Silent SkyLauren GundersonCity Lights Theater CompanyMaria Giere Marquis Maria Giere Marquis’s stunning portrayal of astronomy pioneer Henrietta Leavitt is nothing short of award-worthy. From the moment we meet her, there is no doubt that Henrietta is fiercely independent, absolutely headstrong, and undeniably focused on discovering something big about the … [Read more...] about “Silent Sky”
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“Next to Normal”
Next to NormalBrian Yorkey and Tom KittLos Altos Stage CompanyJillian Toby-Cummings & Mitchell MosleyIn 2008, a rock-music-infused premiere at Washington’s Arena Stage hit and dug deep into every topic that the Great American Musical had overall been reticent to put on its stages: lifelong mental disease, paralyzing grief, severe depression, drug abuse, the … [Read more...] about “Next to Normal”
“Kings”
KingsSarah BurgessShotgun PlayersSam JacksonIn the recent midterm elections, over one hundred women were elected to Congress, many being first-timers who defeated long-time, often white-male incumbents. Most ran with a promise to shake up the ol’ boys’ systems and to do some major housecleaning. Common among their pledges were ones like Sydney Millsap’s, “I can do … [Read more...] about “Kings”
“Falstaff”
FalstaffGiuseppe Verdi, with Libretto by Arigo BoitoWest Bay OperaMichael Orlinsky, Kiril Havezov & Richard Zeller“In this great abdomen are a thousand tongues that proclaim my name ... This is my kingdom.” With a measure of self-worth and a confidence in his own attraction to the fairer sex that are almost as mammoth as his rotund belly, Falstaff sings with from his … [Read more...] about “Falstaff”
“American Psycho”
American PsychoDuncan Sheik (Music & Lyrics); Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa (Book)Ray of Light TheatreKyle Ewalt & Kipp GlassHow possible is it that having the perfectly tanned body that has been honed to the hilt so that every muscle tautly glistens, wearing only the latest and most expensive big-name designer wear, and always eating in the restaurants where most can never … [Read more...] about “American Psycho”
“Fiddler on the Roof”
Fiddler on the RoofJoseph Stein (Book); Jerry Bock (Music); Sheldon Harnick (Lyrics)Broadway San JoseThe Cast of Fiddler on the RoofAfter its record-setting, award-winning initial run on Broadway in 1964; its five Broadway revivals since; countless openings on local and touring stages globally and in towns and cities from coast to coast in America – not to mention the 1971 film … [Read more...] about “Fiddler on the Roof”
“Who Killed Sylvia Plath”
Who Killed Sylvia PlathLynne KaufmanThe MarshLorri HoltAs she sits looking at her own tombstone – the fourth one after feminist vandals keep chiseling away her last name “Hughes” of a husband they believe caused her early-age suicide – Sylvia Plath quotes the lyrics of Taylor Swift, another so-called femme fatale often now linked to the poet who died over twenty-five years … [Read more...] about “Who Killed Sylvia Plath”
“Sister Act”
Sister ActAlan Menken (Music); Glenn Slater (Lyrics); Cheri & Bill Steinkellner (Book)Theatre RhinocerosThe Cast of Sister ActBrothers and Sisters, may I have an “Amen.” Glory hallelujah, a miracle hath been wrought in San Francisco that is heavenly in a wonderfully sinful kind of way. Theatre Rhinoceros has received permission from the Almighty of Broadway to … [Read more...] about “Sister Act”
“The Good Book”
The Good BookDennis O’Hare & Lisa PetersonBerkeley Repertory TheatreDenmo Ibrahim with Elijah Alexander, Lance Gardner & Wayne WilcoxIt is the most published, most translated, most read, and probably controversial book in the world. There are those who base all life’s decisions on its verses and those who sneer at the hypocrisies and contradictions of the people … [Read more...] about “The Good Book”
“Flower Drum Song”
Flower Drum SongRichard Rodgers (Music); Oscar Hammerstein II (Lyrics); David Henry Hwang (Book)Palo Alto Players Emily SongPalo Alto Players offers a gift to Bay Area audiences in producing the rarely performed Flower Drum Song, but the present is all the more welcome because of a production that is conceived and performed with the look, sound, style, and … [Read more...] about “Flower Drum Song”
“Jazz”
JazzAdapted by Nambi E. KelleyBased on the Book by Toni MorrisonMarin Theatre CompanyDezi Solèy & C. Kelly WrightAs mourners audibly sob and somewhere a choir sings the gospel hymn “Steal Away,” a stunned-looking, steely-eyed woman approaches the rectangle of flowers guarding the unseen corpse of the young girl whose portrait we see near-by. With increasing snarl, she … [Read more...] about “Jazz”
“The Gentleman Caller”
The Gentleman CallerPhilip DawkinsNew Conservatory Theatre CenterBrennan Pickman-Thoon & Adam Niemann“I don’t like interviewers for the very reason they remind me of what I once said,” he says in his syrupy, Southern flow of clever quips. But a favorable interview is very much what young, boy-looking Tom Williams (“Tennessee for short”) is hoping to receive from the … [Read more...] about “The Gentleman Caller”
“The Jungle”
The JungleJoe Murphy & Joe RobertsonCurran TheatreJonathan Nyati, Tommy Letts & Ammar Haj AhmadOne young woman tells how she walked 3000 miles just to get to the Mediterranean, still a sea and a continent away from her destination. An Iraqi with a guitar sings a song and relates how this song moved the hearts of guards to let him and 200 others cross a closed … [Read more...] about “The Jungle”
‘In Old Age”
In Old AgeMfoniso UdofiaMagic TheatreSteven Anthony Jones & Nancy MoricetteFor those of us who first met Nigerian immigrant Abasiama Ekpeyoung as a young woman in Houston and have watched her through the happy and troubled times of her long life by seeing some or all of the four prior plays of Mfoniso Udofia’s “Ufot Family Cycle,” seeing her now as an old woman in the … [Read more...] about ‘In Old Age”
“Eurydice”
EurydiceSarah RuhlCity Lights Theater Company Leah Cohen and Lauren RhodesSince its premiere by Madison Repertory Theatre, the metaphor-rich, watery underworld Eurydice has received many creative productions from Off-Broadway and London to regional stages across the county to hundreds of high schools and universities – including a fabulously creative, … [Read more...] about “Eurydice”
