PopBytes

Last week, I had the opportunity to attend the opening night of MAMMA MIA! at the Ahmanson Theatre, presented by Center Theatre Group. The beloved ABBA-inspired musical first premiered on Broadway in 2001, where it enjoyed an impressive 14-year run and later spawned two successful film adaptations. While I’ve long been familiar with ABBA’s timeless catalog and both movies, I had never seen the…

Last week, I had the pleasure of attending the opening night of Primary Trust by Eboni Booth, the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama winner, which concludes the 2025/2026 season at Center Theatre Group’s Mark Taper Forum. It was an incredible way to end the season. The play tells the poignant story of Kenneth, a 38-year-old bookstore worker in Cranberry, upstate New York, who faces a crossroads when…

This past weekend, I had the absolute pleasure of attending opening night of Back to Oz at Center Theatre Group‘s Mark Taper Forum, presented in partnership with MUSE/IQUE — and what a beautifully curated, thoughtfully constructed experience it was. The show dives into the legacy of one of America’s most enduring fairytales, tracing its origins from L. Frank Baum‘s 1900 novel The Wonderful Wizard…

Last week, I ventured downtown to Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre to experience the official opening night of Kim’s Convenience. This 2011 play, penned by Ins Choi—who was born in South Korea and raised in Toronto, Canada—served as the inspiration for the beloved Canadian sitcom of the same name. The sitcom enjoyed a successful run for five seasons from 2016 to 2021 and gained…

Last week I had the absolute pleasure of attending the official Los Angeles opening of Here Lies Love—the electrifying musical from David Byrne and Fatboy Slim about Imelda Marcos, the matriarch of the infamous Marcos family who ruled the Philippines with a violent and heavy hand from 1965 to 1986. That era included a 14-year dictatorship under Ferdinand Marcos and nearly a decade of martial law…

Just when you think spooky season is officially over, along comes a brand-new show determined to keep the chills going. If you’re a fan of the Paranormal Activity films—or just love a good scare—there’s now a stage adaptation that brings the whole universe to life in a totally fresh and unexpectedly immersive way. I was super lucky to attend the opening night of Paranormal Activity, which is now…

What if Juliet hadn’t taken her own life after discovering Romeo dead at her side? That provocative “what if” is the spark behind the high-energy jukebox musical & Juliet, which reimagines Shakespeare’s tragic heroine on an entirely different path—one of self-discovery, second chances, and a whole lot of pop bangers along the way. After a successful run in London’s West End and a Broadway stint…

  Last week, I finally had the opportunity to see the Broadway revival I’d been eagerly awaiting in Los Angeles—the Tony Award-winning revival of Parade—now playing at Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre. I’ve been looking forward to this production for quite some time, and it did not disappoint. Parade continues to hold a very special place in my heart, and seeing it brought to life once…

There’s a new Hamlet in town—and I can honestly say you’ve never seen Hamlet like this before. Last week, I had the privilege of attending the opening night of playwright Robert O’Hara’s bold new adaptation of William Shakespeare’s infamous tragedy at Center Theatre Group’s Mark Taper Forum. I went in expecting a creative take, but what I experienced was something far more profound—an…

I’ve been eagerly anticipating the Los Angeles premiere of Life of Pi—the 2019 Tony Award-winning stage play—ever since I first heard whispers of its arrival. The idea of adapting such a visually rich and emotionally complex story for the stage was both exciting and mystifying. How could they possibly bring to life the surreal and sweeping elements of a boy stranded in the middle of the Pacific…

I’ll be the first to admit it—I’ve never been a huge Harry Potter fan. I didn’t grow up obsessing over the books or eagerly awaiting each new movie. In fact, my knowledge of the wizarding world is limited to the basics: Hogwarts, wands, spells, and a kid with a lightning bolt scar. So, when I was invited to see Harry Potter and the Cursed Child at the historic Pantages Theatre in Hollywood, my…

Calling all Stephen Sondheim fans—there’s a new show in town, and my goodness, what a truly glorious one it is! After a successful run in London’s West End, Stephen Sondheim’s Old Friends—curated by legendary theatrical producer Cameron Mackintosh—has landed at Center Theatre Group’s Ahmanson Theatre in Los Angeles for a limited engagement before heading to Manhattan Theatre Club in NYC. I had…

The other night, I had the absolute pleasure of attending the world premiere of LA native Larissa FastHorse‘s new play Fake It Until You Make It—and I have to say, I was absolutely blown away! With everything going on in the world right now, I’ve been feeling a little down and overwhelmed by the constant news cycle, and this show was the perfect escape. It was a much-needed reminder of the joy…

Last Friday, I had the pleasure of attending the official opening night of Once Upon a Mattress here in Los Angeles. Part of the City Encore series in New York, the show had a successful Broadway run before embarking on its national tour. It stars Sutton Foster as Princess Winifred, a role famously originated by Carol Burnett when the show first premiered on Broadway in 1959 (this revival did get…

Last weekend, I had the immense pleasure of attending a new production of American Idiot, perfectly timed to celebrate the 20th anniversary of Green Day’s iconic 2004 album. This album not only changed the landscape of punk rock but also inspired the Broadway musical that first premiered in 2010. Now, it has found a vibrant new life at the Center Theatre Group’s Mark Taper Forum—one of Los…

Last week, I had the thrill of attending the official opening night of Duel Reality, and it was an unforgettable experience! Initially unsure of what to expect, I was blown away by the sheer energy of the show. The performance featured some of the most astonishing acrobatics I’ve ever seen, all choreographed with impeccable skill. Loosely inspired by Romeo & Juliet, the show narrates the story of…

Everyone knows the iconic Parker Brothers’ board game Clue (acquired by Hasbro in 1991), which was one of my all-time favorite childhood games. Then there’s the 1985 cult classic film featuring the legendary Madeline Kahn, Tim Curry, Lesley Ann Warren, and Martin Mull—such a stellar cast! I vividly remember seeing it in the theater when I was nine, and I still watch it every time it airs. So,…