• Skip to main content
  • Skip to primary sidebar
  • Skip to footer
  • Home
  • Best Bets
  • Upcoming Shows
  • All Reviews
  • Bay Area Theatres
  • About Eddie
  • Contact
Theatre Eddys

Theatre Eddys

San Francisco Bay Area Theater Reviews

New Conservatory Theatre Center

“It’s Only a Play”

March 13, 2018 by Eddie Reynolds Leave a Comment

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”

“Still at Risk”

January 29, 2018 by Eddie Reynolds Leave a Comment

Still at RiskTim PinckneyNew Conservatory Theatre CenterThe Cast of Still at RiskAs the final decade of the twentieth century was just beginning, an article in the July 16, 1990 New York Times reported that in the U.S., “212 cases of full-blown AIDS are diagnosed every day; there is one AIDS death every 12 minutes; and a new case of infection every 54 seconds.”  At a time … [Read more...] about “Still at Risk”

“Le Switch”

November 6, 2017 by Eddie Reynolds Leave a Comment

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”

“This Bitter Earth”

October 5, 2017 by Eddie Reynolds Leave a Comment

This Bitter EarthHarrison David RiversNew Conservatory Theatre CenterH. Adam Harris & Michael HannaGrief over a devastating loss unfolds as a series of sometimes disconnected memories whose recall follows no particular timeline in Harrison David Rivers’ riveting, moving This Bitter Earth, now in its world premiere at the New Conservatory Theatre Center.  As one man’s … [Read more...] about “This Bitter Earth”

“Warplay”

June 25, 2017 by Eddie Reynolds Leave a Comment

WarplayJC LeeNew Conservatory Theatre Center JC Sclazo & Ed BerkeleyHow inevitable is it that most boys will play war when they are kids, that plastic helmets and swords will be badges of honor to wear, and that lifelong bonds will often form with other guys as they tumble on the fields of backyard battle?  And how likely is it that those same boys will grow to be men … [Read more...] about “Warplay”

“Sordid Lives”

May 21, 2017 by Eddie Reynolds Leave a Comment

Sordid LivesDel ShoresNew Conservatory Theatre CenterLuke Brady, Marie O'Donnell, Cat Luedtke, Michaela Greeley & Scott CoxNow who’s to judge who’s a saint or a sinner,Lord, it’s tough enough to trudge from brunch to dinner....It’s a bitch sortin’ out our sorry little sordid lives.Mama’s dead: Tripped over GW’s wooden legs while screwing him in a cheap motel.  GW’s … [Read more...] about “Sordid Lives”

“Everything That’s Beautiful”

March 26, 2017 by Eddie Reynolds Leave a Comment

Everything’s That’s BeautifulElyzabeth Gregory WilderNew Conservatory Theatre CenterMattea Fountain as MorganSomething happens unexpected, unplanned, unwanted.  Change.  Immediately, the surrounding system is in transition – neither in the state of what was once nor in the state of what might someday be.  Emotions follow rollercoaster tracks.  Communication … [Read more...] about “Everything That’s Beautiful”

“Leaving the Blues”

March 12, 2017 by Eddie Reynolds Leave a Comment

Leaving the BluesJewelle GomezNew Conservatory Theatre CenterDesiree Rogers as Alberta HunterWhat does a nurse who is told to retire at age seventy (but who is really eighty-two since she once lied about her age) do next with her life?  Half singing, half whispering, she tells her unseen patient with some evident sadness, “Trouble, looks like I had it all my day ... looks … [Read more...] about “Leaving the Blues”

“Daniel’s Husband”

January 30, 2017 by Eddie Reynolds Leave a Comment

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”

“Avenue Q”

January 5, 2017 by Eddie Reynolds Leave a Comment

Avenue QRobert Lopez Y Jeff Marx (Music & Lyrics); Jeff Whitty (Book)New Conservatory Theatre Center The 2017 "Purple" Cast of Avenue QEd Decker, Artistic Director of New Conservatory Theatre Center, begins his program introduction with “It’s the final, final, final ‘Furwell’ tour of Avenue Q, now in its fourth year of the company’s holiday productions.  However, one … [Read more...] about “Avenue Q”

“Casa Valentina”

October 16, 2016 by Eddie Reynolds Leave a Comment

Casa ValentinaHarvey FiersteinNew Conservatory Theatre CenterThe Cast of "Ladies" of "Casa Valentina"The tall, curly-headed twenty-something with boyish face is greeted at the door of the bungalow inn by hostess Rita, “Grab a dish towel, and make your dreams come true.”  Later her husband George adds, “Welcome to the best weekend of your life.”  With tentative … [Read more...] about “Casa Valentina”

“On a Clear Day You Can See Forever”

May 27, 2016 by Eddie Reynolds Leave a Comment

On a Clear Day You Can See ForeverBurton Lane (Music); Alan Jay Lerner (Lyrics); Peter Parnell (Book)Based on the Original Book by Alan Jay LernerNew Conservatory Theatre CenterChris Morrell, Melissa O'Keefe & William GiammonaDespite its title, On a Clear Day You Can See Forever is one musical that has had a stormy past.  The much-touted 1965 opening with music by … [Read more...] about “On a Clear Day You Can See Forever”

“Buyer and Cellar”

March 31, 2016 by Eddie Reynolds Leave a Comment

Buyer and CellarJonathan TolinsNew Conservatory Theatre Center J. Conrad FrankIt all begins with a whole slew of animated disclaimers.  What we are about to hear is “all fiction,” that “I am just an actor.”  (But the part about the fake shopping mall under her house, all true as outlined in her one published book, My Passion for Design.)  With flashing hands, he … [Read more...] about “Buyer and Cellar”

“Mothers and Sons”

March 17, 2016 by Eddie Reynolds Leave a Comment

Mothers and SonsTerrence McNallyNew Conservatory Theatre CenterVelina Brown & Andrew NanceShe stands in rigid posture with her luxurious mink coat wrapped so tightly as to allow only a glimpse of her designer two-piece suit that is crowned by a single strand of pearls.  Clutching with clinched fists her purse as if the startled man before her might grab it at any … [Read more...] about “Mothers and Sons”

“Sagittarius Ponderosa”

January 31, 2016 by Eddie Reynolds Leave a Comment

Sagittarius PonderosaMJ KaufmanNew Conservatory Theatre CenterMatthew Hannon & SK KerastasTransitions are many and messy in most of our lives.  The changes that start a transition from what was to what will be often happen to us, not by us; but even those we initiate, we rarely control the pace or the intensity.  In MJ Kaufman’s new play, Sagittarius Ponderosa, … [Read more...] about “Sagittarius Ponderosa”

« Previous Page
Next Page »

Primary Sidebar

E-mail Newsletter

Sign up to receive reviews by email

Top 50 Theater Blogs
Eddie is a member of the American Theatre Critics Association and the San Francisco Bay Area Theatre Critics Circle.

Theatre Eddys Ratings Legend

5 E's - Loved It
A classic, would see it a second time.
4 E's - Really Liked It
Excellent, strong production.
3 E's - Liked It
Good production but something is lacking or not clicking.
2 E's - Just OK
Below average but had at least one interesting component.
1 E - Did Not Like It
Waste of time.

Shows By Rating

  • 5 E (339)
  • 4.5 E (58)
  • 4 E (216)
  • 3.5 E (44)
  • 3 E (102)
  • 2.5 E (6)
  • 2 E (19)
  • 1.5 E (1)
  • 1 E (4)
  • Best Bet (66)
  • Not Rated (32)

Shows By Date

Tags

Musicalworld premiereMUST SEE5 ESan Francisco PlayhouseTheatreWorks Silicon ValleyNew Conservatory Theatre Center4 EBerkeley Repertory CompanyPear TheatreAmerican Conservatory TheatreMarin Theatre CompanyThe MarshOregon Shakespeare FestivalPalo Alto PlayersShotgun PlayersAurora Theatre CompanySHNCustom Made TheatreHillbarn Theatre

Footer

About this site

Theatre Eddys reviews performances throughout the greater San Francisco Bay Area.

About Eddie

Theatre Critic for the Greater San Francisco Bay Area, writing 150+ reviews annually for Theatre Eddys and Talkin' Broadway (San Jose/Silicon Valley). Read More

  • Facebook
  • RSS
  • Twitter

Copyright © 2014–2023 Theatre Eddys. Website by Refactorr