Marjorie PrimeJordan HarrisonMarin Theatre CompanyJoy Carlin & Tommy GorrebeeckMemory is a tricky proposition for any of us. Is that story I am now recalling really the way it happened, or am I providing a slightly embellished version with details that have been added in the past twenty tellings in order to make it more interesting? Was the event really as … [Read more...] about “Marjorie Prime”
“Pear Slices 2018”
Pear Slices 2018Various PlaywrightsPear TheatreAriel Aronica and Bill C. JonesA dusty town in the old West, a cell holding Galileo imprisoned, a home where technological devices rule, a kid’s pirate birthday party, a ‘rolly-doggy’ oven of hot dogs in rotation: All are examples of the varied settings in time and place for this year’s menu of Pear Slices 2018, an annual … [Read more...] about “Pear Slices 2018”
“Two Minds”
Two MindsLynne KaufmanThe MarshBrian Herndon & Jackson Davis“Together, we had a goose that would lay a golden egg; and when we didn’t, we had an omelet.” Such is the memory of his many years in collaborative relationship with his thinking and research partner, Amos Tversky, that Daniel Kahneman recounts as he receives the 2002 Nobel Prize for Economics on both of … [Read more...] about “Two Minds”
“The Full Monty”
The Full MontyTerrence McNally (Book); David Yazbek (Music & Lyrics)Hillbarn Theatre Greg Lynch, Brian Palac, James Creer, Bradley Satterwhite, Linda Piccone, and Andy Cooperfauss The entire production Hillbarn's Monty is packed with humor and heart, gusto and grit, love almost lost and love newly found. From jogging women silently … [Read more...] about “The Full Monty”
“Rock of Ages”
Rock of AgesChris D’Arienzo (Book); Ethan Popp (Arrangements & Orchestrations)Palo Alto PlayersThere are unfortunately too many wrong notes in the current Palo Alto Players production of Rock of Ages, even though the athletic enthusiasm of the cast could not be higher. There is much fun in what to see but not enough solid songs in what to hear, making this a show I … [Read more...] about “Rock of Ages”
“The Color Purple”
The Color PurpleMarsha Norman (Book); Brenda Russell, Allee Willis & Stephen Bray (Music & Lyrics); Based on the Novel by Alice WalkerSHNAdrianna Hicks & The Cast of The Color PurpleEntering the SHN’s Orpheum Theatre to see the latest revival of Marsha Norman’s (book) The Color Purple, I immediately recalled July 5, 2006, when I first saw the musical at The Broadway … [Read more...] about “The Color Purple”
“Father Comes Home from the Wars: Parts I, II III”
Father Comes Home from the Wars: Parts I, II, IIISuzan-Lori ParksAmerican Conservatory TheatreSteven Anthony Jones, Rotima Agbabiaka, Safiya Fredericks, Julian Elijah Martinez, Chivas MichaelWith their arms raised in front of them, hands forming an “L” shape with thumb extended, the four strain to see the first rays of the next morning’s dawn. All the while, they place … [Read more...] about “Father Comes Home from the Wars: Parts I, II III”
“Tinderella: The Modern Musical”
Tinderella: The Modern MusicalRose Oser (Book), Weston Scott (Lyrics) & Christian B. Schmidt (Music) CustomMade Theatre Company & Faultline TheaterThe Cast of TinderellaTwo years ago, I raved in a review about a world premiere musical that I described as “a modern fairy tale with no happy ending guaranteed but a lot of sex and excitement getting there.” The tight, … [Read more...] about “Tinderella: The Modern Musical”
“Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes”
Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National ThemesPart One: Millennium ApproachesPart Two: PerestroikaTony KushnerBerkeley Repertory TheatreFrancesca Faridany & Randy Harrison1985. Gay men are dying by the thousands while a president refuses to acknowledge their plight. Some hospitals turn them away untreated; the rubber glove and facial mask industry is … [Read more...] about “Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes”
“The People in the Picture”
The People in the PictureIris Rainer Dart (Book & Lyrics); Mike Stoller & Artie Butler (Music)3 Below Theaters & LoungeThe Cast of The People in the PictureThat there will be an eternity through our living in the memories of those we leave behind is the uplifting promise of the inspiring, engaging, and thoroughly entertaining musical, The People in the Picture, now … [Read more...] about “The People in the Picture”
“The Mystery of Love and Sex”
The Mystery of Love and SexBathsheba DoranNew Conservatory Theatre CenterKenny Scott & Linda Maria GirónCharlotte and Jonny, who have been pals since they were nine, now are dormie buddies in college and about to host her parents for a ‘heatless’ dinner (aka salad and French bread sans the butter they forgot to buy). That she is white and Jewish and he is black and … [Read more...] about “The Mystery of Love and Sex”
“Eureka Day”
Eureka DayJonathan SpectorAurora TheatreThe Cast of Eureka DayMaybe this is a typical, kindergarten classroom; but probably most of those in America do not have posters hanging on their pristine walls showing a raised fist for “Occupy Oakland,” a sad-faced elephant proclaiming “Global Warming Is a Giant Problem,” or the definition of “eracism” (erasing the belief one race is … [Read more...] about “Eureka Day”
“Head Over Heels”
Head Over HeelsThe Go-Gos (Songs); Jeff Whitty (Book); James Magruder (Adapter of Book)Inspired by The Arcadia by Sir Philip SidneyCurran TheatreThe Cast of Head Over Heels"What happens when a Renaissance tale of royal romance written in iambic pentameter collides head-on with the jukebox music of the 1980s all-female group, the Go-Go’s? And what if twists and turns of … [Read more...] about “Head Over Heels”
“The Gangster of Love”
The Gangster of LoveJessica HagedornMagic TheatreLance Gardner & Golda SargentoTwo pairs of eyes widen to reveal mammoth rings of white around dark, darting balls as a brother and sister sway with the ocean’s waves, looking for the first signs of the Golden Gate. While the girl’s eyes sing with wonder and excitement, the boy’s silently scream of anxiety and maybe … [Read more...] about “The Gangster of Love”
“Disruption”
Disruption AJ Baker3Girls Theatre Company, Z Below Nancy Madden, Sally Dana & Heather GordonEven though classical music floats serenely through the attractively attired, office setting, any sense of peace and well-being is about to shatter as two execs and a lawyer enter the room clearly irritated and looking ready to go to war. In a scene oft-repeated in today’s … [Read more...] about “Disruption”
