Review: HARRY CLARKE at Berkeley RepNovember 21, 2023What did our critic think of HARRY CLARKE at Berkeley Rep? Would that we could all disassociate from our childhood traumas and morph into bold, confident self-creations. For young Philip Brugglestein life in rural South Bend Indiana is a nightmare of paternal abuse and anti-gay bullying. His escape is talking in a Cockney accent culled from British movies, and after the death of his parents Philip moves to NYC and re-creates himself as Harry Clarke, replete with a fake history as tour manager for Sade.
Review: JOSHUA HENRY - AN EVENING OF BROADWAY AND SOUL at Venetian RoomOctober 30, 2023What did our critic think of JOSHUA HENRY - AN EVENING OF BROADWAY AND SOUL at Venetian Room? Bay Area Cabaret opened its 2023/24 season with Tony-nominated (Carousel, The Scottsboro Boys, Violet) and Grammy Award-winning artist Joshua Henry who presented his take on retro-soul and R&B to an enthusiastic audience.
Review: NOLLYWOOD DREAMS at SF PlayhouseOctober 5, 2023Little actual work is being done at the family travel agency being run by sisters Ayamma and Dede. Ayamma dreams of becoming the lead actor in a new movie by Nigeria’s hottest director even though she can’t act, while Dede paws through gossip magazines for details on Wale Owusu, Nigeria’s Sexiest Man Born and never misses her favorite Oprah-esque talk show ‘Adenikeh’.
Review: BEFORE THE SWORD at New Conservatory Theatre CenterSeptember 26, 2023What did our critic think of BEFORE THE SWORD at New Conservatory Theatre Center? An eccentric author takes on a troubled teen in NCTC’s World Premiere of Andrew Alty’s fictionalized account of the inspiration of the writing of T. H. White’s The Sword and the Stone. Well-researched and lovingly realized, Before the Sword becomes a metaphor for people struggling with their identities and becoming the people they were meant to be.
Review: CROWNS at Center Repertory CompanySeptember 18, 2023What did our critic think of CROWNS at Center Repertory Company? Can a play centered around hats sustain interest for an extended period – in the case of Regina Taylors spirited Crowns, the answer is a resounding yes. These hats, worn by African American women, are so much more than an accessory to their outfits, representing cultural traditions, family histories, and pride.
Review: WOLF PLAY at Shotgun PlayersSeptember 11, 2023What did our critic think of WOLF PLAY at Shotgun Players? I love, love, love this production! It hits the trifecta of theatre – great writing, impeccable staging and courageous, authentic acting. Add in puppetry, boxing sequences, and wonderful set design and you’ve got a powerhouse that delivers a cogent, timely message about family structure, fractured humans and gay rights in a unique, totally absorbing structure.
Review: PIAF! THE SHOW at Herbst TheatreSeptember 8, 2023What did our critic think of PIAF! THE SHOW at Herbst Theatre? Nathalie Lermitte brings her world-renowned tribute to the music of Edith Piaf to the Herbst Theatre for a one night only performance. Combining Piaf’s timeless songs and intimate projections, Lermitte channels Piaf’s spirit.
Review: HIPPEST TRIP - THE SOUL TRAIN MUSICAL at A.C.T. Toni Rembe TheatreSeptember 8, 2023What did our critic think of HIPPEST TRIP - THE SOUL TRAIN MUSICAL at A.C.T. Toni Rembe Theatre? Soul Train, one of the longest running nationally syndicated variety shows, and its creator Don Cornelius are the subject of this Broadway bound musical backed by some heavy players. The anticipation was running high and the star-studded audience ready to boogie. Unfortunately, the sensational dance numbers and wild costumes can’t save the train wreck of a book surprising provided by two-time Tony-nominated playwright Dominique Morisseau (Ain’t Too Proud- The Life and Times of the Temptations, The Detroit Project).
Review: ODYSSEY at Marin Theatre CompanySeptember 6, 2023What did our critic think of ODYSSEY at Marin Theatre Company? Four women, each with similar stories of escape from persecution, forced relocation and separation anxiety bond over a reenactment of portions of Homer’s Odyssey in Lisa Peterson’s engaging and beautifully staged world premiere production commissioned by Tony award-winning The Acting Company that opens MTC’s 2023/24 season.
Review: TINA TURNER- THE TINA TURNER MUSICAL at Golden Gate TheatreAugust 3, 2023Fans are still absorbing the loss Tina Turner at age 83 this May, which makes attending Tina Turner – The Tina Turner Musical a tad more emotional and significant. The 12-time Grammy award winner and “Queen of Rock n Roll” sanctioned this production which premiered in the West End in 2018 and is now in its sixth incarnation. Following the jukebox format, the show highlights plenty of Tina’s huge hits wrapped around the ups and downs of her tumultuous and ultimately triumphant career.