The Memory StickDonal O’KellyThe Stage John R. Lewis, Joseph D. Valdez, & Lyndsy KailIn a co-commission with the Dublin City Arts Office and the Irish Theatre Institute, The Stage opens a world premiere The Memory Stick by Donal O’Kelly – a play about what it means and what it costs to stand up against all odds. Lyrically directed, often as in a dreamscape, by … [Read more...] about “The Memory Stick”
“Rags”
RagsJoseph Stein (Book); Charles Strouse (Music); Stephen Schwartz (Lyrics)TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Recent Refugees Arrive in "Rags"In 1989, a little company in Palo Alto called TheatreWorks staged a version of Rags -- a 1986, major Broadway failure -- that both helped establish the company’s national reputation as well as send the musical on a long journey of … [Read more...] about “Rags”
“New Girl in Town”
New Girl in TownBob Merrill (Music & Lyrics); George Abbott (Book)42nd Street MoonAllison F. Rich & Chris VettelA down-and-out, former prostitute returns to seek out a father she hardly knows; goes to a local bar on New York’s seedy dockside to await him; and orders not one, but two (and thinking about three) whiskeys. The ol’ Swedish dad -- a salty sailor who … [Read more...] about “New Girl in Town”
“Needles and Opium”
Needles and OpiumRobert LepageAmerican Conservatory TheatreOliver NormandTwo similar comments seem to be on the lips of everyone as the house lights come up after the final stage bows – whether it is the woman sitting next to me, couples exiting with question marks written all across their faces, or the guys joining me along the downstairs urinals after the ninety-five minute, … [Read more...] about “Needles and Opium”
“Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin”
Hershey Felder as Irving BerlinLyrics & Music by Irving BerlinBook by Hershey FelderBerkeley Repertory TheatreHershey Felder Introduction to My April 2017 Review of Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin:When I rate a production a “5 E,” I am saying by definition, “Loved it ... A classic ... would see it again.” In January 2016, I first saw Hershey Felder as … [Read more...] about “Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin”
“Frankenstein”
FrankensteinAdapted by Kit WilderFrom Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary ShelleyCity Lights Theatre Company Nick Mandracchia Any time a theatre company undertakes a world premiere, much less one commissioned, kudos is warranted for the risks undertaken. While this new offering of Frankenstein has some issues mainly of … [Read more...] about “Frankenstein”
“The Baltimore Waltz”
The Baltimore WaltzPaula VogelMagic TheatrePatrick Alparone, Lauren English & Greg Jackson“I’m sorry ... There’s nothing we can do.” How many, countless times have those few words by a doctor sent individuals and their loved ones into a tailspin more uproarious than Dorothy’s tornado and on a journey that sometimes can be as strange, as scary, but somehow in the end … [Read more...] about “The Baltimore Waltz”
“The House of Yes”
The House of YesWendy MacLeodCustom Made Theatre Casey Robbins & Caitlin EvensonLightning flashes; winds howl; and the rains pound the multi-paned windows. But the approaching hurricane’s fury cannot begin to compare to the maelstrom that is brewing in The House of Yes, Wendy MacLeod’s 1990 play that is a modern version of a Jacobean tragi-comedy. Like its … [Read more...] about “The House of Yes”
“Noises Off”
Noises OffMichael FraynSan Francisco PlayhouseMonique Hafen, Richard Louis James, Kimberly Richards, Craig Marker, Nanci Zoppi “[W]e’ve got bags, we’ve got boxes. Plus doors. Plus words. You know what I mean? ... I’m just saying. Words. Doors. Bags. Boxes. Sardines. Us. OK? I’ve made my … [Read more...] about “Noises Off”
“Everything That’s Beautiful”
Everything’s That’s BeautifulElyzabeth Gregory WilderNew Conservatory Theatre CenterMattea Fountain as MorganSomething happens unexpected, unplanned, unwanted. Change. Immediately, the surrounding system is in transition – neither in the state of what was once nor in the state of what might someday be. Emotions follow rollercoaster tracks. Communication … [Read more...] about “Everything That’s Beautiful”
“Nora”
NoraIngmar BergmanShotgun Players The Cast of NoraWhen Ibsen premiered A Doll’s House in 1879, controversy immediately erupted when his banker’s wife and mother of three challenges the society’s definition of marriage and walks defiantly away from hers, seeking to discover who she really is beyond those two, domestic titles. At the time, Ibsen said he was inspired by … [Read more...] about “Nora”
“Seminar”
SeminarTheresa RebeckSan Jose State University, College of Humanities and the Arts Hammer Theatre CenterDavid Prete, Kaythi Win, Matthew Kropshot, Sarah Haas & Jacob SossDouglas smacks of pedigree: famous uncle playwright from Harvard, his own la-tee-dah college degree, a sure-fire route to a New Yorker publication, and a tendency to drop words like “interiority and … [Read more...] about “Seminar”
“You for Me for You”
You for Me for YouMia ChungCrowded Fire TheaterElissa Beth Stebbins, Kathryn Han & Jomar TagatacThe driven desire against immense odds to escape despot regimes where personal freedoms are few-to-none, food is scarce to the point of hunger, and family members are often at risk of being whisked away in the middle of the night is certainly a part of our current, global … [Read more...] about “You for Me for You”
“LENI”
LENISarah GreenmanAuroraTheatre CompanyStacy RossHow much responsibility does an artist own when art is evidently going to be used as propaganda? Can an artist become so engrossed in the work’s creation to become oblivious to the content’s meaning and to the primary actors that are a part of its making? Is groundbreaking perfection of beauty and a positive, direct … [Read more...] about “LENI”
“Rumors”
RumorsNeil SimonHillbarn TheatreThe Cast of Rumors With a cast whose tongues are fully in cheek, slapstick skills are sharply honed, and mission is to milk every laugh possible from the ninety-minute script, Hillbarn Theatre stages an entertaining Rumors. Touting little social, redeeming value other than to produce much laughter from increasingly silly … [Read more...] about “Rumors”
