It Can’t Happen HereAdapted by Tony Taccone & Bennett S. CohenFrom the Novel by Sinclair LewisBerkeley Repertory TheatreThe Cast of It Can't Happen HereOn an immense wooden floor surrounded by tall brick walls, a group of Ft. Beulah, Vermont townspeople of all shapes, colors, and sizes gathers to set the 1936 scene in the U.S: race riots in cities across the land, the … [Read more...] about “It Can’t Happen Here”
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“August: Osage County”
August: Osage CountyTracy LettsMarin Theatre Company The Cast of "August: Osage County"Without a doubt, the star of Marin Theatre Company’s daring, innovative production of the wildly popular, dark family comedy by Tracy Letts, August: Osage County, is J. B. Wilson’s set. The multi-storied, multi-room weathered-wood and metal-framed skeleton with no solid walls enables … [Read more...] about “August: Osage County”
“Little Shop of Horrors”
Little Shop of HorrorsHoward Ashman (Book & Lyrics); Alan Menkin (Music)Ray of Light TheatreMary Kalita & Sam FaustineHow do you take everyone’s favorite horror, fully-tongue-in-cheek, rock musical about a human-eating plant and ensure that your production will be noticed when this musical has already been produced in the past thirty years on almost every community’s … [Read more...] about “Little Shop of Horrors”
“all of what you love and none of what you hate”
all of what you love and none of what you hatePhilip HowzeSan Francisco PlayhouseBritney FrazierIt would be a frustrating mistake to attempt understanding every single aspect of Philip Howze’s new play, all of what you love and none of what you hate. Better to step back and take in the gestalt, the totality. In San Francisco Playhouse’s world premiere production as … [Read more...] about “all of what you love and none of what you hate”
“Assassins”
AssassinsStephen Sondheim (Music & Lyrics); John Weidman (Book)Los Altos Stage Company Todd Wright, Connor Smith, Anthony Stephens, Chase Campbell, Alea Selburn, Philomena Block, Andy Cooperfauss, and Drew Benjamin JonesOne of the more controversial musicals ever to be staged, one that companies prolific in producing Stephen Sondheim works often avoid producing, is … [Read more...] about “Assassins”
“Veils”
VeilsTom CoashPear Theatre Naseem Etemad & Amani DornPear Theatre presents the funny, poignant, and altogether politically timely play, Veils by Tom Coash, the 2015 winner of the American Theatre Critics Association M. Elizabeth Osborn Award. Set in the midst of the so-called 2011 “Arab Spring” upheavals that spread revolutionary fever and rioting into Cairo … [Read more...] about “Veils”
“Champagne White Is Disastrous!”
Champagne White Is Disastrous!D’Arcy DrollingerOasis Steven LeMay, Adam Roy, D'Arcy Drollinger & James ArthurSometimes there is clearly too much of a good thing, even orgasms; and that is the worldwide crisis that Champagne White is out to solve in the latest wild and wooly chapter of D’Arcy Drollinger’s evolving serial about his drag-queen, hot babe who is sometimes … [Read more...] about “Champagne White Is Disastrous!”
“Legally Blonde”
Legally BlondeLaurence O’Keefe & Nell Benjamin (Music & Lyrics); Heather Hach (Book)Hillbarn Theatre Courtney Hatcher and the Cast of Legally BlondeDare it be said that anyone who enters with a built-in dislike for high-pitched, somewhat shrill, and overly enthusiastic female voices still is a sure-fire bet to be infected with the catchy, contagious earworm of “Omigod … [Read more...] about “Legally Blonde”
“American Idiot”
American IdiotGreen Day (Music); Billie Joe Armstrong (Lyrics); Billie Joe Armstrong & Michael Mayer (Book); Tom Kitt (Musical Arrangements & Orchestrations)City Lights Theater Company The Cast of "American Idiot"Onto the stage of City Lights Theater Company bursts a vigorous, heart-pumping, invigorating American Idiot with a cast that gives and gives … [Read more...] about “American Idiot”
“John Leguizamo: Latin History for Morons”
John Leguizamo: Latin History for MoronsJohn LeguizamoBerkeley Repertory Theatre(In co-production with The Public Theatre)John LeguizamoArriving in coat, vest, and tie (but also jeans and sneakers) to hoots and hollers of an already-adoring audience, John Leguizamo immediately announces, “Settle down, settle down ... We have a lot of work to do ... I got to reboot you about … [Read more...] about “John Leguizamo: Latin History for Morons”
“Present Laughter”
Present LaughterNoël CowardTheatre RhinocerosThe Cast of Theatre Rhino's "Present Laughter"Intriguing plot? No, not much there. New theatrical grounds explored? No, why break what has already worked for the playwright? Redeeming social value and food for thought? Ha, are you kidding? A rip-roaringly fun night of theatre? Bingo! … [Read more...] about “Present Laughter”
“August: Osage County”
August: Osage CountyTracy LettsPear Theatre Betsy Kruse Craig (as Barbara) Comforts Diane Tasca (as Violet)Pear Theatre jumps in heads over heels into the muck and dirt of the Westons with a cast that proves they all have the mettle to do what it takes to bring Tracy Letts’ script of August: Osage County to full, rambunctious, no-holes-barred life – be it … [Read more...] about “August: Osage County”
“The Village Bike”
The Village BikePenelope SkinnerShotgun PlayersEliss Stebbins as Becky & Nick Medina as JohnWhen one spouse makes amorous moves in bed for some late-night hanky-panky and the other spouse responds to each approach, “Not tonight ... I’ve got an early start... I’ve got to make lasagna tomorrow... It’s a bit hot ... It’s the weather,” a natural inclination would be to assume … [Read more...] about “The Village Bike”
“Maggie’s Riff”
Maggie’s RiffJon LipskyFaultline TheaterPaul Rodriguez as Jack KerouacIn wrinkled, open trench coat and smoking like a fiend, he wanders up to the 1950s-era mike in a fog-filled room and starts to ramble a story in his Northeastern way of forming his words. Some of what he says in the beginning is a bit cryptic (“Been doing a bit of babble since I had this flip”), but … [Read more...] about “Maggie’s Riff”
“Robert Louis Stevenson: Jekyll and Hyde”
Robert Louis Stevenson: Jekyll and HydeGary GravesCentral WorksBrian Herndon as Lewis & Danielle Levin as FannyWith labored breathing behind a black, leather mask and through thick, green-glassed goggles, a reclining, night-gowned man wrapped in knitted blanket writes furiously on his lap desk. Stripping off the 19th-century respirator and goggles, in socked … [Read more...] about “Robert Louis Stevenson: Jekyll and Hyde”
