Sunday, July 21, 2024

“Best of Second City” Displays Chicago Comedy Empire—at Berkeley Rep by Mary Lou Herlihy

Six Young Stars Shine in Surprising New Style Comedy by Mary Lou Herlihy & Barry David Horwitz Over decades, the famed comedy club and theater, “Second City” (Chicago) has been the s…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 03:53AM
Thursday, July 11, 2024

“American Dreams, A New Musical” Brings Laughter Back Again—SF Mime Troupe by Robert M. Gardner

Michael Gene Sullivan Alerts US: “Was Democracy Just A Dream?” by Robert M. Gardner Hooray! The San Francisco Mime Troupe is back! And they are just in time with a topical show about our…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 01:01AM
Tuesday, July 9, 2024

“American Dreams, A New Musical” Tackles Democracy in Parks—at SF Mime Troupe by John-Thomas Hanson

Michael Gene Sullivan Brings Outrageous Fun to Hot Political Topics by John-Thomas Hanson The Tony award-winning SF Mime Troupe (SFMT) opens its 65th season with “American Dreams – A New…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 12:04AM
Monday, July 8, 2024

“Evita” Returns, Declaring Devotion to Argentina—at SF Playhouse by Lynne Stevens

Webber & Rice Expose Dangerous Legacy of Perón Era by Lynne Stevens A huge screen shows headlines that blast out the news: On July 26, 1952, Eva Perón has died at age 33.  Argentines …

SOURCE: Theatrius at 05:48AM
Friday, July 5, 2024

“Much Ado About Nothing” Celebrates Love & Comedy with Surfers & Sailors—at Marin Shakes by Robert M. Gardner

Shakespeare, Lozano, & Ball Surf the Swell in Style by Robert M. Gardner Marin Shakespeare Company’s latest production, set at a surfing beach in Key West, Florida, catches a killer wa…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 02:48AM
Thursday, July 4, 2024

“Clybourne Park”: A Powerful Production of Pulitzer Prize Masterpiece—at Masquers by Lynne Stevens

Bruce Norris Updates “A Raisin in the Sun” with Wit & Wisdom by Lynne Stevens Using Lorraine Hansberry’s classic 1959 play about racial prejudice in Chicago as inspiration, Bruce N…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 06:35PM
Wednesday, July 3, 2024

“Who’s-Dead McCarthy”: Delivers Poetic Irish Wit at Its Finest—at Word4Word by Mary Lou Herlihy

Kevin Barry’s Stories, Brilliantly Staged—A Must See! by Mary Lou Herlihy Hilarious Irish characters mine a deep well of humor and humanity in all three of Kevin Barry’s short stories.…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 12:48AM
Friday, June 28, 2024

“Lifespan of a Fact” Exposes “Truthiness” with Comedy—at Aurora by Bdhorwitz

D’Agata Writes ‘Masterpiece’ Essay, Fingal Checks Every Fact by Barry David Horwitz Once upon a time, early in the century, a famous writer writes an essay about a teenager who jumped …

SOURCE: Theatrius at 11:05PM
Monday, June 24, 2024

“Mother Road”: Epic Tale of Mexican & American Quest—at Berkeley Rep by Mary Lou Herlihy

Octavio Solis Reveals Mother Lode of Mexico-US Family by Mary Lou Herlihy and Barry David Horwitz From a CraigsList ad reading: “All Joads come home. Riches beyond your wildest dreams,” …

SOURCE: Theatrius at 05:27AM
Sunday, June 23, 2024

“The DMV” Brings Humor, Humanity to Dreaded Department—at The Marsh by Bdhorwitz

Don Reed’s Signature Stand-Up Reveals How We Live by Barry David Horwitz Don Reed, Oakland’s Clown Prince, has taken on a familiar enemy. This time, he transforms our perceptions of the …

SOURCE: Theatrius at 05:06PM

“Hick: A Love Story” Burns with Lesbian Passion—at The Marsh by Robert M. Gardner

Terry Baum Affirms A Woman’s Love for Eleanor Roosevelt by Robert M. Gardner Lorena Hickock, the first woman reporter to have her by-line on the front page of the New York Times, meets Ele…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 12:56AM
Saturday, June 22, 2024

”Four Play”: Brilliant Comedy Contemplates Love—at The Rhino by Bdhorwitz

Jake Brunger Brings PRIDE & Sharp Eyes to Gay Couples by Barry David Horwitz There’s more than one way to love, says Jake Brunger in his witty, British comedy “Four Play.” His bril…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 02:16PM
Tuesday, June 18, 2024

“Innocence” Grabs Hold & Refuses to Let Go—at SF Opera by Mary Lou Herlihy

Kaija Saariaho’s Masterpiece Exposes Infection of School Massacre by Mary Lou Herlihy Students’ heads jerk backward in unison—a most horrifying moment, brilliantly staged. A sickening …

SOURCE: Theatrius at 07:20AM
Thursday, June 13, 2024

“Garuda’s Wing” Celebrates Nature, Travels Time—at Magic by Mary Lou Herlihy

Naomi Iizuka Sounds the Alarm in Beautiful New Poetic Drama by Mary Lou Herlihy Naomi Iizuka’s “Garuda’s Wing” takes us to Borneo, teaming with ghosts, orchids, and orangutans. She b…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 06:06PM
Wednesday, June 12, 2024

“Seeing Stars” Sparkles with Comedy, Truth, Insight—at The Marsh  by Robert M. Gardner

Steve Budd Reflects on Family Life Unrealized by Robert M. Gardner “Seeing Stars” is seventy minutes of interstellar and introspective exploration under the sure hand of master storytell…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 01:21AM
Tuesday, June 11, 2024

“The Magic Flute” Charms with Silent Movie Magic—at SF Opera by Bdhorwitz

Mozart Meets Chaplin in Jazz Age Animation & Flapper Fashion by Barry David Horwitz What’s not to love about an evening with Mozart at SF Opera in silent movie style, intriguing animat…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 06:10PM
Sunday, June 9, 2024

“Ghost of King” Rises with Grace & Inspiration—at OTP by K. Marguerite Caronna

Michael Wayne Turner III Resurrects MLK, Writer & Performer by K. Marguerite Caronna The Reverend stands in the shadows, behind an imposing white pulpit on a raised red stage at Oakland …

SOURCE: Theatrius at 03:30PM
Friday, June 7, 2024

“Doubt, a Parable” Shines Spotlight on Acting—at Altarena by Mary Lou Herlihy

John Patrick Shanley’s Pulitzer Play Remains Relevant   by Mary Lou Herlihy Before the play begins, I chat with the woman next to me. She shares a painful story about her local church whe…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 05:24PM
Thursday, June 6, 2024

“Cabaret” Shows Us How Fascists Take Over—at Center REP by Bdhorwitz

Rotimi Agbabiaka Triumphs as Electric, Elegant Emcee by Barry David Horwitz If you see one musical this year, Center REP’s “Cabaret” would be the one. There’s no bigger thrill than s…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 09:13PM
Sunday, June 2, 2024

“Dear San Francisco”: A Mind-Blowing Trip—at Club Fugazi by Bdhorwitz

Carroll & Snider’s Affectionate Acrobats Thrill & Inspire  by Barry David Horwitz You can only see “Dear San Francisco” at Club Fugazi in North Beach. Born out of Cirque du So…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 05:28PM
Friday, May 31, 2024

“Lehman Trilogy” Strikes Gold with Superb Staging, Acting—at ACT by Bdhorwitz

Stefano Massini’s World-Wide Hit Unmasks Capitalist Bravado by Barry David Horwitz With a magnificent rafter-reaching glass and steel revolving cube, “The Lehman Trilogy” depicts Ameri…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 05:02PM
Tuesday, May 28, 2024

“The Revolutionists”: Fantastic Four Femmes Fight for Justice—at Lunatico by Lynne Stevens

Lauren Gunderson Imagines a Play for Rich and Poor by Lynne Stevens The French Revolution is raging. We hear sounds of crowds, shots, and the woosh of Madame Guillotine outside a French woma…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 06:14PM
Monday, May 27, 2024

“tick, tick…BOOM!” Celebrates “Rent” Composer’s Doubts & Dreams—at NCTC by Bdhorwitz

Jonathan Larson’s Musical Blossoms with Youthful, 90s Passions by Barry David Horwitz “tick…. tick…. Boom!” is more than the origin story of “Rent.” It’s a witty and brillian…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 04:46PM
Wednesday, May 22, 2024

“Galileo” Unveils A Universe of Superb Spectacle—at Berkeley Rep by Mary Lou Herlihy

Strong, Weiner, Sarnak’s New Musical Faces Mighty Challenges by Mary Lou Herlihy & Barry David Horwitz “Galileo” bursts onto the stage like a grand gold-wrapped gift with a big exp…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 05:10PM
Monday, May 20, 2024

“Torch Song”: A Gay Jewish Drag Queen Triumphs!—at Marin by Bdhorwitz

Harvey Fierstein’s Classic Gay Comedy Touches Our Hearts by Barry David Horwitz Lend an ear and you will hear an authentic argument between a gay, New York drag queen son and his disappoin…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 11:17PM
Friday, May 17, 2024

“The Book Club Play” Delivers Laughs & Opens Minds—at Ross Valley by Mary Lou Herlihy

Karen Zacarías Explores How Books Expand Our Lives by Mary Lou Herlihy Fill your glass, take a seat, open to Chapter 13, and enjoy a juicy discussion about this week’s book selection. Ros…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 08:38PM
Thursday, May 16, 2024

“Taming of the Shrew” Grooves with Summer of Love—at AASC by Robert M. Gardner

Amy Freed Adapts Shakespeare for Modern Times by Robert M. Gardner At the opening of African American Shakespeare Company’s “Taming of the Shrew,” I expected a retelling of Shakespeare…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 04:33PM
Sunday, May 12, 2024

“The Glass Menagerie” Shines Light on Struggling 30s Family—at S.F. Playhouse by Lynne Stevens

Tennessee Williams Reflects American Memories & Dreams by Lynne Stevens Tennessee Williams’ “The Glass Menagerie” came to the stage in 1944. He called it “a memory play” becaus…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 06:30PM
Monday, May 6, 2024

“Breed or Bust”: A Woman’s Bold Trip to Bodily Freedom—at The Marsh-Berkeley by Kim Waldron

Joyful Raven’s Hilarious, High-Spirited Solo Fits the Moment by Kim Waldron This review was first published on September 4, 2022, for Joyful Raven’s “Breed or Bust” at Playground-sf.…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 09:04PM
Friday, May 3, 2024

“Not A Genuine Black Man”: Rich in Wit & Warmth—at The Marsh, S.F. by Bdhorwitz

Brian Copeland Returns in 20th Anniversary Triumph! by Barry David Horwitz Brian Copeland’s “Not A Genuine Black Man” reminds us of our nation’s history through his own personal hist…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 09:50PM

“Tobacco, Zig-Zags & Gum”: A Play to Heal the Soul—at The Marsh by Robert M. Gardner

Algiin Ford’s Solo Show Embraces Resilience & Hope by Robert M. Gardner I went to the Marsh looking for insights and inspiration from veteran actor and writer Algiin Ford. I left with …

SOURCE: Theatrius at 08:33PM

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