Getting There Dipika Guha New Conservatory Theatre Center As a young woman sits on a bench alone, each of four other women of varied generations approach her with highly dramatic outreach motions, lip-singing Edith Piaf’s “Non, Je Ne Regrette Rien,” or in English translation, “No, I Don’t Feel Sorry about Nothing.” As they continue to bombard her with their … [Read more...] about Getting There
Clyde’s
Clyde’s Lynn Nottage Berkeley Repertory Theatre, In Co-Production with Huntington Theatre Company “The sandwich is your pulpit; it’s where you preach the gospel of good eating.” The lowly sandwich that many of us quickly slap together with little thought or planning rises to a cherished place of honor and homage in Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s totally delicious and … [Read more...] about Clyde’s
In Every Generation
In Every Generation Ali Viterbi TheatreWorks Silicon Valley During the Jewish, Passover Seder, there is a section recounting all the blessings and miracles the Israelites have received; and after each is recited, those gathered around the festival table say, “Dayenu,” “It would have been enough.” In Ali Viterbi’s 2022-premiering play In Every Generationtime travels … [Read more...] about In Every Generation
TheatreEddys Returns January 2023 … Stay Tuned for More Reviews
Dear Loyal Readers: My husband and I have been out of the country hiking, touring, and visiting friends for the past six weeks. We now are heading to our second home in Medellin, Colombia, returning in January 2023. At that time, I will once again return to my avid attendance at San Francisco Bay Area theaters and will be posting reviews galore. Thanks for your … [Read more...] about TheatreEddys Returns January 2023 … Stay Tuned for More Reviews
Sanctuary City
Sanctuary City Martyna Majok Berkeley Repertory Theatre, in Association with Arena Stage Two high school seniors each are seeking sanctuary from a life that fate and family have unfortunately gifted them. B (as in Boy) arrived in this country ten years prior and is now here illegally because his mom overstayed her visa – a mom who now has vowed to leave him and go … [Read more...] about Sanctuary City
La Traviata
La Traviata Giuseppe Verdi, Composer; Original Libretto by Francisco Maria Piave English Version by Donald Pippin Pocket Opera, in Co-Production with Cinnabar Theatre With cheeks flushed against a snow-white, pale face, Violetta Valéry slowly enters pressed against the strong arm of her devoted servant, Annina, who serves as a needed crutch. Gingerly, painfully, … [Read more...] about La Traviata
Wives
Wives Jaclyn Backhaus Aurora Theatre Company “He wrote our history not for us, for himself,” eulogizes the first wife of Ernest Hemingway as Wife 2 and Wife 3 nod in agreement. In Wives – Jacklyn Backhaus’ time-traveling, boundary-breaking script packed with playful yet powerful punches aimed at patriarchally told history – women once married to the rich and famous … [Read more...] about Wives
Three Tall Women
Three Tall Women Edward Albee Pear Theatre Imagine yourself at a younger age having a conversation with yourself at other points in your life? What would that young, probably naïve you think about how things will turn out, about whom you will love and not love, or about your successes and especially about your failures? What advice would you give and what questions … [Read more...] about Three Tall Women
Dreaming in Cuban
Dreaming in Cuban Cristina Garcia Central Works Breaking boundaries of time, distance, and reality, a swirl of memories, dreams, and harsh realities both clash in conflict and dance in harmony in Cristina Garcia’s beautifully and imaginatively conceived Dreaming in Cuban, now in world premiere at Berkeley’s Central Works. Adapting to the stage her 1992, National Book … [Read more...] about Dreaming in Cuban
The Prom
The Prom Bob Martin & Chad Beguelin (Book); Matthew Sklar (Music); Chad Beguelin (Lyrics) BroadwaySF Oops! Eleanor (the musical) is an opening night flop for long-time Broadway stars, Dee Dee and Barry. Uh-oh! The only show available for Julliard-trained Trent is a non-equity tour of Godspell. Damn! Twenty years in the chorus of Chicago, and Angie has had … [Read more...] about The Prom
Twelfth Night
Twelfth Night William Shakespeare Adapted by Max Tachis Palo Alto Players In his adaptation for Palo Alto Players of William Shakespeare’s Twelfth Night, Max Tachis takes the romantic comedy’s early line – “If music be the food of love, play on” – and makes a feast of it. Even before the curtain opens, a snazzy, zippy singer with eyes that twinkle and fingers that … [Read more...] about Twelfth Night
The Pajama Game
The Pajama Game Richard Adler & Jerry Ross (Music & Lyrics); George Abbott & Richard Bissell (Book) Based on the Novel, 7½ Cents by Richard Bissell Script Updated for 42nd Street Moon by Annie Potter 42nd Street Moon Just try leaving 42nd Street Moon’s current toe-tapping, smile-producing, chuckle-a-minute production of The Pajama Game without humming … [Read more...] about The Pajama Game
The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein
The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein Jacques Offenbach Original French Libretto by Henri Meilhac & Ludovic Halévy English Translation by Donald Pippin Pocket Opera As the marching beats and sounds of the Overture are suddenly interrupted by the fanfare of a trumpet, a group of soldiers spills onto the stage, looking much like a colorful collection of toy soldiers that … [Read more...] about The Grand Duchess of Gerolstein
Man of La Mancha
Man of La Mancha Mitch Leigh (Music); Joe Darion (Lyrics); Dale Wasserman (Book) San Jose Playhouse Before even a word is spoken, Scott Evan Guggenheim directs one of the most gripping, disturbing, and memorable scenes of the evening’s production of Man of La Mancha by San Jose Playhouse. Before us is Julie Engelbrecht’s jarring set design that is too similar to … [Read more...] about Man of La Mancha
Dear Evan Hansen
Dear Evan Hansen Steven Levenson (Book); Benj Pasek & Justin Paul (Music & Lyrics) Broadway San Jose After yet another frustrating breakfast with sons who refuse to engage, two mothers of high school seniors each sing in desperation, “Does anybody have a map? Anybody maybe happened to know how the hell to do this?” Heidi’s son, Evan, is reclusive and stumbles … [Read more...] about Dear Evan Hansen
