Theater

A late night talk show hosted by America’s most depressed author, a musical spoof and a clown-centric variety hour are some of the bright comedy highlights at this year’s Fringe.

The mind is mystery's plaything. The illustrious actor Edward Petherbridge has achieved the apex of his career with an engagement to act the title role of 'King Lear,' and when happens to stop him in his tracks, he cannot be counted out.

A modern "Faust" and a musical fairy tale fail to live up to their full potential in their Fringe debuts.

An exciting avant-garde performance piece and an interesting reinterpretation of a modern classic are both making their West Coast debuts at this year's Fringe.

Comedy isn’t easy, as two sketch shows playing at this year’s Hollywood Fringe clearly demonstrate.

When the center cannot hold, there is chaos, confusion and despair. Anna is desperately trying to keep her family together to celebrate the coming Christmas season. But her husband's dementia is growing worse and Jude, her son wants to finally know who his parents are. Anna's choices are few, but she does have an interesting way of coping.

Director Tamilla Woodard and a gifted cast keep the magic fizzing every minute in this sparkling 90-minute version of Shakespeare's canonical comedy.

All the singers were highly talented and excellent, but the stunner of the night had to be L.A. Benjamin. With her Whitney Houston-like gospel voice soaring effortlessly to the rafters, Benjamin's performance easily struck a chord with the audience's hearts.

Lou is called to the police station to pick up his father who was wandering and lost. It is the first time he's seen him in 15 years for they are estranged. Unable to get Don placed in a nursing home, he is forced to take what appears to be an unqualified caretaker to care for Don while Lou is working. Turns out he couldn't have chosen better for she knows Gaelic and recognizes when his father is saying long lost words he had forgotten.

The show is fun and entertaining, and it's certainly a production made specifically for Singaporeans. And that's the best birthday gift to a nation turning 50 soon - and to its theatre-loving citizens.