Author Archives: Joan Alperin

Joan Alperin

About Joan Alperin

Joan was born in Brooklyn and spent many years working as an actress in New York City. Even though she traveled extensively, Joan couldn't imagine living anywhere else.. Well one day, she met someone at a party who regaled her with stories about living in L. A. specifically Topanga Canyon. A few weeks later she found herself on an airplane bound for Los Angeles. Joan immediately fell in love with the town and has been living here for the last twenty years and yes, she even made it to Topanga Canyon, where she now resides, surrounded by nature, deer, owls and all kinds of extraordinary alien creatures.. Joan continued acting, but for the last several years (besides reviewing plays and film) she has been writing screenplays. Joan was married to a filmmaker who created the cult classic films, (way before she knew him) Faces of Death. As a result of his huge following, they created a funny movie review show entitled Two Jews on Film, where Joan and her husband, John would review movies and rate them with bagels You can see their reviews by going to youtube.com/twojewsonfilm. Although it's now only one Jew - Joan is occasionally joined by her beautiful Pekingnese and Japanese Chin.

‘The Red Dress’ A Powerful Play About Forbidden Love in Nazi Germany

‘The Red Dress’ written by Tania Wisbar is a semi-autobiographical play that tells the story of Tania’s mother, Eva who was born in Berlin Germany during the Nazi era and lived thorugh the tumultous years when Hitler tried to form … Continue reading

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Matisyahu’s Broken Crowns Tour Comes to the Historic Wiltern Theatre, November 13th and You Don’t Want To Miss it.

I saw Matisyahu years ago at the Long Beach Reggae Festival. He absolutely blew me away. Here was this Hasidic Jew singing rap-reggae, fusing traditional Jamaican music with rock, hip-hop and dub, in addition to singing freely about his faith … Continue reading

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‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’ Is By Far The Best Film of 2017

‘Three Billboards Outside Ebbing, Missouri’ was written and directed by the mega- talented playwright/screenwriter Martin McDonagh (‘In Bruges’). This film is in one word, incredible. Francis McDormand gives a brilliant, Oscar worthy performance as Mildred Hayes, a woman who is … Continue reading

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‘Thor: Ragnarok A Fantastic, Super Hilarious Ride Through the Galaxy

In my opinion ‘Thor: Ragnarok’ directed brilliantly by Taika Waititi is by far the best super hero film ever made. It’s certainly the funniest. There was probably three scenes where I didn’t laugh out loud. Briefly here’s the plot without … Continue reading

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‘Suburbicon’ You’ve Never Been To A Suburb Like This One

Suburbicon is a picture-perfect 1950’s suburb where the best and the worst of humanity is reflected through the deeds of ordinary people. Actually, I’d say worst is the operative word here.  This is not your “Leave it to Beaver” suburb. … Continue reading

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Musical Theatre West’s Production Of Lin Manuel-Miranda’s ‘In the Heights’ Soars at the Carpenter Performing Arts Center in Long Beach

When I saw ‘In the Heights’ on Broadway in 2008, I was not only blown away by the musical, but I was blown away by the performance of the man who conceived the show and wrote the music and lyrics, … Continue reading

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‘Hello Stranger’ A Captivating Journey Against The Back Drop of the Day of the Dead

“Hello Stranger’ written by Sharon Yablon and directed by Sarah Figoten Wilson is one of the most original, engrossing plays I’ve seen in a long time. When the play opens we meet Mike (the outstanding Trevor H. Olsen) a man … Continue reading

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‘Mrs. Warren’s Profession’ by George Bernard Shaw Shines at A Noise Within

Shaw wrote more than 60 plays, including “Man and Superman,” ‘Major Barbara,’ ‘Pygmalion,’ and the protofeminist play, ”Mrs. Warren’s Profession.’  Considering the events of late, this play is extremely timely and the production at A Noise Within, directed by Michael … Continue reading

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Blade Runner 2049: Philip K. Dick Would Be Extremely Proud

First thing I have to say is that the studio asked us many times over to be very careful not to write a review that contains  “spoilers,” and since there are so many in this extraordinary film. I’ll just give … Continue reading

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‘Our Town’ and The Deaf West Theatre: A Beautiful Poignant Commentary On Life

‘Our Town’ is a Pulitizer Prize-winning 1938 three act play by American playwright Thornton Wilder. It tells the story of the fictional American small town, Grover’s Corners, New Hampshire between 1901 and 1913 as its seen through the every day … Continue reading

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