There is no one more deserving of an “A for effort” than Josh Rivedal. He wrote and stars in an ongoing one-man show about his life in which he sings and acts as a variety of characters, and he performs without inhibition. It’s the kind of show that people really Read More…
Ensemble Mik Nawooj — a collective of instrumentalists, rappers and vocalists — is breaking the rules of musical genre in all the right ways. Fusing classical Western European compositions with genres like hip-hop, rock and pop, the act promises an experience that is at once refreshing, innovative and utterly captivating. Read More…
Here’s how to put on a disturbingly hilarious and outrageously entertaining musical in a confined basement-slash-student-theater: Take six socially awkward and sensationally idiosyncratic elementary school students, give them each a Red Bull or two and have them battle it out in a local spelling bee put on by equally strange Read More…
Since opening in 1951, Frank Loesser’s “Guys and Dolls,” based on the stories of Damon Runyon, has been hailed as one of the greatest musicals of all time. Director Jon Tracy revives the fun romantic comedy for the Berkeley Playhouse, offering impressive musical numbers, lively dancing and plenty of laughs. Read More…
There are many words in the English language that can be used to describe SF Playhouse’s latest production, “Reasons to Be Pretty.” However, “pretty” may not be one of them. Edgy? Yes. Hilariously entertaining? Yes. Pretty? Not quite. Written by American playwright Neil LaBute, the play is a witty and Read More…
The 13th Earl of Gurney and his servant Tucker are standing center stage, and a noose is swinging below the Earl’s head. Tucker and the Earl exchange pleasantries, and eventually Tucker leaves the room, leaving the Earl and the noose to themselves. While delivering a nonsensical monologue, the Earl (played Read More…
When you open your newspaper (if those things even still exist) and turn to Charles M. Schulz’s legendary “Peanuts” comic strip, you know what to expect. There will be some Snoopy hijinks, a “good grief,” maybe some “wah-wahs” and most certainly an effervescent feeling of warmth bubbling somewhere in the Read More…
