MacbethWilliam ShakespeareBerkeley Repertory Company Conleth Hill & Frances McDormandYears from now when I look back at all the productions of Macbeth that I have seen from Ashland to London to Edinburgh and many places in between, I am confident that the current rendition at Berkeley Repertory Theatre will be emblazoned in my fondest memories. While the searing, … [Read more...] about “Macbeth”
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“Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage”
Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on StageEleanor BergsteinSHNChristopher Tierney and the Cast of Dancers of "Dirty Dancing"As two voices in duet brilliantly sing the words all in the audience have been salivating for over two hours to hear, the dance of all dances begins in sultry swerves and dips to raised cheers (and probably some tears) among the thousand-plus in … [Read more...] about “Dirty Dancing: The Classic Story on Stage”
“Bridges”
BridgesCheryl L. Davis (Book & Lyrics); Douglas J. Cohen (Music)Berkeley PlayhouseThe Cast of "Bridges"In twos and threes, shoulder to shoulder, and all hands clapping, twenty shining faces looking straight ahead come down the center aisle singing, “We’re heading for freedom ... Look how far we’ve come ... There’s nothing we can’t overcome.” As they head toward two … [Read more...] about “Bridges”
“She Loves Me”
She Loves MeJerry Bock (Music); Sheldon Harnick (Lyrics); Joe Masteroff (Book)Foothill Music Theatre Nick Rodrigues, Anthony Stephens, Michael Doppe, Morgan Dayley & John RinaldiFoothill Music Theatre opens She Loves Me in a fabulously directed production that leaves no laugh unchuckled, no minute empty or dull, and no character (major or minor) without a chance to … [Read more...] about “She Loves Me”
“Dogeaters”
DogeatersJessica HagedornMagic TheatreThe hot, muggy breezes of Philippine jungles send trees crashing against the corrugated shacks along the stage wall while thumping loud beats of 1980s club music in Manila vibrate all around us. The uneasiness and threat of a storm is eased somewhat by the promise of a nightclub party. For the next two and a half hours, opulence … [Read more...] about “Dogeaters”
“Tinderella”
Tinderella: The Modern MusicalChristian B. Schmidt (Music), Weston Scott (Lyrics) & Rose Oser (Book)FaultLine TheaterWeston Scott, Audrey Baker, Marisa Conroy, Kevin Singer & Alex BonteWhen it comes to finding a first date; a soul mate; or a jump-in-the-bed-one-night escape, that potential dreamboat is just a click (or on the app Tinder, a swipe) away in today’s … [Read more...] about “Tinderella”
“Forever Plaid”
Forever PlaidStuart RossSouth Bay Musical Theatre David Murphy, Matthew Hall, Derek DeMarco & Will PerezEmerging through rolling fog out of a giant, neon-lit Wurlitzer jukebox and draped above by a curtain of hundreds of 45s, four men in white tux coats chant solemnly something sounding Latin and holy and strangely peppered with the word “plaid.” ... As … [Read more...] about “Forever Plaid”
“Little Erik”
Little ErikMark JacksonAurora Theatre CompanyJack Wittmayer, Mariah Castle, Marilee Talkington, Joe Estlack & Wilman BonetWaves crash with awful fury as their deafening sounds echo all around us, with the flashing shadows of trees dancing in tumult on the stage we as audience surround on three sides. As the storm dies, a low, ominous, single chord lingers in the … [Read more...] about “Little Erik”
“Tigers Be Still”
Tigers Be StillKim RosenstockCity Lights Theater Company Akemi Okamura & Melissa WeinsteinCity Lights Theater Company has taken the extremely clever script of Kim Rosenstock and produced through a fine production team and talented cast a Tigers Be Still that keeps the audience in tears – either through hundreds of reasons to laugh or a few heartthrob … [Read more...] about “Tigers Be Still”
“Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Radio Play”
Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Radio PlayAdapted by Hayley Lovgren from the Original Screen Play by George SeatonBased on The LUX Radio Theatre Broadcast of December 22, 1948The Tabard Theatre CompanyThe Cast of Tabard's "Miracle on 34th Street"For decades, millions of Americans tune in sometime during each December for their annual viewing of the 1947 George Seaton, … [Read more...] about “Miracle on 34th Street: A Live Radio Play”
“Scrooge in Love”
Scrooge in LoveLarry Grossman (Music), Kellen Blair (Lyrics), Duane Poole (Book)42nd Street Moon TheatreRyan Drummond & Jason GraaeWe are rarely left to wonder what happens to our favorite characters after a blockbuster movie ends because a sequel is usually not too long in coming to update us and continue the tale. (Think Godfather, Toy Story, Men in Black, Kung Fu … [Read more...] about “Scrooge in Love”
“The Monster-Builder”
The Monster-BuilderAmy FreedAurora Theatre CompanyDanny Scheie & Tracy HazasSometimes, no matter the play, seeing one particular actor’s performance is well worth the price of the ticket and the effort of the outing. And while there is much to like in the total cast and production of Aurora Theatre Company’s The Monster-Builder, the absolutely wicked architect … [Read more...] about “The Monster-Builder”
“In Love and Warcraft”
In Love and WarcraftMadhuri ShekarThe Custom Made Theatre Company Ed Berkeley & Monica HoHormones are racing; hearts are pumping; and bodies are gyrating up and down with sweat dripping freely from head to toe as four SoCal college types (two men, two women) go at it. But these four are not having a raging sex party in some campus frat or dorm (at least not at this … [Read more...] about “In Love and Warcraft”
“Tribes”
TribesNina RainePear TheatreMorgan Dayley & Greg AndersonA returning adult son is welcomed at the dinner table by his Dad: “Welcome back … Join in and have an argument.” So starts Pear Theatre’s current production of the 2012 Drams Desk Outstanding Play winner, Tribes, by Nina Raine; and so begins an often riveting, sometimes hilarious, always … [Read more...] about “Tribes”
“Shakespeare Goes to War”
"Shakespeare Goes to War"John FisherTheatre RhinocerosJesse F. Vaughn, Gabriel A. Ross, John Fisher & Sean KeehanSubtitled “Everything I needed to know about Shakespeare I learned from my high school English teacher,” John Fisher’s latest play, "Shakespeare Goes to War," is clearly his personal homage to one or more teachers who pointed him toward his career in … [Read more...] about “Shakespeare Goes to War”
