Sister ActAlan Menken (Music); Glenn Slater (Lyrics); Cheri & Bill Steinkellner (Book)Theatre RhinocerosThe Cast of Sister ActBrothers and Sisters, may I have an “Amen.” Glory hallelujah, a miracle hath been wrought in San Francisco that is heavenly in a wonderfully sinful kind of way. Theatre Rhinoceros has received permission from the Almighty of Broadway to … [Read more...] about “Sister Act”
“The View Upstairs”
The View UpstairsMax VernonNew Conservatory Theatre CenterNick Rodrigues & Ensemble MembersAs the fiftieth anniversary of Stonewall fast approaches and as we in San Francisco also recall in honor the drag and transgender heroes of the Compton Cafeteria riots of 1966, what better time for us to take every chance to remember those who came before us, to celebrate how far we … [Read more...] about “The View Upstairs”
“The Victorian Ladies’ Detective Collective”
The Victorian Ladies’ Detective CollectivePatricia MiltonCentral WorksStacy Ross, Jan Zvaifler & Chelsea BearceWomen viewed by men as second-class while independent-minded, outspoken women are viewed with scorn and derision. Producers making unwanted moves on young actresses as police openly disregard women’s inputs. Businessmen more concerned about their bottom … [Read more...] about “The Victorian Ladies’ Detective Collective”
“A History of Freaks”
A History of FreaksKatie MayPlaygroundSteven Westdahl & Elena WrightLike millions of kids before her, as soon as Claire went to her first circus as a kid, she dreamed of running away someday to be on the road with the clowns, the animal trainers, and the trapeze artists. Even as a PhD candidate when she became an avowed “researcher” for life– “I study everything and … [Read more...] about “A History of Freaks”
“Territories”
TerritoriesBetty ShamiehArabian Shakespeare FestivalTarek Khan & Katrina YasharIn opulent sultanic robes, one man nobly declares that in future generations, “I will be praised.” Opposite him, a Crusader predicts that he will be lost in the footnotes. Between them, a young woman in the full attire of a royal member of a long-past Islamic dynasty with a touch of … [Read more...] about “Territories”
“Life Sucks”
Life SucksAaron PosnerCustom Made Theatre CompanyThe Cast of Life SucksThe cast comes on stage to prepare us. The seven cast members banter about what the play we are about to see is all about, with suggestions that it is about “love,” “longing,” “loss,” and “how fucked up the world is.” With that final, upbeat proclamation and a few of the regular warnings about … [Read more...] about “Life Sucks”
“Mamma Mia!”
Mamma Mia!Catherin Johnson (Book); Benny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (Music & Lyrics); Stig Anderson (Additional Songs)Hillbarn Theatre Christine Capsuto-Shulman, Merrill Peiffer & Jacquie McCarleyThe sheer joy of this Mamma Mia! is the big-stage quality we as an audience get to enjoy in the intimate, close-up space of the Hillbarn Theatre. The cast of … [Read more...] about “Mamma Mia!”
“Significant Other”
Significant OtherJoshua HarmonSan Francisco PlayhouseRubio Qian, Kyle Cameron, Hayley Lovgren & Nicole-Azalee Danielle‘Always a bridesmaid and never a bride’ is difficult enough to swallow if you’re the near-thirty-something who is feeling the impact of that cliché, but what if you would at least like to be a bridesmaid but your besties never ask you? For Jordan … [Read more...] about “Significant Other”
“The Good Book”
The Good BookDennis O’Hare & Lisa PetersonBerkeley Repertory TheatreDenmo Ibrahim with Elijah Alexander, Lance Gardner & Wayne WilcoxIt is the most published, most translated, most read, and probably controversial book in the world. There are those who base all life’s decisions on its verses and those who sneer at the hypocrisies and contradictions of the people … [Read more...] about “The Good Book”
“Flower Drum Song”
Flower Drum SongRichard Rodgers (Music); Oscar Hammerstein II (Lyrics); David Henry Hwang (Book)Palo Alto Players Emily SongPalo Alto Players offers a gift to Bay Area audiences in producing the rarely performed Flower Drum Song, but the present is all the more welcome because of a production that is conceived and performed with the look, sound, style, and … [Read more...] about “Flower Drum Song”
“Pear Slices 2019”
Pear Slices 2019Members of the Pear Playwrights GuildPear TheatreDaniel Zafer-Joyce, Bill C. Jones, and Becca GilbertIt’s only spring, and pears are not yet in season; but at Pear Theatre, there are plenty of fresh slices to pick from and enjoy. For the sixteenth year, the Mountain View company has called upon its members of the Pear Playwrights Guild to create eight, … [Read more...] about “Pear Slices 2019”
“110 in the Shade”
110 in the ShadeN. Richard Nash (Book); Harvey Schmidt (Music); Tom Jones (Lyrics)Based on the Play, The Rainmaker, by N. Richard Nash42nd Street MoonElliot Hanson, James Schott, Andrea Dennison-Laufer & Jesse CaldwellEven in the best of productions – like the outstanding 2007 Roundabout revival in New York starring the incomparable Audra McDonald along with Steve Kazee and … [Read more...] about “110 in the Shade”
“Jazz”
JazzAdapted by Nambi E. KelleyBased on the Book by Toni MorrisonMarin Theatre CompanyDezi Solèy & C. Kelly WrightAs mourners audibly sob and somewhere a choir sings the gospel hymn “Steal Away,” a stunned-looking, steely-eyed woman approaches the rectangle of flowers guarding the unseen corpse of the young girl whose portrait we see near-by. With increasing snarl, she … [Read more...] about “Jazz”
“Undiscovered Country”
Undiscovered CountryAva RoyWe PlayersHunter Scott MacNair, Ava Roy & Chris SteeleIt’s the ol’ West when armed, masked bandits regularly rob frightened passengers riding bumpy stagecoaches, only to turn around the next day to hold up a bank, tying up teeth-chattering customers while taking their jewelry, watches, guns, and money. Only in this version of the Ol’ West, … [Read more...] about “Undiscovered Country”
“Vanity Fair”
Vanity FairKate HamillBased on the Novel by William Makepeace ThackerayAmerican Conservatory Theatre (in association with Shakespeare Theatre Company)The Cast of Vanity FairImmediately, we are given advanced warning by the tuxedoed Manager of the Strand Musik Hall that “there are no morals here in our play.” He comes to the stage’s edge to advise us in more detail: “This … [Read more...] about “Vanity Fair”
