Perhaps I should recuse myself from reviewing “John Is A Father” because its star, Sam Anderson, is one of my favorite actors. In addition, he is one helluva nice guy. So it's especially magical to see him turn himself into a taciturn, fearful, ex-alcoholic loner onstage. The play was written by Julie Marie Myatt with a minimum of... Read more →

Something powerful drew Lova Hyatt to the world of teaching. And something even stronger kept her there for 40 years. As she prepares to retire from the Santa Monica-Malibu school district at the end of the school year, Hyatt hardly sounds surprised that she’s been around for four decades. “To me, a professional teacher is more of a... Read more →

When looking for the perfect way to raise money for inner-city children in Los Angeles, the Harold Robinson Foundation took a cue from their friend and the founder of the 100 Mile Man Foundation, Jesse Itzler, a major supporter of the foundation. “Jesse held a fundraiser in New York to raise money for his foundation for inner-city... Read more →

For an actress who “never had the drive to do whatever makes you stand out, star-wise,” Barbara Tarbuck sure has managed to carve out a successful career. She was Jessica Lange's Mother Superior in the second season of “American Horror Story,” and played Jane Jacks for 14 years on the popular soap opera “General Hospital.”... Read more →

Anyone just now coming of voting age may not even be aware of the traumatic events of 1998. They might not have learned of the devastating affair that nearly led to the impeachment of one of this country’s most popular presidents. Those who are older will never forget it. So you might think a play titled “Hillary and Monica”... Read more →

Parents at Will Rogers Learning Community were accustomed to seeing Silvia Crespo-Jarquin on campus, whether she was dropping off two of her four children for school, attending meetings or helping out at the annual Cinco de Mayo festival. Her absence has sent the school community into a scramble to help her family. Crespo-Jarquin suffered a... Read more →

When people at social functions find out that Jason Kaye does impressions, they often ask him to perform. It’s not that other people can’t alter their voices to sound like politicians or other celebrities, he said. But impressions require more than vocal manipulation. “The most important thing is the point of view of the... Read more →

This Sunday Santa Monica residents and visitors alike will have the chance to play a life size version of a classic board game, as the 3rd annual MAINopoly: Taste of Main Street event returns. The community event, put on by the Main Street Business Improvement Association (MSBIA), is intended to mirror the classic board game Monopoly by... Read more →

The Educator Spotlight recognizes those who contribute to the education of local students. Educators were chosen by consulting with site PTA, student government organizations and staff. Educators were chosen for their reputations with students, staff, parents and the community. Aileen Salmaggi discovered she wanted to become an educator in... Read more →

Jane Austen, Comedy Writer – that might be the title on her resume, if the great writer were alive today. Whit Stillman, director of the movie “Love & Friendship” has a brilliant comedic instinct that pairs beautifully with the teenage Austen’s witty sense of the absurdity that pervaded her portrayal of the social posturing of... Read more →

If you want to watch the demise of a once-promising politician, “Weiner” is the documentary for you. And if you want to know how the heck we got to our present polarized polity, “The City of Conversation” might help you understand. First Weiner. My impression was how devastatingly cringe-worthy, heartbreaking and tragic this... Read more →

The Senator from Kentucky calls it “the city of conversation,” a term originally coined by Henry James. The Senator goes on to describe it as a city filled with “chatter and culture and nuance.” The city is Washington, D.C. and the year is 1979. It is a time of conviviality. A time when people pursue their agendas civilly and... Read more →

"Captain America: Civil War" brings to life our current day mythology of larger-than-life players from comics, movies and video games. If you grew up in a comic book world, it's like watching family home videos of your childhood daydreams on the big screen in 3D. Each superhero has a human alter ego whose traits and flaws we can easily... Read more →

How do you talk about a show based on illusion without spoiling the surprises? “In & Of Itself,” a new show by illusionist Derek DelGaudio at Geffen Playhouse's Audrey Skirball Kenis Theater is like no other show you've ever seen. It's a personal memoir, a metaphor about people and perception, a show with - if you can call them... Read more →

If a man can navigate the river of life despite its eddies and cataracts, if he can persist in the face of the ongoing threat of inundation, and if he continues to float without quite drowning, he will be both pitied and acclaimed by those who judge and take the measure of the man. Thierry Traugourdeau is just such a man. As the protagonist... Read more →