OndineKatharine ShermanCutting Ball TheatreThe Cast of "Ondine"A giant, molded, blue wave that peaks on both ends divides the arriving audience into two halves as a young man and woman -- both bare-footed, loosely clothed – silently cuddle, lounge separately, and run up the wave’s opposing crests, only to slide back down. The dance-of-sorts continues a full fifteen … [Read more...] about “Ondine”
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“The Illusionists — Live from Broadway”
The Illusionists – Live from BroadwaySimon Painter, Creative ProducerSHNThe CastOver-the-top Vegas garishness of flashing lights and lasers, a harshly mod set design, goth-dressed dancers looking angry as they stomp and flip wildly about, and blaring pumped-up music could not cover up how underwhelming SHN’s latest touring offering, The Illusionists – Live from Broadway, was on … [Read more...] about “The Illusionists — Live from Broadway”
“I Do! I Do!”
I Do! I Do!Tom Jones (Book and Lyrics); Harvey Schmidt (Music)The Tabard Theatre Company Itrene Trapp & James CreerFor an audience of a certain age, the Tabard production of I Do! I Do! is likely to be an enjoyable, probably nostalgic couple of hours that leaves them with some smiles thinking about yesteryear. For history buffs of the American … [Read more...] about “I Do! I Do!”
“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”
“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”
“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”
“Of Serpents and Sea Spray”
Of Serpents and Sea SprayRachel BublitzCustom Made Theatre CompanyHeren Patel, Maria Leigh, Laura Domingo & Maria Giere Marquis“Many years ago, in a land faraway there lived a winged horse named Pegasus.” With those few words, a little girl’s imagination opens up a world where she has hunted giants in Chile, ridden on the back of the fabled horse over the Great Wall … [Read more...] about “Of Serpents and Sea Spray”
“Dangerous Corner”
Dangerous CornerJ. P. PriestleySF City Theatre CompanyAdrienne Dolan & David RichardsonIn a 1930s society parlor setting, one high-styled woman in a slinky green dress admits, “I am always fibbing ... It is the secret of my charm.” A young, suave bachelor in tux remarks, “Telling the truth is as dangerous as skidding around the corner at 60” while a red-lipped blonde … [Read more...] about “Dangerous Corner”
“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”
“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”
“My Mañana Comes”
"My Mañana Comes"Elizabeth IrwinMarin Theatre CompanyThe Cast of My Mañana ComesThey are all around us, silently hustling and bustling, every time we go to our favorite eatery. Water appears, hot bread is replenished, and plates are delivered to the right person while we continue our conversations (or flip through our IPhone messages). What does happen behind … [Read more...] about “My Mañana Comes”
“Kiss Me, Kate”
Kiss Me, KateCole Porter (Music & Lyrics); Sam & Bella Spewack (Book)Broadway by the BayThe Cast of Kiss Me, KateFor anyone with even a mild interest in American Musical Theatre, walking into a production of Kiss Me, Kate has to be close to a dream come true. Broadway by the Bay ends their 50th anniversary year reviving Cole Porter’s … [Read more...] about “Kiss Me, Kate”
The Hypocrites’ “Pirates of Penzance”
The Hypocrites’ Pirates of PenzanceW.S. Gilbert (Book); Arthur Sullivan (Music)Adapted by Sean Graney; co-adapted by Kevin O’DonnellBerkeley Repertory Theatre Matt Kahler as Major-General with Other Hypocrites CastDodging flying beach balls, stepping over ice chests and around kid’s swimming pools full of rubber duckies, and often stopping by the straw-roofed tiki-hut for … [Read more...] about The Hypocrites’ “Pirates of Penzance”
“HEROMONSTER”
HEROMONSTERNathaniel Justiniano & Ava Roy; Music by Charlie GurkeWePlayersNathaniel Justiniano and Ava RoyHEROMONSTER, created and performed by Nathaniel Justiniano and Ava Roy of We Players, is less a play with a story line and more poetry in motion with loose, vague references to the original Beowulf. The result is always intriguing, often mesmerizing, and at times … [Read more...] about “HEROMONSTER”
