King Charles IIIMike BartlettAmerican Conservatory TheatreRobert Joy as CharlesWhat is it about us Americans that we have such a fascination with the very Crown and its royals that almost 250 years ago we fought a revolution to escape? And when we hear the accented speech of that faraway Isle, why do we tend to go gaga and give immediate credence to whoever is … [Read more...] about “King Charles III”
“August: Osage County”
August: Osage CountyTracy LettsMarin Theatre Company The Cast of "August: Osage County"Without a doubt, the star of Marin Theatre Company’s daring, innovative production of the wildly popular, dark family comedy by Tracy Letts, August: Osage County, is J. B. Wilson’s set. The multi-storied, multi-room weathered-wood and metal-framed skeleton with no solid walls enables … [Read more...] about “August: Osage County”
“Chess”
ChessBenny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (Music); Tim Rice (Lyrics)Custom Made Theatre Company The Cast of "Chess"Produced first as a concept album in 1984 with music by Benny Andersson and BjörnUlvaeus (both formerly with ABBA and later to be associated with the mega hit Mamma Mia) and lyrics by Tim Rice (Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor … [Read more...] about “Chess”
“Disney’s The Little Mermaid”
Disney’s The Little MermaidAlan Menken (Music); Howard Ashman & Glenn Slater (Lyrics); Doug Wright (Book)Palo Alto Players Kristen Hermosillo & Cheyenne Wells The Little Mermaidmay sound like the perfect outing for young girls and their parents. While that is certainly true, the opening night crowd at Palo Alto Players that included folks of … [Read more...] about “Disney’s The Little Mermaid”
“Little Shop of Horrors”
Little Shop of HorrorsHoward Ashman (Book & Lyrics); Alan Menkin (Music)Ray of Light TheatreMary Kalita & Sam FaustineHow do you take everyone’s favorite horror, fully-tongue-in-cheek, rock musical about a human-eating plant and ensure that your production will be noticed when this musical has already been produced in the past thirty years on almost every community’s … [Read more...] about “Little Shop of Horrors”
“Caught”
CaughtChristopher ChenShotgun PlayersJomar Tagatac as Lin BoThe “program” audience members are handed as they enter reads more like an exhibition guide to an art exhibit, “Made in China,” a phrase each person also has stamped upon the wrist by the ticket-taker at the door. The Ashby Stage has been converted, it seems, into a pop-up art gallery installation, created, the … [Read more...] about “Caught”
“all of what you love and none of what you hate”
all of what you love and none of what you hatePhilip HowzeSan Francisco PlayhouseBritney FrazierIt would be a frustrating mistake to attempt understanding every single aspect of Philip Howze’s new play, all of what you love and none of what you hate. Better to step back and take in the gestalt, the totality. In San Francisco Playhouse’s world premiere production as … [Read more...] about “all of what you love and none of what you hate”
“Assassins”
AssassinsStephen Sondheim (Music & Lyrics); John Weidman (Book)Los Altos Stage Company Todd Wright, Connor Smith, Anthony Stephens, Chase Campbell, Alea Selburn, Philomena Block, Andy Cooperfauss, and Drew Benjamin JonesOne of the more controversial musicals ever to be staged, one that companies prolific in producing Stephen Sondheim works often avoid producing, is … [Read more...] about “Assassins”
“Veils”
VeilsTom CoashPear Theatre Naseem Etemad & Amani DornPear Theatre presents the funny, poignant, and altogether politically timely play, Veils by Tom Coash, the 2015 winner of the American Theatre Critics Association M. Elizabeth Osborn Award. Set in the midst of the so-called 2011 “Arab Spring” upheavals that spread revolutionary fever and rioting into Cairo … [Read more...] about “Veils”
“The Guys”
The GuysAnne NelsonPear Theatre Diane Tasca & Ray RenatiAs we now approach the fifteenth anniversary of 9/11, Pear Theatre presents The Guys, a play the New York Times once called “a heartfelt theatrical pas de deux” in which Joan (a journalist) meets Nick (a fire chief who has just lost eight firefighters) and leads him gently through remembering things that will … [Read more...] about “The Guys”
“Miss Conception”
Miss Conception(aka Kevin Levesque)From Aboard a Recent Brand g Cruise on the DanubeIntroduction:Miss ConceptionWhile recently on vacation, not only did we get to see (and I subsequently reviewed) 34 shows at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, we also were lucky enough to catch on our nine-day Brand g cruise on the Danube two astounding cabaret shows by Miss Conception, the drag … [Read more...] about “Miss Conception”
“Champagne White Is Disastrous!”
Champagne White Is Disastrous!D’Arcy DrollingerOasis Steven LeMay, Adam Roy, D'Arcy Drollinger & James ArthurSometimes there is clearly too much of a good thing, even orgasms; and that is the worldwide crisis that Champagne White is out to solve in the latest wild and wooly chapter of D’Arcy Drollinger’s evolving serial about his drag-queen, hot babe who is sometimes … [Read more...] about “Champagne White Is Disastrous!”
“Life of the Party”
Life of the PartyAndrew Lippa (Music & Lyrics)Conceived by Andrew Lippa & David BabaniTheatreWorks Silicon Valley Sally Ann Triplett, Teal Wicks, Damian Humbley & Andrew LippaTheatreWorks Silicon Valley welcomes home one whom Artistic Director Robert Kelley refers to as “family” as the company presents the U.S. premiere of Life of the … [Read more...] about “Life of the Party”
“Legally Blonde”
Legally BlondeLaurence O’Keefe & Nell Benjamin (Music & Lyrics); Heather Hach (Book)Hillbarn Theatre Courtney Hatcher and the Cast of Legally BlondeDare it be said that anyone who enters with a built-in dislike for high-pitched, somewhat shrill, and overly enthusiastic female voices still is a sure-fire bet to be infected with the catchy, contagious earworm of “Omigod … [Read more...] about “Legally Blonde”
“Day Nine (Last Day): Mini Reviews from 2016 Edinburgh Fringe Festival”
2016 Edinburgh Fringe Show #33Stop the TrainRick Guard and Phil Rice (Book & Music)More to Life Productions LtdParadise Green at AugustinesCan a musical about a bomb-vested terrorist threatening to end it all for hostages on a commuter train actually be funny, uplifting, and in the end, a totally feel-good experience? If that musical is called Stop the Train and is … [Read more...] about “Day Nine (Last Day): Mini Reviews from 2016 Edinburgh Fringe Festival”
