Mahjong will be the key to preventing the apocalypse in “The Lucky One.” Four goddesses, who reign over love, death, wealth and fertility, will play a never-ending round of the Chinese board game in the comedic film. “The Lucky One,” which finished shooting April 7, will be screened in Melnitz Hall on June 12. In […]
Author Archives: Kennedy Hill
LA Times Festival of Books showcases live poetry readings, cooking demonstrations
Festival weekend calls for celebrities and good music – and thousands of books. The Los Angeles Times Festival of Books returned to the University of Southern California campus from Saturday to Sunday, continuing its annual tradition of literary-focused programming. Hundreds of vendors in tents lined the festival passageways, including local bookstores, independent artists and LA-based […]
Theater review: New ‘Charlie and the Chocolate Factory’ tastes a little sour among all the sweet
People say not to talk with food in your mouth, but they never said anything about singing. With gobstoppers in their cheeks, the cast members of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” set out to create a world of candy and color at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre. However, the show – which runs until April 14 […]
Concert review: James Bay’s ‘Electric Light’ tour energizes audience with vibrant sounds
James Bay strutted on stage in a leather jacket, wielding a jet-black guitar while strumming electricity into the air. The indie rock artist brought melodic vocals to The Wiltern on Monday night during the Los Angeles leg of the “Electric Light” tour. Although the tour was supposed to take place last year, Bay said it […]
Theater review: ‘Black Super Hero Magic Mama’ successfully uses comic book tropes to add humor
According to the average superhero origin story, tragedy leads to a path of great strength. But what happens when the hero chooses to grieve instead of fight? Amid the discourse surrounding police brutality against black males, playwright Inda Craig-Galván challenges the brave mother archetype in “Black Super Hero Magic Mama,” which will run at the […]
Musical humanizes Einstein through balance of ambition, romantic relationship
Albert Einstein is known for his academic prowess, but “Rebel Genius” will bring his romantic endeavors to center stage. The musical’s world premiere, presented by the department of theater in the UCLA School of Theater, Film and Television will run from Friday through March 16 in Macgowan Hall’s Little Theater. Director Brian Kite, chair of […]
Japanese silent film narrators to provide interpretive, engaging performance
Characters in silent films didn’t always stay silent – at least, not in Japan. In the early 20th century, silent Japanese films were often accompanied by benshi, performers who narrated the film to audiences from inside the theatre. Paul Malcolm, a programmer from the UCLA Film & Television Archive, said most Japanese films from the […]