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
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
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
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
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
City Lights’ stellar adaptation of the 52-year-old, rock, gothic, sci-fi fantasy “Richard O’Brien’s The Rocky Horror Show” sparkles. The iconic play has traveled around the world with a movie created in 1975 that has won many awards. We enter a magnificent, eerie, sci-fi wonder, a UFO chamber where everyone leaves changed, or ends up dead. … Read more
Word for Word and Z Space Z Space’s artistic Word for Word program blends the genres of story-telling and theatre. Each word of a classic short story spoken as well as enacted. In “Who’s-Dead McCarthy,” Director Paul Finocchiaro perceptively tunes into the work of renowned Irish novelist and short-story artist Kevin Barry. He then empowers … Read more
Oakland Theatre Project, known for profound experimental premiere work, has created a mesmerizing psychedelic portrait of a young, queer man attempting to reclaim his identity. Within a drab tan room, a bed slants forward on wooden pallets resting on a floor above boulders. Objects are strewn in and on milk and vegetable crates. A small … Read more
Benicia Theatre Group resurrects Noel Coward’s charming comedy, “Blithe Spirit! What a wonderful timely enchanting gift to the Benicia community, and beyond, for their 60th year anniversary. We are first taken by Brian Hough’s exquisite four-piece set construction, crafted with artistic flair by the talented designer, Beate Bruhl. The walls are adorned with elegant hues … Read more
Sonoma Arts Live “The Hello Girls” masterfully blends a first-rate musical with a tumultuous WWI offensive, showcasing five spirited and courageous women warriors. Set Designer Laurynn Malilay and Maeve Smith skillfully incorporate both orchestra and characters on stage. Three characters even play musical instruments. Four chairs face the audience, and the actors impressively animate working … Read more
New Conservatory Theatre Center, in association with Golden Thread Productions, presents Torange Yeghiazarian’s compelling Iranian/American production “The Tutor.” “The Tutor” delves into deception as a cultural defense against the terror of Tehran’s “morality laws.” Iranian immigrant, spirited 25-year-old Baran (dynamic Maya Nazzal), finds herself navigating an unfamiliar culture amid a complex situation. Recently Baran wed … Read more
SF Playhouse breathes new life into the uproarious and fast-paced suspense, “The 39 Steps.” John Buchan adapted the play from Patrick Barlow’s 1915 thriller novel of the same name (spelled The Thirty-Nine Steps). The play incorporates elements from Alfred Hitchcock’s 1935 film adaptation. Director Susi Damilano skillfully preserves Hitchcock’s dry wit and lightning-fast slapstick humor. … Read more
“The Divine Sarah,” presented by Ross Valley Players at the Barn Theater, brilliantly mirrors the life of the dynamic French Diva Sarah Bernhardt from the 1800s. This collaborative musical play, from its conceptualization to its world premiere on stage, has been forty years in the making. Penned by June Richards and featuring diverse musical styles … Read more
Martyna Majok’s thought-provoking play “Cost of Living,” staged at Oakland Theater Project, delves deeply into the physical constraints and emotional turmoil experienced by the physically disabled. Under Emile Whelan’s insightful direction, sentimentality gives way to raw, moment-to-moment portrayals of two couples. Whelan adeptly balances the characters’ emotions with the weighty challenges they face. The unique … Read more
David Shirk (Greg), Melody Payne (Sylvia) all photos by Miller Oberlin oberlinphotography.com A.R. Gurney introduces us to “Sylvia,” a canine rescue that steals the show at Sonoma Arts Live. A truth well-known to most dog owners: Introducing four-legged friends into any family inevitably alters the whole family dynamic. Sylvia, played by tail-wagging, couch-stealing, overly-affectionate human, … Read more