Push/Pull Harry Davis Central Works Dedication/Obsession. Self-esteem/Self-disgust. Fulfilling a dream/Living a delusion. Acceptable friendship/Forbidden Intimacy. Wanting to feel male/Wanting the feel of a male. Life seeking/Death wishing. Where is the boundary between these extremes? When and how does the balance shift from one side to the other? Is … [Read more...] about Push/Pull
Central Works
Accused!
Accused! Patricia Milton Central Works Politicians and police ranting against immigrants and the crimes they bring. An invading plague blamed on other countries. Threats and fears of domestic terrorists and possible bombings. Suspicion of corrupt public officials. People of color ignored by police. Women’s opinions ridiculed and outright dismissed by the men in … [Read more...] about Accused!
Boss McGreedy
Boss McGreedy Gary Graves Central Works In his silk dressing robe, the “Boss” pours himself another whiskey as he listens to Dudley – his lawyer and friend since childhood – tell him there is a real possibility for a “remand,” if he will “just tell the truth.” The man who proudly boasts he built New York in his years as Commissioner of Public Works is also the … [Read more...] about Boss McGreedy
The Dignity Circle
The Dignity Circle Lauren Smerkanich Central Works “Hi, y’all. I’m Angela. I work in real estate. I live in Westlake, Sacramento, California. … I have a question for you. What would you do if right now I handed you forty thousand dollars? In cash. No strings attached?” Maybe “a trip, a new car, a new guest bathroom, a new forehead?” Or how about just “a way to … [Read more...] about The Dignity Circle
Dreaming in Cuban
Dreaming in Cuban Cristina Garcia Central Works Breaking boundaries of time, distance, and reality, a swirl of memories, dreams, and harsh realities both clash in conflict and dance in harmony in Cristina Garcia’s beautifully and imaginatively conceived Dreaming in Cuban, now in world premiere at Berkeley’s Central Works. Adapting to the stage her 1992, National Book … [Read more...] about Dreaming in Cuban
Escape from the Asylum
Escape from the Asylum Patricia Milton Central Works When in June 2019 I reviewed Central Works’ world premiere of Patricia Milton’s The Victorian Ladies’ Detective Collective, I ended my glowing review of the gripping, yet humorous murder mystery with a hope “the playwright decides that – just like Holmes and Watson – Fortescue, Hunter, and Smalls might deserve … [Read more...] about Escape from the Asylum
“The Victorian Ladies’ Detective Collective”
The Victorian Ladies’ Detective CollectivePatricia MiltonCentral WorksStacy Ross, Jan Zvaifler & Chelsea BearceWomen viewed by men as second-class while independent-minded, outspoken women are viewed with scorn and derision. Producers making unwanted moves on young actresses as police openly disregard women’s inputs. Businessmen more concerned about their bottom … [Read more...] about “The Victorian Ladies’ Detective Collective”
“Hearts of Palm”
Hearts of PalmPatricia MiltonCentral WorksFrieda de Lackner as Vi & John Patrick Moore as StrapOn the Southeast Asia island of Marititu, two corporate-type women ready themselves for negotiations with the locals over acquiring major land plots for their mega-company, Empire Holdings. They do so by trading personal jabs about who is and is not qualified enough to sit … [Read more...] about “Hearts of Palm”
“Robert Louis Stevenson: Jekyll and Hyde”
Robert Louis Stevenson: Jekyll and HydeGary GravesCentral WorksBrian Herndon as Lewis & Danielle Levin as FannyWith labored breathing behind a black, leather mask and through thick, green-glassed goggles, a reclining, night-gowned man wrapped in knitted blanket writes furiously on his lap desk. Stripping off the 19th-century respirator and goggles, in socked … [Read more...] about “Robert Louis Stevenson: Jekyll and Hyde”
