When Charles II was restored to the English throne in 1660, not only did he restore live theatre that had been banned during the Cromwell/Puritan reign, he declared the roles of women could and should in fact be played by women. During the same period and throughout the reign of William and Mary, women also began to write plays and see them produced, with two even being … [Read more...] about “The Lady Scribblers”
world premiere
Don’t Eat the Mangos
While entering the theatre and being tempted to do a few salsa steps to the hip-swiveling Latinx music playing all around us, it is impossible not to notice there are mangos – many rotting – piled on the floor of the tropical house’s kitchen. There is also a tree laden with ripening mangos that is intertwined into the decorative, iron-gate entrance to the house – a tree that … [Read more...] about Don’t Eat the Mangos
Retablos: Stories from a Life Lived Along the Border
In his book Retablos, Octavio Solis reminds us that as we grow older, memories from our growing up become vignettes that replay over and again – sometimes as poignant reminders of who we are and why are we, sometimes as teachers of what we can still become, and often just as precious gems to be take in silently, reflectively. And while his stories have many universal themes … [Read more...] about Retablos: Stories from a Life Lived Along the Border
You’ll Catch Flies
The phrase “you’ll catch flies” begs for a few more words. One common saying is “Close your mouth, or you’ll catch flies.” Another one some of us may have also heard from the likes of a grandmother or an aunt, “You’ll catch flies more with honey than with vinegar.” In either case, there is a warning implied – the first to keep your mouth shut a bit more (or something bad may … [Read more...] about You’ll Catch Flies
Becky Nurse of Salem
“Before there was this Dunkin’ Donuts, they killed women here they called witches. Before that, they killed Indians. Before that, they had Thanksgiving.” Standing in front of her shopping cart with a mannequin of her great, great, great, great grandmother that she has stolen from the Salem Witches Museum, Becky Nurse gives her first tour at $20 an hour, telling her version … [Read more...] about Becky Nurse of Salem
Pride and Prejudice
The month of December, Broadway composer Paul Gordon, and Director Robert Kelley have a special, intertwined relationship that time and again has resulted in heartwarming, big-smile-producing gifts for TheatreWorks Silicon Valley audiences. Multiple musicals of the Tony-honored Paul Gordon have appeared and often premiered on that stage, with two of them reprising in Decembers … [Read more...] about Pride and Prejudice
Testmatch
Cricket – a sport created by England and played today mostly by the mother country and countries of her former Empire – becomes the backdrop for Kate Attwell’s Testmatch, now in its time-traveling, gender-bending, hard-reality-and-parody-prolific world premiere at American Conservatory Theater. A Pandora’s Box of issues bursts open in the course of the ninety-minutes, including … [Read more...] about Testmatch
The Daughters
In 1955 their meeting in a San Francisco apartment could have resulted in all of them being arrested, losing their jobs, and being shunned by family and friends. In 2015, their having a special place in the City by the Bay to meet was deemed as no longer needed (or financially viable). In a matter of sixty years, was it time to declare triumphantly, “Face it, we won!” as … [Read more...] about The Daughters
This Side of Crazy
They were once known as “the little superstars for Jesus.” Now the grown Blaylock Sisters are an atheist former stripper, a mental institution patient who once strangled her ex-lover, and a Vlogger who gives scripture-based advice on her “Good Christian Women” show after making love to her comatose husband upstairs. How they each got from Point A to Point B has much to do … [Read more...] about This Side of Crazy
“Free for All: A New “Miss Julie” for a New World”
Free for All: A New “Miss Julie” for a New World Megan Cohen Cutting Ball Theater Charlie Gray, Stacy Ross & Miyaka P. Cochrane The setting is “Soon, San Francisco.” The great frost’s snows are once again falling, and all the City’s hills are glistening in fresh snow. Julie has stepped out of her home at the top of Nob Hill and is going for one last run down … [Read more...] about “Free for All: A New “Miss Julie” for a New World”
“Gandhi”
Gandhi Sujit Saraf Naatak Natraj Kumar & Dancers October 2, 2019 is the 150th birth anniversary of the man born with the first name Mohandas but whom the world now remembers as Mahatma (“venerable”) Gandhi. To honor this occasion, the nation’s largest Indian theatre company, Naatak, is producing a world-premiere play, Gandhi, written and directed by the company’s … [Read more...] about “Gandhi”
“As You Like It: A New Musical”
As You Like It: A New MusicalWilliam Shakespeare (Book & Lyrics); The Kilbanes [Kate Kilbane & Dan Moses] & Phil Wong (Music & Lyrics); Rebecca J. Ennals (Adapter)San Francisco Shakespeare FestivalRegina Morones & Michael Barrett AustinAs part of what many consider his most joyous and romantic comedy, William Shakespeare includes several songs, making the … [Read more...] about “As You Like It: A New Musical”
“Mother Road”: Day Two, Play Two, Theatre Eddys Goes to the 2019 Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Mother RoadOctavio SolisOregon Shakespeare FestivalMark Murphey & Tony SanchoSeventy-plus years have past since the Joad family of Steinbeck’s Grapes of Wrath joined a parade of desperate migrant farmers, all leaving their starving lives in Dust-Bowl-ravaged and looking for the lush life they saw painted on fruit crates from California. Two Joads – a mother and her … [Read more...] about “Mother Road”: Day Two, Play Two, Theatre Eddys Goes to the 2019 Oregon Shakespeare Festival
“Between Two Knees”: Day One, Play One, Theatre Eddys Goes to 2019 Oregon Shakespeare Festival
Between Two KneesThe 1491s (Dallas Goldtooth, Sterlin Harjo, Migizi Pensoneau, Ryan Redcorn & Bobby Wilson)Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Co-Commissioned with New NativeTheatreJustin GauthierMultiple massacres of innocent men, women, and children; forced resettlements of native peoples to the country’s most undesirable locales; reeducation of children to forget their native … [Read more...] about “Between Two Knees”: Day One, Play One, Theatre Eddys Goes to 2019 Oregon Shakespeare Festival
“Kiss My Aztec!”
Kiss My Aztec!John Leguizamo and Tony Taccone (Book)Benjamin Velez (Music and Arrangements)David Kemp, Benjamin Velez & John Leguizamo (Lyrics)Berkeley Repertory Theater KC de la Cruz, Chad Carastarphen & Angelica BeliardElectricity sparks through the air as the arriving audience is already in full abuzz. After all, big red balloons are bouncing off their … [Read more...] about “Kiss My Aztec!”
