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Continue reading →: The 12 Plays of Christmas, 2015
So in my attempt to showcase my uncanny wit (or not), I decided to pen a shameless little tribute to Christmas and plays all to the tune of maybe my least favorite Christmas ditty “The 12 Days of Christmas” (Although “Grandma Got Run Over by a Reindeer” is a very, very…
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Continue reading →: ‘Forever Tango’ ready to dance again with San Francisco
Watching a beautifully orchestrated tango in motion is to capture a sense of history and passion, a dance that deeply connects the present of a nation to that nation’s past. It’s a past that Luis Bravo remembers as if it was yesterday, learning about the dance in his native Argentina,…
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Continue reading →: Gonzalez’ one-man show ‘La Esquinita, USA’ still relevant as it moves to New York
In their most recent study released on Dec. 9th, the non-partisan think tank known as the Economic Policy Institute shared a report that 3.2 million manufacturing jobs were lost in the United States from 2001 to 2013, with about 415,000 of those jobs connected to Wal-Mart. Choosing to manufacture their…
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Continue reading →: Review: SHN’s ‘Gentleman’s Guide’ fueled by strong performances
The first glimpse of Monty Navarro that stands out is a little smirk at the top of the show. He sits at his desk in prison, dipping the fountain pen into warm ink, ready to write the unlikely story that unfolds over the course of 150 minutes on the stage.…
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Continue reading →: Marcus swings back into the Bay with SHNSF’s ‘Gentleman’s Guide’When Philadelphia born and Danville bred Dani Marcus was cast as one of the most irreverent versions of Snow White for two years back in 2000, little did she realize that it would be the best training she could ask for, training that has prepped her well for her new…
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Continue reading →: Review: ‘Odysseo’ creates a beautiful, utopian fantasy world
In conversing with my parents about Cavalia’s “Odysseo,” playing through January 10th in the big top next to AT&T Park in San Francisco, they asked me what it was about. In the most simplistic terms, I described it as Cirque du Soleil, with horses. The comparison made more sense as I…
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Continue reading →: Review: Exquisite ‘Clybourne Park’ in Palo Alto confronts issues of race with humor and heartbreak
There is sadness in the eyes of Bev. While she takes in the activity that surrounds her preparation to move out of her house, Bev is devastated to find out that the glowing racist Karl Lindner made an uninvited visit to the projects to visit the Youngers, the black family…
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Continue reading →: Snyder’s choices parallel latest role in SHNSF’s ‘If/Then’
How’s this for a career milestone? Actor James Snyder owned his very first Broadway cast album back in the mid-1990’s as a teenager. That album was “Rent.” That soundtrack features, among others, Idina Menzel and Anthony Rapp in star making roles. Now imagine going to rehearsal about 18 years after…
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Continue reading →: ACT’s ‘Monstress’ a marvelous, powerful and painful dance
“All that became of their kiss was longing.” – “Monstress” by Lysley Tenorio, page 173 The measure of any great play is how long it stays with you when it’s over. American Conservatory Theater’s production of “Monstress” ultimately ends, sending the audience back onto Market Street after two hours in…
David John Chávez
Bay Area theater critic/reporter, Executive Chair – American Theatre Critics/Journalists Association, Two-time Pulitzer Prize for Drama jurist (’22-’23). Follow me on socials and say hi! #hellatheatre
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