Reed Flores’ Comic Heroes Fight Apocalypse on BART by Barry David Horwitz When three dancing rice cookers in their white sacks take over the stage, you may just fall off your chair. Good friends Ren (Dom Refuerzo) and Mai (Nicole Apostol Bruno) get into a hot argument about using “instant” rice instead of real rice. The jasmine rice has been sitting in unopened sacks in the kitchen for years. It’s time to try the real thing. A long-simmering feud erupts between the two Asian American ...| theatrius.com
Reflections by Jenyth Jo I met Harry Davis, a member of Actors Equity, in the spring of 2023 in a play writing class at Berkeley Rep. Now Central Works has added his “Push/Pull” to its long list of World Premieres, and at 26, Harry is the youngest playwright they have produced. Harry Davis: Interviewed on 21 February 2025, Peet’s Coffee, Orinda, CA Jenyth: Harry, is it more stressful to approach opening night as an actor or a playwright? Harry: I think I get more stressed as a writer ...| theatrius.com
Robert Townsend Delivers Tales & Truths, Honestly by Robert M. Gardner When co-producer Don Reed steps forward to introduce Robert Townsend, enthusiasm for the show immediately energizes us. For 90 joyful minutes, Townsend astounds, confides, and reveals the challenges and triumphs of a remarkable life in show business. The common note through his life resounds with Townsend’s resilience when he was faced with racism and doubt from those who refused to believe in his talent. Townsend...| theatrius.com
Anton Chekhov’s Doctor Astrov Unfurls the Future Onstage by Barry David Horwitz Berkeley Rep’s sparkling production of Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya” highlights a perennial question: Do we want more exploitation of land and people, or shall we plan for a better, more humane future? Director Simon Godwin sets Chekhov’s 1899 masterpiece in a comfortable, shabby old house, full of amusing and annoying family and friends. The top-notch actors embody hard-working folks who struggle to survive...| theatrius.com
