Steve Murray

The tasty smells of frying onions, garlic, and Indian spices waft throughout the space at Marin Theatre’s Boyer Theatre reconfigured into a party space to celebrate Onam, the Southern Indian harvest festival. The interactive piece has the audience participating as guests surprising Mrs. Krishnan who was only expecting her new boyfriend and her adored son Apu. Set in the backroom of Mrs. K’s grocery store, we’re invited to hear the folklore of Onam, dance to traditional and modern music and become involved in a touch of heartfelt drama.

A.C.T. Artistic Director Pam Mackinnon directs this revival of Itamar Moses and Gaby Alter’s 2013 musical satire of reality TV dating shows, adding a -749-2228uhoo few more songs and fleshing out the character of Jenny to a starring role. The result is a smash hit – refreshing, witty, thoughtful, and very funny. In a world of social media reality, Nobody Loves You focuses a laser eye on what we create about ourselves, how we use that to connect to others, and everyone’s main goal – finding love.

What did our critic think of WILD WITH HAPPY at New Conservatory Theatre Center?

What did our critic think of HAPPY PLEASANT VALLEY: A SENIOR SEX SCANDAL MURDER MYSTERY MUSICAL at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley?

What did our critic think of LILLIAS WHITE: DIVINE SASS, A TRIBUTE TO SARAH VAUGHAN at Feinstein's At The Nikko?

What did our critic think of CLAYBOURNE ELDER: IF THE STARS WERE MINE at Feinstein's At The Nikko?

What did our critic think of WASTE at Marin Theatre?

Conor McPherson’s 2020 revitalized translation of Chekhov’s Uncle Vanya was hailed as a breath of fresh air and this production, featuring a stellar performance by Hugh Bonneville in the titular role, feels updated, and more humorous than previous incarnations.  The pace of the drama about the ennui of provincial life, unrequited loves, middle-aged disappointments and regrets is quicker and the humor from the updated language doesn’t detract from Chekhov’s work.

A whacky who-done-it is the subject of Nathan Tylutki’s one-man performance piece currently on the board at New Conservatory for a short run. Playing numerous characters, and including the use of recorded video mixed with the live performance, Tylutki attempts a gumshoe sleuth style ala Thin Man or Mike Hammer films. The show is framed as a podcast titled ‘Shoot Your Shot’ hosted by a bad drag imitation of Jennifer Coolidge (huh?).

Award-winning playwright Keiko Green’s surreal comedy is a sure-fire hit featuring a stellar cast, smart writing and absurd situations. Director Jesca Prudencio who helmed the 23 world premiere at the Old Globe once again directs this outrageous  story that involves time-travel, high school awkwardness, family legacies and the mysterious story of the famous seasoning MSG (monosodium glutamate). Exotic Deadly: Or the MSG Play is wildly inventive and laugh out loud funny.

Berkeley Rep’s World Premiere of Ali Benjamin’s coming of age story The Thing About Jellyfish is a tremendous technical achievement highlighted by an impressive lead performance by Matilda Lawler (HBO’s “Station Eleven” and “The Gilded Age,” The Ferryman on Broadway) in the role of Suzy. Prescient for today’s audiences, this story of love, loss, grief and resilience can be appreciated by all.

The press release on this coupling promised “an evening of unparalleled artistry,” a very lofty intention indeed. But after a few numbers I tend to agree whole-heartedly – these two critically-acclaimed musicians put on a master class that at moments, took my breath away.

What did our critic think of LEA DELARIA OUT RAGE at The Chan National Queer Arts Center?

What did our critic think of RACHMANINOFF AND THE TSAR at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley?

What did our critic think of CABARET at Theatre Rhinoceros?

What did our critic think of BALONEY - SF'S GAY ALL-MALE REVUE at Oasis?

What did our critic think of A RED CAROL at Z Space?

What did our critic think of A WHYNOT CHRISTMAS CAROL at American Conservatory Theatre?

What did our critic think of DEEP INSIDE TONIGHT! THE KINSEY SICKS 30TH ANNIVERSARY TOUR at New Conservatory Theatre Center?

Miss Bennet: Christmas at Pemberly might be my favorite secular Holiday offering – a shining jewel that follows the Bennet sisters of Jane Austin fame attempt at a cheery Xmas week mired by romantic foibles reminiscent of a good Shakespeare play. Award-winning playwright Lauren Gunderson developed this play, co-authoring the Christmas at Pemberley plays (Miss Bennet, The Wickhams, and Georgiana and Kitty) with Margot Melcon, former director of new play development at Marin Theatre Company. They have become beloved staples at TheatreWorks and this production shines through its stellar casting and excellent creative crew.