VU Theatre Arts in the news:
Vanda Eggington named OC Theatre "Woman of the Year" 2009 by Daily Pilot
"Vanguard Tops in College... For the third consecutive year, a Vanguard production has topped the list of local college theatre shows."
-Tom Titus, LA Times, Daily Pilot
"Orange County's hidden entertainment treasure."
-Ed Arnold, KOCE - Real Orange
Twelve Angry Jurors
"Director Susan Berkompas’ superior Vanguard production crackles with the immediacy of today. “12 Angry Jurors” is first and foremost an ensemble piece, and Vanguard’s dedicated dozen do their utmost to gradually — and repeatedly — raise the tension level to the boiling point. Fifty-five years after television audiences first witnesses it, and no matter how familiar the characters have become, “12 Angry Jurors” is a gripping emotional experience, splendidly reenacted at Vanguard University."
-Daily Pilot, October 29, 2009
Guys and Dolls
"Those “Guys and Dolls” from the creative minds of writers Abe Burrows and Jo Swerling, and composer Frank Loesser are back again, this time settling in at Vanguard University, where two magnificent voices, a strong orchestra and some terrific choreography turn this overly familiar show into a glittering package of entertainment.
Director Vanda Eggington's large cast becomes a smooth ensemble and scenic transitions are swiftly accomplished. “Guys and Dolls” is definitely an oldie, but with the infusion of comedic energy present at Vanguard University, it’s still a goodie."
-Daily Pilot, April 8, 2009
Godspell
"Vanguard University has weighed in with a highly energetic as well as a particularly visceral version. “Godspell,” as most theatergoers have long been aware, is an updated version of the New Testament, in which the life and teachings of Jesus are retold in more modern terms. Director Vanda Eggington has further updated the show from its original ’70s format to the 21st century and added a number of contemporary lines.Yes, “Godspell” has been around the block a few times locally, but Vanguard’s up-to-date production displays how this rock-gospel musical can be evergreen, requiring only the sheer creativity of each director and cast to reflect relevance for a new generation."
-Daily Pilot, September 24, 2008
Thoroughly Modern Millie
"Director Vanda Eggington and her choreographers, Cambria Holford and Stephany Parker, have fashioned a bright, breezy show with high stepping and low comedy. Ensemble numbers such as “The Nutty Cracker Suite” and “Forget About the Boy” reflect the energetic attention to detail that governs the entire production. “Thoroughly Modern Millie” is a show that’s not been seen too much locally, at Vanguard University, performers like Peltz, Prado and Johnston demonstrate the heights attainable to the most lightweight fare."
-Daily Pilot, April 2, 2008
The Crucible
Vanguard University and esteemed director Susan K. Berkompas have taken this explosive drama and rendered a passionate revival. Ensemble excellence prevails, topped by individual triumphs. The real tragedy of Vanguard’s “The Crucible” is that this estimable production is on stage for only one more weekend in the Lyceum Theater. Such an artistic achievement deserves a much longer engagement.
-Daily Pilot, February 27, 2008
It's a Wonderful Life
"Vanguard regularly astonishes with its talent for squeezing large-cast shows onto the limited dimensions of the Lyceum Theater stage, and this one is no exception...heartwarming and infectious."
-Daily Pilot , Feb 5, 2008
How to Succeed in Business Without Really Trying
"If any performing group is well-versed in the art of presenting big musicals on small stages without losing any dimension other than size, it's Costa Mesa's Vanguard University. Directed by Amick Byram, one of the tastiest treats in the "oldies but goodies" file … a bouncy, tuneful and highly satiric piece of musical theater that you'll enjoy — without even trying."
-Daily Pilot, April 5, 2007
"Business’ is very good at Vanguard ... Each musical number was a treat, with harmonious vocals and on-point dance moves. The entire cast excelled."
-The Current – West, April 13, 2007
Glass Menagerie and For Whom the Southern Belle Tolls
"Susan K. Berkompas … has fashioned a superbly moving revival in her seamless 90-minute cutting of the original Williams drama. It's not often that theatrical greatness and stinging satire can coexist on one stage, but Vanguard has accomplished this feat with its unique double bill, presented as both homage and satire."
-Daily Pilot, March 1, 2007
Othello
"If you've never witnessed Shakespeare's "Othello," the Vanguard production is the one by which to measure future local incarnations. It is college theater at its most majestic.
Of all the tragedies in the Shakespearean canon, none is more visceral, more gut-wrenching than "Othello." This is particularly true when a collegiate producing group pours all of its resources into the production. This all leads to the sort of magnificent interpretation now on stage at Costa Mesa's Vanguard University— here updated to modern dress with riveting effect by director Susan Berkompas."
-Daily Pilot, December 7, 2006
"Vanguard University's brilliant staging of "Othello" proved to be the top production among local college drama departments. Directed by Susan Berkompas, it offered a searing, modern-dress rendition of the age-old story of the tragic effects of jealousy."
-Daily Pilot, December 29, 2006
The Lion in Winter
"Lion' Roars into Desert ... Vanguard’s performance of ‘The Lion in Winter’ is picked among best in the region and will play at a competition in Arizona. Judges from the Kennedy Center American College Theater Festival selected the stage production as one of the six best in the region … from a pool of nearly 160 collegiate shows in Arizona, California, Hawaii, Nevada and Utah."
“'The Lion in Winter,' a veritable feast for actors, proved a banquet at Vanguard University ... Director Marianne Savel brought the show into a modern setting without sacrificing the edgy intensity of the conflict between King Henry II of England and his captive queen Eleanor."
-Daily Pilot, January 25, 2005
Brigadoon
"Top Theater of Year Goes to Vanguard ... That quaint little Scottish village, which only surfaces every 100 years, materialized at Costa Mesa’s Vanguard University long enough to establish itself as the top collegiate theater production among the three local institutions of higher learning in 2004."
"… an intimate epic, a full-blown production delivered almost into your very lap, a wonderful, colorful and fully melodic revival of one of Broadway’s most romantic musicals. The Vanguard University production beautifully demonstrates how big things can happen on small stages."
-Daily Pilot, December 31, 2004