The Wickhams: Christmas at PemberleyLauren Gunderson & Margot MelconMarin Theatre CompanyNeiry Rojo & August BrowningIn late December 1815, two years have passed since four of the five sisters of the Longbourn estate traversed many complicated webs and winding routes to land husbands in Jane Austin’s much beloved Pride and Prejudice. Now as December arrives in … [Read more...] about “The Wickhams: Christmas at Pemberley”
Archives for November 2018
“A Bronx Tale”
A Bronx TaleChazz Palminteri (Book); Alan Menken (Music); Glenn Slater (Lyrics)SHNJoey Barreiro & Frannkie LeoniBased on real life occurrences, A Bronx Tale is a coming of age musical about the life of its writer, Chazz Palminteri, ages nine to seventeen. Set in the 1960s Italian and African-American neighborhoods of New York – two neighborhoods close in distance but … [Read more...] about “A Bronx Tale”
“Mary Poppins”
Mary PoppinsRichard M. Sherman and Robert B. Sherman (Music & Lyrics); Julian Fellowes (Book) with Additional Songs/Lyrics by George Stiles & Anthony DreweBased on the Stories of P.L. Travers and the Film by Walt DisneySan Francisco Playhouse El BehMary and Bert have danced with animated animals in a cinematic Mary Poppins for almost fifty-five years with Julie Andrews … [Read more...] about “Mary Poppins”
“Pike Street”
Pike StreetNilaja SunBerkeley Repertory Theatre Nilaja SunIn August 2017, I saw and reviewed Nilaja Sun's solo performance of "Pike Street" at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival. At that time, I contacted several Bay Area companies and suggested they consider bringing her and her compelling story to our local audiences. While I unfortunately am unable to attend … [Read more...] about “Pike Street”
“Making God Laugh”
Jeremy Ryan, Mary Lou Torre, and Keenan FlaggMaking God LaughSean GrennanCity Lights Theater CompanyAs the decades come and go over a thirty-year period in the life of one family, many changes occur in the world around them while in the house where the three grown children were raised, many more things stay the same. What better holiday gift could … [Read more...] about “Making God Laugh”
“Everything Is Illuminated”
Everything Is IlluminatedAdapted by Simon Block, Based on the Novel by Jonathan Safran FoerAurora Theatre CompanyJulian López Morillas, Adam Burch & Jeremy Kahn“No one arrives in this world from nowhere.” The driving desire to know his own origins sends a young, aspiring writer in the late 1990s to the Ukraine in search of a woman in a picture identified as Augustine … [Read more...] about “Everything Is Illuminated”
“In the Heights”
In the HeightsLin Manuel Miranda (Music); Quiara Alegria Hudes (Book)Custom Made Theatre CompanyThe Cast of In the HeightsIn 2008, a musical that opened on Broadway and went on to win four Tonys that year (including Best Musical) quickly established itself as one that would influence a new generation of stage musicals. Not only was the large cast all but one of … [Read more...] about “In the Heights”
“Crazy for You”
Crazy for YouGeorge Gershwin (Music), Ira Gershwin (Lyrics); Ken Ludwig (Book)Bay Area MusicalsThe Cast of Crazy for YouChoreography that dares you not to tap your own toes. Comedy full of corn that is impossible not to laugh out loud – and I do mean loud. A love triangle where two of the three are the same person. And the Gershwin Brothers’ songs plucked from … [Read more...] about “Crazy for You”
“Girls Kill Nazis”
Girls Kill NazisJames KoppPear TheatreJennifer Sorkin-Kopp, Heather Mae Steffen, Diane Tasca, Stephanie Crowley, and Jim JohnsonThe Nancy Wake Book Club meets every Friday night in the oldest continually operating library in Arizona, the Copper Queen Library of Bisbee, Arizona. Named after a famous, French resistance fighter of World War II, the club has just two … [Read more...] about “Girls Kill Nazis”
“Why Would I Mispronounce My Own Name?”
Why Would I Mispronounce My Own Name?Irma HerreraThe MarshIrma HerreraSo how would you say her name: Irma Herrara? If you are thinking the same as a few somewhat famous Irma’s you may know like Irma Rombauer (author, Joy of Cooking), Irma Thomas (“Soul Queen of New Orleans”), or Hurricane Irma (2017, Category 5), then you – like I -- evidently are not among the 47 million … [Read more...] about “Why Would I Mispronounce My Own Name?”
“Men on Boats”
Men on BoatsJaclyn BackhausAmerican Conservatory TheatreThe Cast of Men on BoatsEvery day as we travel through our city streets, down our highways, and across our bridges, we encounter names that we mostly have no idea who the person being honored actually was. Most of the time, we do not even wonder. But behind many of those nomenclatures are forgotten stories of … [Read more...] about “Men on Boats”
“All the Way”
All the WayRobert SchenkkanPalo Alto Players The Cast of All the WayIn the Palo Alto Players’ magnificently produced, regional premiere of Robert Schenkkan’s 2014 Tony winning Best Play, All the Way, we as an audience are challenged to ask ourselves if questionable tactics of a nation’s leader are ever acceptable if the desired outcomes match our own sense of … [Read more...] about “All the Way”
“Cardboard Piano”
Cardboard PianoHansol JungNew Conservatory Theatre CenterGabriella Momah, Howard Johnson, Megan Timpane & Dane TroyFor anyone who grew up in a Southern Baptist church (and then left forever), the hymn “Just As I Am” will strike a deep and perhaps uneasy chord. The slow, soulful tune will surely bring back memories of the congregation singing the “invitational hymn” … [Read more...] about “Cardboard Piano”
“Elton John + Tim Rice’s AIDA”
Elton John + Tim Rice’s AIDAElton John (Music); Tim Rice (Lyrics); Linda Wolverton, Robert Falls & David Henry Hwang (Book)Broadway by the Bay Raquel Nicole Jeté and Shaun Leslie ThomasIn 2000, a star-studded team of Elton John (music), Tim Rice (lyrics) along with Linda Wolverton, Robert Falls, and David Henry Hwang (book) took the Verdi opera AIDA and … [Read more...] about “Elton John + Tim Rice’s AIDA”
“The Boy from Oz”
The Boy from OzMartin Sherman & Nick Enright (Book); Peter Allen (Music & Lyrics)Theatre RhinocerosJustin Gellen & Justin LopezOne of the most memorable performances that I have ever seen on Broadway was from the second row, reveling in Hugh Jackman’s performance as Peter Allen in the 2003 The Boy from Oz –a role that won him that year’s Tony for Best Leading Actor … [Read more...] about “The Boy from Oz”
