Arts & Culture

Claybourne Elder: gay Broadway star plays two Bay Area shows

Claybourne Elder: gay Broadway star plays two Bay Area shows

  • MUSIC
  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Feb 14, 2023

In advance of his concerts in Napa and San Francisco, Claybourne Elder, star of 'Company,' 'The Gilded Age' and more, shared a few remarkable stories of his Mormon upbringing and theatrical good fortune.

Sargent and Spain: John Singer Sargent exhibit graces the Legion of Honor

Sargent and Spain: John Singer Sargent exhibit graces the Legion of Honor

  • ART
  • by Robert Brokl
  • Feb 14, 2023

Like a swank ocean liner of a bygone era, the John Singer Sargent exhibition, "Sargent and Spain," at the Legion of Honor in San Francisco from the National Gallery in Washington, is a welcome arrival, full of his trademark bravura paintings and drawings.

Sargent's 'Grand Affair' - biography of the painter brings new light on his life

Sargent's 'Grand Affair' - biography of the painter brings new light on his life

  • ART
  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Feb 14, 2023

Paul Fisher, professor of American studies at Wellesley College, begins his full-scale biography, "The Grand Affair: John Singer Sargent in His World," with a confession that Sargent, a great American artist (1856-1925), is also an abiding enigma.

'Justice: A New Musical' - composer and lyricist on their Supreme Court show

'Justice: A New Musical' - composer and lyricist on their Supreme Court show

  • THEATER
  • by Marijke Rowland
  • Feb 14, 2023

The Marin Theatre Company staging of "Justice: A New Musical" will technically be its second production after its world premiere last spring in Arizona. But real-life changes have inspired an updated version.

'Of An Age' - a freewheeling sensual, wistful romantic odyssey

'Of An Age' - a freewheeling sensual, wistful romantic odyssey

  • MOVIES
  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Feb 14, 2023

The new Australian dramedy "Of An Age" by Macedonian-born, Melbourne-raised writer-director-editor Goran Stolevski is that happy exception to overdone and often clichéd coming-of-age stories.

'BABA: The Life and Death of Stana' - new opera explores gender identity

'BABA: The Life and Death of Stana' - new opera explores gender identity

  • MUSIC
  • by Philip Campbell
  • Feb 14, 2023

Written, composed and directed by Karmina Silec, "BABA: The Life and Death of Stana' conveys stories of Balkan sworn virgins (women who live as men after taking vows of chastity and celibacy) in a new interpretation of epic story-singing traditions.

Billy Porter: from Broadway to 'Brady'

Billy Porter: from Broadway to 'Brady'

  • MOVIES
  • by Tim Nasson
  • Feb 12, 2023

Billy Porter stars as a Super Bowl half-time show choreographer opposite Oscar winners Sally Field, Rita Moreno, Jane Fonda, and Tony winner Lilly Tomlin, in the feel-good comedy "80 For Brady."

'80 for Brady's fabulous football foursome

'80 for Brady's fabulous football foursome

  • MOVIES
  • by Laura Moreno
  • Feb 11, 2023

When was the last time a football film brought women, not to mention senior citizen women en masse to the theater? An ode to New England Patriot's legendary quarterback Tom Brady, "80 for Brady" boasts a most accomplished cast.

Mostly British fest's favored films

Mostly British fest's favored films

  • MOVIES
  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Feb 8, 2023

The 15th Mostly British Film Festival, presented by the SF Neighborhood Theatre Foundation, runs Feb. 9-16 at the Vogue Theater. It introduces 25 new and classic English language foreign films from not just the UK, some with LGBTQ themes.

Bobby Conte: the Broadway star comes home

Bobby Conte: the Broadway star comes home

  • MUSIC
  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Feb 7, 2023

Before starring in 'A Bronx Tale' and other Broadway shows, Bobby Conte, who brings his solo concert "Along the Way" to A.C.T.'s Strand Theater Feb. 11, got his start in theater here in the Bay Area.

Mark Morris Dance Group's "The Look of Love" - company director & Berkeley native Sam Black returns to his roots

Mark Morris Dance Group's "The Look of Love" - company director & Berkeley native Sam Black returns to his roots

  • DANCE
  • by Philip Mayard
  • Feb 7, 2023

Cal Performances welcomes back Mark Morris Dance Group for the Bay Area premiere of Morris' "The Look of Love: An Evening of Dance to the Music of Burt Bacharach." Company Director and Berkeley native Sam Black discussed his work with Morris.

Collective currents: The Lavender Tube on 'The 1619 Project' and 'The Last of Us'

Collective currents: The Lavender Tube on 'The 1619 Project' and 'The Last of Us'

"The 1619 Project," the anthology by Nikole Hannah-Jones, and its Hulu miniseries adaptation, are at the center of the conservative firestorm over Critical Race Theory. Also, anti-fans hate the loving gay couple in 'The Last of Us' more than its zombies.

'Knock at the Cabin' - M. Night Shyamalan's gay-inclusive apocalyptic thriller

'Knock at the Cabin' - M. Night Shyamalan's gay-inclusive apocalyptic thriller

  • MOVIES
  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Feb 7, 2023

You have to wonder about writer/director M. Night Shyamalan going after the gay audience with 'Knock at the Cabin.' Jonathan Groff and Ben Aldridge play adoptive parents whose family is threatened by a quartet of invaders.

Who's Your Mami Comedy: stand-up with a feminist twist returns to Brava Cabaret

Who's Your Mami Comedy: stand-up with a feminist twist returns to Brava Cabaret

  • THEATER
  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Feb 7, 2023

Lesbian comic Marga Gomez, with Carla Clay and Chelsea Bearce, returns to Brava Cabaret with "Who's Your Mami Comedy."