Tag: VC Reporter

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Reviews of Lend Me A Tenor

Our 2026 season opening play, Lend Me A Tenor, is a hit with the critics! Check out these reviews:

The Joyous Living reviewed the show positively saying; “This is community theatre doing what it does best- bringing people together for shared laughter.”

Tim Pompey of the VC Reporter joined us on opening night; “Conejo Players Theatre presents a mashup of sex, identity confusion and clowns, all baked into a single night of hilarity… the chaos is well-timed and pretty darn funny.”

Cary Ginell of The Acorn praises Lend Me A Tenor, “It’s all about pace, timing and the actors’ ability to play their roles just short of overplaying them, and CPT’s production, under John Eslick’s skilled direction, does just that with a fine cast of talented actors… A great exclamation point to the evening is the post-curtain “megamix,” in which the cast pantomimes, at breakneck speed, the play’s key plot elements in a New York minute, set to the final galop from Jacques Ibert’s suite Divertissement.”

Ventura Breeze gives the play a very positive review; “Now on stage at the Conejo Players Theatre in Thousand Oaks is a barrel of laughs mixed with Italian opera, physical hijinks… The play is well directed by John Eslick who is also credited with the beautiful set design.”

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Critics are Raving About ‘Murder’!

Critics have been raving about our latest play, Murder on the Orient Express, directed by Alan Waserman and produced by Beth Eslick and Kristin Krause. Check out what critic’s are saying:


“All aboard: Conejo Players Theatre’s take on Agatha Christie’s Murder on the Orient Express (adapted by Ken Ludwig) is nimble, stylish, and proudly homegrown exactly the kind of community-theatre triumph that makes Thousand Oaks’ scene feel bigger than its footprint… Sleek design, a sure hand on pace, and a savvy volunteer ensemble make Conejo Players Orient Express a gratifying night out one that proves, again, just how much artistry a community can summon when it pulls in the same direction.”

“This is an outstanding cast for a community theater production. Mastrovito is the master clue bender — sly, humorous, humble and yet sharply observant. He is Christie’s version of Sherlock Holmes. Miller is his Dr. Watson. The humor and hubris of the show are captured by Potter, who is reminiscent of Madeline Kahn. And Latham’s performance as an imperious Russian royal is a perfect foil for Poirot’s gentle, polite persona… This production proves once and for all that Christie is the master, and Poirot is her genius.”

“The cast is solid throughout… The clever revolving set designed by Conejo mainstay Rick Steinberg illuminates aspects of the train interior, all well-appointed to highlight the sumptuous feel of the 1930’s era… Delicious period costuming appeals to the eye and accents the various characters in fine form… All the characters are excellently played, forming a tight ensemble to move the mystery along… the mystery prevails and holds the audience to the end… It is time well spent. ”

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VC Reporter: Where There’s a Will…: Conejo Players Theatre presents ‘The Book of Will’

The VC Reporter’s Tim Pompey attended The Book of Will and shared his thoughts.

“The Book of Will is about William Shakespeare. Or rather, the gathering posthumously of Shakespeare’s writings into the first official printed volume of his plays.

In The Book of Will, we have a play that is well acted and thoroughly professional, entertaining, dramatic and comedic… The highlight of the show is the dialogue between John and his just-departed wife, Rebecca. In their brief and final encounter, you get a sense of what real Shakespeare is like.

If you’re a Shakespeare buff, this play will appeal to you based on the performances of Shakespeare given in the show. If you’re unacquainted with Shakespeare, this might be a good place to start.”

The Book of Will is directed by Dana Marley-Kolb and produced by Priscilla Losey and Wendy Babb.

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VC Reporter: Deadly good fun: ‘A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder’ at Conejo Players Theatre

Tim Pompey from the VC Reporter calls A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder “good, dark fun” in his review of our musical comedy.

“Suppose you love British comedy, especially the cheeky kind. In that case, you’ll quickly fall in love with this Tony-award-winning musical that is the complete package of jokes, sex, men in dresses, upper-class snobbery, murder and lively chorus lines — light opera, to be more accurate. The chorus warns the audience of what’s to come in the prologue. They aren’t kidding. But still, it’s like a glorious train wreck. You can’t stop watching.”