American HeroBess WohlThe Custom Made Theatre Co.Paul Stout, Devon deGroot & Laura EspinoDay-by-day, the slices of turkey, pastrami, and cheddar dwindle away. Already there are no more chips and no more Dr. Pepper. But at Toasty Subs that just recently celebrated its grand opening, the three “sandwich artists” continue to spread what mustard is left on the few … [Read more...] about “American Hero”
3.5 E
“Marie and Rosetta”
Marie and RosettaGeorge BrantTheatreWorks Silicon ValleyMichelle E Jordan and Marissa RuddGeorge Brant’s Marie and Rosetta receives its foot-tapping, spirit-arousing, and raise-the-roof production at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, returning to its birthplace of sorts where in 2015 the musical was first featured in the company’s annual New Works Festival. The music and … [Read more...] about “Marie and Rosetta”
“Shakespeare in Love”
Shakespeare in LoveBased on the Screenplay by Tom Stoppard and Marc NormanAdapted for the Stage by Lee Hall, Palo Alto Players Drew Benjamin JonesLee Hall’s adaptation of the Norman/Stoppard screenplay, Shakespeare in Love, emphasizes even more than the original film the determination of one woman to forge a place on the world’s stage — or at least on … [Read more...] about “Shakespeare in Love”
“A History of WWII: THe D-Day Invasion to the Fall of Berlin”
A History of WWII: The D-Day Invasion to the Fall of BerlinJohn FisherThe MarshJohn FisherIs it because he was just an over-imaginative, hyper-active boy? Was it the fact his parents had a woods in the back yard that begged to be the site of grandiose war games with the neighborhood gang? Did he really see himself as a WASP-y kid who needed the thrill of play … [Read more...] about “A History of WWII: THe D-Day Invasion to the Fall of Berlin”
“A Bronx Tale”
A Bronx TaleChazz Palminteri (Book); Alan Menken (Music); Glenn Slater (Lyrics)SHNJoey Barreiro & Frannkie LeoniBased on real life occurrences, A Bronx Tale is a coming of age musical about the life of its writer, Chazz Palminteri, ages nine to seventeen. Set in the 1960s Italian and African-American neighborhoods of New York – two neighborhoods close in distance but … [Read more...] about “A Bronx Tale”
“The Boy from Oz”
The Boy from OzMartin Sherman & Nick Enright (Book); Peter Allen (Music & Lyrics)Theatre RhinocerosJustin Gellen & Justin LopezOne of the most memorable performances that I have ever seen on Broadway was from the second row, reveling in Hugh Jackman’s performance as Peter Allen in the 2003 The Boy from Oz –a role that won him that year’s Tony for Best Leading Actor … [Read more...] about “The Boy from Oz”
“On Your Feet!”
On Your Feet!Alexander Dinelaris (Book); Emilio & Gloria Estefan & Miami Sound Machine (Music & Lyrics)Broadway San Jose Christie Prades & Adriel FleteAs jukebox, biographical musicals have continued to find their way to the Great White Way and beyond -- often packing in adoring audiences for years even when critics might be at best lukewarm in initial reception … [Read more...] about “On Your Feet!”
“Hedwig and the Angry Inch”
Hedwig and the Angry InchJohn Cameron Mitchell (Book); Stephen Trask (Music & Lyrics)Ray of Light TheatreColeton SchmittoIn the past few years, Ray of Light Theatre has garnered a wildly enthusiastic and loyal audience that will pack night after night the cavernous Victoria Theatre for excellent, high-quality, and often quite bizarre musicals that the company … [Read more...] about “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”
“Native Gardens”
Native GardensKaren ZacaríasTheatreWorks Silicon ValleyJackson Davis, Amy Resnick, Michael Evans Lopez & Marlene MartinezPresident Trump has his border issues and fence dreams, but the ignition of accusations and counter-accusations that he has inflamed pale in comparison to the increasing tensions between the Butleys and Del Valles, two sets of neighbors who have just met … [Read more...] about “Native Gardens”
“School of Rock”
School of RockJulian Fellowes (Book); Glenn Slater (Lyrics); Andrew Lloyd Webber (Music)SHNThe Cast of School of RockThe man who began his celebrated, much-awarded career writing a rock musical when he was twenty-two (Jesus Christ Superstar) returned to that genre to premiere in 2015 School of Rock, an electrically pounding good time featuring this time not twenty-somethings, … [Read more...] about “School of Rock”
“Dry Land”
Dry LandRuby Rae SpiegelShotgun PlayersGrace Ng & Martha BrighamIf there were ever a play that should come with a few upfront “Warning” signs like those we now see on so many consumer goods, perhaps it is Ruby Rae Spiegel’s Dry Land now in a spellbinding, but often difficult-to-watch production at Shotgun Players. --> Warning:- Anyone who may faint at the sight of … [Read more...] about “Dry Land”
“Scapegoat”
ScapegoatWilliam BivinsPlayground, in association with Lorraine Hansberry Theatre Rhonnie Washington with Drew Reginald Watkins & Douglas B. GiorgisScapegoat is under attack from all sides. The black super hero in green tights was once the pioneering, main star for Blam Comics, making his creator, Clive, a real live hero for graphically describing in exciting … [Read more...] about “Scapegoat”
“Saturday Night”
Saturday NightJulius J. Epstein (Book); Stephen Sondheim (Music & Lyrics)42nd Street MoonThe Cast of Saturday NightWhile it is not that unusual to hear about a first-born baby arriving late, forty-three years is probably some kind of a Guinness world record. That is exactly how long it took Stephen Sondheim’s first musical, Saturday Night, to receive its first … [Read more...] about “Saturday Night”
“Cowboy Versus Samurai”
Cowboy Versus SamuraiMichael GolamcoPear TheatreChuck Lacson A delightfully entertaining, laugh-out-loud funny, and altogether sweet Cowboy Versus Samurai by Michael Golamco, is now receiving a staging at Pear Theatre. Four twenty-somethings are all in search of their true identities; and their journeys’ bumpy routes are full of racial, personal, and … [Read more...] about “Cowboy Versus Samurai”
“OUT of Site”
OUT of SiteSeth EisenEye Zen PresentsCast Members of OUT of Site“We have been here, laying the stones, paving the way for you.”The ghosts of LGBTQ heroes of the past 150 years come to life in the very back alleys, neighborhood bars, and hidden basements where they lived in both flair and fear in what we now know as North Beach, San Francisco. Twenty or so of us are led on a … [Read more...] about “OUT of Site”
