News and reviews of local family dance, theater and movies in Los Angeles.
Stage & Screen
‘Cats’ at the Pantages: The Felines are Fine
If you’re a fan of “Cats,” the iconic Andrew Lloyd Weber musical that first opened on Broadway in 1982 and ran for 18 years, this isn’t the review for you. I’ve seen the musical, which has been attended by an estimated 73 million people in 30 countries, precisely one time, so I can’t compare the […]
L.A.’s Stages are Rockin’ with Roald Dahl Plays
Author Roald Dahl’s popular books are blockbusters when adapted for screen and stage. This March, you can attend productions of three different Dahl books by three different SoCal theaters. 5-Star Theatricals is presenting “Matilda the Musical” at the Fred Kavli Theatre in Thousand Oaks March 22-31. The winner of four Tonys and more than 40 […]
A Short Cirque
Cirque du Soleil is gracing Southern California with a pair of productions this spring. Coming in April is “Amaluna,” with nearly 40 performances in San Pedro. But Cirque also will make a quick visit to L.A. in March with a limited engagement of “Corteo.” This unique arena production features an international cast of 51 acrobats, […]
Top 7 L.A. Family Events in March
Our top 7 March events for L.A. families include a fresh look at the Moon, a little jazz, a phantom tollbooth, a page turner of an adventure, a new kind of yellow brick road, a cirque-style saloon and a festival that pops.
Tween Time: Women with Vision
One of the most famous female photographers in the U.S. is Annie Leibovitz, and work from the beginning of her career is spotlighted in “Annie Leibovitz. The early years, 1970-1983” at Hauser & Wirth Los Angeles (hauserwirth.com) Feb. 14-April 14. The more than 5,000 photographs on display include her iconic work with Rolling Stone magazine, […]
‘This Is Us’ Star Lonnie Chavis Expands His #FixYourHeart Message
When NBC’s “This Is Us” star Lonnie Chavis discovered that a few people trolling his Instagram account were making fun of the gap in his teeth, he clapped back. Not with retaliatory words; instead, the 10-year-old sent a message that prescribes self-reflection and self-acceptance as antidotes to eradicating a culture of bullying and low self-esteem. […]
Rainbow Edwards-Barris: The Real Bow Tackles Parenting in New Book
If you’ve ever watched ABC’s “Black-ish,” you know that though Rainbow Johnson’s character (played by Tracee Ellis Ross) is a medical professional and mom of five, she is far from a parenting expert. Creator Kenya Barris uses irreverent humor to tackle family matters and societal issues on the show, and Rainbow, despite her best intentions, […]
Mia Cech Shines Brightly in ‘The Darkest Minds’
For Miya Cech’s first feature film, “The Darkest Minds,” she landed an unusual role: She plays Zu, a girl who can control electricity with her mind but doesn’t really talk. “That was kind of hard for me, because I talk a lot,” says Cech, 11. “You have to do everything with your face, and it’s […]
‘Making It’ Show Expands Artist’s Territory
As an artist and sports enthusiast, Billy Kheel enjoyed flexing some creative muscle while taping NBC TV’s “Making It,” a competition crafts series that premiered July 31 and will feature six episodes. Each episode consists of two projects – a fast, timed round and a longer, themed challenge. Kheel is one of eight contestants from […]
Parental Love Wins in ‘Far From the Tree’
As parents, we hold grand dreams for our children – even while they are still in utero – but these dreams can become hindrances when they do not fit the people our children actually become. The new documentary film “Far From the Tree” explores families who have children with wildly different realities – autism, Down […]
L.A. Parent Chat Room: Meet Screenwriter and Author John August
You may know L.A. local John August from his screenwriting credits, which include “Big Fish,” “Charlie’s Angels” and “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory.” But, now he’s notched up a new credit: middle-grade novelist. “Arlo Finch in the Valley of Fire,” an engaging and exciting blend of magic, mayhem and mystery, introduces readers to 12-year-old Arlo, […]
County Library Users Get Free Film Access
The County of Los Angeles Public Library is now offering library card holders free access to Kanopy, a film streaming service with more than 30,000 titles. The Los Angeles Public library system acquired Kanopy early last year, making it possible for nearly every Angeleno to now have access to this service. Kanopy is an on-demand […]
Mackenzie Hancsicsak of ‘This is Us’: Tackling Big Issues With Her TV Family
On a recent morning, sandwiched between a hair appointment, a Golden Globes gifting suite and a wardrobe fitting at Paramount Studios is Mackenzie Hancsicsak’s interview with me at the L.A. Parent office in Woodland Hills. The 10-year-old has grown used to the schedule that her role as young Kate Pearson on the Screen Actors Guild […]
Making Play Hands-On with Monster Trucks Movie’s Special FX Coordinator Jim Schwalm
Monster trucks jump over highway railings in playrooms all too often, but seeing it on the big screen is a spectacle that piques a child’s imagination. This and more mechanical feats can be seen in Paramount Pictures’ “Monster Trucks” movie, which just released on BluRay and DVD this month. We recently sat down with Jim […]
Why This Dad Is On Pokemon Go
Last year, Los Angeles TV producer Brant Pinvidic found himself equally baffled by two things. One was the exploding popularity of the smartphone game Pokemon Go, which in the summer of 2016 was played by millions of people, including his whole family. The other was how to find common ground with his 13-year-old daughter, who […]