If you give a cursory glance to the current signs on the walls of the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, you might think yourself insane. In the men’s bathroom (nevermind why I was there), in lucid black ink, a framed piece of paper displays Chinese characters with the following statement beneath: “Salute Read More…
When Muhammad Hassan made his debut on WWE (World Wrestling Entertainment) RAW in 2004, he was accompanied by his sidekick, Daivari, ranting in Persian, interrupting a tribute to the soldiers in Iraq. Raucous boos arose, and the crowd began chanting “USA!” Here was the enemy: a perfectly crafted, predetermined, suspicious Read More…
There’s something automatically intriguing about a production of “The Merchant of Venice,” Shakespeare’s most controversial play. Yes, even for San Francisco. Though the city rarely shies away from addressing contentious subjects, something about “Merchant” raises brows. San Francisco is progressive, certainly, but progressive stops where political correctness begins. Fortunately for Read More…
While the idea of reinventing a classic Broadway musical may seem slightly questionable at first thought, the SF Playhouse takes this concept to new bounds, delivering an exceptional production of “My Fair Lady” that will transcend any doubts one may have. Taking the story of George Bernard Shaw’s “Pygmalion” and Read More…
Tucked away in the hills of Orinda is the California Shakespeare Theater — better known as Cal Shakes. A shuttle took guests up the winding road to an outdoor area which was shaded by eucalyptus trees connected by strings of sparkling Christmas lights. Art was everywhere, from the nature-inspired sculptures Read More…
Poor Salome. The princess’s story, originally laid out in the New Testament books of Mark and Matthew has been pushed, pulled and altered to a hair-splitting, head-losing degree. The original story — about the stepdaughter of King Herod demanding the head of John the Baptist as payment for a sultry Read More…
Tears were shed Friday night at the world premiere of Eve Ensler’s “Emotional Creature” at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Ensler — Tony Award-winning playwright of the renown “The Vagina Monologues” — brings forth a new play based on her New York Times best-selling novel of the same name under the Read More…
When the lights come up on “Black n Blue Boys / Broken Men” a simple white-on-black title card projected on the back wall introduces us to Flaco, the first of five characters that writer and actor Dael Orlandersmith will inhabit over the course of the play. At first glance he Read More…
From flying body parts and attempted gasoline explosions to internal monologues regarding a young man’s strange affinity for gibbons and high school massacres, along with everything in between — “A Behanding in Spokane” is a sardonic farce sure to both enthrall and disgust. SF Playhouse’s regional premiere of “A Behanding Read More…
American Conservatory Theater in San Francisco is paying homage to modernist master Samuel Beckett. In a single bill, the A.C.T. has joined “Play,” one of Beckett’s rarely performed one-acts, with “Endgame,” Beckett’s 1957 work written in the absurdist style. “Play” is Beckett’s illustration of a love triangle, drawn using minimal Read More…
