Daniel’s HusbandMichael McKeeverNew Conservatory Theatre CenterDaniel Redmond, Nathan Tylukti, John Steele Jr. & Michael MonagleThere are Hallmark-like phrases that pop up daily in our lives on one of those obnoxious Facebook-posted posters that that we habitually ignore, scrolling quickly to a much more interesting cat video or picture of someone’s latest meal. “Live … [Read more...] about “Daniel’s Husband”
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“Fun Home”
Fun HomeJeanine Tesori (Music); Lisa Kron (Book & Lyrics)Based on the Graphic Novel by Alison BechdelCurran Theatre “My dad and I both grew up in the same small Pennsylvania town.And he was gay,And I was gay,And he killed himself,And I became a lesbian cartoonist.”Kate Shindle & Robert PetkoffAs blunt and bleak as this summation appears, the musical that fills out the … [Read more...] about “Fun Home”
“Native Son”
Native SonNambi E. Kelley (Adapted from the Novel by Richard Wright)Marin Theatre CompanyDane Troy, Ryan Nicole Austin, C. Kelly Wright, Jerod Haynes & William Hartfield Collapsing a novel that is often listed in the top 100, most significant novels of the Twentieth Century not only into a play but also into a split-second-long setting within the main character’s … [Read more...] about “Native Son”
“Cabaret”
CabaretJoe Masteroff (Book); John Kander (Music); Fred Ebb (Lyrics)Hillbarn Theatre Keith Pinto & Jessica MaxeySince its 1966 Broadway debut and its initial eight Tonys, the inspiring hit Cabaret has continued to evolve through several major, award-winning revivals in both New York and London, becoming ever darker, starker, and rawer with each new … [Read more...] about “Cabaret”
“Finding Neverland”
Finding NeverlandJames Graham (Book); Gary Barlow & Eliot Kennedy (Music & Lyrics)SHNThe Cast of "Finding Neverland"Before J.M. Barrie begins putting pen to paper for his most famous of plays, into his 1903 London life enter four boys who pretend Kensington Park is their own special island – boys who crow like a rooster, play pirates and Indians, and imagine what … [Read more...] about “Finding Neverland”
“The King and I”
The King and IRichard Rodgers (Music) and Oscar Hammerstein II (Lyrics & Book)Based upon the novel Anna and the King by Margaret LandonSHNJose Llana & Laura Michelle KellyWhen a gloriously played overture pours forth hit after hit right out of the Great American Songbook, there is no doubt that the musical to follow is likely to be an evening to be savored. If the … [Read more...] about “The King and I”
“The Diary of Anne Frank”
The Diary of Anne FrankFrances Goodrich & Albert HackettNewly Adapted by Wendy Kesselman(Based upon Anne Frank: The Diary of a Young Girl)Palo Alto Players Roneet Aliza Rahamim (Anne) and Cast of "The Diary of Anne Frank"For a while, we forget the family’s eventual demise as we settle down to watch The Diary of Anne Frank emerge from the pages on which the Anne in … [Read more...] about “The Diary of Anne Frank”
“The Lion King”
The Lion KingElton John & Tim Rice (Music & Lyrics)Roger Allers & Irene Mecchi (Book)Lebo M., Mark Mancina, Jay Rifkin, Julie Taymor, Hans Zimmer (Additional Music & Lyrics)SHNBuyi Zamu as RafikiNineteen years and still running on both Broadway and in Tokyo. Eighteen years in the West End of London and sixteen years in Hamburg, Germany. Extended runs … [Read more...] about “The Lion King”
“The Hard Problem”
The Hard ProblemTom StoppardAmerican Conservatory Theatre Dan Clegg as Spike & Brenda Meaney as HilaryWhen a baby is born, does the human come into the world ready to put the welfare of others ahead of self; or is the infant already geared up to look out for self above all else? Is the consciousness that the baby-turned-toddler-turned-child eventually acquires a … [Read more...] about “The Hard Problem”
“Outside Mullingar”
Outside MullingarJohn Patrick ShanleyTheatreWorks Silicon ValleyJessica Wortham and Rod BroganLong-time paired relationships and one long time in the making are the heart and soul of John Patrick Shanley’s sweet, sentimental, and totally satisfying romantic comedy, Outside Mullingar. Nominated for 2014 Tony Award Best Play, Outside Mullingar now receives its regional … [Read more...] about “Outside Mullingar”
“Hedwig and the Angry Inch”
Hedwig and the Angry InchJohn Cameron Mitchell (Book); Stephen Trask (Music & Lyrics)SHN Darren Criss as HedwigAs one of the most recently anticipated arrivals of a major touring musical, Hedwig and the Angry Inch explodes in full fury on the SHN Golden Gate stage with two hometown stars reprising their celebrated roles from Broadway. Darren Criss and Lena Hall play … [Read more...] about “Hedwig and the Angry Inch”
“Seared”
SearedTheresa RebeckSan Francisco PlayhouseLarry Powell, Brian Dykstra, Rod Gnapp & Alex SunderhausThe first sound heard is an enticing sizzle as oil hits a hot skillet, leading to a plume of white smoke rising from the stove as smells of onion and garlic waft into the first rows of the audience. That initial sizzle is only the beginning of a play that will snap, … [Read more...] about “Seared”
“Other Desert Cities”
Other Desert CitiesJon Robin BaitzCity Lights Theater Company http://cltc.org Lauren Tothero, Jeff Kramer & Mary GibboneyIt’s Christmas 2004 in a Jewish home in the desert; and the family is going through morning, holiday rituals before heading to the club for crab claws and roasted pork. Welcome to the loving Wyeth household, where a … [Read more...] about “Other Desert Cities”
“King Charles III”
King Charles IIIMike BartlettAmerican Conservatory TheatreRobert Joy as CharlesWhat is it about us Americans that we have such a fascination with the very Crown and its royals that almost 250 years ago we fought a revolution to escape? And when we hear the accented speech of that faraway Isle, why do we tend to go gaga and give immediate credence to whoever is … [Read more...] about “King Charles III”
“Chess”
ChessBenny Andersson and Björn Ulvaeus (Music); Tim Rice (Lyrics)Custom Made Theatre Company The Cast of "Chess"Produced first as a concept album in 1984 with music by Benny Andersson and BjörnUlvaeus (both formerly with ABBA and later to be associated with the mega hit Mamma Mia) and lyrics by Tim Rice (Evita, Jesus Christ Superstar, Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor … [Read more...] about “Chess”
