith, author of "Disney's Encanto." Up next is Noel Coward's "Present Laughter" March 29-April 29, in Old Town at 4040 Twiggs St. Call 619-337-1525 or visit https://www.cygnettheatre.com/ for tickets.

Diversionary Theatre continues with "The High Table" about the ins and outs of planning a spiritual wedding, closing March 5. Cabaret nights this month at 4545 Park Blvd. Call 619-220-0097 or go to https://www.diversionary.org/ LGBTQ+ (Be sure to make time to visit the pie shop down the street). Parking can be tough to find, so arrive early.

The Old Globe Theater in Balboa Park continues with "The Notebooks of Leonardo Da Vinci" until Feb. 26. "Under a Baseball Sky" ends March 12, followed by The XIXth (19th) March 17-April 23. Book now to see Hershey Felder as George Gershwin one-day-only on April 8, performances at either 3:00 or 8:00 p.m. Tickets won't last. Don't forget about buying a parking spot too, it's worth it. You can even snag a ride on the golf cart to and from the lot. For tickets, call 619-234-5623 or visit https://www.theoldglobe.org/.

New Village Arts in Carlsbad opened the West Coast Premiere of "The Ferryman." Set in Belfast, Ireland, it's a 3.5-hour epic play. Closes March 5 at 2787 State St. Carlsbad, 760-433-3245, https://newvillagearts.org/. PG17

San Diego Musical Theatre is bringing back Cole Porter's "Anything Goes" Feb. 10 to March 12. Just be prepared for lots of tapping. Free parking, 4650 Mercury St. For tickets, call 858-560-5740 or visit http://www.sdmt.org.

Coming next month to La Jolla Playhouse is the world premiere of "The Outsiders" based on the novel by S.E. Hinton. This new musical will have its out-of-town opening just down the road. Previews start Feb. 19; preview tickets often cost less, visit https://lajollaplayhouse.org/ or call 858-550-1010.

Lamb's Playhouse has had to extend the West Coast premiere of R*E*S*P*E*C*T twice. Now it's March 26. While I didn't make opening night because of the flu, I'll be there on the 11th for sure. 1142 Orange Ave in Coronado 619-437-6000 or lambsplayers.org.

Up next at North Coast Rep in Solana Beach is Chekov's "The Cherry Orchard" at 987 Lomas Santa Fe Dr., 858-481-1055 or https://northcoastrep.org/.

Scripps Ranch Theatre is getting rave reviews for its current musical, "Lucky Stiff" playing at 9783 Avenue of Nations, 92131, inside the Alliant International Campus. Moving March 3-19 to The Brooks Theatre at 217 North Coast Highway in Oceanside. For tickets, call 760-433-8900 or 858-395-0573, or visit https://scrippsranchtheatre.org.

You won't want to miss "Sunday in the Park with George," with music and lyrics by Stephen Sondheim. It was inspired by George Seurat's famous painting "A Sunday Afternoon on the Island of La Grande Jatte" now hanging in the Art Institute of Chicago. The plot revolves around George, a fictionalized version of Seurat, who immerses himself deeply in painting his masterpiece. Playing at the California Center for the Arts in Escondido, it only runs until March 5, 340 N. Escondido Blvd. Call 760-839-4149 or visit https://artcenter.org/.

March 2023 is Theatre Month: all tickets will be offered at discounted rates of $15, $30 or $45 – these seats are the best in the house as of the night of the event. The goal is to simplify ticket purchasing for all participating events by using one website, http://www.sandiegotheatremonth.com, or emailing [email protected] or calling 619-234-ARTS.

Elizabeth can be reached at [email protected].