Tuesday, February 3


Album Review: ‘Don’t Be Dumb’ strikes all the right chords, exceeds cinematic expectations

This post was updated Jan. 19 at 7:39 p.m. At long last, A$AP Rocky delivers unequivocal greatness with “Don’t Be Dumb.” Marking his fourth studio album, the 37-year-old hip-hop artist intuitively blends trap and R&B with jazz, indie rock and industrial styles across 15 tracks, delivering a tight narrative with room for two more songs following the main tracklist. Read more...

Photo: Pictured is the cover for A$AP Rocky’s latest release, with the art created by Tim Burton. After an almost decadelong wait since the last album, “Don’t Be Dumb” was released on Jan. 16. (Courtesy of A$AP Rocky Recordings LLC)


AFTeR PARTY’s ‘Merrily We Roll Along’ spotlights community, creativity

This post was updated Jan. 13 at 8:14 p.m. AFTeR PARTY’s newest musical aimed to bring light and laughter in lieu of finals week stress. The newly formed UCLA theater company debuted its first show, “Merrily We Roll Along,” during week 10 of fall quarter. Read more...

Photo: Pictured are the three lead actors for theater company AFTeR PARTY’s latest production. The UCLA company debuted with “Merrily We Roll Along” during week 10 of fall quarter. (Courtesy of Eve Mori)



Q&A: Livvy Marcus explores the value of ‘Suffs’ when ‘women’s rights are under siege’

This post was updated Jan. 11 at 8:38 p.m. Livvy Marcus is telling a story of empowerment – both on and off the stage. Making her national tour debut, the actress and musician is currently playing suffragist Doris Stevens in “Suffs,” the Tony Award-winning musical about the American women’s suffrage movement. Read more...

Photo: Livvy Marcus as suffragist Doris Stevens smiles at Dudley Malone (Brandi Porter) during a scene at a bar. The play “Suffs” is inspired by the real-life Stevens’ memoir, “Jailed for Freedom,” and will be running at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre through Dec. 7.


Emily Chu connects with audience through honest lyrics, circular relationship

This post was updated Dec. 3 at 8:12 p.m. Emily Chu bridges the gap between everyday struggle and self-expression, blending genres in more ways than one. Read more...

Photo: Fourth-year psychology student Emily Chu leans against a tree while holding an acoustic guitar. Chu released her latest single “could’ve been us” in August, which she described as one of her most personal works yet. (Selin Filiz/Assistant Photo editor)


Theater review: ‘Suffs’ musical empowers audiences with nuanced retelling of women’s suffrage

If “Hamilton” is the musical of America’s fathers, then “Suffs” is the mother of modern theater. The Tony Award-winning musical’s first national tour marched its way into the Hollywood Pantages Theatre on Nov. Read more...

Photo: Members of the cast of “Suffs” pose dramatically on the low-lit stage wearing suffrage sashes. The Tony Award-winning musical’s first national tour arrived at the Hollywood Pantages Theatre on Nov. 18, where it will stay until Dec. 7. (Courtesy of Hollywood Pantages)