Review: EXOTIC DEADLY: OR THE MSG PLAY at SF Playhouse
by Steve Murray - February 07, 2025
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 awkwardn...
Review: THE THING ABOUT JELLYFISH at Berkeley Repertory Theatre
by Steve Murray - February 06, 2025
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 f...
Review: MANON at San Francisco Ballet
by Jim Munson - January 27, 2025
The chance to see a classic full-length ballet for the first time is always a rare and welcome opportunity, so it’s especially exciting that San Francisco Ballet is kicking off its 2025 Repertory Season with Kenneth McMillan’s Manon, choreographed in 1974 and subsequently performed all over the worl...
Review: BEN JONES AND LAURENCE HOBGOOD at Piedmont Piano Company
by Steve Murray - January 27, 2025
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....
Review: GRAND HORIZONS at Altarena Playhouse
by Kelly Rogers Flynt - January 26, 2025
Smart and funny, GRAND HORIZONS at Altarena Playhouse makes a big statement on opening night. Defying easy categorization into comedy or drama, the show demonstrates how funny the serious matters of life can be as well as the nuggets of sobering truth that are part of the best jokes. With witty dial...