An Absorbing and Intense “Memoir”
Memoir of a Snail is the latest animated movie from Australian auteur Adam Elliot, who refers to his films as "clayographies," a portmanteau combining clay and biographies. It’s a fitting…
A Simple, Joyful Holiday Treat
Amid all the present-buying and house-decorating and party-going at this time of year, it helps to have a little break, less than a couple of hours, where you can sit…
Happy “Melodrama” Holidays!
The Great American Melodrama’s 2024 Holiday Extravaganza begins as all Melodrama shows do: with an upbeat sing-a-along to get everyone in the mood. This year’s cheery selection, “Jingle Bell Rock,”…
Not a Moment Wasted in “A Real Pain”
Ninety minutes isn’t very long in the grand scheme of things. But writer-director-producer-star Jesse Eisenburg makes the most of the hour-and-a-half film for which he is primarily responsible, and which…
PCPA’s “Beauty and the Beast” Enchants
Photos by Mark Velasquez When resident artist Kitty Balay opens PCPA’s production of Disney’s Beauty and the Beast with the time-honored phrase “Once upon a time,” you can plan on…
A Family in Turmoil . . . in 1183
What's a little civil war among family? That’s one question as Cal Poly’s Theatre and Dance Department presents James Goldman's 1966 play, The Lion in Winter. Another question, while we’re…
Drop in on “Golden Pond” at CCAT
Ernest Thompson’s earnest reflection on aging, renewal, and family reconciliation—otherwise known as the 1979 play (and 1981 movie) On Golden Pond—carries heartfelt messages of everyday life that still resonate with,…
“Misery” Isn’t for the Faint of Heart
Photo by Ryan C. Loyd, Rylo Media Design Sinister and cinematic music . . . an uncomfortable cottage in the middle of a snowy Colorado wood . . . lights…
“Werewolf of AG” Plays on ’80s Hits
“Be afraid . . . be very afraid . . .” So opens Werewolf of Arroyo Grande, as the curtains part to reveal a full moon shining in a spooky…
“The Outsider” Takes You Inside
You might say there is a lot at stake in this year’s general election . . . serious issues, social issues, democratic issues. But whatever your concerns, it never hurts…