Author: Christopher Trela

Hed: Musical Version of ‘Back to the Future’ Lands at Segerstrom Center December 26 – January 5

Roger Bart and Casey Likes in “Back to the Future: The Musical” Photo by Matthew Murphy and Evan Zimmerman. Few films have become as celebrated as “Back to the Future,” released in 1985—nearly four decades ago. The success of “Back to the Future” spawned two successful sequels. For those living Read More

Joe Stapleton Elected Mayor as Newport Beach Welcomes First Woman-Majority City Council

The Newport Beach City Council for 2025 (L-R): Councilmember Noah Blom, Mayor Pro Tem Lauren Kleiman, Mayor Joe Stapleton, Councilmembers Robyn Grant, Michelle Barto, Sara J. Weber and Erik Weigand. Photo courtesy of the City of Newport Beach. During the final Newport Beach City Council meeting of 2024, the City Read More

The Lido Theater Presents 12 Days of Christmas Movies December 11–23

Lido Theater The timeless and classic Lido Theater is offering a cinematic treat this month with a dozen timeless and classic films under the banner “12 Days of Christmas Movies” series, running from December 11 through 23. Some of the most famous holiday films including “Elf,” “Home Alone” and “It’s Read More

On the Agenda: December 10 City Council Meeting

NB City Council 2024 The next City Council meeting is Tuesday, December 10. Items of interest are highlighted below. The entire agenda and reports can be viewed here: https://newportbeachca.gov/Home/Components/Calendar/Event/73661/72 The regular session will begin at 5:30 p.m. with consent calendar, including two ordinances for adoption, a resolution for adoption, six Read More

Greer Wylder Hosts Book Signing at Lido Theatre December 9 for ‘Born in OC: The Artists, Entrepreneurs, and Visionaries of Orange County’

Author Greer Wylder Greer Wylder, a journalist who has covered the culture and lifestyle of Orange County for more than 30 years, has published a new book: “Born in OC: The Artists, Entrepreneurs, and Visionaries of Orange County, California.” Wylder is holding a book signing and celebration on Monday, Dec. Read More

A Newport Beach Holiday Tradition Returns: Annual Christmas Boat Parade Runs December 18-22

2023 Boat Parade Sweepstakes Winner (Non-Commercial): My Way, owned by Les Davidson. Photo by Lawrence Sherwin It’s beginning to look a lot like Christmas in Newport Beach thanks to the 116th Newport Beach Christmas Boat Parade, to be held December 18 through 22, and the Ring of Lights Home Decorating Read More

South Coast Repertory Mourns the Passing of Founding Artistic Director Martin Benson

Martin Benson In November of 1964, a fledgling theater company named South Coast Repertory staged its first production, Moliere’s “Tartuffe,” at the Newport Beach Ebell Club. Tartuffe marked the SCR directorial debut of Martin Benson, the co-founder with David Emmes of South Coast Repertory. Over the next six decades, Benson Read More

South Coast Repertory’s ‘A Christmas Carol’ Returns for 44th Season Through December 24

Richard Soto and Richard Doyle in South Coast Repertory’s 2023 production of “A Christmas Carol” by Charles Dickens, adapted by Jerry Patch. Photo by Jenny Graham/SCR. Tradition plays an important part this time of year, and there is no longer-running, time-honored holiday tradition in Orange County than South Coast Repertory’s Read More

Laguna Playhouse Presents World Premiere of ‘Rapunzel and her Holiday Wish’ December 7 – 29

Sally Struthers stars in “Rapunzel and her Holiday Wish” at Laguna Playhouse Laguna Playhouse is keeping it “All in the Family” this month when it presents Lythgoe Family Productions ninth Panto at the Playhouse production of “Rapunzel and her Holiday Wish” that runs December 7 through 29. Sally Struthers, who Read More