
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.
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Solo musical at New Village Arts imagines life of Cole Porter’s wife
The one-woman cabaret-style show tells the story of Linda Lee Thomas, the socialite who married the gay composer

San Diego spot named the No. 1 most romantic restaurant in America
Three local eateries made Yelp's top 100 list of the nation's best date night restaurants for 2025

This restaurant was named the No. 1 most romantic spot in America
Three local eateries made Yelp's top 100 list of the nation's best date night restaurants for 2025.

Five new Broadway musicals headed to San Diego starting next fall
Broadway San Diego's 48th season at the Civic Theatre will include "The Notebook," "Hell's Kitchen," "Suffs," "& Juliet" and "Water for Elephants"

Review: New Village Arts’ ‘Marie Curie’ a moving story of female friendship
Lauren Gunderson's play "The Half-Life of Marie Curie" is based on the true friendship of European scientists Marie Curie and Hertha Ayrton

Review: Old Globe’s dark family drama ‘Appropriate’ packs a wallop
Branden Jacobs-Jenkins play “Appropriate” at the Old Globe couldn’t have arrived at a better time. First produced in 2014, then revived last year in a Tony-winning Broadway production, it’s about...

With ‘Wicked’ back in town, we picked the top 10 girl songs of musical theater
The Oz-inspired musical is a bonanza for women's ballads and belters, but we combed Broadway's musical annals for the best of the best

Review: San Diego-themed ‘Some Like It Hot’ tour kicks up some fun
The nostalgic, tap dance-filled musical comedy, playing through Sunday at the Civic Theatre, is set at the Hotel del Coronado in the 1930s

Longtime San Diego chef to represent U.S. at world’s biggest cooking contest
Stefani De Palma, competing Jan. 26-27 in the Bocuse d'Or in , spent 15 years at San Diego's Michelin three-star restaurant Addison by William Bradley

Two San Diego chefs and one local bar named 2025 James Beard Award semifinalists
Chef Roberto Alcocer of Michelin-starred Valle s two-time nominee Tara Monsod of Animae, and Roma Norte is up for Best New Bar

Callie chef-owner Travis Swikard has a heart for L.A. fire victims and San Diego’s hungry
The chef-owner of the Michelin Bib Gourmand-honored restaurant in East Village is among the most generous chefs in town

Cygnet Theatre unveils debut season in soon-to-open ‘Joan’ theater at Liberty Station
The company's 21st season, kicking off with Stephen Sondheim's 'Follies,' will launch in September in the $43.5 million performing arts complex

Chefs at 18 North County coastal restaurants unveil special dinner events
Oceanside hosts Swell Plates series, Fox Point Farms launches dinner series; and Herb & Sea host three visiting oceanside chefs

Review: ‘Back to the Future’ musical a mixed bag in San Diego visit
When it comes to Broadway musicals, there’s virtually no such thing as a new idea, with many of the shows these days based on previous films, books or plays. Even...

Is San Diego’s BoujieMana the best restaurant you’ve never heard of?
Quietly tucked away in a Serra Mesa office building, the Mediterranean eatery was named America's 8th best new restaurant of 2024 by the ratings website Yelp.

Review: TuYo Theatre’s funny politics play an eye-opening look at Hispanic voters
'The Hispanic/Latino/Latina/Latinx/Latine Vote' examines the mistakes American politicians make about non-White voters

NEA announces $36.8 million in funding nationwide. 16 San Diego County arts organizations are on the list.
The $305,000 in combined gifts would fund art exhibits, a children's opera, free dance classes, and the annual Juneteenth and WOW festivals

Review: North Coast Rep’s ‘Heart Sellers’ a touching universal story
The two-character play, set in 1973 America, is about two newly arrived immigrant women who bond over their shared hopes and fears

Review: Eating our way through newly opened Wildland’s all-day menu
Carlsbad's huge no-reservations-needed restaurant, bar and bakery has been a smash since it opened Dec. 14

San Diego’s Michelin three-star restaurant Addison has a new name, and here’s why
William Bradley, the chef-director who has guided the restaurant since its 2006 opening, has put his own stamp on the fine-dining spot

Four restaurants open, two close in recent weeks
Flora, Tajima and Cava locations have opened, Wildwood Flour and Fig Tree close, Aldea welcomes new team and San Diego Restaurant Week returns

Owner of Ambrogio by Acquerello restaurant plans to refocus efforts in Pacific Beach
Co-owner says the fine-dining La Jolla spot wasn't viable but that its Italian-born chefs will stay on at the company's Pacific Beach pizzeria

San Diego Theatre Critics Circle unveils nominees for 2024 Craig Noel Awards
The 22nd annual awards ceremony on Feb. 24 will recognize achievements in professional theater in San Diego County

A bucket list of 50 free things to do in San Diego County in 2025
Our list of things to do across the San Diego region includes hiking, major events, holiday activities, concerts and more

2025 preview: The San Diego theater events we’re most excited about this year
Cygnet opens the Joan, new plays and musicals, two theater festivals, an operatic return are among the year's highlights

Owner of Ambrogio by Acquerello restaurant plans to refocus efforts in Pacific Beach
Co-owner Giacomo Pizzigoni said the fine-dining concept wasn't viable, but its Italian-born chefs will stay on at company's Pacific Beach pizzeria

San Diego’s 50 most anticipated new restaurants of 2025
From Oceanside to Chula Vista, new fine dining, casual, drive-through and walk-up restaurants are arriving countywide next year

Our picks for the top 10 San Diego theater shows of 2024
An ambitious Shakespeare adaptation, a soon-to-be Broadway musical, a Tolstoy-inspired tale and more made U-T theater critic Pam Kragen's list

Need a cuddle? Check out America’s first CuppaPug café in Escondido
For a fee, visitors can spend an hour playing with, snuggling and sharing snacks with the shop's dozen or so resident pug dogs

Year in review: San Diego’s theater scene got bigger, and smaller, in 2024
Three of the region's largest theaters marked milestones, while smaller companies tightened budgets and staged shorter, more experiential plays

2024 San Diego dining: Top 10 restaurants and the hottest trends revealed
Top chefs honored, a Michelin setback, rising costs lead to many closures and a rise in social dining and sugary drinks in 2024

Team behind Michelin-starred Jeune et Jolie opens mammoth all-day casual restaurant in Carlsbad
Wildland is a full-service restaurant and bar with an ambitious bakery program

La Jolla Playhouse unveils cast for world premiere musical ‘3 Summers of Lincoln’
Actor Ivan Hernandez will replace originally announced Brian Stokes Mitchell in the title role

Our best and brightest guide to holiday fun and events through New Year’s Day in San Diego County
The calendar of holiday events in San Diego County has reached a high point with just a few days to go until Christmas, Hanukkah, Kwanzaa and New Year's Eve.

Review: Jefferson Mays weaves spellbinding tale in Old Globe’s solo ‘Christmas Carol’
The stripped-down, 80-minute play showcases the Tony-winning actor's mastery of live theater and the power of the author's words

Tony-winner Jefferson Mays plans unique, solo ‘Carol’ ghost tale at Old Globe
The revered actor will narrate the story of Ebenezer Scrooge in a new pared-down, in-the-round production

Curious about the Hotel del Coronado's $550 million renovation? Go behind the scenes in this documentary
The first two parts of the three-episode 'Historic Places' series will air this week and next on KPBS

Review: Scripps Ranch Theatre’s ‘Tiny Beautiful Things’ is funny and heartbreaking
The play was inspired by Cheryl Strayed's real-life experience as an online advice columnist

Lion’s Share’s new chef gunning for fresh flavors at 13-year-old downtown nightspot
Executive chef Dante Romero is incorporating French techniques and new ingredients into the exotic game-themed restaurant-bar

After going dark last year, ‘Christmas on Knob Hill’ returns with a little help from Santa’s ‘elves’
Health issues forced San Marcos resident Bill Gilfillen to end his famous 36-year-old lighting spectacle in 2023, but grateful neighbors have stepped up in a big way

¿Cuáles son los mejores restaurantes de San Diego? Estos 6 están entre los 100 mejores de EEUU según OpenTable
Los restaurantes pueden ganar hasta cinco estrellas en base a cuatro criterios de igual peso: comida, servicio, ambiente y valor.

Review: La Jolla Playhouse’s ‘Your Theater Presents’ a funny, touching behind-the-curtain Scrooge tale
Anna Ouyang Moensch's world premiere play explores Dickens' themes through one theater's 'A Christmas Carol' production across 27 years

Review: Backyard’s eerie ‘Misery’ a gripping and grisly horror thriller
Adapted from Stephen King's 1987 novel, it's the story of a famous romance novelist taken captive by his No. 1 fan

Broadway, film star Leslie Odom Jr. on Christmas, fashion and finding the divine
The "Hamilton" Tony-winner will bring his Christmas concert tour to San Diego on Nov. 30

Six San Diego restaurants named to OpenTable’s top 100 restaurants in America list
The honors were based on reviews made by s of the restaurant reservations platform

Its owner was sold on the view. Take a peek inside San Diego’s most beautiful new restaurant
Restaurateur Jacquèe Renna also opened a street-level cafe-bar, Paradis, in the same building on Nov. 2

Review: Moxie’s ambitious repertory experiment has pluses, minuses
The rotating productions of a G-rated musical and R-rated horror drama show off the cast's versatility, but can they find a common audience?

Review: ‘Paradise’ docu-play finds commonalities among San Diego’s homeless
Blindspot Collective based this world premiere play with music on interviews with 100 local unhoused individuals

Check out these 18 seasonal plays and musicals at local theaters
The Grinch, Ebenezer Scrooge, Kris Kringle, the Wonderettes and many more holiday characters are heading to local stages

16 classical and choral concerts to enjoy this season
From Renaissance carols to sing-along Messiahs, this wide selection of choral, instrumental and classical concerts should get you in the mood

'Nutcracker' ballets set to dance in to local stages
The seasonal ballet twirls back into town this month with productions in all shapes, sizes and price points. Here are 12 to check out

10 years in, Juniper and Ivy restaurant has a new chef, but don’t expect any major changes
Owner Mike Rosen said his loyalty to West Coast ingredients and culinary experimentation have made the Little Italy venue one of San Diego's busiest restaurants

Ramona photographer worked behind the scenes on PBS San Diego wildlife documentary
Roy Toft and Brian Caldwell, who takes photos of grebes at Lake Hodges, help bring “Nature – San Diego: America’s Wildest City,” to life

Review: Old Globe’s ‘Grinch’ just as sharp, funny and sweet as ever
In its 27th production of the holiday family comedy, the Globe and its high-spirited lead actor are thankfully not phoning it in

San Diego’s William Bradley named to prestigious global Best Chef list and Robb Report top 50
The chef-director of Michelin three star Addison was named to Robb Report's 50 most powerful U.S. culinary leaders and is one of just six U.S. chefs to earn the peer-voted...

Le Parfait Paris bakery owners double down on expansion plans
Known for their authentic French croissants and macarons, Guillaume and Ludivine Ryon are hosting a 10th anniversary celebration Nov. 23

The Dish: Deckman’s launches chef’s counter, 2 new restaurants and Little Italy tasting tour
North Park chef Drew Deckman has also launched his 'Ingredient: Mexico' series on Amazon Prime

San Diego’s unrivaled biodiversity explored in new PBS Nature documentary
Local filmmakers' 'America's Wildest City' premieres Wednesday, then a giant-screen version arrives Nov. 22 at the Nat

Review: Diversionary’s ‘Midnight’ a heart-tugging musical mystery
Set in a secret gay bar in 1965 Greenwich Village, the cabaret-style show packs hidden surprises

Old Globe’s Grinch musical back for 27th annual attempt to steal Christmas
Actor Andrew Polec returns for the fourth year as the green-skinned Grinch in the book-inspired holiday musical

Review: San Diego Opera’s ghostly ‘La boheme’ brings out its sadness, beauty
Season-opening production re-created the concept first staged at the company's drive-in production in 2020

Oceanside couple realize dream with new European-style wine bar Merenda
Owners Aaron Crossland and Lauren Crossland-Marr took inspiration from their time spent in Italy, and gatherings with friends during the pandemic

Seattle dance duo brings sly ‘Drive Wolves Mad’ to San Diego
Jenny Peterson and Kaitlin McCarthy's dance work examines misogyny, predatory violence and the power of friendship with humor, horror and music

Cyndi Lauper’s ‘Working Girl’ musical premiere highlights La Jolla Playhouse’s 2025-26 season
Christopher Ashley's final season in La Jolla will also include a new play about cooking legend Julia Child and Broadway's 'Jaja's African Hair Braiding'

San Diego Food + Wine Festival returns Saturday for nine days of events
This year's 20th anniversary fest celebrates the connection between the culinary communities of San Diego and northern Baja California

Review: North Coast Rep’s playful ‘Incident’ a funny family story
Set in 1973, the unpredictable stage comedy looks at women's changing roles in society in that era

Fresh off global win at Operalia, soprano to make role debut in San Diego Opera’s ‘La bohème’
The Puccini opera will open the company's 2024-25 season with three performances next weekend at the Civic Theatre

Mangia! A guide to 35 new Italian restaurants that have opened countywide since 2020
Since the pandemic, these popular comfort food spots have exploded countywide. Here are 35 of the most notable openings since 2020

Balboa Theatre’s silent movie series to feature historic pipe organ
The restored 1929 Wonder Morton Organ, installed at the century-old downtown theater in 2009, will be the centerpiece of Silent Movie Mondays events

The Dish: Chef Curtis Stone set to cook at Del Mar’s Breeder’s Cup races
Also this week, where to find free pizza this weekend and next month and seven new restaurant openings

‘Slaughterhouse’ sequel filmed in Campo to get solo screening tonight
Local filmmakers Rick Roessler and Jerry Encoe set their horror comedy at the border town's iconic Motor Transport Museum

Cori Trattoria duo to open signature restaurant in UCSD’s new theater district
Married restaurateurs Accursio Lota and Corinne Goria aim to open their as-yet unnamed eatery near La Jolla Playhouse in mid-2025

San Diego Opera kicks off 60th anniversary season with ambitious five-year growth plan
After pandemic-related setbacks in attendance and income, the company has set goals for new commissions, expanded audience engagement and more

Take a peek inside S.D. Museum of Art’s west wing early concept proposal
The model will be introduced to the public on Saturday at the opening of museum's 'Foster + Partners: Architecture of Light and Space' exhibition

Review: New Village’s ‘Thanksgiving Play’ takes hilarious look at off-key holiday traditions
Native American playwright Larissa FastHorse's comedy pokes fun at the way grade-schoolers learn about the original 17th-century historic event

Review: Veteran San Diego actress sparkles in Roustabouts’ ‘Looped’
Eileen Bowman gives a rich, multilayered performance as the wild-living stage and screen star Tallulah Bankhead

Callie and Manna chefs announce Chick & Hawk takeover dinner on Nov. 7
Longtime friends and Travis Swikard and Andrew Bachelier will prepare a five-course, $125 dinner for one night only at Callie

Meet Lord Norman Foster, the man set to transform San Diego Museum of Art
The 89-year-old British architect talks about his inspirations, his foundation and his creations, which will be showcased in an exhibit opening Saturday in Balboa Park

Review: ‘Kimberly Akimbo’ tour captures the humor, poignance of Broadway original
San Diego is one of the first stops on the inaugural tour for the musical, which won the 2023 Tony Awards for best musical, book and score

Review: Oceanside Theatre’s ‘Stranger Sings’ an immersive, high-energy show
Fans of the Netflix sci-fi series "Stranger Things" will most appreciate this musical parody in its West Coast premiere

Petco Park presenta comidas especiales para los playoffs de los Padres
Aquí está la lista de nuevos alimentos y dónde encontrarlos

The Dish: Point Loma’s former Fiddler’s Green to make way for Boatyard restaurant, speakeasy
Also this week, Avenue seafood restaurant planned in Coronado, Old Town crowns a guacamole champion, San Diego FC soccer clubs hires an official bartender and Le Coq plans a Parisian...

Review: Onstage Playhouse’s ‘Masa’ a touching family story about grief and starting over
Salomón Maya's play is set in Mexico City, eight months after the 1985 earthquake that killed roughly 10,000 people

Market on 8th se relanza como un lugar enfocado en comida mexicana
El 12 de septiembre, organizó una gran reapertura para reflejar la nueva dirección culinaria del comedor.

Petco Park expands its postseason stadium eats for Padres playoffs
To celebrate this week's home playoff games against the Los Angeles Dodgers, several unique food items will be sold at the stadium

‘Kimberly Akimbo’ director talks about bringing the highly quirky musical to life
The funny and bittersweet musical won five Tony Awards in 2023, including Best Musical, Best Book and Best Original Score

Classic British farce ‘Noises Off’ to complete the Old Globe’s 2025 season
Gordon Greenberg, director and co-writer of the current 'Dracula' spoof onstage at the Globe, will direct the summer production

Roma Norte celebrates the complex cocktails of Mexico City
From the founders of Puesto restaurants, this ambitious new bar in downtown San Diego takes technique to the max

Theater review: L.J. Playhouse’s haunting ‘Primary Trust’ looks at the power of kindness
Eboni Booth's play, which won the 2024 Pulitzer Prize for Drama, is making its West Coast premiere in La Jolla

Old Globe’s not-so-spooky ‘Dracula’ comedy bites deep into the funny bone
The latest comedy play from the writing duo Gordon Greenberg and Steve Rosen is the best produced by the Globe so far

Theater review: Wilde’s wit sparkles in Lamb’s Players’ ‘Importance of Being Earnest’
Kerry Meads' well-cast, cleverly designed and lavish staging is both funny and charming

Market on 8th relaunched as Mexican food-focused dining hall
The 3-year-old hall's new manager, Roger Canez, is a well-known Mexican restaurateur from South Bay

Theater review: Cygnet’s return to ‘Rocky Horror’ a campy and exuberant celebration
The show's leading man, Nathan Madden, steals the show in reimagining of the theater company's 2016 production

La Jolla Playhouse’s Christopher Ashley tapped to lead New York’s Roundabout Theatre Company
The Tony Award-winning director has been hired to serve as artistic director of New York City's prestigious Roundabout Theatre Company

Del Mar Wine + Food Festival returns for second year with expanded lineup
Running Oct. 2-7, the fest will include 25 food-related events, wine seminars and tastings, sports tournaments and celebrities

Theater review: SDMT’s well-staged ‘Sweeney Todd’ offers fresh take on setting, characters
The impressive Kearny Mesa production of the Stephen Sondheim/Hugh Wheeler musical features strong singing and live music

The 22 most anticipated restaurants opening this fall in San Diego
Two vegan restaurants, Asian and Mexican eateries, a downtown speakeasy, fine dining and fast casual options and much more arriving by year's end

La Jolla Playhouse’s artistic director to receive prestigious national theater honor
Christopher Ashley was honored Tuesday with the Stage Directors and Choreographers Foundation's 'Mr. Abbott' Award

Theater review: Chalk Circle’s well-crafted ‘Constellations’ a stellar production
The two-character British play imagines a couple's relationship in infinite ways

Theater review: CCAE Theatricals’ lavish ‘Jersey Boys’ lives up to original
The Tony Award-winning musical got its start 20 years ago just across town at La Jolla Playhouse