Daniel Faigin

Yesterday afternoon, we saw "Here Lies Love" at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum). Excellent production, with many story parallels (alas) to our current political situation. I still love the song "God Draws Straight". Well worth seeing.

🎭 Finding Hope in Straight Crooked Lines | “Here Lies Love” @ CTG/Taper https://cahighways.org/wordpress/?p=17549

#LAThtr #HereLivesLove #CenterTheatreGroup #CTGLA #Theatre #Musicals #Marcos

Yesterday afternoon, we saw "The Play That Goes Wrong" at 5-Star Theatricals in Thousand Oaks. Well executed and well performed, although they missed some printed program aspects that would have helped map performers to characters better. Especially if you haven't seen this before, it is well worth seeing.

🎭 Third Times The Charm, Right? | “The Play That Goes Wrong” @ 5-Star https://cahighways.org/wordpress/?p=17546

#LAThtr #5StarTheatricals #Theatre #Reviews

As I noted earlier this morning, we saw an excellent production of "The Color Purple" in a 74-seat black box theatre, put on by Chromolume Theatre. It is well worth seeing, if you can get a ticket. Here's the writeup.

🎭 Inner Strength and Resilience | “The Color Purple” @ Chromolume https://cahighways.org/wordpress/?p=17540

#LAThtr #ColorPurple #Chromolume #Theatre #Musicals #IntimateTheatre

A new episode of the podcast is up. This episode focuses on Route 12, which runs from Route 1 near Valley Ford to Route 49 near San Andreas. This episode focuses on the portion between Route 1 and I-80, from the coast through Sebastapol, Santa Rosa, Sonoma, Napa, and into Cordelia.

CA RxR 4.08: Route 12: Sonoma and Napa https://caroutebyroute.org/2026/03/11/ca-rxr-4-08-route-12-sonoma-and-napa/

#Podcasts #Roadgeeking #California #Highways #Caltrans #Roads @CaltransDist3_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransD4_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransD5_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransDist7_bot@m.ai6yr.org

The start of a new month, and that means headlines of interest related to California Highways and similar stuff of interest. 🚘 Headlines About California Highways – February 2026 https://cahighways.org/wordpress/?p=17532 #Headlines #Roadgeeking #California #Highways #Caltrans #Roads @CaltransDist3_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransD4_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransD5_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransDist7_bot@m.ai6yr.org

It's hard to believe it has been 16 years since we last saw Amadeus (it was 2010 at REP East with Daniel Lench). We saw the new production at Pasadena Playhouse last night. It was excellent, with a wonderful performance by Jefferson Mays. 🎭 A Portrait of Obsession | “Amadeus” @ Pasadena Playhouse https://cahighways.org/wordpress/?p=17528

It's been about 3 weeks, so it is time for another episode of the podcast. This one covers Route 11. Specifically, (1) LRN 11, which was the first state highway and is today's US 50 between Sacramento and Nevada; (2) Sign Route 11, which is today's Route 110/I-110, better known as the Harbor and Pasadena/Arroyo Seco Freeways (Parkways); and (3) today's Route 11, which is a small connector between Route 905/Route 125 and the Otay Mesa East Port of Entry. CA RxR 4.07: Route 11: From Pasadena to the Border https://caroutebyroute.org/2026/02/21/ca-rxr-4-07-route-11-from-pasadena-to-the-border/ #Podcasts #Roadgeeking #California #Highways #Caltrans #Roads @CaltransDist3_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransD4_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransD5_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransDist7_bot@m.ai6yr.org

Last night, we saw "Applause" at Musical Theatre Guild. Here's my writeup of the show. 🎭 Dated Claws | “Applause” @ MTG https://cahighways.org/wordpress/?p=17522

Well, perhaps half a day early. Here are your headlines about California's Highways (and a few related topics) for the month of January 2026. As I always say, "Ready, set, discuss". 🚘 Headlines About California Highways – January 2026 https://cahighways.org/wordpress/?p=17498 #Headlines #Roadgeeking #California #Highways #Caltrans #Roads @CaltransDist3_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransD4_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransD5_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransDist7_bot@m.ai6yr.org

Episode 4.06 of the podcast is live. This episode covers the San Bernardino Freeway portion of I-10 (Route 10), and along the road looks at the history of US 60, US 70, and US 99 along that stretch of highway. We also discuss the non-interstate portion of Route 10, Route 10S, and historical routings that evolved into the freeway. Long highway, long episode. Enjoy, and as always, ready, set discuss. CA RxR 4.06: I-10: San Bernardino Freeway https://caroutebyroute.org/2026/01/29/ca-rxr-4-06-i-10-san-bernardino-freeway/ #Podcast #Roadgeeking #California #Highways #Caltrans #Roads @CaltransDist3_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransD4_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransD5_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransDist7_bot@m.ai6yr.org

Last night (as I posted), the Temple Ahavat Shalom Live Theatre Group went to go see "Jewish for Dinner" at the Santa Monica Playhouse. It was a very funny show -- a bit sitcomish but still funny and with some good questions to consider. It is an expansion of the short film "Jewish for Lunch". Well worth seeing if you're familiar with Jewish culture.

🎭 Jewish-ish | “Jewish for Dinner” @ Santa Monica Playhouse https://cahighways.org/wordpress/?p=17491

#LAThtr #JewishForDinner #Theatre #Reviews #Judaism #SantaMonicaPlayhouse #SantaMonica

Last night, we saw "All The Villains Are Here", written and performed by Patrick Page, at the BroadStage in Santa Monica. An excellent show, with a deep dive exploration of all the villains in Shakespeare, explored chronologically. We really enjoyed it.

🎭 Villainy and Human Natures | “All the Devils Are Here” @ Broad Stage https://cahighways.org/wordpress/?p=1748

#LAThtr #Theatre #LosAngeles #BroadStage #AllTheDevilsAreHere #PatrickPage #Shakespeare

Oh, great Internet brain: I'm trying to decide whether to upgrade my existing Windows 10 system to Windows 11, or purchase a new Windows 11 system. Details are in the attached post. I'm on extended support until October, so I've got a little time, but I do need to decide. Opinions?

💻 Horns of a Dilemma: Upgrade or New / Windows 11 https://cahighways.org/wordpress/?p=17482

Last night, we saw "The Notebook" @ Broadway In Hollywood / Hollywood Pantages Theatre . For a show about memory and forgetting, it was pleasant and weepy and lovely and ... forgettable. You'll enjoy it while experiences, but come out more sad at the memory loss, not remembering any songs, just the basics of the story. Wonderful performance that are, luckily, quite memorable.

🎭 What Age Takes Away | “The Notebook” @ BIH/Pantages https://cahighways.org/wordpress/?p=17479

#LAThtr @NotebookMusical #Notebook #BroadwayInHollywood

A new episode of the podcast is up: This one explores all things 10: The 10th route define, LRN 10, Sign Route 10, and of course, the first segment of I-10: The Santa Monica Freeway. Enjoy the episode, and please share it in all the appropriate places. Find it here, or in your favorite podcatcher.

CA RxR 4.05: I-10: Santa Monica Freeway https://caroutebyroute.org/2026/01/07/ca-rxr-4-05-i-10-santa-monica-freeway/

#Podcast #Roadgeeking #California #Highways #Caltrans #Roads @CaltransDist3_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransD4_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransD5_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransDist7_bot@m.ai6yr.org

As promised: Here are the updates to the California Highways pages covering November and December 2025.

🛣 Changes to the California Highway Pages covering November – December 2025 https://cahighways.org/wordpress/?p=17475

#Roadgeeking #California #Highways #Caltrans #Roads @CaltransDist3_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransD4_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransD5_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransDist7_bot@m.ai6yr.org

It may be the start of a new year, but it's also the start of a new month. That means: It's time for Highway Headlines for December. Here are your headlines from articles about California's highways published in December 2025.

Headlines About California Highways – December 2025 https://cahighways.org/wordpress/?p=17469

#Headlines #Roadgeeking #California #Highways #Caltrans #Roads @CaltransDist3_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransD4_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransD5_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransDist7_bot@m.ai6yr.org

Our last live theatre of 2025: "Stereophonic" at Broadway In Hollywood / Hollywood Pantages Theatre. Was it the train wreck that some attendees commented that it was? Did we leave at intermission? Did we end up liking the show? You'll have to read the writeup to find out.

Sausage Making | “Stereophonic” @ BiH/Pantages https://cahighways.org/wordpress/?p=17457

#LAThtr #Theatre #Reviews #Stereophonic

Over the holidays, we break our rule about seeing live performances to see some filmed performances. This year, our Christmas movie viewing featured two features: “Wicked: For Good” and “Song Sung Blue”. Here are some short writeups of those films. Both were excellent.

Holiday Traditions: Wickedness and Music | “Wicked: For Good” and “Song Sung Blue” https://cahighways.org/wordpress/?p=17459

#Movies #WickedForGood #SongSungBlue #Reviews

CA RxR 4.04: Route 9: Pre-1964 – Milpitas to Castro Valley https://caroutebyroute.org/2025/12/19/ca-rxr-4-04-route-9-pre-1964-milpitas-to-castro-valley/

For your holiday enjoyment: Another episode of CA Route by Route. This one focuses on pre-1964 Sign Route 9, which continued N from Saratoga to Mountain View (now Rte 85), across to Milpitas (now Rte 237), then up LRN 5 (variously Rte 17, US 48, Rte 680) towards Hayward, where it continue along Mission Blvd (now Rte 238) to Castro Valley. Next time: We start I-10, looking at the Santa Monica Freeway.

#Headlines #Roadgeeking #California #Highways #Caltrans #Roads @CaltransDist3_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransD4_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransD5_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransDist7_bot@m.ai6yr.org

Headlines About California Highways – November 2025 https://cahighways.org/wordpress/?p=17446 #Headlines #Roadgeeking #California #Highways #Caltrans #Roads @CaltransDist3_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransD4_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransD5_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransDist7_bot@m.ai6yr.org

For your enjoyment, as you enjoy your leftovers from Thanksgiving: Here's a new episode of the California Highways: Route by Route podcast. Episode 4.03 starts a pair of episodes that explore Route 9, which in its post-1964 version runs from Santa Cruz to Saratoga and Los Gatos. Before 1964, Route 9 continued N up to the Mountain View area, and then across to Milpitas, and up to the Castro Valley. This episode (4.03) covers the current Route 9 from Santa Cruz to Los Gatos; the next episode (4.04) covers the remainder of pre-1964 Sign Route 9 through Mountain View, Milpitas, and up through Hayward and the Castro Valley. This episode also explores the 9th State Route between Peanut and Kuntz (now Mad River), and LRN 9. LRN 9 ran all the way from Ventura to San Bernardino, and was Sign Route 118 from Ventura to Pasadena, and US 66 from Pasadena to San Bernardino. As always, we’ll talk about historical routings, projects along the route, and some significant names. As noted, the next episode explores the remainder of pre-1964 Sign Route 9 from Saratoga through Milpitas to the Castro Valley.

CA RxR 4.03: Route 9: Santa Cruz and Saratoga https://caroutebyroute.org/2025/11/28/ca-rxr-4-03-route-9-santa-cruz-and-saratoga/

#Roadgeeking #California #Highways #Caltrans #Roads @CaltransDist3_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransD4_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransD5_bot@m.ai6yr.org @CaltransDist7_bot@m.ai6yr.org

Last night, we saw "Suffs" at Broadway In Hollywood / Hollywood Pantages Theatre. Wonderful show, with a great message. Quite uplifting. Go see it.

Progress Is Possible, Not Guaranteed | “Suffs” @ BIH/Pantages https://cahighways.org/wordpress/?p=17438

#LAThtr #Suffs #SuffsMusical @suffsmusical #Theatre #Musicals #Reviews

Today, we saw "Paranormal Activity" at Center Theatre Group / Ahmanson Theatre. For me, it was a "situation horror" - a trifle of a show with an entertaining story, but not too much fear. You want fear? Imagine this ghost story: A version of “A Christmas Carol”, where the ghost of Jeffrey Epstein (past, present, and future) comes out to haunt Donald Trump. That would certainly be worth seeing. Who’s up for writing it.

Situation Horror | “Paranormal Activity” @ CTG/Ahmanson Theatre https://cahighways.org/wordpress/?p=17435

Yesterday afternoon, we saw "Jaja's African Hair Braiding" at Center Theatre Group/Mark Taper Forum. Interesting show about immigrants and the community they build. One more performance tonight.

An Immigrant’s Story | Jaja’s African Hair Braiding @ CTG/Mark Taper Forum https://cahighways.org/wordpress/?p=17430