Berkeley Repertory Theatre went topsy-turvy last Wednesday for the opening night of “A Doctor in Spite of Himself,” an adaptation of Moliere’s buoyant comedy co-produced by Yale Repertory Theatre. Colorful lights and a live tuba and accordion set a carnival atmosphere. The curtain rose, and a Punch-and-Judy puppet show seamlessly Read More…
Film Readers know I have talked about “Melancholia” ad nauseum, but this Thursday, Feb. 23 at the Castro Theatre in San Francisco could be your last chance to see Lars von Trier’s spectacular film on the big screen. It’s kind of a trek, but witnessing “Melancholia” — which stars Kirsten Read More…
The launching point for the “Do Not Destroy: Trees, Art and Jewish Thought” exhibit at the Contemporary Jewish Museum is a commandment from the Old Testament: “When thou shalt besiege a city a long time, in making war against it to take it, thou shalt not destroy the trees thereof Read More…
The products of tripped out imaginations bounce back and forth on the white walls of Oakland’s Old Crow Tattoo and Gallery. In a show colored by magic and spirituality, “In Between” is Nick Mann, Brett Flanigan, Craig Rodgers and Dan Bortz’s first collaboration in a gallery space. Each occupying his Read More…
The changing perceptions of Asian American identity are more relevant than ever, with the talk of the town dominated by Jeremy Lin’s rise to NBA stardom. And few events are more committed to promoting young Asian Americans in the performing arts than Magic Theatre’s Asian Explosion 2012 this past week Read More…
Wait for someone named “Margaret” to appear in Kenneth Lonergan’s film of that name, and it will be in vain. The title “Margaret” is taken from Gerard Manley Hopkins’s poem “Spring and Fall,” addressed to a grieving girl too young and small to understand the enormity of what she grieves Read More…
The celebrated children’s author Daniel Handler, who is based in San Francisco, wrote “A Series of Unfortunate Events” under the pseudonym Lemony Snicket. But for his latest book, “Why We Broke Up,” he uses his real name. It’s too bad that Handler’s real name is as much of a disappointment Read More…
This week, being the week of Valentine’s Day, has been most taxing. As a hermit and eventual cat lady, I’m too busy watching Jane Austen film adaptations to write. Thus, I will be handing over my duties to world-renowned gentleman Sir Lester Butterfill XXIX for this week for his rumination Read More…
The Compound Gallery & Studios in Oakland is a comforting place. They have an affable staff, a rich display of chandelier lighting and a pleasant soundtrack of 1920s jazz. It was strange then, on Saturday evening, to see the words “FUCK YOU! I’LL FUCK MYSELF” in bold black print near Read More…
“The Vow” is a movie about amnesia and thus comes with a plethora of requisite amnesia jokes (i.e. “Who’s the president?” “Obama.” “The senator?”), which are one of the few things going for this endearing flop of a chick flick. Gearing up for Valentine’s Day, “The Vow” follows happily married Read More…
