Theater

With its great music, acting, and singing, along with an interesting narrative, 'Forbidden City' really should be required watching for all fans of exquisite storytelling.

Home owners welcome the public into their homes in SIFA's 'Open Homes' project. For participant Anthea Ong, 'Home is a state of being for me – it's when I am at ease and at peace with who I am. When how I live, love and lead are congruent and joy is present more than not.'

A bravura star turn by newcomer Amy Londyn stands out against prosaic lyrics and sketchily drawn characters in a new musical about the dawn of the Nazi era.

"I did the nunnery scene from 'Hamlet' in Michael Kahn’s acting class back in 2002 (Jessica Chastain was my Ophelia), so to be playing the Dane for Michael all these years later really is a dream come true."

"Problems happen in those first days of technical rehearsals. That's when the actors, maybe in a musical, are dancing and their pants rip...It's like therapy work for the theater."

'As a multicultural director, it is important that we understand the responsibility of stepping into another culture and world. I feel blessed and honored to bring elements of the Taíno history to life in our musical.'

This is lively full-strength Shakespeare, a dizzying story of changing fortunes and changing sides, loyalty and betrayal, weakness and strength, war and more war, with only small and hesitant hopes for peace – and all made easy to follow and admire.

The triumph of love in unifying nations and dispelling racism, discrimination, and hatred is the key theme of this incredible musical. How worthy, how wise, how current for our times.

Walls that divide are walls that should be torn down.

If you are looking for a family outing that's a fit for every age group, consider 'Kooza' – because sometimes we all need to go back to basics.