graveyard shiftKorde Arrington TuttleSan Francisco PlayhouseRondrell McCormick & Sam JacksonFrom the beginning, it is clear that the two, separate stories running in parallel -- seamlessly shifting from one to the other on the same stage without a pause – are at some point bound to collide. As we get to know an young, African American couple trying to sort out a … [Read more...] about “graveyard shift”
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“The Mystery of Edwin Drood”
The Mystery of Edwin DroodRupert Holmes (Book, Music & Lyrics)Guggenheim Entertainment & 3 Below Theatres and Lounge The Cast of The Mystery of Edwin DroodGuggenheim Entertainment is now staging at its 3 Below Theatres and Lounge an rip-roaring, rambunctious, and riotous The Mystery of Edwin Drood -- Rupert Holmes’ 1985 musical that garnered five Tony Awards out of … [Read more...] about “The Mystery of Edwin Drood”
“The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”
The Best Little Whorehouse in TexasLarry L. King & Peter Masterson (Book); Carol Hall (Music & Lyrics)Based on a Story by Larry L. King42nd Street MoonDyan McBride as Miss Mona with Her GirlsSometimes, real life can actually be more fantastical than fiction. Such is the case of the history of the Chicken Ranch in La Grange, Texas – a brothel that operated from … [Read more...] about “The Best Little Whorehouse in Texas”
“Acid Test: The Many Reincarnations of Ram Dass”
Acid Test: The Many Reincarnations of Ram DassLynne KaufmanThe MarshWarren David KeithCarrying his upturned, paralyzed hand with both proud dignity and obvious discomfort, the old gentleman enters limping with a smile genuine and glowing while his words creep out slowly. “Thank you for being here ... now.” Explaining that “I was stroked,” he continues to describe … [Read more...] about “Acid Test: The Many Reincarnations of Ram Dass”
“Red Scare on Sunset”
Red Scare on SunsetCharles BuschNew Conservatory Theatre CenterJ. Conrad Frank & Nancy FrenchWith the red-headed, red-lipped looks and antics when she’s happy of Lucille Ball’s Lucy and the snarls and evil eyes of Bette Davis’s Sweet Charlotte when she’s not, Hollywood starlet of 1951 Mary Dale swishes about in petticoat-packed skirts that Donna Reed would have died to … [Read more...] about “Red Scare on Sunset”
“The Legend of Georgia McBride”
The Legend of Georgia McBrideMatthew LopezLos Altos Stage Company Michael Weiland, Jeffrey Scott Adair & Michael SaenzLos Altos Stage Company opens its season with Matthew Lopez’s 2015 rib-tickling, heart-warming comedy, The Legend of Georgia McBride -- a play brimming with multi-colored wigs, false eyelashes, and size 13 high heels. With the kind of frivolity and … [Read more...] about “The Legend of Georgia McBride”
“Tarzan’
TarzanPhil Collins (Music & Lyrics); David Henry Hwang (Book)Palo Alto PlayersJimmy Mason, Jessica LaFever & the Cast of TarzanEven before the first note of the Phil Collins (music and lyrics) and David Henry Hwang (book) musical Tarzan is sounded, Director Patrick Klein and his cast – one that includes a dozen or so gorillas of all sizes, shapes, and ages -- have … [Read more...] about “Tarzan’
“Kiss”
KissGuillermo CalderónShotgun PlayersRasha Mohamed, Roneet Aliza Rahamin, Elissa Beth Stebbins, Wiley Naman Strasser & Phil Wong How many of us gloss over the almost daily headlines that have been on the inner pages of our newspapers or deep in the online news feeds for the past five years about the civil war in Syria? How many of us hardly notice any more a … [Read more...] about “Kiss”
“Sunday in the Park with George”
Sunday in the Park with GeorgeStephen Sondheim (Music & Lyrics); James Lapine (Book)San Francisco PlayhouseJohn Bambery as George“Order.”“Design.”“Tension.”“Composition.”“Balance.”“Light.”As each word is announced by the artist whose science of painting is guided by these exacting principles, the members of his most famous composition move into place, aided by his … [Read more...] about “Sunday in the Park with George”
“Romeo and Juliet”: Day 3, Play 3, Theatre Eddys at 2018 Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Romeo and JulietWilliam ShakespeareOregon Shakespeare FestivalThe Cast of Romeo and JulietAs a robed, hooded, and totally anonymous community surrounds them and solemnly listens, a young man and woman remove all mystery how their story will end. Romeo and Juliet together recount how the long-term, oft-deadly rivalry between their two families will soon result in a tragedy … [Read more...] about “Romeo and Juliet”: Day 3, Play 3, Theatre Eddys at 2018 Oregon Shakespeare Festival
“Six Characters in Search of a Play”
Six Characters in Search of a PlayDel ShoresNew Conservatory Theatre CenterDel Shores“I’m a storytelling thief,” confesses the ever-smiling, hands-flying “minor gay celebrity” (his words) standing just a few feet from his already enraptured audience – about fifty of what must be hundreds of thousands of loyal fans of Brother Boy, Bitsy Mae, Latrelle, Sissy, LaVonda, and ‘Bubba’ … [Read more...] about “Six Characters in Search of a Play”
“The Siegel”
The SiegelMichael MitnickCity Lights Theater Company Luisa Sermol & Ben Euphrat “Do you think there is only person out there for us?” is a question Ethan is struggling to answer in his life. When he shows up to ask Alice’s parents for her hand in marriage, he is sure that the answer is ‘yes’ and that she is the one. The … [Read more...] about “The Siegel”
“All the Shah’s Men”
All the Shah’s MenMatthew SpanglerArabian Shakespeare FestivalKen Boswell, Christian Haines & Annamarie MacLeodIf one wanted to find out the origins of today’s deeply divided and dangerous issues between the U.S. and Iran, there is probably some semester-long, poli-sci course a local community college is offering on the subject or a number of detailed books that could be … [Read more...] about “All the Shah’s Men”
“Marjorie Prime”
Marjorie PrimeJordan HarrisonMarin Theatre CompanyJoy Carlin & Tommy GorrebeeckMemory is a tricky proposition for any of us. Is that story I am now recalling really the way it happened, or am I providing a slightly embellished version with details that have been added in the past twenty tellings in order to make it more interesting? Was the event really as … [Read more...] about “Marjorie Prime”
“Pear Slices 2018”
Pear Slices 2018Various PlaywrightsPear TheatreAriel Aronica and Bill C. JonesA dusty town in the old West, a cell holding Galileo imprisoned, a home where technological devices rule, a kid’s pirate birthday party, a ‘rolly-doggy’ oven of hot dogs in rotation: All are examples of the varied settings in time and place for this year’s menu of Pear Slices 2018, an annual … [Read more...] about “Pear Slices 2018”
