Live theater is a buzz with two performances that may whet your appetite. Whether you’re ready to explore how and why talking to bees might be a good thing, or take a hungry dive into a Julia Child’s cookbook again, taking in a play is a great way to break away from a screen.   

A Review

The Apiary 

Written by Kate Douglas

Directed by Kristianne Kurner

New Village Arts Center

2787 State St., Carlsbad

Opening Night is January 31, with performances running through February 22

» newvillagearts.org/the-apiary 

The hum of bees permeated the intimate Conrad Prebys Theatre at the New Village Art Center in Carlsbad Village, as we seated ourselves for a preview performance of The Apiary. Our gaze focused on the stage centerpiece: a yellow and white, larger-than-life replica of a hive, with a projection of tiny creatures darting around inside. The hive opens to reveal a research lab containing boxes of bee colonies, plus three staff at odds with each other, on the lowest level of a building, conducting scientific research 20 years from now. Characters working in the lab include: Gwen (Michelle Caravia), a stressed and shrill, budget-focused boss; Pilar (Adelaida Martinez), who is overly happy and enchanted with the cuteness of the lab’s tiny residents; and Zora (Milena Sellers Phillips), a mature researcher, eager to get on with experiments, data, hypotheses, and solutions. 

Bee die-offs are increasing, and in six months, the last colonies could be dead. This scenario is juxtaposed by segues into the natural world outside the hive, with reflections by Cece (Nio Russell) on the ancient practice of “telling the bees” about life’s important transitions, and curses that can befall a person if they do not.

This is the Southern California premiere of the New York Times Critic’s Pick, The Apiary, with a poignant universal theme among conversations about potential doom: “You don’t let the things you love die.” Even so, the action takes a Machiavellian turn, with the intended scientific ends hopefully justifying the horrific means, after the discovery of a dead human body in the lab. Ultimately, though, the story is about the power of human connection, versus stress, distraction, overload, and confusion. Whether it’s the bees or humans, it’s all about community.

The audience was easily lulled by the continued subtle, intermittent buzzing of bees throughout the show, detached and relaxed from the concept of time, and totally absorbed in the engaging performance. That’s the beauty of a theatre with only 100 seats. Ironically, though, the point of the show is for humans to actually awaken from our somnolence because time is running out. The bees are pleading, “Help!” Douglas challenges us to look not only at the survival of these little honeymakers and real food and life on this planet, but also to reflect on ourselves and our own relationships to life, death, nature, and each other. The Apiary’s cast visited two local apiaries, even suiting up in white and getting close to the bees, to help prepare for their performances.

Kristianne Kurner, who founded NVA in 2001, is director of The Apiary, which will run through February 22, on the Ray Charles Stage at the NVA Center. Two Artist Talkbacks are scheduled on select Sundays, when audiences can ask the cast about their processes, inspirations, and what goes on behind the stage.

The nonprofit works with schools, seniors, and actors with neurodiversity to provide various arts opportunities. NVA Center is on the corner of State St. and Christiansen Way, adjacent to the train station, so it’s super convenient to have a night out without driving, and, likewise, there are tons of parking spaces if you do drive. The Center also includes an improv space, a bar, and a spacious, inviting lobby. According to their website, they have attracted 30,000 visitors to Carlsbad Village since they launched.

Theatregoers will find several restaurants and eateries within walking distance, such as Vigilucci’s at 2943 State St., for Italian meals, and Handel’s just across the street from the theatre for ice cream and drinks.

Up Next

The Recipe

Written by Claudia Shear

Based on the book DEARIE by Bob Spitz

Directed by Lisa Peterson

La Jolla Playhouse

2910 La Jolla Village Dr.

February 10–March 22, 2026

» lajollaplayhouse.org/show/the-recipe

There are just a few seats left for this world premiere of a new play about the young life of culinary icon Julia Child of Pasadena, who grew up to travel internationally and endear herself to fans around the globe.

Click here for a chance to win tickets to the show.