Bay Area Reporter :: Arts

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

May 7, 2024 | by Jim Gladstone

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.

Glam-rock folk-singer Aaron Lee Tasjan's 'Stellar' achievement

by Gregg Shapiro
May 7, 2024

An early contender for one of the best albums of 2024, "Stellar Evolution" (Blue Élan) by queer singer/songwriter Aaron Lee Tasjan is modern pop perfection.

Tchaikovsky's 'The Enchantress' - New rarely heard opera and other works

by Tim Pfaff
May 7, 2024

One of the peskier questions in the classical music world: Does lesser-known mean lesser? New recordings of seldom-heard music by one Pyotr Ilyich Tchaikovsky, as familiar a composer as could be, say, no.

Caitlin Breedlove's 'All In: Cancer, Near Death, New Life'

by Laura Moreno
May 7, 2024

Author Caitlin Breedlove's debut book, "All In: Cancer, Near Death, New Life" is the fascinating queer feminist memoir of a cancer survivor and single parent of a small child. But it is equally a memoir of grief, addiction, and spirituality.

A.E. Hines' 'Adam in the Garden' - poetic fluidity

by Mark William Norby
May 7, 2024

A.E. Hines' poetry is the opposite of labeling himself or others. His work is a true breath of fresh air in our universality. Not just our sameness but our kinship with human life, our beingness, our essence. In this, we share authentic power.

'Martyr!' - Kaveh Akbar's poetic meltdown saga

by Brian Bromberger
May 6, 2024

Perhaps the only way one can find purpose in life and avoid meaninglessness is to author one's own story, or so asserts Iranian-American poet Kaveh Akbar in his wondrous, incandescent new novel "Martyr!"

'Queen of Knives' — Kooky comedy sequel almost works

by Gregg Shapiro
May 5, 2024

Although it isn't being promoted as such, "Queen of Knives" is a sequel to 2020's "King of Knives," and continues the story of Frank and his various family members, some gay and lesbian.

'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.

Going Out, May 2-10, 2024

by Jim Provenzano, Arts Editor
May 2, 2024

From delicate dances to robust theatrics, Bay Area arts and nightlife events spring forth, including the queer rock cover band GayC/DC, who perform at The Ivy Room in Albany on May 3. Rock on with plenty more events in Going Out.

Vladimir Kornéev: International singing star to make U.S. debut in Orinda

by Jim Gladstone
Apr 30, 2024

Berlin-based singer Vladmir Kornéev has recorded five critically acclaimed albums, toured Europe, played with symphony orchestras in Germany and Montreal. He'll be in the Bay Area in May to make his United States concert debut.

Doctor, dinner, detainee - The Lavender Tube on the new 'Who,' political joke night, and a freed Brittney

by Victoria A. Brownworth
Apr 30, 2024

In the latest iteration of the beloved "Doctor Who" series, the doctor is here and queer. The annual White House Correspondents Dinner, held on April 27 at the Washington Hilton, was funny, sobering, and scary. Oh, and vampires go to Paris.

'Housekeeping for Beginners' - gay filmmaker Goran Stolevski on his fictional family

by Gregg Shapiro
Apr 30, 2024

With "Housekeeping for Beginners," gay filmmaker Goran Stolevski portrays an emotional tug-of-war with a family living in Macedonia.

'With Love, Mommie Dearest' - new book examines the cultural phenomenon of the classic film

by David-Elijah Nahmod
Apr 30, 2024

"With Love, Mommie Dearest: The Making of an Unintentional Camp Classic," tells the story of the making of, and the aftermath of the now legendary biopic in which movie queen Faye Dunaway played movie queen Joan Crawford.

Q-Music: more pre-Pride tunes with cool sounds

by Gregg Shapiro
Apr 30, 2024

Our prolific music reviewer shares new and recent albums from Palehound, The Drums, Jenny Owen Youngs, Wrabel, and the "Sweeney Todd: The Demon Barber of Fleet Street" 2023 Broadway Cast Recording.

Artist grant recipients announced; film fests, theater submissions open

by Laura Moreno
Apr 29, 2024

The winners of La Asamblea's Pa'lante Artist Grant Program have been announced by Kimzin Creative. Also, two film festivals and a theater company announced calls for submission.

Events :: Arts Events

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

Glam-rock folk-singer Aaron Lee Tasjan's 'Stellar' achievement

Tchaikovsky's 'The Enchantress' - New rarely heard opera and other works

Caitlin Breedlove's 'All In: Cancer, Near Death, New Life'

A.E. Hines' 'Adam in the Garden' - poetic fluidity

'Martyr!' - Kaveh Akbar's poetic meltdown saga

'Queen of Knives' — Kooky comedy sequel almost works

'A Strange Loop' Pride night

Going Out, May 2-10, 2024

Vladimir Kornéev: International singing star to make U.S. debut in Orinda

Doctor, dinner, detainee - The Lavender Tube on the new 'Who,' political joke night, and a freed Brittney

'Housekeeping for Beginners' - gay filmmaker Goran Stolevski on his fictional family

'With Love, Mommie Dearest' - new book examines the cultural phenomenon of the classic film

Q-Music: more pre-Pride tunes with cool sounds

Artist grant recipients announced; film fests, theater submissions open

Popular Stories in Events

Going Out, May 2-10, 2024

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