I always wondered where the Patience of job -- a phrase I used often -- came from originally. Not that I wasn't familiar with the phrase as being from the Bible, but the importance of it was lost for those of us reared Roman Catholic where all was pretty much in Latin. God and the Devil duking it out with words. Of course, Neil Simon, the fabulous playwright, created the play God's Favorite where a messenger from God, Sidney Lipton (so well acted by Amanda Kerr) arrives and goes through all manner of temptations to get Joe Benjamin (Lee Samuel Tanng) to renounce God. When Benjamin refuses, he is visited by all the afflictions imaginable, losing family and possessions.I don't know about you, but having more humor and wit in my life makes me happy and the repartee, lines, gestures and blocking of scenes left me feeling great. All of the cast members were excellent, lines clearly heard, lots of laughing from the audience, and no patience necessary to wait for any action to happen. Fast, delightful, and perfectly cast, A play to see, on until May 3rd.

We saw You Can't Take it With You, a play by Hart & Kaufman, directed by Mitchell Nunn, at the Long Beach Playhouse today. The play runs through May 7th.Some plays are never dated and remain as fresh as when they were first produced. This is one that does so and centers on two people in love who have to meet their respective families. These families like all families have some members who might be considered eccentric and embarrassing to the young lovers, but somehow they manage to learn to accept each others' families. But this story also includes some most interesting outside characters, including a Russian as friend who rails against communism in humorous statements while at the same time a woman who works as a waitress appears to be related to the czar. The actors, with extensive background in other plays, offer fine performances as we wait to see what will happen next. Amazing staging with so many characters intertwined in various ways. If you have a chance to go, do so. It was just a great way to see a play that has resonance today in an intimate theater experience.. Parking is behind the playhouse.

Good acting, fun shows, friendly cafe to relax in before the show, very wide and comfortable seats, easy parking, and amazing sight lines from any angle with a thrust stage that puts you in the action. Prices are affordable and easy to buy tickets online. Only 5 rows so you are close to the action.... this may be my new favorite theater!

I had the joy of seeing the finalnight of a wonderfully directed and acted play in the studio theater last night. The tickets were bought last minute but one could hear and see from all seats. The acting and the play was noteworthy and moving. Especially commendable was robin Harrison’s performance all seats were comfortable and ticket prices extremely affordable. I will go to another production there. !!

We saw Sherlock Holmes:The Spider Web. It was an intriguing play involving the famous detective duo of Holmes and Watson sprinkled with many plot twists. The cast did a lovely job and the set was very period as were the costumes. The Playhouse is an older building so the lines for the restrooms were long during intermission. Be sure to go before the show! The parking lot fills up quickly so arrive 30 minutes before the show otherwise you will need to find street parking. The theatre has a thrust stage which means there really aren't any bad seats. You are usually only three rows from the actors at most! I would recommend this theatre for a very pleasant night out!