New Reviews: Poetry & Drama

Poet Courtney Kampa's career was cut short--she died at the age of 35--but her second book shows considerable talent. Not all the poems are easily accessible, but Rebecca Lowman's readings are clear and evocative. They trace the author's growth from girlhood through an awakening consciousness of adult feelings and responsibilities. Kampa explores the transitions as well as the... Read More

American filmmaker, actor, writer, and artist John Waters' irreverent style is definitely an acquired taste and not for the faint of heart. Called "The Pope of Trash" by author William S. Burroughs, Waters performs "every single role in my movies out loud for your twisted enjoyment." As Waters narrates the screenplays of six of his movies, his over-the-top style is outrageous;... Read More

Galileo had a daughter? Who knew? L.A. Theatre Works and playwright Jessica Dickey offer a fascinating glimpse of the renowned astronomer's world in this full-cast production. Galileo, who was condemned by the Church for his theory that the Earth revolves around the sun, is played with gentle ease by Gregory Harrison. His daughter, Maria Celeste, played with intelligent... Read More

Film and stage veteran Hugh Jackman and promising newcomer Ella Beatty perfectly find the nuance, tension, and naturalism in the voices of a small-town college English professor who slides into the "horrible predictability" of an affair with a bright 19-year-old coed. It's certainly not a new tale, but Jackman and Beatty are more than capable of wrestling with the complex... Read More