“Home?”: Palestinian Woman Enacts Her Amazing Story, Brilliantly—at Z Space
Hend Ayoub Travels from Israel to US, Making Art from Life| Theatrius
“The Return” Investigates Repression & War—at Golden Thread| theatrius.com
Eady & Mast Propose Treatment for Israeli/Palestinian Tribalism by Lynne Stevens “We Repair Army Jeeps,” claims the sign outside a modest garage in a small Israeli town. But inside bigger questions roll out. Do they repair injured hearts, too? Inside, we meet Him (cautious Nick Musleh) and Her (probing Elissa Beth Stebbins). They are... Read More Read More| Theatrius
Gabriel Diamond Evokes Laughter, Tears, Love, SF Style by Barry David Horwitz Somehow, I was summoned magically to The Tenderloin Sunday night and ended up at the Fringe Festival at the invitation of Gabriel Diamond who is doing his solo show in honor of his mother—artist, poet, and performer Sandy Diamond. Sandy Diamond’s story... Read More Read More| Theatrius
Millennial Notes Candace Johnson Brings Music, Creativity, Joy by Isa S. Chu We’ve all had that moment when our ‘to-do’ list stares back at us, smug and untouched, while our brain has wandered off. In “Scat-ter Brain: The Music of ADHD,” Candace Johnson acknowledges our distracted moments and turns them into a music-filled, laugh-out-loud,... Read More Read More| Theatrius
Eady & Mast Unveil Palestinian Identity Nightmare by Jenyth Jo In “The Return,” playwrights Hanna Eady and Edward Mast sensitively portray the suffering of Palestinians in Israel, where they are under constant suspicion and surveillance. When a Palestinian car mechanic’s painful past comes back to haunt him, we learn that his constrained life is... Read More Read More| 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
Michael Phillis Excavates Ironies in Dancing Dinos & Pop Songs by Jenyth Jo Can this incredible spectacle, extended until Sept. 13 and overflowing with talent and mischief, save the fabulous Oasis, slated to close in December? Can the Dinos save the humans? For my first-ever drag show, I wore animal print, a safari hat,... Read More Read More| Theatrius
Pearl Ong, All-Night Cabby, Speeds to Lesbian Liberation by Zack Rogow Pearl Ong has certainly lived a larger-than-life story. She went from Hong Kong princess to joining the lesbian liberation scene in San Francisco in the 70s, driving a taxi during late-night hours. In “Night Driver,” Ong unfolds her privileged past with quick humor... Read More Read More| Theatrius
Terry Guest Intertwines Black History & Growing Up, A Saga by Kheven Lee LaGrone “The Magnolia Ballet” tells a part of American history through the eyes of a Black gay teenager finding himself inside his Southern roots. It’s a moving 21st century tale about the “tough love” between a father and his son. By... Read More Read More| Theatrius
Millennial Notes Lorraine Hansberry Exposes European Arrogance in Africa by Kristian Stovall “Les Blancs” is a story that doesn’t let you look away. It holds up a mirror to the impact of colonization—on spirit, family, and identity. Lorraine Hansberry’s 1970 study of imperialism asks: What do you do when your own kin have had... Read More Read More| Theatrius
Emily Mann Revives Outrage Over 1978 Moscone/Milk Murders by Jenyth Jo When San Francisco Supervisor Dan White revealed—in a taped confession—that he deliberately shot both Mayor Moscone and Supervisor Harvey Milk in City Hall, the public expected a first-degree murder conviction. White, a former Marine, fireman, and cop, fired two bullets into the head... Read More Read More| Theatrius
Lorraine Hansberry’s Final, African Play Rocks the House| Theatrius
Gary Graves Ponders Collapse of Empires, from Greece to US| Theatrius
“Happy Pleasant Valley, A Senior Sex Scandal Murder Mystery”—at Center REP| theatrius.com
“5 & Dime: A New Musical” Reckons Who We Were—at TheatreWorks| theatrius.com
Moisés Kaufman’s Docudrama Still Horrifies After 25 Years| Theatrius
Lauren Groff Inspires in Superb ‘Word for Word’ Treasure| Theatrius
Shakespeare Re-Imagined in Dance, Design, & Whimsy| Theatrius
Lynn Nottage Paints Gripping Portrait of Workers Who Lose Everything| Theatrius
“Fat Ham” Lights Up “Hamlet” for Potent Contact High—at SF Playhouse| theatrius.com
Martyna Majok’s Profane, Poetic Play Explores Loss & Redemption by K. Marguerite Caronna Emilie Whelan skillfully conducts a quartet of talented actors in a play of consummate humanity in Oakland Theater Project’s production of Martyna Majok’s Pulitzer Prize-winning drama “Cost of Living.” Each character has their own distinct melody of longing. Good hearted but unlucky Eddie (Daniel Duque-Estrada) starts the play with a stunning barroom monologue of searing loneliness. He straddles...| theatrius.com
Min Kahng Exposes Senior High Jinx in Raucous Comedy by Mary Lou Herlihy --first published on March 13, 2025, for the TheatreWorks co-production. There may be changes of performers in the Center REP show. A horny grandma and her self-obsessed granddaughter light up the stage with comedic timing and musical gifts. In grandma’s bedroom at the Happy Pleasant Valley Senior Apartments, men are dropping faster than red herrings and sex toys. When we meet frisky June (fabulous Emily Kuroda), she...| theatrius.com
John Fisher's Solo Masterpiece Exposes Perils of Gay Life by Barry David Horwitz Good News! John Fisher has written, designed, and performed one of his great Essential Service Projects, and extended his show to The Marsh, San Francisco. Don't miss Fisher, Artistic Director of Theatre Rhino, at his best. Fisher is climbing the rafters, peddling his bike, and tracking down the mystery killer who was picking up and murdering young gay men in the 70s. I was blown away by Fisher’s fury, his quiz...| theatrius.com
David Henry Hwang Takes a Forensic Look in the Mirror| Theatrius
JC Lee’s Millennial Comedy Salutes Out & Proud Among Us| Theatrius
Andrew Bergh Exposes Greed & Spies in Sound of Music| Theatrius
Shakespeare & Christina Anderson’s Madcap Update Shines| Theatrius
Ava Roy Adapts the Bard to Seaside Civil War Landmark| Theatrius
James Ijames Delights with Riotous Black Family Comedy by Jenyth Jo After twenty minutes of “Fat Ham,” a comical version of “Hamlet” set at a North Carolina backyard BBQ, it’s clear Juicy / Hamlet (Devin A. Cunningham) has been skewered and charred by the toxic flames of his out-of-date masculine role models. When Phaedra Tillery-Boughton’s Rabby (Polonius as hot pink mama) enters the party, we want this church lady to survive. Will the final act show bodies strewn on the stage li...| theatrius.com
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
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
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 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 current political mess. Written by the genius that is Michael Gene Sullivan, the master of political satire, the new musical sizzles with humor, insights, and warnings of impending political disaster. This year’s show, “American Dreams,” carries the motto: “Was Democracy Just A Dream?” I saw it ...| 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
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 flee their movie houses and crowd the streets of Buenos Aires, mourning Evita. Who is this “Santa Evita” who had such a huge impact on her nation? In Andrew Lloyd Webber’s 1978 rock opera, Eva (sparkling Sophia Alawi) is sometimes humanitarian, sometimes fascist. But she’s always a fashionista with her...| theatrius.com
