Native SonNambi E. Kelley (Adapted from the Novel by Richard Wright)Marin Theatre CompanyDane Troy, Ryan Nicole Austin, C. Kelly Wright, Jerod Haynes & William Hartfield Collapsing a novel that is often listed in the top 100, most significant novels of the Twentieth Century not only into a play but also into a split-second-long setting within the main character’s … [Read more...] about “Native Son”
“Uncanny Valley”
Uncanny ValleyThomas GibbonsPear Theatre Mary Price Moore & Evan Kokklia Schumacher Thought-provoking, increasingly intriguing, eventually deeply troubling questions begin to emerge during the current, first-class offering by Pear Theatre of Thomas Gibbon’s Uncanny Valley – a term that refers to the uneasy and even repulsive feelings … [Read more...] about “Uncanny Valley”
“A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the Ukraine”
A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the UkraineDick Vosburgh (Book & Lyrics); Frank Lazarus (Music)Palo Alto Players Andrew Ceglio, Patty Reinhart & Mohamed Ismail Calling all lovers of the Marx Brothers. Maker you way to Palo Alto Players for an uproariously ridiculous riot of A Night in the Ukraine, but beware. Those masters of bad puns, … [Read more...] about “A Day in Hollywood / A Night in the Ukraine”
“Cabaret”
CabaretJoe Masteroff (Book); John Kander (Music); Fred Ebb (Lyrics)Hillbarn Theatre Keith Pinto & Jessica MaxeySince its 1966 Broadway debut and its initial eight Tonys, the inspiring hit Cabaret has continued to evolve through several major, award-winning revivals in both New York and London, becoming ever darker, starker, and rawer with each new … [Read more...] about “Cabaret”
“The Speakeasy”
The SpeakeasyBennett Fisher & Nick A. OliveroBoxcar Theatre Megan WicksA secret location, back alley meetings, required passwords, strict rules delivered with stern warning, boutonnieres denoting messages, and an entrance through a Chinese laundry into curtained passages in a basement-world below – All and more are the beginning parts of an evening of uproarious fun and … [Read more...] about “The Speakeasy”
“Finding Neverland”
Finding NeverlandJames Graham (Book); Gary Barlow & Eliot Kennedy (Music & Lyrics)SHNThe Cast of "Finding Neverland"Before J.M. Barrie begins putting pen to paper for his most famous of plays, into his 1903 London life enter four boys who pretend Kensington Park is their own special island – boys who crow like a rooster, play pirates and Indians, and imagine what … [Read more...] about “Finding Neverland”
“Crimes of the Heart”
Crimes of the HeartBeth HenleyTheatreWorks Silicon Valley Therese Plaehn, Lizzie O'Hara & Sarah MoserThe sometimes sad, often wacky, and usually hilarious goings on in the Magrath household of 1974 Mississippi remind us that forgiveness of family foibles is the road to keeping solid the bonds that in the end, hold families together. TheatreWorks … [Read more...] about “Crimes of the Heart”
“Belleville”
BellevilleAmy HerzogCustom Made Theatre CompanyJustin Gillman & Alisha EhrlichSometimes -- even often times -- there appears to be such an alignment of the stars that everything in a live, theatrical production comes together to create a magical evening not soon to be forgotten: script, direction, actors, creative team. Other times -- fortunately not too often -- one … [Read more...] about “Belleville”
“Annie”
AnnieThomas Meehan (Book); Charles Strouse (Music); Martin Charnin (Lyrics)Broadway San JoseSandy & Tori BatesAs the trumpet and trombone trade notes and intertwine in an opening duet of just a few seconds, the universally familiar words must be running through virtually all audience members’ heads: “The sun will come out ... tomorrow.” It would seem that if there is … [Read more...] about “Annie”
“She Loves Me”
She Loves MeJerry Bock (Music); Sheldon Harnick (Lyrics); Joe Masteroff (Book)San Francisco PlayhouseThe Cast of "She Loves Me"All it takes is a simple storyline about two of the most unlikely people falling hopelessly in love for the tale to endure forever. Take two store clerks (Amalia and Georg) who outwardly despise each other, quarreling constantly to the dismay of … [Read more...] about “She Loves Me”
“Avenue Q”
Avenue QRobert Lopez Y Jeff Marx (Music & Lyrics); Jeff Whitty (Book)New Conservatory Theatre Center The 2017 "Purple" Cast of Avenue QEd Decker, Artistic Director of New Conservatory Theatre Center, begins his program introduction with “It’s the final, final, final ‘Furwell’ tour of Avenue Q, now in its fourth year of the company’s holiday productions. However, one … [Read more...] about “Avenue Q”
“The Eddys”: Theatre Eddys’ Top Theatrical Picks for 2016, San Francisco Bay Area
Theatre Eddys Presents “The Eddys”Our San Francisco Bay Area Top Theatre Productions, 2016The Eddys: Ed Jones (Of Blessed Memory) & Eddie ReynoldsFor Theatre Eddys, 2016 was a record-breaking, heart-breaking year. Even as one half of the “Eddys” was on increasingly debilitating chemotherapy regimen before beginning ten weeks of hospice care, Eddie and Ed attended … [Read more...] about “The Eddys”: Theatre Eddys’ Top Theatrical Picks for 2016, San Francisco Bay Area
TheatreEddys on Pause Until January 2017 to Mourn Loss
Dear TheatreEddys Readers:Edwin Brent Jones, 1958-2016I will not be reviewing any more plays through the rest of 2016 in order to mourn the loss of my dear husband, Edwin (Ed) Brent Jones, who died Sunday, November 20, 2016, after a brave, hard-fought, seven-year battle with colorectal cancer. In Jewish tradition, I will take the next month to pause normal activity and to … [Read more...] about TheatreEddys on Pause Until January 2017 to Mourn Loss
“The King and I”
The King and IRichard Rodgers (Music) and Oscar Hammerstein II (Lyrics & Book)Based upon the novel Anna and the King by Margaret LandonSHNJose Llana & Laura Michelle KellyWhen a gloriously played overture pours forth hit after hit right out of the Great American Songbook, there is no doubt that the musical to follow is likely to be an evening to be savored. If the … [Read more...] about “The King and I”
“The Sound of Music”
The Sound of MusicRichard Rodgers (Music) & Oscar Hammerstein II (Lyrics)Howard Lindsay & Russel Crouse (Book)Broadway San JoseKerstin Anderson as 'Maria Rainer' and the von Trapp Children: Iris Davies (Brigitta), Anika Lore Hatch (Gretl), Austin Levine (Kurt), Kyla Carter (Marta), Ashley Brooke (Louisa), Roy Gantz (Friedrich), Paige Silvester (Liesl)For many in … [Read more...] about “The Sound of Music”
