By Kristen Nevarez Schweizer
January 15, 2025
The roaring fires in neighboring Los Angeles have me doom-scrolling: artistic landmarks lost, local church relief efforts and secular relief funds, and this beautiful correlation between Shakespeare and the ashes from Los Angeles Times’ theatre critic Charles McNulty. Then I remembered it’s often helpful to list gratitude and upcoming joy in times of stress. Here’s my list of the San Diego theatre events I’m most looking forward to in the coming months.

Appropriate at The Old Globe
January 25 – February 23, 2025
From Pulitzer Prize finalist Branden Jacobs-Jenkins, the estranged siblings of the Lafayette family gather to settle their late father’s Arkansas estate. Amid the clutter, they uncover a shocking relic, forcing them to confront long-buried secrets and decades of resentment. As you’ll soon see from this list, I love family secrets and Pulitzer Prizes. Plus, I don’t think I’ve ever seen a play set in Arkansas…ever?
Do You Feel Anger? at MOXIE
April 23 – May 8, 2025
Moxie’s quick to brag that 100% of their produced plays are written by women+, and I’ll add that I’ve enjoyed 100% of the shows I see here. This season, I’m most looking forward to their dazzling, dark comedy about empathy — or the lack thereof. When a debt collection agency is forced to hire an empathy coach, absurdity ensues. The New York Times calls this one: “Ingenious and inspired.”

What the Constitution Means to Me at North Coast REP
February 26 – March 23, 2025
Ok fine: I am not actually looking forward to this show, but it is the year’s most produced play in America, was nominated for a Tony Award, and was a finalist for the Pulitzer—so I’m thinkin’ I’ll be glad I went. It is described as playwright Heidi Sherck’s “personal and introspective journey blending storytelling, humor, and political insight,” examining how the Constitution impacts individuals and society. Additionally, Shana Wride directs it, and I’ll watch anything this woman does.
True West at The Roustabouts Theatre Company
March 27 – April 13, 2025
I’m excited about this one because David McBean is in it. Also, more people should see things at Roustabouts. I already know this “raw and riveting world of Sam Shepard’s True West, where the blistering heat of the California desert mirrors the searing tensions between estranged brothers Austin and Lee,” will wreck me. (I’m also stoked for Roustabout’s June reading of All My Sons because NCR’s View from the Bridge rekindled my love for Arthur Miller.)
La Havana Madrid at New Village Arts
March 21-28, 2025
The press release says: “Step back to the 1960s as the Ray Charles Stage at NVA is transformed to honor La Havana Madrid, a real nightclub in Chicago where newly arrived Latino immigrants gathered to dine, dance and find community.” I responded, “say less.”

3 Summers of Lincoln at La Jolla Playhouse
February 18 – March 23, 2025
I snuck a musical into this list even though the plot is in the title because it might go on to win a Tony Award, and we all will want to (pretentiously) mention to everyone how we’ve seen it already. Also, we only get a few more Christopher Ashley-directed shows before he leaves LJP for Roundabout Theatre Company in 2026. Also, I have a crush on Ivan Hernandez (who plays Abraham Lincoln, replacing the previously announced Brian Stokes Mitchell.)
A Trip to Bountiful at Lamb’s Players Theatre
April 15 – June 1, 2025
This script by Horton Foote is old but still beautiful, just like Coronado. I like to visit the charming little theatre on the island at least once a season.
Hot Wing King at Cygnet
April 9 – May 2, 2025
Oh, look – a play by Katori Hall! She (finally) won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama on this script, even though it only received a limited off-Broadway run during the COVID-19 pandemic. Another comedy-drama about family tension, this time it’s set at Memphis’ annual ‘Hot Wang Festival.’ I recommend it to anyone who liked Fat Ham at the Old Globe last season—or loves chicken wings.

