Opal Singleton knows the dangers of trafficking of young people both in the United States and in third-world countries. And the recruitment methods are not that dissimilar, regardless of first- or third-world location.  “A lot of recruitment has to do with gangs,” said Singleton, noting that the ubiquity of smart phones and the Internet makes…

All families have their problems and issues. But rarely are they as witty, salacious, gothic and funny as are found in the Stratford Players’ next production — James Goldman’s rapacious royal romp, “The Lion in Winter,” staged in a full production beginning Sunday, Sept. 13. The play, and subsequent Peter O’Toole, Kathryn Hepburn movie, sparkle…

Tod Goldberg is a much-lauded novelist with a wicked sense of humor. He returns to wrap up Eduardo Santiago’s fifth-annual Idyllwild Authors Series on Sunday, June 28. If you can’t decide whether to laugh or cry at life’s absurdities and enjoy a well-crafted piece of fiction — dark, zany and touching — Goldberg’s discussion of…

The Stratford Players of Idyllwild announces it has been granted rights to perform the 2013 Tony Award winner for Best Play, “Vanya and Sonia and Masha and Spike.” Last month, the Los Angeles production finished its extended run at the Mark Taper Forum. “I am thrilled!” said Marsha Kennedy, Stratford Players’ artistic director. “‘Vanya and…