Front Row Reviews

“Ghost Quartet”

Monica Rose Slater (Rose) The Oakland Theatre Project and New Performance Traditions, existential musical, “Ghost Quartet” by David Malloy, magnificently unravels a complex, multi-generational fairytale. The paranormal mystery unfolds through four storytellers who portray multiple characters and sporadically travel through time. Malloy’s diverse musical styles—ranging from folk and electropop to doo-wop, jazz, honky-tonk, and ballads—mirror … Read more

The Odd Couple: Characters Charm with Charisma

Benicia Theatre Group’s “The Odd Couple” fills the air with non-stop laughter, a welcome relief in this overwhelmingly chaotic time. Set Designers Brian Hough and Beate Bruhl layout a colorful, homey 1960’s sloppy apartment. Complementing multi-Lighting and Sound, Tom Kvech and Veronica Bearce also blend the sense of chaos in each scene. The story centers … Read more

THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG

Joe Ayers (Max), Phil Wong (Chris), Renee Rogoff (Annie), Jonathan (Adam Griffith) San Francisco Playhouse’s “The Play That Goes Wrong” is a riotous, perfectly executed Farce, with many delightful moments.  In this British farce by Mischief Theatre’s Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer, and Henry Shields, eager members of the Cornley University Drama Society set out to … Read more

“Angels in America: A Gay Fantasia on National Themes” Revives the Struggles of Survival Amid Chaos

J Jha (Prior), Lisa Ramirez (Angel) RT back: Emilie Whelan (Harper) Oakland Theatre Project, “Angels in America” (Part 1: Millennium Approaches) brilliantly captures the chaos of life-and-death struggles, as characters reach for courage, hope, and human connection. Set during the 1980s AIDS crisis, this production not only captures the horror and fear of that era, … Read more

Nunsense, a Fun-Filled Revival

Kristine Ann Lowry, Lauren Sutton-Beattie, Jane Harrington, Tina Smith, Nicole Thordsen “Nunsense” has played in theatres around the world for thirty-nine years. Although somewhat dated, the play seems to find a way to entertain and make us laugh again and again at some of the same bits and puns. Playwright Dan Goggin and Novato Theater … Read more

“Crossing Delancey” Raises Spirits and Smiles

Ross Valley Players Mark P. Robinson (Sam) and Tamar Cohn (“Bubbie”) What a perfect time for the Ross Valley Players to resurrect Crossing Delancey, a refreshing old-time classic Rom/Com charmer. With superb characters and a simple, predictable plot, we are gently swept away from the World’s chaos into a relaxing, uncomplicated love story we can easily … Read more

“Fallin”-Queer Action Heroes Soar

Raye Goh (Day) and John Fisher (The Colonel) “Fallin” at Theatre Rhinoceros (The Rhino) delivers a Queer, captivating, action-packed, spy adventure. Dynamic award-winning playwright, actor, and director John Fisher, “The Colonel,” cleverly blends today’s political climate with sci-fi elements including invisible cloaked assassins, and clones. “Fallin,” a sequel to Fisher’s acclaimed play “Billy,” follows two … Read more