The ObligationRoger GrunwaldThe Mitzvah Project in association with Playground Potrero StageRoger GrunwaldThe April 12, 2018, edition of The New York Times printed the following findings from a survey released a few days earlier on Holocaust Remembrance:- 31% of Americans and 41% of Millennials believe that two million or less Jews were killed in the Holocaust (not the actual … [Read more...] about “The Obligation”
4.5 E
“God of Carnage”
God of CarnageYasmina RezaCity Lights Theater CompanyAvondina Wills, Karyn Rondeau, Erik Gandolfi & April GreenDirector Virginia Drake has pulled no punches in ensuring that the uproariously funny and furiously outrageous City Lights Theater Company production of God of Carnage will both delight and shock its audience with a terrific take on this dark drama/comedy … [Read more...] about “God of Carnage”
“King Henry V”: Day 9, Play 9, Theatre Eddys at the 2018 Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Henry VWilliam ShakespeareOregon Shakespeare FestivalDaniel José Molina as King Henry V“Therefore take heed how you impawn one person,How you awake our sleeping sword of war.We charge you in the name of God, take heed;For never two such kingdoms did contendWithout much fall of blood.”The King who looks squarely, calmly, and bluntly into the eyes of the Archbishop of Canterbury … [Read more...] about “King Henry V”: Day 9, Play 9, Theatre Eddys at the 2018 Oregon Shakespeare Festival
“Love’s Labor Lost”: Day 5, Play 6, Theatre Eddys at the 2018 Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Love’s Labor LostWilliam ShakespeareOregon Shakespeare FestivalThe Musicians of Love's Labor LostA huge pink pig residing and barely fitting into the upper balcony of the Oregon Shakespeare Theatre – the space normally reserved for heavenly beings or musicians – along with a column of over-sized, silver-starred mylar ballons; a tilting quarter moon the length of a car; and … [Read more...] about “Love’s Labor Lost”: Day 5, Play 6, Theatre Eddys at the 2018 Oregon Shakespeare Festival
“Pippin”
PippinStephen Schwartz (Music & Lyrics); Roger O. Hirson (Book)Los Altos Stage Company Dominic Dagdagan Los Altos Stage Company's Pippin is a triumphant success built on deliciously inspired direction, wildly impressive choreography, and vocal performances that never disappoint of songs well-loved by many. This is a Pippin that speaks to our troubled times just … [Read more...] about “Pippin”
“Three Days of Rain”
Three Days of RainRichard GreenbergDragon Productions Theatre Company Tasi Alabastro & Robert Sean Campbell “None of this ever happened.” In the midst of a heated argument, inner feelings flow unabashedly into the open; closely held secrets tumble into the light of day; and suddenly looks of shock and regret replace those of … [Read more...] about “Three Days of Rain”
“When Pigs Fly”
Howard Crabtree’s When Pigs FlyConceived by Howard Crabtree & Mark WaldropMark Waldrop (Sketches & Lyrics); Dick Gallagher (Music)New Conservatory Theatre CenterDavid BichaIf we are to believe the opening scene, it all began when his Springbrook High vocational counselor, Miss Roundhole, suggested to a starry eyed Dream Curly (aka Howard Crabtree) that he could look … [Read more...] about “When Pigs Fly”
“An Entomologist’s Love Story”
An Entomologist’s Love StoryMelissa RossSan Francisco PlayhouseLucas Verbrugghe & Lori PrinceBlink, blink. ... Blink, Blink.Blink/Pause. ... Blink/Pause.Signals go out into the night, searching for a compatible mate -- for hot sex. The climax could be even more ecstatic since the female may be one that kills the male as the deed is done.Such is the life of a … [Read more...] about “An Entomologist’s Love Story”
“The Full Monty”
The Full MontyTerrence McNally (Book); David Yazbek (Music & Lyrics)Hillbarn Theatre Greg Lynch, Brian Palac, James Creer, Bradley Satterwhite, Linda Piccone, and Andy Cooperfauss The entire production Hillbarn's Monty is packed with humor and heart, gusto and grit, love almost lost and love newly found. From jogging women silently … [Read more...] about “The Full Monty”
“Eureka Day”
Eureka DayJonathan SpectorAurora TheatreThe Cast of Eureka DayMaybe this is a typical, kindergarten classroom; but probably most of those in America do not have posters hanging on their pristine walls showing a raised fist for “Occupy Oakland,” a sad-faced elephant proclaiming “Global Warming Is a Giant Problem,” or the definition of “eracism” (erasing the belief one race is … [Read more...] about “Eureka Day”
“The Gangster of Love”
The Gangster of LoveJessica HagedornMagic TheatreLance Gardner & Golda SargentoTwo pairs of eyes widen to reveal mammoth rings of white around dark, darting balls as a brother and sister sway with the ocean’s waves, looking for the first signs of the Golden Gate. While the girl’s eyes sing with wonder and excitement, the boy’s silently scream of anxiety and maybe … [Read more...] about “The Gangster of Love”
“The Effect”
The EffectLucy PrebbleSan Francisco PlayhouseJoe Estlack & Ayelet FirstenbergA few too many drinks leads to a wild and sensuous night in bed together leads to follow-up dates and eventually leads to a wedding, children, and celebration of a fiftieth anniversary. While not the way every couple begins their life together, who among us has not heard of such from someone … [Read more...] about “The Effect”
“The Music Man”
The Music ManMeredith Wilson (Book, Music & Lyrics)Broadway by the Bay As many times as I have personally seen the show, I experienced a week’s build-up of excitement to see Broadway by the Bay’s latest staging of the ever-popular tale of the huckster Hill, The Music Man. I am happy to report that the Broadway by the Bay production has the all brassiness, the … [Read more...] about “The Music Man”
“Vietgone”
VietgoneQui NguyenAmerican Conservatory TheatreJames Seol & Stephen HuA romantic comedy? A musical? A sex-filled, expletive-packed, action play? A parody about immigrants views of America or their love story for their new home in America? A tale set in the mid-‘70s or one that is actually contemporary? Starkly realistic or wildly fantastic, … [Read more...] about “Vietgone”
“At the Statue of Venus” and “Trouble in Tahiti”
At the Statue of VenusJake Heggie (Music); Terrence McNally (Libretto)&Trouble in TahitiLeonard Bernstein (Music & Libretto)Opera ParallèleSteffi CheongThe familiar opening notes of West Side Story rise in a percussion-piano duet, jazzier and with more edge than the Broadway version. The evening’s prelude transitions into a probing, vibrating, and emotional … [Read more...] about “At the Statue of Venus” and “Trouble in Tahiti”
