Linda Hodges - Page 6

San Francisco audiences were delighted to welcome a powerful and wistfully evocative production of The Gershwin's Porgy and Bess to the bay area and to the stage of the Golden Gate Theatre where it plays now through December 8. Opening night was also the launch of the much anticipated national tour of this Tony award-winning revival. Directed by Diane Paulus, with a book adapted by Suzan-Lori Parks from DuBose and Dorothy Heyward's original book, Porgy and Bess's dramatic story of love, death, addiction and hope comes alive once again for a whole new audience of theatregoers.

Swashbuckling adventure and hilarious hijinks await patrons of SHNSF's Curran Theatre with 5-time Tony Award winning Peter and the Star Catcher, which has sailed into San Francisco for a magical turn before returning to Neverland or other parts unknown. This clever prequel to J.M. Barrie's beloved Peter and Wendy is powered by starstuff (which figures prominently in the play) and a high-energy cast that is the tightest ensemble I've seen in a long time. Good, old-fashioned storytelling, reliance on late, 19th century stagecraft -- and two directors (Roger Rees and Alex Timbers) whose imaginations were allowed to run amok -- have created a wildly enjoyable and enchanting show. Playing now through December 1, Peter and the Star Catcher is one show you will definitely want to see.

San Francisco's American Conservatory Theater's Production of 'Underneath the Lintel' has extended its run due to advance ticket sales. Catch this solo performance by Academy Award nominee David Strathairn now through Nov. 23.

SHNSF's Curran Theatre in San Francisco hosts the world premiere of Beautiful: The Carole King Musical - a hit-filled bio-musical about the woman whose songs epitomized the late 60s and early 70's. Her album 'Tapestry' (with songs like 'It's Too Late,' 'I Feel the Earth Move,' and 'You've Got A Friend') soared to #1 and stayed on the charts for a record-breaking six years. King's story is the stuff of dreams, but heartache came first as it often does. How she moved from churning out hit after hit for other artists, to playing Carnegie Hall as a solo artist, is what 'Beautiful' is all about. Playing now through Oct. 20 before it heads to Broadway, 'Beautiful' is a hit show with a bullet.

Virago Theatre Company's 'shameless passion for theatre' comes alive - twice in one night - with AROUSAL, a new play by George Pfirrmann, and The Lover by Harold Pinter. Together, the two sensuous one acts equal one impressive night of theatre that you won't want to miss. Playing now thru September 28, this double feature satisfies the desire for excellent and though-provoking theatre even as it tantalizes the audience with unanswered questions, and toys with erotic situations and the roles we play in life and love.

Beneath the rollicking good time (not to mention the sequined glitz and flashy feathers) of Priscilla Queen of the Desert, the Musical, is a story about the difficulties of living an authentic life when you don't fit into the social norm. In this case that norm is the hetero world of 1990s Australia where two gay men and one trans woman, drag queens all, team up to take a trip through the outback in order to perform at a casino owned by, of all people, the wife of one of the queens. Enter 'Priscilla' a dilapidated bus that's a traveling dressing room and bar for the trio of performers. Road trip! Playing now through August 31 at the Orpheum Theatre, Priscilla Queen of the Desert is boy-sterous, outrageous, campy fun, but it also heartwarming and touching.

In 1934, during the height of the Great Depression, Americans were looking for escapist entertainment and they found it in Cole Porter's frothy, screw-ball comedy, Anything Goes. Since then the show has seen many updates and revivals, the latest of which won the 2011 Tony for Best Revival. The plot remains a zany farce set on a cruise ship where disguises, mistaken identities and malapropisms contribute to a very de-lovely evening at the theatre. The show sets sail now thru August 25 with Curtain Call Performing Arts (CCPA) in San Leandro, California.

Berkeley Rep's discerning theatre patrons, long accustomed to high caliber performances and superior productions, were thoroughly beguiled and delighted with the special pre-Broadway presentation of Harold Pinter's No Man's Land. Starring renowned actors Ian McKellen and Patrick Stewart, anticipation was naturally high for their performances - not to mention those of Tony Award winners Billy Crudup and Shuler Hensley - and no one left the theater disappointed. Ladies and gentlemen, Berkeley Rep has once again raised the bar. Playing for a limited engagement through August 31, No Man's Land is a formidable piece, rich with comedy while at the same time rife with menace and it is simply sublime.

Virago Theatre Company steps boldly and passionately into heart-wrenching territory with its production of 'Sonia Flew,'....one of the most finely crafted dramatic productions of recent note.

'Stuck Elevator' is a thought-provoking, sometimes funny, often stirring piece that opens the door to the dark side of the American dream exposing, in the story of one lone man, the flawed and feckless nature of our attitude toward immigrants. Paying now thru April 28 at A.C.T.in San Francisco

The hit musical 'Jersey Boys' made its way to the California shore and into San Francisco's Curran Theatre for a spectacular opening night where Franki Valli and the Four Seasons ruled the airwaves once again. Catch 'Jersey Boys' now through April 28.

In 1934, during the height of the Great Depression, Americans were looking for escapist entertainment and they found it in Cole Porter's frothy, screw-ball comedy, 'Anything Goes.'

'Tis the season for merriment and Christmas joy as well as for reflecting on the vicissitudes of life and, as the chasm grows between the rich and the poor, it isn't surprising to find so many bay area theatres offering up adaptations of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol.'

Playing now through December 24, the message and the magic of A.C.T.'s 'A Christmas Carol,' will delight and inspire children of all ages.

With a tail as old as time, 'The White Snake' slithers in and comes to life at Berkeley Rep, charming theater-goers with its story of enlightenment, true love, deceit and morality. Playing now through December 23.

San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre plays host to Disney's 'The Lion King' now through January 13, 2013. I put that out there right away because if you're one for keeping a bucket list of must-see things to do and see before you 'exit stage left' then this show is surely one for the list.

Playing now through November 18, 'Elektra's keening, mournful and blood thirst quest for justice is challenging pedagogy but even more so, enthralling theatre.

Playing now through November 18th at Berkeley Repertory Theatre 'An Iliad' is a masterpiece of storytelling genius; an edge-of-your-seat, dramatic tour-de-force replete with capricious gods and glorious Greeks; Trojans and their lady fair, Helen of Troy and lives that were lost for really no reason at all. And it's all done by one man.

Playing now through August 31 in a limited engagement at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts, this 'Cinderella' is smart and edgy, giving a creatively refreshing twist to an old favorite.

Set aside all of your 21st century politically correct notions and feminist fury for a moment and go see 'A Funny thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.' This show is guaranteed to make you laugh, but you better hurry because it's only here through August 19th.