

Arts & Entertainment Editor
Pam Kragen
Pam Kragen is the arts and entertainment editor, as well as the chief theater, dining and opera critic, for The San Diego Union-Tribune. She ed the Union-Tribune staff in October 2012 after 27 years at the North County Times, where she served as the arts and features editor, as well as the paper’s longtime arts writer and theater and opera critic. She is the co-founder of the San Diego Theatre Critics Circle. She holds a bachelor of arts degree in journalism from San Diego State University and completed fellowships in theater criticism at the University of Southern California and opera-classical music criticism at Columbia University’s Graduate School of Journalism. And in 2022, she was chosen as one of the fellows in the prestigious National Critics Institute, run by the Eugene O’Neill Theater Center in Waterford, Conn.
All Stories

The Sara Bareilles-scored musical is making its San Diego regional premiere at the Vista amphitheater

Review: OnStage Playhouse’s ‘White Guy on the Bus’ pulls no punches
The dark five-character, time-traveling play examines privilege, prejudice and race

Michelin Guide Mexico crowns two more Valle de Guadalupe restaurants with stars
Now in its second year, the Mexico Michelins honors reduced the number of its recommended Baja California restaurants by nearly 40%.

Review: At newly opened Lilo, fun is just as important as the food
The Carlsbad fine-dining restaurant takes diners on an engaging and immersive three-stage culinary journey

A year after James Hubbell’s ing, Ilan-Lael Foundation carries on his legacy
The artist's Julian-area home-turned-arts-center is welcoming guests for a Father's Day open house

Review: New Village’s stages a towering ‘Mountaintop’
The well-acted and visually stunning production is one of Carlsbad theater's best

San Diego playwright readies spooky ‘Point Loma’ play for off-Broadway run
Tim Mulligan based his script on a real-life haunted home near Liberty Station in Point Loma

San Diego Natural History Museum’s long-awaited Paleo Center opens Friday
The basement floor archive and laboratories now house 1.5 million specimens of ancient life in San Diego County

Review: Old Globe’s ‘One of the Good Ones’ a funny twist on racial bias
Glora Calderon Kellett's one-act comedy is about a Pasadena couple's prejudice about their daughter's new fiance

Michelin-recognized 24 Suns encapsulates its mission in new duck dish
The Oceanside restaurant aims to celebrate all of China's many regional cuisines

2025 San Diego County Fair: Everything you need to know — new foods, discounts, concerts and more
This year's fair kicks off Wednesday, June 11, and runs through July 6

Review: ‘Beautiful Noise’ musical a stunningly candid bio-musical
The Neil Diamond jukebox musical is playing through Sunday at the San Diego Civic Theatre

Review: Oceanside Theatre delivers a twist in ‘Latin History for Morons’
San Diego-raised actor Rick Najera is bringing his own story to John Leguizamo's one-man show

Malibu Barbie Cafe will pop up in San Diego in July
The bubble-gum pink, '70s-themed restaurant and skating rink will serve up selfies and an all-day fast-casual menu

Review: Diversionary’s ‘Merry Me’ a wild and wacky sapphic farce
Hansol Jung's 90-minute comedy mixes a contemporary romance with characters and situations from historical plays

Fallbrook sisters’ arts company blends old Hollywood with ballet and opera
The 2-year-old company presents opera, ballet and vocal concert programs

5 years after COVID, San Diego theaters are still recovering, but hope endures
We spoke with the leaders of local theater companies large and small on what has changed since 2020. Here's what they had to say.

Review: La Jolla Playhouse’s ‘Jaja’s’ celebrates the resilience of strong women
The Broadway hit presents a day in the life of a Harlem salon filled with life-embracing West African immigrants

Bianchi, Roppongi, Odie's restaurants open their doors
Also new: Odie's Pizza in Oceanside, Roppongi and Sammy's in I.B., The Stand in Santee and news from Le Coq, An's Gelato and more

Museum of Illusions, with 80 mind-bending exhibits, opens next week in San Diego
The Gaslamp Quarter attraction will feature infinity and upside-down rooms, a vortex tunnel, gravity-defying spaces and optical illusions

Review: Moxie Theatre’s ‘The Counter’ a quiet meditation on loneliness
The 80-minute play is about two people finding friendship and the courage to change in a New York diner

San Diego arts organizations reeling after NEA grants canceled
Local nonprofit directors fear the loss of federal, and possibly city, will devastate the industry

Theater review: Old Globe’s endearing ‘House of India’ a spicy family tale
Set in a dying Indian restaurant in Ohio, the world premiere dramedy is about family obligations and change

Chula Vista resort opening 11 new restaurants today
Also this week: Nobu restaurant opens at the Hotel Del Coronado and Slice House by Tony Gemignani opens Saturday in Little Italy

Early critic’s picks for shows to catch at this year’s Fringe festival
The San Diego International Fringe Festival opens Thursday and continues through May 25

Four North County restaurants the California Michelin Guide
Newly opened Lilo, Atelier Manna, 24 Suns and Tanner's Prime Burgers earned coveted recommendations on Tuesday

San Diego chef Brian Malarkey the new host of ‘Cutthroat Kitchen’ reboot
The popular Food Network cooking competition series is returning Tuesday night after a seven-year break

Encinitas author tracks his ancestors across the American frontier in latest novel
David A. Jacinto will discuss the second book in his Courageous Series, "Where Eagles Fly Free," at two local book events

San Diego’s Fringe fest is back with 48 shows from around the world
Downsized by about 30 percent this year, the international theater event will offer $13 shows at eight venues citywide

Review: ‘The Prom’ a funny and lively tribute to love and Broadway
The 2018 Broadway musical is about a lesbian teen finding her voice in a conservative town

Review: ‘Hamilton’ tour back in San Diego with strong cast, potent message
Back for its third visit, the founding fathers-themed show seems especially relevant today

The Dish: TJ's Tacos El Franc to open first U.S. location in National City
Check out opening news on Tacos El Franc in National City, A.R. Valentien's reopening, Bar at the Beau, Decore Italian, A Lo Fresco and much more

UCSD’s 2025 Wagner New Play festival focuses on relationships
Five new plays written by MFA playwriting candidates will be presented this month at three on-campus theaters

With ‘Hamilton’ back in town, we picked Broadway’s top 10 men’s songs
The history-themed musical is chockablock with great songs for men, but we found a few more that you should listen to now

Singer Jason Mraz partners on future of favorite Oceanside coffeehouse
The Grammy-winning songwriter's investment in Jitters will help fund a renovation and culinary reinvention

Panama 66 partners to revitalize Balboa Park’s former Village Grill
Co-owners of Panama 66 and Blind Lady Ale House plan to revitalize the walk-up restaurant, which closed in 2017.

La Jolla Playhouse-born 'Redwood' musical, starring Idina Menzel, to close early on Broadway
The announcement came one day after the Idina Menzel-led show was shut out in Thursday's Tony nominations

The Dish: Check out these five new restaurants and a themed dining week
New options are 6th & G, Sonny's pizzeria, Treehouse collective, Coomber Craft Wines and Carbonara's, plus the first-ever AANHPI Eats Week

Review: Moonlight opens summer season with highly energetic ‘Grease’
The rock 'n' roll musical comedy isn't the show you'll from the 1978 movie, but it's just as entertaining

El nuevo Museo Navy SEAL de San Diego anuncia su fecha de apertura
El museo del centro abrirá en un edificio de dos pisos en Kettner Boulevard el próximo otoño.

San Diego Opera embracing the classics for 2025-26 season
The next season will feature three of the world's most popular works, "Pagliacci," "The Barber of Seville" and "Carmen"

San Diego’s JFest returns with mix of music, comedy, theater and culture
Running May 21 to June 30, the 32nd festival will celebrates Jewish arts and community at eight locations countywide

Review: San Diego Opera closes season with richly sung ‘La traviata’
Soprano Andriana Chuchman and bass baritone Hunter Enoch are standouts in a strong vocal cast

Review: La Jolla Playhouse’s WOW Festival gets off to a magical start
The four-day, mostly free festival at UC San Diego, features 25 different and mostly free shows through Sunday

New opening details on hotly anticipated restaurants Dora and Fleurette
Cori Trattoria and Callie chef/owners will open their second restaurants in the fall

San Diego Civic Theatre getting a $7.5 million makeover
Besides a new lobby, the renovation includes replacing the 60-year-old building's original red-gold color scheme with ocean blue

San Diego’s incoming Navy SEAL Museum announces opening date
The downtown museum will open in a two-story building on Kettner Boulevard next fall

Review: North Coast Rep returns to successful formula with ‘Peril’
Steven Dietz's world premiere comic murder-mystery is a sequel to the Hercule Poirot play he premiered there in 2023

Dave Eggers on fighting book bans and ing democracy and indie bookstores
The Pulitzer Prize-winning author, publisher and literacy advocate will serve as ambassador for the 2025 San Diego Book Crawl

San Diego Book Crawl returns for 8th year with more locations
Created to celebrate Independent Bookstore Day on Saturday, the event will feature 14 local shops with celebrity guests and prizes

Canadian soprano playing ‘dream role’ in San Diego Opera’s ‘La traviata’
Andriana Chuchman leads the cast in the three performances at the Civic Theatre next weekend

The Dish: Check out these 4 new restaurant openings, one surprise closure, and 2 food festivals
Now open or coming soon: Little Victory Wine Bar, Culinary Dropout, Brisas and Caravan

America’s No. 1 ice cream maker, An’s Gelato, sticks to its funky formula for newest shop in O.B.
An's Electronics Repair will soft launch on Thursday with flavors like Walkman, Motherboard, No Signal and Bluetooth

Review: Cygnet Theatre's 'Hot Wing King' brings on the spice
Katori Hall's Pulitzer Prize-winning play is set in Memphis, where a group of Black men explore friend and family dynamics

The ultimate guide to La Jolla Playhouse’s 2025 Without Walls Festival
With 25 mostly free shows on the campus of UC San Diego April 24-27, there's something for everyone

Review: Scripps Ranch Theatre’s ‘Wedding’ is haunting, well-staged
Director Kate Rose Reynolds' brings World War I drama to life with simple but moving staging

Review: Old Globe's 'Regency Girls' a smart, funny and naughty girl power romp. Is it ready for Broadway?
Set in 1820 England, but clearly mirroring 2025 America, this ship-shape musical feels Broadway-ready

Review: OnStage Playhouse’s ‘Knock Loudly’ is stylish but unfocused
The world premiere play is about a faded Hollywood film star who is emotionally trapped in her past

Review: OnWord Theatre makes impressive debut with well-crafted ‘Hillary and Clinton’
The 2016 play, inspired by Hillary Clinton's rocky 2008 presidential campaign, is being immersively staged in a hotel penthouse

Tony-nominated San Diego costume designer calls ‘Regency Girls’ assignment a full-circle moment
David I. Reynoso has worked on more than a dozen shows at the Old Globe, but this project is particularly special for him

Dos nuevas inauguraciones de restaurantes, un cierre, Drew Deckman en televisión y más
The Dive y Far Corner hacen su debut, Hawthorn Coffee ha cerrado sus puertas y los íntimos recorridos gastronómicos de Little Italy están disponibles.

Restaurant industry steps up for pastry chef Gianna Buzzetta, who died in hiking accident
Jeune et Jolie restaurant in Carlsbad will donate all proceeds from its April 7 dinner service to medical and burial costs for its former pastry chef

Review: Oceanside Theatre’s ‘Once on This Island’ a vibrant musical folk tale
The production directed by Kevin "Blax" Burroughs finds a good mix of fantasy fable and grown-up drama

The Dish: Two new restaurant openings, one closure, Drew Deckman on TV and more
The Dive and Far Corner make their debuts, Hawthorn Coffee has closed its doors and intimate Little Italy food tours

Tara Monsod a James Beard finalist once again for top chef in California
For the second year in a row, the Animae executive chef has made it through to the final round of the James Beard Awards

Review: ‘La Havana Madrid’ a touching look at the immigrant experience
Musical tells the story of the real-life '60s Chicago nightclub that was a haven for newly arrived Latin Americans

Review: Roustabouts’ fiery, funny ‘True West’ a timely tale of the toxic male
Sam Shepard's 1983 dark comedy about the fragile American dream arrives at a politically fragile moment

JFest kicks off 2025 programming with Whole Megillah play festival
This week's three-night event is a prelude to the 32nd Lipinsky Family San Diego Jewish Arts Festival which will be announced in the coming weeks

Lilo restaurant founders aim to serve ‘one of the best meals’ you’ve ever had
The team behind Michelin-starred Jeune et Jolie will unveil this immersive, 22-seat fine-dining restaurant in Carlsbad next month

We tried all the new food at Petco Park this season. Here are the grand slams.
Michelin-starred chef Drew Deckman has made an impressive debut with Baja-style fresh seafood dishes

A sneak peek at the new foods coming to Petco Park this Padres season
A culinary map to all the food offerings at San Diego's Petco Park this season

Review: San Diego Opera’s ‘Salome’ shines musically, but its staging disappoints
The production featured two sopranos alternating in the title role over three performances last weekend

La Jolla Playhouse unveils 2025 WOW Festival lineup
More than 20, mostly free events of theater, dance, music, puppetry and spectacle will be presented April 24-27 at UC San Diego

Check out these 7 new restaurants and where to get free pizza on Saturday
Crack Shack comes to Pacific Beach, Veranda and Nobu head to Coronado, Teddy's Treats opens at three local malls and much more

Spring Arts Preview 2025: The 10 art exhibits and events we can’t wait to see this season
Check out these exhibits of contemporary art, textiles, 17th-century masterworks, floral displays, comic books and more in San Diego County

Spring Arts Preview 2025: The top 10 theater and opera events to see this season
A classic opera and play, several new musicals, regional premieres and two annual festivals make up the spring stage season

Spring Arts Preview 2025: Our top 10 books picks and events for the season
From local writers to bestselling authors, books are in bloom this season in San Diego, including memoirs by RuPaul, Yoko Ono and Jim Lampley

Comic-Con Museum set to unveil U.S. premiere of ‘Doctor Who’ exhibit this weekend
The long-running BBC series has been a frequent presenter at San Diego's Comic-Con convention.

Three operatic Salomes dish on the punishing role, veil dancing and severed heads
Sopranos Kirsten Chambers, Marcy Stonikas and Nina Warren are co-starring in San Diego Opera's 'Salome' production

Review: La Jolla Playhouse’s fascinating ‘Unfair Advantage’ is both tricks and treat
Australian sleight-of-hand magician Harry Milas gives away all his secrets in intimate hands-on performance

Review: Backyard Renaissance Theatre’s ‘Dark Heart’ is stylish but cryptic
The world premiere play by Francis Gercke is well-produced and acted but the plot is hard to decipher

The Dish: Check out these four new restaurants, and Lana coming soon
Lana will soon Rustic Root, Better Buzz, Burger Bench and Taco Stand, and James Beard-nominated chef Robert Alcocer plans a Spring Equinox wine dinner

Former Addison chefs are exploring Chinese cuisine and culture at Oceanside’s 24 Suns
Nicholas Webber and Jacob Jordan have turned their longtime pop-up concept into a full-fledged restaurant-bar

Review: Diversionary’s ‘We Are Continuous’ takes a subtle, nontraditional look at family ties
The monologue-style drama is about a mother torn between love for her gay son and her conservative husband and faith

Review: Funny and smart ‘Constitution’ starkly shows the flaws of 237-year-old document
North Coast Repertory Theatre is presenting the San Diego premiere of the most-produced play in America

Review: Visceral ‘3 Summers of Lincoln’ is thrilling and thought-provoking
La Jolla Playhouse's world premiere musical digs deep into the experiences of Frederick Douglass and the freed Black slaves who helped win the Civil War

La Jolla Playhouse announces one-week extension for ‘3 Summers of Lincoln’ musical
The highly anticipated world premiere musical opens Sunday in its world premiere at the theater

The Dish: Check out these five new restaurants in San Diego County
In this week's dining news, Origen, Buca di Beppo, Chef Jun, Urban Plates and Urth Caffe are open or coming soon, from Oceanside to Hillcrest to the Gaslamp

All the winners at San Diego's Craig Noel theater awards
The Old Globe, La Jolla Playhouse, Cygnet Theatre, CCAE Theatricals and Chalk Circle Collective led the list of 28 winners

San Diego Civic Theatre celebrates 60 years of memories
Built for $4 million in 1965 and nearly sold off for redevelopment last year, the Civic remains the county's largest indoor theater

Jerry Seinfeld and Jim Gaffigan love making each other laugh
The veteran comics and close pals talk about friendship, life on the road, their eating habits and finding the funny in today's divided America

Review: OnStage Playhouse’s ‘Alabaster’ explores trauma and healing through art
The quirky four-character drama is both harrowing and funny in its San Diego premiere

Review: Scripps Ranch Theatre’s ‘White’ a funny and biting look at ‘wokeness’ in the arts
The play by James Ijames examines White privilege, Black identity and the steep cost of fame

Review: S.D. Musical Theatre delivers a faithful ‘Hello, Dolly!’
The big-cast local production honors the 1964 musical's highly athletic original choreography by Gower Champion

La Jolla Playhouse’s ‘3 Summers’ to offer more human look at Lincoln, Douglass
The world premiere musical by Joe DiPietro, Daniel J. Watts and Crystal Monee Hall will feature contemporary music and movement

Review: Old Globe’s ‘Empty Ride’ an intriguing but overstuffed ghost story
The world premiere play by Keiko Green is about a young woman haunted by the ghosts who ride in her taxi in post-2011-tsunami Japan

Check out Oceanside's new tiki bar
Also this week, Sammy's does heart-shaped pizzas, Puesto has a new creative chef and Pechanga's chocolate festival returns

National City pho spot ranked No. 4 on Yelp’s Top 100 Places to Eat list for 2025
Seven other independent mom-and-pop eateries in San Diego and La Mesa also made this year's list

Review: Cygnet Theatre’s ‘Other Desert Cities’ is taut and twisty
The play about a troubled family with secrets in 2004 Palm Springs was a finalist for the Pulitzer Prize in 2012

San Diego café among America’s top-rated independent coffee shops
Founded more than 30 years ago near the Pacific Beach boardwalk, this family-owned café best is known for its mochas