The MousetrapAgatha ChristieShotgun PlayersThe Cast of "The Mousetrap"For as much as any one of us decries the awful acts of gun violence we hear about on a near-daily basis, who among us does not like a juicy, suspenseful murder mystery? And who is better to tell such a tale than the master herself, Agatha Christie, the most-published novelist in history and the … [Read more...] about “The Mousetrap”
“The 39 Steps”
The 39 StepsAdapted by Patrick BarlowBased on the Novel by John BuchanFrom the Movie by Alfred HitchcockThe StageCassidy Brown & Allison F. RichBeginning as a 1915 novel by British author John Buchan, The 39 Steps became one of Alfred Hitchcock’s most enduring thriller films, ranked in 1999 by the British Film Institute as the fourth best, 20th century film. In 2005, … [Read more...] about “The 39 Steps”
“The Jewelry Box”
Brian Copeland as a 6-Year-Old The Jewelry BoxBrian CopelandThe MarshWhen a six-year-old boy decides he must buy his Mom a wooden jewelry box with gold latch and rich velvet interior for her Christmas, there is nothing that can deter his big-eyed dream. The $11.97 needed for this White Front Stores purchase is like a Fort Knox fortune to the young … [Read more...] about “The Jewelry Box”
“Jane Austen’s Emma”
Jane Austen’s EmmaPaul Gordon (Music, Lyrics & Book)Adapted from the novel by Jane AustenTheatreWorks Silicon Valley Travis Leland & Lianne Marie DobbsWith a bit too much pride in the prejudices she firmly holds about who should be married to whom, Emma allows her sense and sensibilities to cloud her good-hearted judgments about others’ lives and to squelch her own true … [Read more...] about “Jane Austen’s Emma”
“Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Radio Play”
Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Radio PlayAdapted by Hayley Lovgren from the Original Screen Play by George SeatonBased on The LUX Radio Theatre Broadcast of December 22, 1948The Tabard Theatre CompanyThe Cast of Tabard's "Miracle on 34th Street"For decades, millions of Americans tune in sometime during each December for their annual viewing of the 1947 George Seaton, … [Read more...] about “Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Radio Play”
“Stage Kiss”
Stage KissSarah RuhlSan Francisco PlayhouseGabriel Marin as He & Carrie Paff as SheHarry Potter snogs; teens suck face; others peck, smack, make out, or tongue wrestle. In Sarah Ruhl’s hilarious Stage Kiss, the meeting of two sets of lips and the co-tangling of tongues becomes the central and most-repeated action of the play, from quick brush-by’s to seriously long … [Read more...] about “Stage Kiss”
“Scrooge in Love”
Scrooge in LoveLarry Grossman (Music), Kellen Blair (Lyrics), Duane Poole (Book)42nd Street Moon TheatreRyan Drummond & Jason GraaeWe are rarely left to wonder what happens to our favorite characters after a blockbuster movie ends because a sequel is usually not too long in coming to update us and continue the tale. (Think Godfather, Toy Story, Men in Black, Kung Fu … [Read more...] about “Scrooge in Love”
“The Monster-Builder”
The Monster-BuilderAmy FreedAurora Theatre CompanyDanny Scheie & Tracy HazasSometimes, no matter the play, seeing one particular actor’s performance is well worth the price of the ticket and the effort of the outing. And while there is much to like in the total cast and production of Aurora Theatre Company’s The Monster-Builder, the absolutely wicked architect … [Read more...] about “The Monster-Builder”
“In Love and Warcraft”
In Love and WarcraftMadhuri ShekarThe Custom Made Theatre Company Ed Berkeley & Monica HoHormones are racing; hearts are pumping; and bodies are gyrating up and down with sweat dripping freely from head to toe as four SoCal college types (two men, two women) go at it. But these four are not having a raging sex party in some campus frat or dorm (at least not at this … [Read more...] about “In Love and Warcraft”
“Handle with Care”
Handle with CareJason Odell Williams (Hebrew Written by Charlotte Cohn)City Lights Theater Company Roneet Aliza Rahamim and Max Tachis A snowy Christmas Eve, a nondescript motel room in tiny Goodview, Virginia, and It’s a Wonderful Life marathons on every TV channel can only mean one thing: a miracle is about to happen. But before … [Read more...] about “Handle with Care”
“Steve Cuiffo Is Lenny Bruce”
Steve Cuiffo Is Lenny BruceSteve Cuiffo, Arranger & PerformerCurran: Under Construction Steve Cuiffo As part of the ongoing Curran: Under Construction series, the Curran’s owner and producer extraordinaire, Carole Shorenstein, offers Steve Cuiffo Is Lenny Bruce for just three nights in an intimate, nightclub setting on the main stage, complete with open bar … [Read more...] about “Steve Cuiffo Is Lenny Bruce”
“Death Takes a Holiday”
Death Takes a HolidayMaury Yeston (Music & Lyrics)Peter Stone & Thomas Meehan (Book)The Tabard Theatre Company Jessica Whittemore and Stephen BoisvertPhoto by Edmond KwongFor one weekend in Summer, 1922, Death decides to take a vacation, choosing a lovely villa in Italy and multiple Tony Award winners Maury Yeston, Peter Stone, and Thomas … [Read more...] about “Death Takes a Holiday”
“Mother’s Milk: A Blues Riff in Three Acts”
Mother’s Milk: A Blues Riff in Three ActsWayne Harris (Book); Randy Craig (Music)The MarshWayne HarrisInterspersed with soulful snippets of blues and gospel, Wayne Harris lovingly and humorously tells the life story of his mother, Ruth, a woman “when she smiled, her cheeks rose up like pop-up biscuits.” With his own dimpled cheeks, winning smile, and eyes that pop and … [Read more...] about “Mother’s Milk: A Blues Riff in Three Acts”
“The Kid Thing”
The Kid ThingSarah GubbinsNew Conservatory Theatre CenterDesiree Rogers, Sarah Coykendall, Jaq Nguyen Victor & Kimberley RidgewaySometimes it is the unsaid more than the said that speaks the loudest. We arrive in the midst of an increasingly heated, even vicious argument between two African American women -- one chugging alternatively Scotch and wine and the … [Read more...] about “The Kid Thing”
“Tribes”
TribesNina RainePear TheatreMorgan Dayley & Greg AndersonA returning adult son is welcomed at the dinner table by his Dad: “Welcome back … Join in and have an argument.” So starts Pear Theatre’s current production of the 2012 Drams Desk Outstanding Play winner, Tribes, by Nina Raine; and so begins an often riveting, sometimes hilarious, always … [Read more...] about “Tribes”
