Under the direction of Casey Stangl, The Illusion is visually enchanting and peppered with fine performers and a most excellent surprise ending. While the philosophical undertones of The Illusion are geared toward a sophisticated adult audience, the charming staging of this production has tons of kid-friendly appeal and is perfectly suited for budding theatre patrons. more ›

For over twenty years, when Culver City-based theatre collective The Actors’ Gang has spoken, Los Angeles theatergoers have listened, and with good reason. The shows that are produced in the tiny Ivy Substation are often on par or well above the other high-gloss production shows you can pay twice as much money for around town. Not that their works are expansive (or expensive) shows with all sorts of modern theatrical trickery; in fact, the Gang just lets their acting do all the talking for them. And, again, we listen. more ›

A few weeks back I promised to continue the photo essay of my next-door neighbor, the Redondo Beach Pier, where there is always something weird and wonderful to see and do. The Fun Factory is the next best thing to a cheesy, down-the-shore/midway arcade. Sure, Santa Monica Pier has its Ferris wheel, calliope and similar games of chance, but The Fun Factory has such an extensive jumble of bizarre coin operated artifacts, games, kiddy rides, crane machines, fortune tellers, pinball machines, vintage video games and whatever else you can think to stick a token into, that it just wins the prize for coolest, redemption palace in LA county. "Redemption" is how they describe those novelty amusements that devour all your laundry money. By the way, this 300+ game space can be enjoyed even on the most blustery of days, as it is an indoor attraction. Neener-neener-neener, SM Pier! more ›

We comb through LA's listings so you don't have to. THEATRE: Feel like pondering human existence tonight? Samuel Beckett’s Waiting for Godot -- a classic play about nothing (or maybe everything) plays in Glendale tonight. 8 pm // A Noise Within // 234 S Brand Blvd , Glendale // $28-$40. DANCE: The Debbie Allen Dance Academy presents Alex in Wonderland – a “re-imagining” of Alice’s version with a few other fairy tale characters mixed... more ›