AdmissionsJoshua HarmonLos Altos Stage CompanyMichael Champlin, Quincy Shaindlin and Kristin WalterAdmissions is Joshua Harmon’s hard-hitting, paradoxical look at admission processes at both upper-crust private secondary schools and the most-sought-after private universities. Now in a riveting, superbly acted and directed production at Los Altos Stage Company, Admissions … [Read more...] about “Admissions”
4.5 E
“An Ideal Husband”
An Ideal HusbandOscar WildePear Theatre Aaron Weisberg and Tom FarleyIn the midst of his own infidelities to his wife via his live-in, male lover becoming headlines and a life-ruining court case, the famed and wildly popular poet, playwright, and novelist (as well as celebrated, itinerant speaker in the U.S.), Oscar Wilde, wrote a play still widely produced almost … [Read more...] about “An Ideal Husband”
“The Flick”
The FlickAnnie BakerShotgun PlayersJustin Howard & Chris GinesiEntering the Ashby Stage setting, it is at first confusing where to find the ticketed seat. Mirroring the regular seating area is another set of seat rows, which after a second look, are clearly those of a small movie theatre. Looking further, there are the curtained walls with movie-house sconces, … [Read more...] about “The Flick”
“The 39 Steps”
The 39 StepsAdapted by Patrick BarlowBased on the Novel by John BuchanFrom the Movie by Alfred HitchcockTheatreWorksSilicon ValleyLance Gardner, Ron Campbell, Annie Abrams & Cassidy BrownFour actors playing upwards of one-hundred-plus parts. Eighty costume changes, with a total of fifty different costumes often switched in split-second timing on stage. Bridges, … [Read more...] about “The 39 Steps”
“Present Laughter”
Present LaughterNoël CowardPear Theatre Jenni Chapman, Barbara Heninger, Akex Draa, Charles Woodson Parker & John Stephen KingPear Theatre presents in its intimate setting Noël Coward's Present Laughter that bursts at the seams with riotous comedy propelled by a stage full of memorably quirky characters who get themselves and each other … [Read more...] about “Present Laughter”
“Archduke”
ArchdukeRajiv JosephTheatreWorks Silicon ValleyJeremy Kahn, Stephen Stocking, Scott Coopwood & Adam Shonkwiler One gun shot and its hapless, men-still-boys perpetrators are the unlikely subjects of a laugh-out-loud retelling of one of history’s darkest moments – World War I’s initiating assassination of the Archduke Ferdinand. Pulitzer Prize finalist … [Read more...] about “Archduke”
“Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”
Beautiful: The Carole King MusicalDouglas McGrath (Book)Gerry Goffin & Carole King, Barry Mann & Cynthia Weil (Music & Lyrics)SHNSarah BockelIt is a testament to the touchstone popularity of a musical that had its world premiere in San Francisco in 2013, returned in 2016, and now is in a limited appearance for its third SF run in a half dozen years that the opening … [Read more...] about “Beautiful: The Carole King Musical”
“Anna Considers Mars”
Anna Considers MarsRuben GrijalvaPlaygroundMelissa Ortiz, Katie Rubin, Aaron Wilton & Christian HainesThe polar ice caps are no more. Fiji has disappeared; San Francisco is surrounded by a gigantic seawall. From sharks to lions, species are going extinct in the wild while decades-long droughts send desperate throngs to attack arriving planes as people look for … [Read more...] about “Anna Considers Mars”
“The Victorian Ladies’ Detective Collective”
The Victorian Ladies’ Detective CollectivePatricia MiltonCentral WorksStacy Ross, Jan Zvaifler & Chelsea BearceWomen viewed by men as second-class while independent-minded, outspoken women are viewed with scorn and derision. Producers making unwanted moves on young actresses as police openly disregard women’s inputs. Businessmen more concerned about their bottom … [Read more...] about “The Victorian Ladies’ Detective Collective”
“Territories”
TerritoriesBetty ShamiehArabian Shakespeare FestivalTarek Khan & Katrina YasharIn opulent sultanic robes, one man nobly declares that in future generations, “I will be praised.” Opposite him, a Crusader predicts that he will be lost in the footnotes. Between them, a young woman in the full attire of a royal member of a long-past Islamic dynasty with a touch of … [Read more...] about “Territories”
“The Importance of Being Ernest”
The Importance of Being EarnestOscar WildeAurora Theatre CompanyThe Aurora CastTwo young socialites both are engaged to Ernest, only there is no Ernest – at least not until two young dandies can rush to church for a late-afternoon re-christening, each planning to become Ernest to cover up his habitual propensity for lying. But before such radical altercation of identities … [Read more...] about “The Importance of Being Ernest”
“Hershey Felder: A Paris Love Story”
Hershey Felder: A Paris Love StoryHershey FelderTheatreWorks Silicon Valley Hershey FelderThe mesmerizing music lures its listeners into a state of relaxed contemplation of the chalk-drawn scenes of the City of Lights that splash one by one on the projected, stage-filling blackboard behind him. At the piano, we imagine for a moment that the great French … [Read more...] about “Hershey Felder: A Paris Love Story”
“Yoga Play”
Yoga PlayDipika GuhaSan Francisco PlayhouseRyan Morales, Bobak Cyrus Bakhitiari, Craig Marker (on screen) & Susi DamilanoWho wouldn’t want to run out and buy a pair of soft, stretchy pants with “slow-release, organic lavender activated by water” that has made focus group participants “want to hold on to their clothes even after a sweaty yoga class”? The executive team … [Read more...] about “Yoga Play”
“Sojourn”
SojournEvan Kokkila-SchumacherPear Theatre Drew Benjamin Jones and Laura DomingoFor both science-fiction lovers and for anyone who likes a play that mixes mystery, philosophical debates, and political realities with a story that has a very human component, Pear Theatre’s wonderfully acted and inventively conceived Sojourn is a ticket for a rocket ride … [Read more...] about “Sojourn”
“Transfers”
TransfersLucy ThurberCrowded Fire TheaterVictor D. Ragsdale & Caleb CabreraWho is let in the gate to reside inside the ivy-covered walls of Hared University? Who is left only looking in from the outside? What set of qualifications wins out in the end when two candidates – one African American, one Latino -- have both beaten all odds over the daily hunger, … [Read more...] about “Transfers”
