Pear Slices 2017Various PlaywrightsPear TheatreBriana Mitchell, Ariel Aronica, and Bryan Moriarty From its writers’ forum often come full-length plays that premiere on the intimate Pear Theatre stage, and also emerging is an annual offering not unlike this year’s version of Pear Slices 2017: Eight fifteen-minute plays performed in repertory by seven talented … [Read more...] about “Pear Slices 2017”
“The Events”
The EventsDavid GreigShotgun PlayersJulia McNeal & Caleb Cabrera“Everything I thought was solid is un-solid.What’s the root of this unraveling?Events, dear Boy, events.”In small clumps of chatting friends, they gather around the coffee and tea station (complete with its Costco-size Coffee-mate), music in hand and with of course women far outnumbering men, as is usually the … [Read more...] about “The Events”
“The Mushroom Cure”
The Mushroom CureAdam StraussThe Marsh Adam StraussThere is no way anyone can walk out of The Mushroom Cure without a greater understanding of OCD and an never-to-be-forgotten empathy for its sufferers. But everyone is also ensured to leave feeling uplifted by the true story of how this man, this comedian, and now even this new friend of ours has found in the end … [Read more...] about “The Mushroom Cure”
“Dance Series 02”
Dance Series 02The Poetry of Being (Nicole Haskins); Broken Open (Amy Seiwert); Be Here Now (Trey McIntyre)SmuinThe Company of Smuin's Poetry of BeingThe theatricality of the evening now on the stage in Smuin’s Dance Series 02 is as indisputable as the beauty, athleticism, and wonder of its three, one-act dances. Each tells a story -- even without script and words -- that … [Read more...] about “Dance Series 02”
“Sister Act”
Sister ActAlan Menken (Music); Glenn Slater (Lyrics); Cheri & Bill Steinkellner (Book)Hillbarn TheatreDawn L. Troupe, Melissa Costa and CastGlory Hallelujah and Amen! Hillbarn Theatre may not have Whoopi Goldberg from the 1992 movie or Patina Miller from the 2009 London and 2011 New York openings; but thank the Almighty, the Foster City company has found its miracle … [Read more...] about “Sister Act”
“Guards at the Taj”
Guards at the TajRajiv JosephMarin Theatre CompanyJason Kapoor & Rushi KotaInnocence. Naiveté. Duty. Abomination. Denial. Guilt. Duty. Two of the lowest ranked grunts of the Emperor’s Imperial Guard prepare for their first night’s watch at the gate leading to the “most beautiful thing ever built,” about to be revealed to the world … [Read more...] about “Guards at the Taj”
“Battlefield”
BattlefieldAdapted by Peter BrookBased on The Mahabharata and the Play by Jean-Claude CarrièreAmerican Conservatory TheatreJared McNeill, Sean O'Callaghan, Ery Nzaramba & Carole KaremeraAn old man -- obviously blind and in a cloak and outfit indistinguishable as to historical era or geography -- steps forward to tell us in a tired, low-keyed voice with little movement of … [Read more...] about “Battlefield”
Monty Python’s Spamalot
Monty Python’s SpamalotEric Idle (Book & Lyrics); John Du Prez & Eric Idle (Music)Palo Alto PlayersThe Cast of "Monty Python's Spamalot"Bringing to a local theatre a big, Broadway stage show that many people have already seen either in New York or one of its tours can be tricky. But when that smaller production fills its stage with props delicious in their … [Read more...] about Monty Python’s Spamalot
“Evita”
EvitaAndrew Lloyd Webber (Music); Tim Rice (Lyrics)Pacific Coast Repertory TheatreAshley Cowl as Eva PerónWith music that ranges from solemn classical, hip-swishing Latin, and grinding rock to soaring ballads and anthems, Andrew Lloyd Webber’s Evita leaves any audience member with enough memorable earworms for a full night’s worth of dreams. The endurance of Andrew Lloyd … [Read more...] about “Evita”
“The Encounter”
The EncounterSimon McBurneyBased on the Book Amazon Beaming by Petru PopescuThe Curran TheatreSimon McBurney & The Binaural Head“I am now so close, in your ears ... I am now going to take a walk across your head.”The voice is somewhere inside each audience member as will be in the next one hundred fifty-five minutes many voices of varying dialects and languages; countless … [Read more...] about “The Encounter”
“Temple”
TempleSteve WatersAurora Theatre CompanyPaul Whitworth Periodically punctuating the constant, background pounding of drums and the waves of a gathered mob’s protest chants are the grand and majestic chimes of St. Paul’s world-famous bells. The glory of the Church and the concerns of the people coincide in chorus as all is heard from the other side of a formal conference … [Read more...] about “Temple”
“The Memory Stick”
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”
