Audience Reviews
The following are reviews submitted online by your fellow audience members.

CLICK HERE for reviews from past productions.

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CURRENT PRODUCTIONS ...

SHOW: The Beauty Queen of Leenane (June 10 - July 10, 2011)

"It always amazes me how a small theatre with a small budget can consistently create such outstanding productions! In "The Beauty Queen of Leenane", the sets and lighting, and most particularly the performances, especially Stephanie Schultz as Maureen, were fantastic.  The play itself is dark and funny and haunting, and I can't stop thinking about it! Great job, Hunger Artists!"

- Valerie Stella, 7/7/11

"I really enjoyed the performances last night from all the actors. It was much better than I expected it would be; I kind of thought this place might be like community theatre...but it was really good professional acting. I have been to many plays at SCR as an example and they were comparable in acting skills, especially the two women."
- Ken, 7/3/11

PAST PRODUCTIONS

SHOW: Matt & Ben (May 6 - 22, 2011)

No reviews posted yet.

SHOW: As You Like It (March 25 - April 23, 2011)

No reviews posted yet.

SHOW: Waiting for Godot (February 11 - March 13, 2011)

No reviews posted yet.

SHOW: The Cantor's Tale (January 7 - 30, 2011)

No reviews posted yet.

SHOW: The Spirit of Man: A Play in Three Parts (December 3 - 19, 2010)

No reviews posted yet.

SHOW: OC Underground Burlesque Society (Late Night)

"This was our fist time and my husband had a ball.  He was very impressed with the boobage he got to experience. We will be back again!  Loved it, Loved it!!!"
- Mrs. Arce, 2/2/08

"I have attended five of these shows, and none of them failed to disappoint. The ladies give it all they got (and then some) up on the stage. I hollered and whooed so much at these talented ladies, I nearly lost my voice after the show was over. Can't wait to come back again!"
- Jerome, 10/20/07

"Holy Molie Catchatorie! This show was sooooo awesome and hilarious.  It's so great to see real women who feel comfortable in their own skin.  Totally not Pussycat Dolls crap.  This is real burlesque in your face.  Had a great time and can't wait to go again!"
- Bets, 10/20/07

"Wow!  The ladies of the Orange County Underground Burlesque Society are sizzling hot.  I hada great evening watching these talented ladies embracing one of America's contributions to the stage.  The evening was filled with perfect nods to the genre by Miss Mona Lott, Lili White and Lacy Bottom and some more modern interpretations thown in by the rest of the troupe. Ruby Roulette and Bella Nottee were also great with their tribute to the rockers (Ruby) and the great modern day Burlseque icon Madonna (Bella).  This was my first time visiting the OCUBS and it certainly won't be my last!"
- Cliff, 8/25/07

"An amazing night it exceeded all our expectations. I really didn't expect to have so much fun but this was a rare and wonderful treat. These ladies have extreme talent, and as one audience member shouted out, they have "mad skills". We are really really impressed. Very nicely done!"
- 8/24/07

"Favorites of the night were Flashdance, 99 Balloons, The Heavy Metal Medley, George Michaels and Prince. I will be back. To my knowledge there is no other burlesque show of this caliber out there. This ain't your daddy's burlesque. This is entertainment."
- 8/17/07

"What a true burlesque should be!"
- 4/20/07

"Sizzzzzzzling! Hot! Nice job ladies!"
- 3/27/07

"OCUBS is by far the best thing I've seen all year. Entertaining fun and completely capturing what burlesque is all about. I can't wait for the next one. Thank you!!!!!!"
- 12/21/07

SHOW: Beyond Convention IV (November 12 - 21, 2010)

No reviews posted yet.

SHOW: A Midsummer Night's Scream (October 1 - 31, 2010)

No reviews posted yet.

SHOW: Desdemona: A Play About A Handkerchief (August 4 - 19, 2010)

"Excellent production. Thank you very much. I was so delighted that I made it a priority to come today. The acting was superb--the characters were really believable. I know Othello was a fiction play, but this story of the three women of Venice made them feel very real and that the story was highly plausible (especially considering Lady Di's reported trysts with her riding coach...). I love the play Othello and I thought this was an excellent prequel. Thanks again for an enjoyable afternoon. PS The cookies were good, too.'

-9/19/10

SHOW: Rosencrantz & Guildenstern Are Dead (August 27 - September 19, 2010)

"Gregory Spadlin as Guidenstern managed to wrangle both Tom Stoppard's words as well as tease away the play's more gimmicky and banal aspects to give his character true depth and soul. His plight as one of the "disposables" of society was movinging articuled and rose above the trickery of the text. Mr. Spradlin is a magnetic actor with true potential. I hope to see him on stage again soon."
-Shprintze, 9/10/10

SHOW: Bat Boy: The Musical (July 9 - August 15, 2010)

No reviews posted yet.

SHOW: The Ballad of Don Q, or the High Adventures of "Sixgun Q" (June 11 - 27, 2010)

No reviews posted yet

SHOW: Nine (April 23 - May 23, 2010)

"Awesome, awesome, awesome! I cannot praise this production enough! This production was everything the film SHOULD have been! When the narrative includes ALL the songs, now I understand why “Nine” was hit on Broadway. Once again, the Hunger Artists Theater executes a big payoff with sparse settings. Their setting allows the viewer to really focus on the essentials: direction, acting, singing and choreography. The marriage of a wall of sound, from the voices of fourteen women and the intimacy of a small theater offered an acoustic harmony, gave me chills of aural pleasure. Very clever and creative staging. This performance is special. Do not miss it!"

- DannyTech, 5/21/10

SHOW: The Complete Works of William Shakespeare (abridged) (March 27 - April 11, 2010)

No reviews posted yet.

SHOW: Buried Child (March 19 - April 11, 2010)

No reviews posted yet.

SHOW: Lysistrata (February 12 - March 6, 2010)

No reviews posted yet.

SHOW: Oedipus Rex (February 13 - March 7, 2010)

No reviews posted yet.

SHOW: Sans Merci (January 8 - 31, 2010)

"Outstanding performances and a truly amazing show.  It left a lasting impression on me.  It's a "must-see" Hunger Artists performance!"
- Lanie, 1/4/10

"Johanna Adams has written a strong character study in this tale of two women dealing with the loss of a young girl brutally killed while on a humanitarian mission in South America. Amber Noonan plays the dead girl's lover Kelly with subtlety. The small venue allows the audience to read her poignant facial expressions that convey both her infatuated love in flashbacks, to her most grievous loss when she must let go of her lover's memory when the flashbacks end. Cynthia Ryanen plays the mother of the deceased who has come to meet Kelly and confront the life that she thinks took her daughter away. Ryanen touches all of Adams' nervous wry humor as well as her emotional grief. Ryanen knows when to tread lightly and when to let go. Jennifer Pearce a the ill-fated Tracy is perfect as the idealist who has charmed Kelly with her optimism and knowledge of the poet Keats. Both women handle their scenes together with such knowing instincts that you care for them equally. Jill Johnson's direction is without frills, allowing the story to unfold naturally without gimmicks that others would devise to make the audience try to outwit the writer and characters. Johnson allows Johanna Adams' strong, crisp script to stand on its own."
- Max, 1/8/10

"This was an amazing show! Couldn't have picked a better cast, especially the mom (Cynthia Ryanen) did an outstanding job. The story is quite heart wrenching and you can feel the character's heart ache throughout the whole show, even through the exit music."
-Traci, 1/4/10

"Stunning production. The raw emotion was palpable for the length of the show thanks to excellent direction and captivating performances. The smaller venue proved to be perfect for the telling of this tragic tale; audience members are able to become immersed in the story instead of simply being a passive observer. This was actually my first time attending a show at Hunger Artists, and based on this first experience I will certainly be back for more. Congratulations to everyone involved on a truly phenomenal accomplishment."
-Munroe, 1/3/10

A heartfelt and intelligent, knowing script by former OC playwright Johnna Adams is at the heart of this very moving and provocative show. It's a perfect show for the intimate confines of Hunger Artists. The cast of Amber Noonan, Jennifer Pearce and Cynthia Ryanen are  uniformly excellent and Jill Johnson's direction sticks to the nitty gritty of the emotions while keeping the story moving  without overplaying. A special nod also to Mark Martzkanin's  subtle and moody lighting.
-sk, 1/24/10

SHOW: The Lion in Winter (December 4 - 20, 2009)

"I was completely blown away by this show! I'm not familiar with it, so I really had no idea what to expect. But I was completely engaged from the moment the show started until the last line of the show.

Mark Coyan was superb as always. He always amazes me with the ease of his acting skill.

Travis McHenry was appropriately powerful. He was strong when he needed to be & vulnerable when that was needed as well.

Jessica Lynch was perfectly cast & had a stellar performance. She was beautifully tender and loving, with an underlying strength that made her character so complex & interesting to watch.

Josh Aguilar was prim & proper & everything Philip should be. Kudos.

Jimmy Bean was, for lack of a better word, brilliant, in his performance as John. He was perfectly sneaky, and innocent, and likable. I didn't know whether to hug him or hit him, which is what I think John should convey.

Anthony Galleran was absolutely wonderful! This is definitely my favorite role I have ever seen him play. His character makes comments about "everyone forgetting Geoff" throughout the play, but with this performance, there is no way anyone could. Absolutely wonderful.

Amber Scott has outdone herself, yet again. With a grace and elegance befitting a queen, she even makes plotting look regal. There was a moment when the blue light hit her perfectly & she absolutely looked like the monarch she was portraying. It felt as though this was a candid look into the life of this woman. I felt everything was so natural & easy. Amber really makes performing look effortless. I cannot say enough how stellar she was.

Garrett McDonald has everything to be proud of. This show, as I've said, absolutely blew m away. I came in with high expectations. Not only were those met, they were exceeded ten fold. Every detail of the show was executed beautifully... From the casting choices to the color schemes. I found myself feeling familiar with these characters, who were discussing & doing things completely out of my realm of experience. Garrett focused on the human aspects of this story & it worked so well. I am looking forward to much more of Garrett's work in the future.

Kudos to everyone involved with this project. I don't normally write reviews, but felt that this show warrants as much praise as I can give it. I would see it every night if I could!"
- Kaitlyn Tice, 12/6/09

SHOW: Beyond Convention III (November 13 - 22, 2009)

No reviews posted yet.

SHOW: Frankenstein in Love (October 2 - November 1, 2009)

No reviews posted yet.

SHOW: One Flea Spare (August 28 - September 20, 2009)

No reviews posted yet.

SHOW: The Taming of the Shrew (July 10 - August 16, 2009)

No reviews posted yet.

SHOW: The Last Five Years (June 5 - June 28, 2009)

No reviews posted yet.

SHOW: Who's Afraid of Virginia Woolf? (March 27 - April 11, 2009)

"Congratulations to the cast & crew of this production for an
extremely well-done show!

I'm visiting the area, have never been to your venue before,
and was most impressed by what I saw and the energy I felt. 
Such authenticity and obvious commitment to the characters
and the piece--sometimes hard to do for a small house but last
night's show was terrific...riveting.

I have no criticism, constructive or otherwise.  My only note
is "bravo."  I look forward to attending another production
in the future.

OK, here's a note: advertise food drives on your website.
My folks have some canned clam chowder I would loved
to have donated.

Break a leg tonight....and let 'em have it."
-T.C., 4/09/09
 

SHOW: The Shape of Things (February 13 - March 8, 2009)

No reviews posted yet.

SHOW: 'Night Mother (January 16 - February 1, 2009)

No reviews posted yet.

SHOW: Flying Spaghetti Monster: The Holy Mug of Grog (December 5 - 21, 2008)

"Are you fucking retarded[?].... the spagetti (sic) monster doesnt (sic) exist. Who the fuck would believe in something so stupid as pasta making man kind[?] (sic) All you dumbasses can go fuck yourselves, and have a good time doing so."
-aerochick43095

SHOW: Beyond Convention II (November 14 - 23, 2008)

No reviews posted yet.

SHOW: Bug (October 17 - November 2, 2008)

No reviews posted yet.

SHOW: Jungle Book (September 12 - October 5, 2008)

No reviews posted yet.

SHOW: Cabaret (July 25 - August 31, 2008)

"I was impressed at what an ensemble of 12 actors and two musicians were able to pull off (good job on clever use of using the same actors for multiple roles).

At first I thought the casting of Max Orbita was strange for the role of Herr Schultz. Orbita is probably in his 20s and Asian, and the role he played is an older Jewish shopkeeper. But you know what? He won me over in the end, and I found his performance totally believable.

Dennis Tong was also a unique casting choice for the Emcee ... and yet he was perfect. Same with Topher Mauerhaun. He desn't look like what I would expect the character Ernst to look like ... and yet it totally worked.

I've seen the '80s revival of Cabaret with Joel Grey as the Emcee, and the Rob-Marshall-directed '90s revival with Teri Hatcher as Sally. And while the Hunger Artists' production can't compare with those professional productions obviously, I was nonetheless impressed with what this tiny company was able to do.

For what it was, it couldn't have pleased me more."
- James G, 8/17/08

"This was one of the best performances of Cabaret I have ever seen. The minimalist production really allowed the singing, acting and direction really shine."
-DannyTech, 8/8/08

SHOW: Top Girls (May 16 - June 8, 2008)

"This was a really lovely production. On a shoestring, you put together a very smart looking show (those tables are terrific! what a great idea!). And kudos to all the actors involved in the show -- particularly nice job with the dialects."
-Tira, 5/31/08

SHOW: Company (April 4 - May 4, 2008)

"'Company' sometimes loses it's story across the footlights. This show was beuatifully intimate. I felt like I was one of Bobby's married friends! It was simply done and simply masterful! Thanks!"
-Nancy Tyler, 4/6/08

"I am a big fan of Stephen Sondheim's music, so I was delighted to see such a lively and professional production of one of his greatest works. A delightfully intimate venue! I think the actors could see my face and how much I was getting into it. Hope they could tell. The entire cast was outstanding, with the obvious standout showstopper performances. My wife and I wewre celebrating our 26th anniversary, so it was indeed a poignant message for us. We are both still "sorry-grateful" and enjoy "Being Alive." Thank you all so much for making part of our celebration so happy. We are not related to, or acquianted with, any member of the cast or crew. I thought I should add that."
-Andydammit, 4/18/08

"I had just seen a production of this on koce, and was interested, but not entertained. With your production the musical quality was supreme, and the poetry of the dialogue between Bobby and the Stewardess was exposed in the bedroom scene.  This set this production way above on the emotional scale, compared to the koce, I'm guessing, Broadway production. For the stewardess to carry out the original description of her by Bobby was perfect. Her facial expressions were great.  Bobby was distanced enough from where everyone wanted him to be, that it created the proper amount of tension to keep everyone engaged. No pun intended Bobby Baby!"
-Beverly Reynolds, 4/26/08

SHOW: The Vagina Monologues (February 22 - March 22, 2008)

No reviews posted yet.

SHOW: The Marijuanalogues (February 22 - March 16, 2008)

No reviews posted yet.

SHOW: Romeo & Juliet (January 11 - February 10, 2008)

"I thought the acting was terrific the fact that the theatre was so small just made it all the more personal. you could feel the emotion and that the whole cast was very dedicated. the plain clothes I thought took away some of the reality but otherwise the show was wonderful."
- 2/10/08

SHOW: Brighton Beach Memoirs (November 30 - December 16, 2007)

"Brighton Beach Memoirs, under the direction of Darcy Lythgoe, transcends the typical Neil Simon nostalgic pastiche to present a moving work that is both funny and touching, often at the same time. The show is perfectly cast with a true ensemble that understands and relishes the complicated relationships of the Jerome family. This is a production that was clearly well-thought out and loved by both the director and her brilliant cast. Brighton Bech Memoirs is truly a standout in the Hunger Artist season."
- Cliff, 12/6/07

"I have seen a number of shows at Hunger Artists and I must say that this show is the cream of the crop. One could say that the show works because of the great source material but that would only be part of the story. The cast is a well-oiled machine, I can't say there was a standout performance by any one actor because they all work so well together. You can't have any one without the other. The direction of the show is the glue that holds it all together. Darcy Lythgoe has crafted a show that is like a great memory of your childhood. With all of the laughter and pain that you remember. One of the best things about the play is the fact that the audience is the fourth wall. There are many time I foud myself watching this family through a window into the house. I must also mention the sets and costumes are dead on. For the first time at Hunger Artists I will be back to see this show again!"
- Steven Howearth, 12/2/07

"Brighton Beach Memoirs has a good foundation (a Neil Simon script) but the execution of the play was outstanding. The sets and costumes are very authentic and all the actors were terrific -- especially Gedaly Guberek as Eugene Jerome. Kudos to Director Darcy Lythgoe and Hunger Artists for this holiday gift! Treat youself--go see this show!"
- Joyce Rosenthal, 12/1/07

"The Neil Simon play was great material to work from and the folks at Hunger Artists made the most of it. Working with very limited space they managed to bring some real life into the theater with a sense of motion that propelled the story along. The performances of the cast were first rate, I soon forgot I was seeing a play and was completely lost in the story. The intimate seating made me feel like I was there with the family, hearing thewords and sharing the experience just like a family member. I was often moved by what I saw & heard, a few times to tears.
"If you are thinking of trying live theater for the first time, this is a great way to start. If you have seen it all too many times, this will refresh your senses. I'm planning on seeing HA's Brighton a second time."
-Paul O'Neil, 11/30/07

SHOW: Dead Letter Office II (November 9 - 18, 2007)

"Mark Coyan is the dreamiest heroin-addicted Vietnam vet EVER!"
- 11/9/07

SHOW: Attack of the Giant Nuts (Oct 11 - Nov 4, 2007)

"An entertaining evening. Music is great, story is fun. You'll recognize bits and pieces from other sci fi. Good for all ages. Enjoyed "uncle Willy" and Dan, as well as Milo."
- Ron, 10/20/07

"I really enjoyed this show. It was witty, creative, sweet and silly. The cast were engaging, the music and lyrics sharp and fun. Go see it!"
- Linda, 10/13/07

"Wasn't really sure what to expect with a Sci-Fi Horror MUSICAL.... but it was fantasitic! The story line had you sitting at the edge of your seat- not sure which direction you were being taken in, the music was great as it moved along the story.  It was funny in many areas- the actors facial expressions and funny little lines here and there.  I really enjoyed the scene changes and the set design for such a small stage area. I give it TWO THUMBS UP!!!!"
- Dawn, 10/12/07

"Great show! Fun fun fun! Brilliant script, great cast, songs that make you want to sing along, and a rockin' band! You're definitely NUTS if you don't check out this show!  I look forward to seeing it again, I'll save you a seat!"
- Tracy, 10/12/07

SHOW: The Full Monty (July 20 - August 26, 2007)

"Most impressive performance. It was so enjoyable and entertaining ... "
- Anne, 7/20/07

"One of the most humorous plays I've seen. I saw the Full Monty at the Ahmanson several years ago, and this was far more entertaining for me. The characters are perfect for their roles and their singing is fabulous. Great show!!"
- Greg, 7/21/07

"Bravo!!! Fabulous job cast! My friends and I thoroughly enjoyed your presentation of The Full Monty. Jason Lythgoe (Jerry Lukowski) has an amazing voice and Mark Louis Palkoner (Dave Bukatinsky) had perfection of timing and had us in stitches. Definitely entertaining and I would even come back and see it again!"
- Anonymous, 7/20/07

"The production was amazing due almost entirely to the main male actors. Incredible voices on Jerry, Dave, Malcolm and just phenomenal actors."
- Joe, 7/21/07

"... this production of The Full Monty grabs you by the tearaway pants and doesn’t let you go. It is the perfect combination of an excellent script, excellent performance and excellent direction. It’s the kind of magical mixture that doesn’t come along very often and I’m grateful to the Hunger Artists Theater company for bringing me along for the ride."
- Sheldon 7/20/07 [CLICK HERE TO READ THE REST OF SHELDON'S REVIEW]

"If you are curious about this play, just order the tickets NOW!!! If I were not four hours away from this play I would pack up all my friends and see it again. Just listening to the music is exceptional."
- 7/20/07

"The men in this show are phenomenally talented. It was an unbelievable treat to watch them perform."
- 7/22/07

"I LOVED it!! What a great, fun show. I laughed so much, I had tears.  It was also a wonderfully acted, heartfelt story by a talented cast.  I will see it again, and I hope the to see more shows of the same caliber at this theater."
- Karen, 7/28/07

"I was coerced into coming to the show and was a skeptic until the end of the first scene.  I was truly amazed and surprisingly impressed by the whole production!  This show was SO VERY enjoyable that I can't wait to come back at least one more time!!  Great job!"
- 7/27/07

"I highly recommend the show.  It has everything. The strugle of overcoming lifes struggles, the love and support of friends and humor that really made me laugh.  The adlibs of Jason and Mark are wonderful. We are returning with more friends.  Definitley worth seeing again."
- 7/28/07

"A fun evening with some very talented men."
- 8/3/07

"Great production ... the voices and acting were all the more involving because of the close seating. I wanted to see how these folks would pull off (ahem) this show. They did very well. (And I have the breakaway tee-shirt to remember the night) ;-) Congrats!"
- Karen, 8/5/07

"I would whole heartedly recommend this production! I was not only well acted but had a tremendous amount of energy. The actors were able to project the emotion and state of mind beautifully. A+A+A+A+A+"
- Dan, 8/12/07

"Thanks for a great night of entertainment!  My friend and I enjoyed our evening out for our Birthday....    Way to go Glendale and everyone!"
- Elizabeth, 8/12/07

"The show was a smashing success - A great Date night with my wife - the Duet "you rule my world" rules - and hits home for every couple in love both young and old. Keep it up - I am coming back . . . "
- B. Wood, 8/18/07

"The show was just fantastic!! Came down from the High Desert area to bring my sister to closing night for her birthday, Not disappointed at all in my decision to travel the distance to see the show.  All the cast, crew and band made the evening very enjoyable.  It was a pleasure and I will be back again. If you haven't treated yourself to the Hunger Artist Theater, you should definitely put it on your GREAT THINGS TO DO LIST"
- Kathy, 8/26/07