Locusts Have No King Julian Jiménez New Conservatory Theatre Center Jonathan and Marcus are in final prep for a dinner party with their neighbors, Lucas and Matthew. All four live in the same building and work in the same profession for the same institution. All are also in the closet at work and pretty much everywhere else except in the confines of the building … [Read more...] about Locusts Have No King
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Cashed Out
Cashed Out Claude Jackson, Jr. San Francisco Playhouse Walking into the theatre and seeing the impressive scenic design of Tanya Orellana, my expectations for San Francisco Playhouse’s world premiere of Cashed Out only increased. Already I was excited that this commissioned work coming from the Playhouse’s pandemic Zoomlet series of ten-minute plays is written by a … [Read more...] about Cashed Out
You’ll Catch Flies
The phrase “you’ll catch flies” begs for a few more words. One common saying is “Close your mouth, or you’ll catch flies.” Another one some of us may have also heard from the likes of a grandmother or an aunt, “You’ll catch flies more with honey than with vinegar.” In either case, there is a warning implied – the first to keep your mouth shut a bit more (or something bad may … [Read more...] about You’ll Catch Flies
“American Night: The Ballad of Juan José”
American Night: The Ballad of Juan JoséRichard MontoyaLos Altos Stage Company Adrian Torres, Carlos Diego Mendoza & Dan CardenasMaybe it was when I first heard the Mexican-American actor say “jew” for “you” or when his character talked about wanting to get into the “Jew-S-A” that I began to check out. After all, I grew up as a kid in an era when I … [Read more...] about “American Night: The Ballad of Juan José”
“Rock of Ages”
Rock of AgesChris D’Arienzo (Book); Ethan Popp (Arrangements & Orchestrations)Palo Alto PlayersThere are unfortunately too many wrong notes in the current Palo Alto Players production of Rock of Ages, even though the athletic enthusiasm of the cast could not be higher. There is much fun in what to see but not enough solid songs in what to hear, making this a show I … [Read more...] about “Rock of Ages”
“Frankenstein”
FrankensteinAdapted by Kit WilderFrom Frankenstein; or, The Modern Prometheus by Mary ShelleyCity Lights Theatre Company Nick Mandracchia Any time a theatre company undertakes a world premiere, much less one commissioned, kudos is warranted for the risks undertaken. While this new offering of Frankenstein has some issues mainly of … [Read more...] about “Frankenstein”
“Caeneus & Poseidon”
Caeneus & PoseidonBridgette Dutta PortmanDragon Productions Theatre CompanyNicky Martinez and Sharon Shao Dragon Productions Theatre Company boldly offers a world premiere of Caeneus & Poseidon by Bridgette Dutta Portman, demonstrating that acknowledging incorrect gender assignments at birth are not just some recent fad, as the ault-right might want us to … [Read more...] about “Caeneus & Poseidon”
“The Revolution Will Not Be Harmonized”
The Revolution Will Not Be HarmonizedChardonnayPianoFightMembers of the Cast as "Freelancers"Imagine a world two hundred years from now where workers are all freelancers. But also imagine that in this post-apocalyptic world, everyone works for just one company, Spotif-Eye, laboring diligently day in and day out at tasks like shredding paper, shoveling dirt, or entering … [Read more...] about “The Revolution Will Not Be Harmonized”
“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”
“For Peter Pan on Her 70th Birhday”
For Peter Pan on Her 70th BirthdaySarah RuhlBerkeley Repertory TheatreKathleen ChalfantMaybe returning for the second time in one season to the hospital bed of a dying father or for the third time to a play involving pirates is pushing the envelope a bit too far. But how could there be any risk when the producing company is the perennially consistent-in-high-quality … [Read more...] about “For Peter Pan on Her 70th Birhday”
“Catch 22”
Catch 22Joseph HellerLos Altos Stage Company Bryan Moriarty, Gary Landis, and Joe AntonicelliWith brave intentions and a cast of enthusiastic actors giving it their best, Los Altos Stage Company takes on the troubled script of Catch 22, hoping to reverse it troubled history to stage a winner. Unfortunately, Joseph Heller’s Catch 22 novel-turned-script … [Read more...] about “Catch 22”
“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”
“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”
“Monstress”
MonstressTwo One Acts Based on Stories by Lysley Tenorio:- Remember the I-Hotel by Philip Kan Gotanda - Presenting … The Monstress! By Sean San JoseAmerican Conservatory TheatreOgie Zulueta (Vicente) & Jomar Tagatac (Fortunado)Commissioned by the American Conservatory Theatre, two one act plays probing stories of 20thCentury, Filipino immigrants to the San Francisco Bay … [Read more...] about “Monstress”
“The Unheard of World”
The Unheard of WorldFabrice MelquiotTranslation by Michelle HanerfoolsFURYTheatre CompanyBrian Livingston & Joan HowardAs first audience members enter, shadowy forms in white, wispy linen wander before and around us with headlights and flashlights, pausing occasionally to confront one of us. Sometimes aimless and sometimes in more coordinated movements nearing a … [Read more...] about “The Unheard of World”
