“Home?”: Palestinian Woman Enacts Her Amazing Story, Brilliantly—at Z Space
Hend Ayoub Travels from Israel to US, Making Art from Life| Theatrius
Hend Ayoub Travels from Israel to US, Making Art from Life| Theatrius
“Simple Mexican Pleasures”: Truth & Tenderness in Mexico City Fever Dream—at NCTC| theatrius.com
“Jurassiq Parq, A Musiqal Parody”: A Wild Joy Ride!—at Oasis| theatrius.com
Lorraine Hansberry’s Final, African Play Rocks the House| Theatrius
Moisés Kaufman’s Docudrama Still Horrifies After 25 Years| Theatrius
Shakespeare & Christina Anderson’s Madcap Update Shines| Theatrius
Ava Roy Adapts the Bard to Seaside Civil War Landmark| Theatrius
James Ijames Finds Funny Bone in Black BBQ-Wedding| Theatrius
James Ijames Gives “Hamlet” Brand-New Black American Look | Theatrius
Kathryn Seabron Reveals the Rise of MYSOGYNOIR| Theatrius
Doug Wright’s Masterpiece Spotlights Superb Trans SHERO| Theatrius
Lewis & Rajan Elevate Daily Life into Pure Joy by Mary Lou Herlihy & Barry David Horwitz Using an Indian celebration in New Zealand and a shared meal, “Mrs. Krishnan’s Party” transcends daily life. Come with us into a backroom of a convenience store and share the revelations. “Mrs. Krishnan’s Party” raises ideas that rarely appear in drama. Playwrights Justin Lewis and Jacob Rajan float themes of international acceptance, radical generosity, and spiritual discovery. They raise our...| 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
Valcq & Alley Shine Bright, Musical Light on Small Town USA by Mary Lou Herlihy Hope is the thing with feathers. —Emily Dickinson “The Spitfire Grill,” set in the fictional town of Gilead, Wisconsin, IS small town America. Children are lost to foreign wars, jobs have gone offshore, and small businesses struggle. Whole communities are devastated and forsaken. But the musical offers hope and redemption in the Rust Belt. Music Director Nick Brown creates a seamless world of sound, with gi...| theatrius.com
Bess Wohl’s Comedy Questions 50-Year Marriage by Zack Rogow From the opening lines of Altarena Playhouse’s production of the Tony Award-nominated play “Grand Horizons,” we know we’re in for a wild ride. Nancy and Bill, a couple in their late 70s, sit down to a routine dinner in an independent living community for seniors. Out of the blue, Nancy announces, “I think I would like a divorce.” Without batting an eye, Bill answers, “All right.” Playwright Bess Wohl slowly unravels...| theatrius.com
Hershey Felder Plays Melancholy Maestro, Passionate Piano by Barry David Horwitz After the Russian Revolution of 1917, Sergei Rachmaninoff fled Russia, abandoned his aristocratic life, and moved to New York. The popular pianist-composer arrives in the U.S. with nothing. Hershey Felder plays the exiled Rachmaninoff with verve and passion, calling up vivid memories of Russia, bringing brilliant acting and musical genius to the role. As Rachmaninoff, at his lavish Beverley Hills estate in 1943, ...| theatrius.com
Eric Pfeffinger Pits Red vs. Blue States in Pregnancy Mix-Up by Robert M. Gardner The plot of “Human Error” revolves around a mistake made by a blundering fertility doctor who implants an embryo in the wrong woman. Much laughter ensues as the two couples try to resolve the improbable situation. Their problems are not over as when they go to give birth because the inept Dr. Hoskins (versatile John Charles Quimpo) surprises them with another impossible blunder. This doctor is everyone...| theatrius.com
WolfKlain & Donovan Exalt Beloved Singer’s Brief, Brilliant Career by Lynne Stevens My knee hurt badly, and I was feeling sorry for myself. I could barely limp to my car. I was ready to call it in and cancel my date with an old friend. But I reminded myself that I only had to get there, and I’d be sitting down. As soon as the six piece “Grand Ole Opry” band struck up, my pain vanished, and I was drawn back to 1961. Patsy Cline’s songs were playing on the radio when I was a young tee...| theatrius.com
Naomi Iizuka’s ‘Play On Shakespeare’ Pits Loyalty vs. Betrayal by Kim Waldron You may get lost during this tale of a tragic king, but if you can follow the story, it offers plenty of rewards. This work is less pageant and more psychology than Shakespeare’s other historical plays. Sure, there’s swords, beheadings, and an unworthy king. But it’s the emotions and ideas we feast on—loyalty, betrayal, greed, fear, a mother’s ferocious love. It's a tragedy, but not a simple one. We ...| theatrius.com
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 seedbed for Saturday Night Live’s New York stars. From John Belushi to Gilda Radner to Keegan-Michael Key, each generation carves its updated world view. At Berkeley Rep, “The Best of The Second City” unveils a new kind of vulnerable comedy, based on the shocks that define U.S. life. Six talented comic ac...| theatrius.com
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 Musical. The show’s plot, rich with futuristic dreams and political satire, offers a comedic, yet critical take on the current political and technological landscape. The talented four-person cast takes the audience on a sharp, satirical journey through the evolution of the so-called American Dream. This high...| theatrius.com
