Forever PlaidStuart RossSouth Bay Musical Theatre David Murphy, Matthew Hall, Derek DeMarco & Will PerezEmerging through rolling fog out of a giant, neon-lit Wurlitzer jukebox and draped above by a curtain of hundreds of 45s, four men in white tux coats chant solemnly something sounding Latin and holy and strangely peppered with the word “plaid.” ... As … [Read more...] about “Forever Plaid”
“U.S. Drag”
U.S. DragGina GionfriddoDragon Productions Theatre CompanyJosiah Frampton, Liz Frederick, Olivia Haas & Jeremy Ryan Planes did not fall out of the air nor all ATM screens go completely blank as was predicted, but according to Gina Gionfriddo’s 2002 master’s-thesis-born play, U.S. Drag, something did happen to all those twenty-somethings we now call Millennials as we all … [Read more...] about “U.S. Drag”
“Little Erik”
Little ErikMark JacksonAurora Theatre CompanyJack Wittmayer, Mariah Castle, Marilee Talkington, Joe Estlack & Wilman BonetWaves crash with awful fury as their deafening sounds echo all around us, with the flashing shadows of trees dancing in tumult on the stage we as audience surround on three sides. As the storm dies, a low, ominous, single chord lingers in the … [Read more...] about “Little Erik”
“Middletown”
MiddletownWill EnoLos Altos Stage Company Kama Fletcher & Michael SallyLos Altos Stage Company's well-presented production of Will Eno's Middletown is a surreal and strange yet fascinating and endearing look at life where, like the ticks we initially hear from an unseen town clock, just passes without a lot really happening – except birth and death. Follow the … [Read more...] about “Middletown”
“Sagittarius Ponderosa”
Sagittarius PonderosaMJ KaufmanNew Conservatory Theatre CenterMatthew Hannon & SK KerastasTransitions are many and messy in most of our lives. The changes that start a transition from what was to what will be often happen to us, not by us; but even those we initiate, we rarely control the pace or the intensity. In MJ Kaufman’s new play, Sagittarius Ponderosa, … [Read more...] about “Sagittarius Ponderosa”
“Tigers Be Still”
Tigers Be StillKim RosenstockCity Lights Theater Company Akemi Okamura & Melissa WeinsteinCity Lights Theater Company has taken the extremely clever script of Kim Rosenstock and produced through a fine production team and talented cast a Tigers Be Still that keeps the audience in tears – either through hundreds of reasons to laugh or a few heartthrob … [Read more...] about “Tigers Be Still”
“Satchmo at the Waldorf”
Satchmo at the WaldorfTerry TeachoutAmerican Conservatory TheatreJohn Douglas Thompson as Louis ArmstrongOur first glimpse of him is not what we remember from those bigger-than-life pictures of his sparkling eyes shining through squinted slots, huge smile of ivories that became his trademark, and rounded face always aimed upwards ready to rasp out a familiar tune we so … [Read more...] about “Satchmo at the Waldorf”
“Gem of the Ocean”
Gem of the OceanAugust WilsonMarin Theatre CompanyJuney Smith, Namir Smallwood, David Everett Moore & Margo HallThrough her walled displays that could as easily be in an art gallery as on a theatre’s stage, Kimberlee Koym-Murteira captures the essence of the themes and stories of August Wilson’s Gem of the Ocean. A beautiful liquid prism wall of overlapping squares of … [Read more...] about “Gem of the Ocean”
“The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
The Full Cast The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling BeeWilliam Finn (Music & Lyrics); Rachel Sheinkin (Book)Conceived by Rebecca Feldman; Additional Material by Jay ReissHillbarn TheatreEven though we are collectively fast losing all abilities to calculate numbers, write in cursive, or spell almost any word without technology’s help, we do still have a fascination … [Read more...] about “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee”
“The Nether”
The NetherJennifer HaleySan Francisco PlayhouseThe Cast of "The Nether"Already we live in a world where increasingly people are more apt to converse with a colleague in the next-door cube or the date across the dining table online versus in person. Millions escape to imaginary lands to fight battles and kill invaders as well as to plant farms, sell goods, or solve world … [Read more...] about “The Nether”
“Jersey Boys”
Jersey BoysMarshall Brickman & Rick Elice (Book)Bob Gaudio (Music); Bob Crewe (Lyrics)SHN Orpheum TheatreKeith Hines, Matthew Dailey, Aaron De Jesus & Drew SeeleyWhat is it about the 2005, multi-Tony-award-winning Jersey Boys in its third U.S. tour and third visit to San Francisco that still results in a standing ovation, sold-out Opening Night and a beginning of yet … [Read more...] about “Jersey Boys”
“Swift Justice”
Swift JusticeTom McEneryBased on the Book Swift Justice: Murder and Vengeance in a California TownBy Harry FarrellThe Tabard Theatre Company The CastA world premiere play about one dark blemish in San Jose’s history valiantly attempts to tell to 21st Century citizens a Depression-Era tale of murder and mob revenge but does so much more like a newspaper column that a drama … [Read more...] about “Swift Justice”
“Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin”
Hershey Felder as Irving BerlinLyrics & Music by Irving BerlinBook by Hershey FelderTheatreWorks Silicon Valley Hershey FelderWith over 1500 published songs to consider (232 hitting Top 10 charts and 25 reaching Number One) ranging from universal classics such as “White Christmas,” “There’s No Business Like Show Business,” “Easter Parade,” and even “God Bless America,” how … [Read more...] about “Hershey Felder as Irving Berlin”
“Death of a Salesman”
Death of a SalesmanArthur MillerPalo Alto PlayersGay Richard, Justin Brown, Paul Dunlap & Tim Farrell The story of Willie Loman has resonated with every generation since its 1949 premiere, but perhaps more than ever does his story hit home amidst today’s ubiquitous and ominous headlines of the disappearing middle class and the cynical disillusionment of entire groups of … [Read more...] about “Death of a Salesman”
“The Mountaintop”
The MountaintopKatori HallPear TheatreMichael Wayne Rice & Nathalie Autumn Bennet Whether someone has previously seen or not The Mountaintop, Pear Theatre’s production is the perfect way to honor Dr. King and his legacy as we celebrate his birthday season this January. This is a production not to be missed. Follow the link to my full review on … [Read more...] about “The Mountaintop”
