Bay Area Reporter :: Theater News

'Galileo' at Berkeley Rep — Political science, oversimplicity, stellar singing

May 21, 2024 | by Jim Gladstone

Raúl Esparza stars in "Galileo: The Rock Musical," now making its debut at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, which tries to make insightful connections between the self-serving anti-intellectualism of power brokers during the Renaissance and in today's world.

Rotimi Agbabiaka - The talented actor adds 'Cabaret's MC to his roster, again

by David-Elijah Nahmod
May 21, 2024

"Cabaret," the classic musical, will be staged at the Center Repertory Company in Walnut Creek. Queer Bay Area theater performer Rotimi Agbabiaka is no stranger to playing flamboyant characters, and reprises his role of the show's MC.

'tick, tick...BOOM!' at NCTC - Larsen musical's a pocketful of sunshine

by Jim Gladstone
May 21, 2024

"tick, tick...Boom!," is more tickle than gloom. Now charming audiences in an already-extended production at NCTC, this posthumous cobbling of writer-composer Jonathan Larson's pre-"Rent" music shines a welcome light on his sly humor and jukebox wit.

Going Out, May 16-24, 2024 arts & nightlife events

by Jim Provenzano
May 16, 2024

We love a classy benefit, especially one with notable local celebrities. Also, local theater, dance and music concerts are worth your time and money, in Going Out.

Romelo Urbi steps out in Ray of Light Theatre's 'Everybody's Talking About Jamie'

by Jim Gladstone
May 14, 2024

Romelo Urbi is poised for breakout local stardom as he takes on the title role in Ray of Light Theatre's upcoming Bay Area premiere of "Everybody's Talking About Jamie."

'The Glass Menagerie' - a bumpy update at San Francisco Playhouse

by Jim Gladstone
May 14, 2024

The Wingfields' wings have been clipped. That's the burning kernel of pain at the center of "The Glass Menagerie," Tennessee Williams' oft-revived 1944 family drama, now playing in a frustratingly unfocused production at SF Playhouse.

Going Out, May 9-17, 2024

by Jim Provenzano
May 9, 2024

Classic and new stage plays, intriguing artwork, comedy cleverness, stellar music performances and festive nightlife; it's all in Going Out.

'Torch Song' at Marin Theatre Company — Harvey Fierstein's breakthrough classic revised and revived

by Jim Gladstone
May 7, 2024

More than four decades after its New York premiere, Harvey Fierstein's streamlined 2017 revision of "Torch Song Trilogy," retitled simply "Torch Song," makes its Bay Area debut at the Marin Theatre Company beginning May 9.

'A Strange Loop' Pride night

by photo by Steven Underhill
May 5, 2024

Cast members of Michael R. Jackson's Pulitzer and Tony-winning musical "A Strange Loop" schmoozed with patrons at a special LGBTQ Pride night on May 1. The unique must-see play, about a Black queer playwright, wowed audiences, and runs through May 12.

Stephen Mark Lukas: the 'Funny Girl' guy - classic musical arrives at the Orpheum

by Jim Gladstone
Apr 23, 2024

Actor Stepen Mark Lukas — who stars as Fanny Brice's suave-to-a-fault gambler husband, Nicky Arnstein on the current tour of "Funny Girl," talks about his various experiences performing with six actresses, including his current co-star Katerina McCrimmon.

'Liar, Alleged' - author David Vass tells all

by David-Elijah Nahmod
Apr 20, 2024

David Vass has lived a colorful life. Now in his 70s, he has seen and done it all. In his new memoir, "Liar, Alleged: A Tell-all: Celebrities, Sex, and all the Rest," Vass recalls his life behind the scenes in show business & growing up gay in the 1950s.

'The Tutor' - passion play's penetrating perspectives at NCTC

by Jim Gladstone
Apr 16, 2024

"The Tutor," Torange Yeghiazarian's hardly mellow drama, commissioned by New Conservatory Theater Center, plays with a love triangle as sharp and spiky as the dagger-like points on a backgammon board.

'Forever Plaid' - pitch-perfect melodies from beyond the grave

by David-Elijah Nahmod
Apr 16, 2024

A show that begins with the deaths of its lead characters might not seem like a fun evening at the theater, but that's exactly how "Forever Plaid" begins. 42nd Street Moon will stage a revival of the 1989 play at the Gateway Theater.

'Bitch Slap!' - 'Dynasty' in drag at Oasis

by David-Elijah Nahmod
Apr 16, 2024

In 2017, Oasis staged "Bitch Slap!," a live-on stage homage to "Dynasty" with a touch of "Days of Our Lives" and novelist Jackie Collins thrown in for good measure. "Bitch Slap!" proved to be so popular that Oasis is doing it again.

'Kristina Wong: Sweatshop Overlord' — an inspiring agit-pop monologue at the Strand

by Jim Gladstone
Apr 9, 2024

In "Kristina Wong, Sweatshop Overlord," the titular, jocular, Inner Sunset-raised performance artist's latest solo show, now playing at A.C.T.'s Strand Theater, that short hop back to the pandemic years feels shockingly epochal.

Arts & Culture :: Theater

'Galileo' at Berkeley Rep — Political science, oversimplicity, stellar singing

Rotimi Agbabiaka - The talented actor adds 'Cabaret's MC to his roster, again

'tick, tick...BOOM!' at NCTC - Larsen musical's a pocketful of sunshine

Going Out, May 16-24, 2024 arts & nightlife events

Romelo Urbi steps out in Ray of Light Theatre's 'Everybody's Talking About Jamie'

'The Glass Menagerie' - a bumpy update at San Francisco Playhouse

Going Out, May 9-17, 2024

'Torch Song' at Marin Theatre Company — Harvey Fierstein's breakthrough classic revised and revived

'A Strange Loop' Pride night

Stephen Mark Lukas: the 'Funny Girl' guy - classic musical arrives at the Orpheum

'Liar, Alleged' - author David Vass tells all

'The Tutor' - passion play's penetrating perspectives at NCTC

'Forever Plaid' - pitch-perfect melodies from beyond the grave

'Bitch Slap!' - 'Dynasty' in drag at Oasis

'Kristina Wong: Sweatshop Overlord' — an inspiring agit-pop monologue at the Strand

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'tick, tick...BOOM!' at NCTC - Larsen musical's a pocketful of sunshine

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