Richard Doyle News

Nothing says the holidays like South Coast Repertory's production of A Christmas Carol, an Orange County family favorite since 1980. John-David Keller directs the Charles Dickens' classic, adapted by Jerry Patch, with performances on the Segerstrom Stage Nov. 25-Dec. 24. Hal Landon Jr. is Ebenezer Scrooge, the "Bah! Humbug!" miser who has a yuletide change of heart. Tickets are available at www.scr.org.

Nothing says the holidays like South Coast Repertory's production of A Christmas Carol, an Orange County family favorite since 1980. John-David Keller directs the Charles Dickens' classic, adapted by Jerry Patch, with performances on the Segerstrom Stage Nov. 25-Dec. 24. Hal Landon Jr. is Ebenezer Scrooge, the "Bah! Humbug!" miser who has a yuletide change of heart. Tickets are available at www.scr.org.

Returning for its fourth annual event from January 14-17, 2016 at the historic Village East Cinema the festival will mark its four-day gathering with divinely crafted films, special appearances and countless fans eager to witness the very pulse of the heart and soul of Science fiction.

Returning for its fourth annual event from January 14-17, 2016 at the historic Village East Cinema the festival will mark its four-day gathering with divinely crafted films, special appearances and countless fans eager to witness the very pulse of the heart and soul of Science fiction.

Touching, richly-staged and beautifully-acted, REST---Samuel D. Hunter's oh-so-engrossing and oh-so-funny new play now having its world premiere at Costa Mesa's South Coast Repertory through April 27---presents a disheartening reality of life we all must face sooner or later: that getting older is, for the most part, no fun, especially as one enters the twilight phase of their time on the planet. While that description suggests an overtly sad story, what really hits you as a delightful surprise is the amount of wit and humor that it contains, even as the play's overarching dark themes are hovering.

What happens when an elderly patient with dementia goes missing in a northern Idaho blizzard, leaving his wife and others behind to face the unknown? The story is Rest, a heartbreakingly funny and tender play commissioned by South Coast Repertory from Samuel D. Hunter. SCR Founding Artistic Director Martin Benson directs the world premiere of Rest, today, March 28-April 27, on the Segerstrom Stage.

What happens when an elderly patient with dementia goes missing in a northern Idaho blizzard, leaving his wife and others behind to face the unknown? The story is Rest, a heartbreakingly funny and tender play commissioned by South Coast Repertory from Samuel D. Hunter. SCR Founding Artistic Director Martin Benson directs the world premiere of Rest, March 28-April 27, on the Segerstrom Stage. The show is a cornerstone production of SCR's Pacific Playwrights Festival. Tickets are available online: www.scr.org.

A big hit with audiences during the 2006-07 season, James and the Giant Peach in 2014 will offer a memorable experience for new and returning playgoers as a part of SCR's Theatre for Young Audiences series. Casey Stangl, director of last season's Anastaisa Krupnik, returns to direct this adaptation by David Wood of the beloved children's book by Roald Dahl, James and the Giant Peach. The show runs tonight, Feb. 7-23 at South Coast Repertory on the Julianne Argyros Stage.

A big hit with audiences during the 2006-07 season, James and the Giant Peach in 2014 will offer a memorable experience for new and returning playgoers as a part of SCR's Theatre for Young Audiences series. Casey Stangl, director of last season's Anastaisa Krupnik, returns to direct this adaptation by David Wood of the beloved children's book by Roald Dahl, James and the Giant Peach. The show runs Feb. 7-23 at South Coast Repertory on the Julianne Argyros Stage.

Thirty-four years and going strong: South Coast Repertory's traditional holiday production of A Christmas Carol, complete with ghosts, vibrant costumes, dancing, endearing characters and a cast that includes 16 local school children and Hal Landon Jr. as Ebenezer Scrooge.

Now performing at South Coast Repertory in Costa Mesa through June 9, Director Amanda Dehnert's beguiling new revival of THE FANTASTICKS comes to vibrant life as an old-timey vaudevillian review that just happens to have a love story woven into it. This clever, magical makeover, setting the piece in the midst of an abandoned, dilapidated amusement park called Rocky Point, has wonderfully spilled over into the show's staging, sets, costumes, and, yes, even the songs and characters, resulting in a refreshing new take on the 50-plus-years-old musical.

A charming love story, magical illusions and memorable music will bring South Coast Repertory's 2012-13 season to a close with the world's longest-running musical, The Fantasticks by Tom Jones, book and lyrics, and Harvey Schmidt, music. Performances on the Segerstrom Stage run May 10-June 9 - check out a first look below!

A charming love story, magical illusions and memorable music will bring South Coast Repertory's 2012-13 season to a close with the world's longest-running musical, The Fantasticks by Tom Jones, book and lyrics, and Harvey Schmidt, music. Performances on the Segerstrom Stage run tonight, May 10-June 9.

A charming love story, magical illusions and memorable music will bring South Coast Repertory's 2012-13 season to a close with the world's longest-running musical, The Fantasticks by Tom Jones, book and lyrics, and Harvey Schmidt, music. Performances on the Segerstrom Stage run May 10-June 9.

It's a timeless story you and your kids will love - Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol.

It's a timeless story you and your kids will love - Charles Dickens' classic A Christmas Carol.

South Coast Repertory was founded 49 years ago in Orange County with the belief that theatre is an art form with a unique power to illuminate the human experience, and the commitment to advance the art of theatre in the service of their community, and the aim to extend that service through educational, intercultural, and outreach programs that harmonize with their artistic mission. Over the past five decades they have become one of the most celebrated and honored regional theatre companies in America. Their string of awards include 83 Distinguished Achievement Awards from The Los Angeles Drama Critics Circle (including a Special Award for Continued Excellence on their 30th Anniversary in 1994), 470 Drama-Logue Awards, 19 Backstage West Garland Awards, 29 OC Weekly Awards, a 1995 Theatre LA Lifetime Achievement Award for Founders David Emmes and Martin Benson, and The 1998 Tony Award for Distinguished Achievement by a Regional Theatre.

It's the year of The Artist and a return to the era of silent film in all its glamor, glory and art. Yes indeed, it's fun to look back and appreciate the way things were. Now onstage at the Macha Theatre in WeHo Sharon Michaels' Whodonit Sidetracked takes us back to the early 50s and the Golden Era of movies when train travel still held appeal and excitement, and people were genuinely intrigued by movie stars and show biz. Set at Union Station in Los Angeles, Sidetracked pokes fun at those looking to stay forever young, at second-rate PIs, who became more popular than the intriguing clients they served and at Hollywood in general. With a fine cast, Sidetracked is a cleverly written and amusing entertainment.

Christmas will once again gladden the heart of curmudgeonly Ebenezer Scrooge when South Coast Repertory presents its 32nd annual production of A Christmas Carol Nov. 26 through Dec. 24.

Founding Artistic Director Martin Benson will direct the work of an old friend when South Coast Repertory presents Horton Foote's The Trip to Bountiful Oct. 21 through Nov. 20 on the Segerstrom Stage.