All stories by Leslie Katz on BroadwayStars

Saturday, December 29, 2018

2018: The best in arts by Leslie Katz

In chronological order, these were the year’s most notable moments in the arts, from this editor’s highly personal perspective. “Vietgone” at American Conservatory Theater (March) Th…

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 03:01AM
Sunday, December 2, 2018

Circus Bella takes Treasure Island by Leslie Katz

In “Kaleidoscope,” the new Circus Bella show under a big tent on Treasure Island, clown Sara Moore balances a broom on her hand and has an amusing bit chasing the » The post Circus …

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 05:00PM
Monday, November 19, 2018

SF Opera sets holiday mood with gratifying ‘It’s a Wonderful Life’ by Leslie Katz

San Francisco Opera’s revised production of Jake Heggie’s opera “It’s a Wonderful Life” in its West Coast premiere is a feel-good holiday-themed piece, even as it could add some �…

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 02:15PM
Wednesday, June 13, 2018

SF Opera launches ‘Ring’ with shimmering ‘Rheingold’ by Leslie Katz

Fresh mixed-media effects and a strong cast set the stage for San Francisco Opera’s engaging revival of Francesca Zambello’s 2011 production of Wagner’s “Ring” cycle at Tuesday’s…

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 02:00PM
Wednesday, May 30, 2018

New tech brings SF Opera’s ‘Ring’ revival solidly into 21st century by Leslie Katz

Opera fans from around the world, especially Richard Wagner aficionados, will flock to the War Memorial Opera House June 12-July 1 as San Francisco Opera presents three cycles of the » …

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 03:01AM
Sunday, May 20, 2018

SF International Arts fest again takes on social issues by Leslie Katz

Since 2003, the San Francisco International Arts Festival has presented artists from across the world with innovative projects dedicated to increasing human awareness and understanding ̵…

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 03:01AM
Friday, May 4, 2018

Free Yerba Buena Gardens fest kicks off with mariachi by Leslie Katz

It’s time for the 2018 Yerba Buena Gardens Festival, and that means free outdoor entertainment in The City from spring through fall. The festival’s 18th season begins at 1 p.m. » Th…

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 03:00PM
Thursday, March 1, 2018

Nocturnists share powerful stories of love by Leslie Katz

Bay Area doctors told touching stories about love on Tuesday at Brava theater in The City in a live version of The Nocturnists, a San Francisco-based podcast dedicated to bringing » The…

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 03:01AM
Wednesday, January 17, 2018

96th SF Opera season charts journey through emotions by Leslie Katz

San Francisco Opera will present a chronological, comprehensive selection of nine operas — from Handel’s rarely performed Baroque classic “Orlando” to Jake Heggie’s contemporary �…

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 04:01PM
Monday, November 6, 2017

Love and talent conquer all in SF Opera’s ‘Manon’ by Leslie Katz

San Francisco Opera brought back Massenet’s opera “Manon” after a 19-year absence Saturday evening in Vincent Boussard’s new production, which raised questions over its setti…

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 01:30PM
Monday, September 25, 2017

Principal performances energize SF Opera ‘La Traviata’ revival by Leslie Katz

Although San Francisco Opera didn’t break new ground Saturday night opening its sixth revival of John Copley’s production of Verdi’s “La Traviata,” strong company debuts from sopra…

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 03:00PM
Sunday, June 11, 2017

Artistry and love flourish in SF Opera’s ‘La Bohème’ by Leslie Katz

Paris in February can be a city as chilly as it is costly, as it is in Puccini’s “La Bohème.” But San Francisco Opera’s strong cast of bohemians breathed warmth » The post Arti…

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 02:00PM
Monday, June 5, 2017

Dynamic duo rules SF Opera’s ‘Don Giovanni’ by Leslie Katz

Mozart’s masterpiece “Don Giovanni” makes it quite clear it’s a man’s world. And two powerhouse bass-baritones, Ildebrando D’Arcangelo (in the title role) and Erwin Schrott (as h…

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 05:45PM
Sunday, June 4, 2017

Erwin Schrott happy to sing Leporello in The City by Leslie Katz

San Francisco Opera’s announcement that bass-baritone Erwin Schrott would replace the ailing Marco Vinco as Leporello in “Don Giovanni” is a win-win: The opera lands a renowned Mozart …

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 03:01AM
Thursday, June 1, 2017

SF Opera’s ‘Rigoletto’ regally holds court by Leslie Katz

Early on in “Rigoletto,” a curse befalls the title character that will dog him throughout the tale. But San Francisco Opera’s re-staging of the Verdi favorite, which opened Wednesday, …

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 01:45PM
Monday, November 7, 2016

SF Opera’s ‘Aida’ looks a bit like ‘Evita’ by Leslie Katz

Director Francesca Zambello’s new San Francisco Opera production of “Aida” — boasting bold, contemporary designs by Los Angeles street artist RETNA — meets the challenges o…

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 02:15PM
Thursday, November 3, 2016

Poet Al Letson has a moving ‘Summer of Sanctuary’ by Leslie Katz

There are many parts of Al Letson’s one-man show that are truly moving. One is when he, a black man, offers to shake the hand of a white cop who » The post Poet Al Letson has a moving…

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 01:00PM
Monday, October 17, 2016

Nadja Michael gives timeless performance in SF Opera’s ‘Makropulos Case’ by Leslie Katz

German soprano Nadja Michael, singing the lead role of San Francisco Opera’s revival of Olivier Tambosi’s riveting production of Leoš Janáček’s “The Makropulos Case,” is exc…

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 02:30PM
Thursday, September 29, 2016

SF Opera’s ‘Don Pasquale’ an uproarious delight by Leslie Katz

There’s no fool like an old fool, and few old fools endure comic flimflammery quite like the aging title character in Donizetti’s “Don Pasquale,” which has been revived after 32 …

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 09:00PM
Sunday, September 11, 2016

SF Opera bridges East-West divide in lush ‘Dream’ by Leslie Katz

The attempt to adapt a 2,400-page-plus classic novel of Chinese literature into an English-language opera might seem destined to please neither Asian literary scholars nor Western opera puri…

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 09:00PM
Saturday, September 10, 2016

Production, guillotine sharp in SF Opera’s ‘Andrea Chénier’ by Leslie Katz

In Giordano’s pinnacle verismo work “Andrea Chénier,” which takes place during the French Revolution, it’s only a matter of time before heads start to roll. Fortunately, heads are m…

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 06:45PM
Tuesday, September 6, 2016

Chinese epic gets grand opera treatment by Leslie Katz

San Francisco Opera faces a seemingly daunting challenge with its world premiere of composer Bright Sheng and co-librettist David Henry Hwang’s “Dream of the Red Chamber,” which is bas…

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 03:01AM
Friday, August 19, 2016

Wild stunts fire up elephant-free Ringling extravaganza by Leslie Katz

The 146th edition of the Ringling Bros. and Barnum & Bailey circus doesn’t have any elephants, and, guess what? They weren’t missed on Thursday’s opening night at Oracle Arena in …

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 02:30PM
Thursday, June 16, 2016

Ady Lady ponders salvation vs. shame in funny solo show by Leslie Katz

“I saw a muzzled dog vomit on the bus.” That first line promises much, and monologist Ady Lady follows through, in her wildly funny show onstage at The Marsh in » The post Ady Lady …

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 03:01AM
Tuesday, May 17, 2016

A tale of forbidden love lives on by Leslie Katz

Among the more than 100 offerings from 13 countries in the 2016 San Francisco International Arts Festival is the home-grown piece “Uncle Gunjiro’s Girlfriend” by Brenda Wong Aoki and M…

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 03:01AM
Thursday, May 5, 2016

Smuin Ballet premieres ‘Oasis’ by Leslie Katz

After a four-year drought relieved by a season of El Niño rain, what could be more appropriate than a new ballet by a California native, with a score composed by » The post Smuin Balle…

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 03:01AM
Wednesday, March 30, 2016

Cello adds emotion to 92-year-old’s story in ‘Second Time Around’ by Leslie Katz

It’s too bad that not all storytelling theater pieces can have a soundtrack as eloquent as the one in “Second Time Around.” Compositions by Jean Jeanrenaud of Kronos Quartet fame »…

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 05:21PM
Friday, March 18, 2016

Justin Bieber comes to San Jose with ‘Purpose’ by Leslie Katz

The best part of Justin Bieber’s concert Thursday at the SAP Arena in San Jose was when he invited a young woman onstage to tie his floppy blond hair back » The post Justin Bieber com…

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 02:57PM
Monday, March 14, 2016

Springsteen very much a rocker on ‘River’ tour in Oakland by Leslie Katz

About 30 minutes into his nearly 3 ½ hour concert at the Oracle Arena in Oakland on Sunday, Bruce Springsteen surfed the crowd during a great sing-along version of “Hungry » The post…

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 03:15PM
Friday, March 11, 2016

‘Coppélia’ a confection best not overthought by Leslie Katz

With plenty of tulle, glitter and living dolls, San Francisco Ballet’s happy production of “Coppélia” hides a dark core. Léo Delibes’ lively score, choreography by George Balanchin…

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 05:36PM
Tuesday, March 8, 2016

SF Opera Lab launches in intimate Taube Atrium Theater by Leslie Katz

San Francisco Opera’s new venture, called SF Opera Lab, is admittedly small. “One of the keys is the intimacy. Historically, San Francisco Opera produced grand-scale opera, and we have a…

SOURCE: The San Francisco Examiner at 03:01AM

All that Chat

2024-2025 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 05, 2024: Home - Todd Haimes Theatre
Jul 11, 2024: Oh, Mary! - Lyceum Theatre
Jul 30, 2024: Job - Hayes Theater
Sep 12, 2024: The Roommate - Booth Theatre
Nov 14, 2024: Tammy Faye - Palace Theatre
Dec 12, 2024: Cult of Love - Hayes Theater
Dec 19, 2024: Gypsy - Majestic Theatre
Mar 15, 2025: Purpose - Hayes Theater
Apr 01, 2025: Glengarry Glen Ross
Apr 10, 2025: Smash - Imperial Theatre
TBA: Titanic