The Importance of Being EarnestOscar WildeAurora Theatre CompanyThe Aurora CastTwo young socialites both are engaged to Ernest, only there is no Ernest – at least not until two young dandies can rush to church for a late-afternoon re-christening, each planning to become Ernest to cover up his habitual propensity for lying. But before such radical altercation of identities … [Read more...] about “The Importance of Being Ernest”
Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”
Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate FactoryDavid Grieg (Book); Marc Shaiman (Music); Scott Wittiman & Marc Shaiman (Lyrics)SHNHenry Boshart & Noah WeisbergCurrently at SHN’s Golden Gate Theatre, there are two one-act musicals appearing, both under the same title as Roald Dahl’s Charlie and the Chocolate Factory – or at least it feels that way sitting through … [Read more...] about Roald Dahl’s “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory”
“A Spoonful of Sugar”
A Spoonful of ShermanRichard Sherman, Robert B. Sherman, Al Sherman & Robert J. Sherman (Music & Lyrics)Robert J. Sherman (Book) 3Below Theatres and LoungeThe Cast of A Spoonful of SugarIn a heartfelt biographical and musical tribute to his grandfather, dad, and uncle, A Spoonful of Sherman, Robert (Robbie) J. Sherman (book) takes us through a … [Read more...] about “A Spoonful of Sugar”
“The Gentleman Caller”
The Gentleman CallerPhilip DawkinsNew Conservatory Theatre CenterBrennan Pickman-Thoon & Adam Niemann“I don’t like interviewers for the very reason they remind me of what I once said,” he says in his syrupy, Southern flow of clever quips. But a favorable interview is very much what young, boy-looking Tom Williams (“Tennessee for short”) is hoping to receive from the … [Read more...] about “The Gentleman Caller”
“Adiós Mamá Carlota”
Adiós Mamá CarlotaLuis ValdezThe Stage in association with El Teatro CampesinoAlison F. Rich and Will Springhorn, Jr.Luis Valdez and El Teatro Campesino partner with The Stage to premiere a play about a short, little known period of Mexican history when the younger brother, Maximilian I, of Austrian Emperor Franz Joseph was named in 1864 by Napoleon III to be Emperor of Mexico, … [Read more...] about “Adiós Mamá Carlota”
“Hershey Felder: A Paris Love Story”
Hershey Felder: A Paris Love StoryHershey FelderTheatreWorks Silicon Valley Hershey FelderThe mesmerizing music lures its listeners into a state of relaxed contemplation of the chalk-drawn scenes of the City of Lights that splash one by one on the projected, stage-filling blackboard behind him. At the piano, we imagine for a moment that the great French … [Read more...] about “Hershey Felder: A Paris Love Story”
“The Jungle”
The JungleJoe Murphy & Joe RobertsonCurran TheatreJonathan Nyati, Tommy Letts & Ammar Haj AhmadOne young woman tells how she walked 3000 miles just to get to the Mediterranean, still a sea and a continent away from her destination. An Iraqi with a guitar sings a song and relates how this song moved the hearts of guards to let him and 200 others cross a closed … [Read more...] about “The Jungle”
‘In Old Age”
In Old AgeMfoniso UdofiaMagic TheatreSteven Anthony Jones & Nancy MoricetteFor those of us who first met Nigerian immigrant Abasiama Ekpeyoung as a young woman in Houston and have watched her through the happy and troubled times of her long life by seeing some or all of the four prior plays of Mfoniso Udofia’s “Ufot Family Cycle,” seeing her now as an old woman in the … [Read more...] about ‘In Old Age”
“KILL THE DEBBIE DOWNERS! KILL THEM! KILL THEM! KILL THEM OFF!”
KILL THE DEBBIE DOWNERS! KILL THEM! KILL THEM! KILL THEM OFF!Mark Jackson & Beth WilmurtShotgun PlayersNathaniel Andalis, Erin Mei-Ling Stuart, Gabby Battista, Sam Jackson & Billy RaphealFirst, I must make an upfront confession. Either I missed all the particular “Saturday Night Live” shows between 2004 and 2010 when various versions of Rachel Datch’s character, … [Read more...] about “KILL THE DEBBIE DOWNERS! KILL THEM! KILL THEM! KILL THEM OFF!”
“Eurydice”
EurydiceSarah RuhlCity Lights Theater Company Leah Cohen and Lauren RhodesSince its premiere by Madison Repertory Theatre, the metaphor-rich, watery underworld Eurydice has received many creative productions from Off-Broadway and London to regional stages across the county to hundreds of high schools and universities – including a fabulously creative, … [Read more...] about “Eurydice”
“Home”
HomeGeoff SobelleBerkeley Repertory TheatreThe Cast of HomeSay the word “home;” and for most of us a flood of both current realities and long-past memories come to mind along with a host of trite but true phrases we oft hear repeated in our own heads: “Home is where the heart is;” “Home sweet home;” “Oh Auntie Em, there’s no place like home.” Pictures of family members … [Read more...] about “Home”
“Falsettos”
FalsettosWilliam Finn (Music & Lyrics); William Finn & James Lapine (Book)SHNThe Cast of "Falsettos"Facing us on the other wise dark, blank stage is one of the four corners of a large, light-gray cube consisting of many large, various shaped pieces fit tightly together like a puzzle. From that incredibly fascinating Rubiks-like cube will emerge living rooms, … [Read more...] about “Falsettos”
“Yoga Play”
Yoga PlayDipika GuhaSan Francisco PlayhouseRyan Morales, Bobak Cyrus Bakhitiari, Craig Marker (on screen) & Susi DamilanoWho wouldn’t want to run out and buy a pair of soft, stretchy pants with “slow-release, organic lavender activated by water” that has made focus group participants “want to hold on to their clothes even after a sweaty yoga class”? The executive team … [Read more...] about “Yoga Play”
“Sojourn”
SojournEvan Kokkila-SchumacherPear Theatre Drew Benjamin Jones and Laura DomingoFor both science-fiction lovers and for anyone who likes a play that mixes mystery, philosophical debates, and political realities with a story that has a very human component, Pear Theatre’s wonderfully acted and inventively conceived Sojourn is a ticket for a rocket ride … [Read more...] about “Sojourn”
“The Speakeasy: Age of Scofflaws”
The Speakeasy: Age of ScofflawsBennett Fisher & Nick A. OliveroDavid Gluck, Geoffrey N. Libby & Nick A. Olivero, ProducersThe Speakeasy, In Association with Boxcar TheatreEm Lee ReavesThe year has advanced from 1923 to 1927. Lucky Lindy flying in his Spirit of St. Louis is thirty-three hours into his heroic conquering of the skies over the Atlantic; skirts and … [Read more...] about “The Speakeasy: Age of Scofflaws”
