Bay Area theatre talk with a Drama Guy
The Bay Area at large and San Francisco in particular boasts an extremely large Chinese population. Stores, restaurants, the iconic lamps on Grant Avenue and the sounds of the erhu … Continue reading Providing a voice drives Suh in Magic Theatre’s ‘The Chinese Lady’
“I got millions, I got riches buildin’ in my DNA I got dark, I got evil, that rot inside my DNA I got off, I got troublesome heart inside my … Continue reading Review: The DNA of some awful folks sink Berkeley Rep’s ‘White Noise’
Orange slices at halftime. While all youth sports have things that make them special, there is no image more iconic than orange slices being shared out of a big, colorful … Continue reading Review: City Lights’ ‘The Wolves’ is a scrumptious slice on the pitch
Very early on in the Cal Shakes production of William Shakespeare’s “Macbeth,” a large smear of blood stains the window and doesn’t move for the duration of the performance. This … Continue reading Review: ‘Macbeth’ at Cal Shakes needs to find more unity
There is an urgency to Mrs. Kidd as she blasts into the room to speak to the newly appointed boss, the supremely confident Marlene. And that urgency, inspired by societal … Continue reading Review: A powerful and devastating ‘Top Girls’ at ACT soars
Close your eyes and feel the waves. There is very little more soothing, more life-affirming than hearing a wave crash along a shore line. The delectable beauty of the fiendish, … Continue reading Review: Berkeley Rep’s ‘The Great Wave’ needs more truth from the treacherous waters
When Francis Turnly set out to write a sweeping, epic story of two sisters and their place in two disparate countries, no word was left unturned. Turnly’s first draft of … Continue reading A sweeping storm and a sweeping epic inspires Turnly’s ‘The Great Wave’ at Berkeley Rep
School fight songs will never be found in the great American song book. These mostly banal tributes to the greatness of the alma mater are simplistic in their rhyme scheme … Continue reading Review: Aurora’s ‘Exit Strategy’ finds its heroes, villains
There is a wonderfully tender moment in the musical “Anastasia” when the young Russian woman reflects on one of the most magical memories of her childhood. As the dashing Russians … Continue reading Review: Fascinating history and fabulous tech not enough to save SHN’s ‘Anastasia’
There’s no season better than Fall. Summer’s a bit too hot, Winter’s way too expensive, and Spring throws a head-banging party in my sinuses. Fall, I mean, come on. I’m … Continue reading The Drama Guy’s Fall, 2019 (POC) theatre picks
Alfred Hitchcock was never one to shy away from a great quote. That one about actors and cattle immediately comes to mind. And in finding a humdinger to best describe … Continue reading Review: ‘The 39 Steps’ at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley is fast-paced and frolicking
I’m going to try something out. One of the things I enjoy most about running this site is the ability I have to amplify works from artists of color. I … Continue reading August Color Capsules: Marga is funny, Queer Cats and supporting women’s theatre
