It’s Only a PlayTerrence McNallyNew Conservatory Theatre CenterThe Cast of It's Only a Play“The party of the year for the play of the century” is getting louder and louder on the floor below, with celebrities galore in attendance for the opening night’s post-play celebration (Al Pacino, Rosie O’Donnell, Barack Obama, the Pope -- just to name-drop a few). The casts of The … [Read more...] about “It’s Only a Play”
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“9 to 5 The Musical”
9 to 5 The MusicalDolly Parton (Music & Lyrics): Patricia Resnick (Book)Foothill Musical TheatreThe Cast of 9 to 5 The Musical Dolly Parton’s premiere of 9 to 5 The Musical may have had a short run on Broadway in 2009; but in 2018, the trimmed, tongue-in-cheek comedy takes on new and pointed relevance in the Foothill Musical Theatre production, given the ongoing … [Read more...] about “9 to 5 The Musical”
“Office Hour”
Office HourJulia ChoBerkeley Repertory TheatreDaniel ChungConsider this: Since Julia Cho’s Office Hour premiered in April 2016 – a play dealing head-on with the threat of gun violence in schools – 28 shootings have occurred in U.S. schools, resulting in at least 44 deaths and 80+ injuries. The event that the playwright says in the Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s program … [Read more...] about “Office Hour”
“Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”
Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet StreetStephen Sondheim (Music & Lyrics); Hugh Wheeler (Book)The StageNoel Anthony The Stage takes the Sondheim favorite, Sweeney Todd, that has graced Broadway three times, the West End four, and grand opera stages in at least ten countries worldwide and strips the musical down to a bare minimum of cast, set, and orchestra, putting … [Read more...] about “Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street”
“The Gondoliers, or The King of Barataria”
The Gondoliers or, The King of BaratariaWilliam S. Gilbert (Lyrics); Arthur Sullivan (Music)Lamplighters Music TheatreMichael Desnoyers & Samuel RabinowitzAs the orchestra’s “Overture” spreads notes that prance in joyful processions up and down hills and valleys of light-hearted scales, toes tap and heads nod with the beat. Beaming smiles throughout the audience … [Read more...] about “The Gondoliers, or The King of Barataria”
“Widowers’ Houses”
Widowers’ HousesGeorge Bernard ShawAurora Theatre CompanyDan Hoyle, Michael Gene Sullivan, Megan Trout & Warren David KeithOne of the greatest forces in modern, Western literature who wrote over sixty plays during his long career on subjects from religion to politics to social justice began his career with a play just as relevant in the housing strapped Bay Area of 2018 as … [Read more...] about “Widowers’ Houses”
“Born Yesterday”
Born YesterdayGarson KaninSan Francisco PlayhouseThe Cast of Born YesterdayLaughs galore abound inside San Francisco Playhouse these days; and the majority of them are due to one of the oldest, now most politically incorrect of stereotypes: the ditsy, dumb blonde. But somehow under the tongue-in-cheek yet sophisticated direction of Susi Damilano, there is not a moment’s … [Read more...] about “Born Yesterday”
“1984”
1984Adapted by Michael Gene Sullivan from the Novel by George OrwellLos Alto Stage Company The Cast of 1984Los Alto Stage Company has chosen a timely, if uncomfortable-to-watch, 1984 for its current season, particularly in the harshly realistic and disturbing adaptation by Michael Gene Sullivan. Their production proves the power of live theater and what … [Read more...] about “1984”
“Peter and the Starcatcher”
Peter and the StarcatcherRick Elice, based on the novel by Dave Barry & Ridley PearsonHillbarn TheatreDan Demers & Will Springhorn, Jr. With tongue often in cheek, with twinkles in every eye, and with impishness in the corner of each mouth, the Hillbarn Theatre cast of thirteen romps through Rick Elice’s Peter and the Starcatcher, providing us the prequel story of … [Read more...] about “Peter and the Starcatcher”
“Sondheim on Sondheim”
Sondheim on SondheimStephen Sondheim (Music & Lyrics); James Lapine (Conceiver)3 Below Theatres & Lounge Conceived by James Lapine and running in limited run on Broadway in 2010, Sondheim on Sondheim features not over fifty of the Great One’s songs from nineteen of his shows, but the musical review is also interspersed throughout with perfectly timed (to … [Read more...] about “Sondheim on Sondheim”
“The Birthday Party”
The Birthday PartyHarold PinterAmerican Conservatory Theatre Dan Hiatt & Judith IveyIf after twenty-five years of being Artistic Director someone is directing a play for the last time in that role, what better thing to do than throw a party, correct? But when that party is scripted by Harold Pinter, there is no guarantee the games are not going to get a bit scary and … [Read more...] about “The Birthday Party”
“The Santaland Diaries”
The Santaland DiariesDavid SedarisAdapted by Joe MantelloTheatreWorks Silicon ValleyMax Tachis Waking up one morning and realizing that he is thirty-three-years-old and without a job was bad enough for David Sedaris, but realizing that one actually needs a skill to gain employment was the real kick-in-the-butt for him. (“How come I’d never … [Read more...] about “The Santaland Diaries”
“Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley”
Miss Bennet: Christmas at PemberleyLauren Gunderson & Margot MelconCity Lights Theatre Company James Lewis & Melinda MarksThere is so much to like in the script by Laura Gunderson and Margot Melcon if one is looking for a light, pre-holiday diversion. The director and cast of this City Lights production sparkle and glow in their evident joy in … [Read more...] about “Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberley”
“Black Rider: The Casting of the Magic Bullets”
Black Rider: The Casting of the Magic BulletsWilliam S. Burroughs (Book); Tom Waits (Music & Lyrics)Shotgun PlayersThe Cast of Black RiderWhat kind of play will be penned by a writer who, as a young man, shoots and kills his wife while playing with her a drinking game of “William Tell”? Imagine his then discovering an old German folktale where an unsuccessful suitor makes a … [Read more...] about “Black Rider: The Casting of the Magic Bullets”
“Le Switch”
Le SwitchPhilip DawkinsNew Conservatory Theatre CenterRyan Vásquez & Steve Rhyne“Welcome to Library School. When you leave this program you will be able to classify everything.”And with that, David in his trademark cardigan of questionable colors and accompanying bowtie begins his first lecture of the new term. When he goes on to tell the librarian novitiates, … [Read more...] about “Le Switch”
