HamletWilliam ShakespeareStanford Department of Theatre What can make a much-known, often-seen classic like Hamlet worth visiting one more time? Certainly, hearing the poetic majesty of familiar lines and witnessing yet again the young Hamlet struggle with his questions of life and death can be compelling reasons. But … [Read more...] about “Hamlet”
4 E
“The Lyons”
The LyonsNicky SilverAurora Theatre CompanyAnd yet another family gathers on the current American stage either at the bedside of a dying relative or at their home mourning for a lost member. In Nicky Silver’s The Lyons, a mother, a son, and a daughter enter the hospital room of their dying, cranky, even bitter-about-his-now-spent-life husband and father. This is the … [Read more...] about “The Lyons”
“Harbor”
HarborChad BeguelinNew Conservatory Theatre CenterSometimes, an unexpected event stimulates further events that probably are going to happen anyway but maybe not as quickly and not quite in the way that the trigger ignites them. In this West Coast premiere of Beguelin’s Harbor, the seemingly bucolic life of two gay men -- Ted the architect and Kevin the writer -- is … [Read more...] about “Harbor”
“2 Pianos, 4 Hands”
2 Pianos, 4 Hands Ted Dykstra & Richard GreenblattTheatreWorksEntering the theatre and seeing the two, ‘stretch’ Steinways fill the wide Mountain View stage, I wondered if I were the last person in the Bay Area finally to see this much-produced Canadian play since it had already appeared on several other, Bay Area stages (e.g., ACT, San Jose Rep, Center Rep) as well as over … [Read more...] about “2 Pianos, 4 Hands”
“Lift Up Your Skirt”
Lift Up Your SkirtKathy NajimyFeinstein's at the NikkoThis one-woman created and performed 'play' is a delight and a heart-warmer. Kathy Najimy tells not the story of her life but, as she says, 'stories of my life.' These stories are funny, intriguing, and usually with a message. They sometimes linger a bit too long in the telling; but the laughter they … [Read more...] about “Lift Up Your Skirt”
“Shit & Champagne”
Shit & ChampagneD'Arcy Drollinger OasisOpening the new Oasis nightclub, the revival of Shit & Champagne brings the excitement and energy that should launch this venue into a long life of fun and frolic. Drollinger's farce of the low-budget, 70s 'exploitation' films for the most part hits its mark at every turn. With super-hero-like drag queens; bumbling … [Read more...] about “Shit & Champagne”
