Arts & Culture :: Theater

Remembering Olympia Dukakis: late star's brother mounts tribute at Strand Theater

Remembering Olympia Dukakis: late star's brother mounts tribute at Strand Theater

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Feb 21, 2023

Known for her Oscar-winning performance in 'Moonstruck' and as Anna Madrigal in 'Tales of the City,' the late Olympia Dukakis will be honored in a multimedia production at The Strand theater produced by her brother.

Claybourne Elder: gay Broadway star plays two Bay Area shows

Claybourne Elder: gay Broadway star plays two Bay Area shows

  • 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.

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

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

  • 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.

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

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

  • 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'

  • 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."

Bobby Conte: the Broadway star comes home

Bobby Conte: the Broadway star comes home

  • 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

  • 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.

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

  • 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."

Chingwe Padraig Sullivan: queer Native American actor in SF Playhouse's 'Cashed Out'

Chingwe Padraig Sullivan: queer Native American actor in SF Playhouse's 'Cashed Out'

  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Jan 31, 2023

In an interview with the Bay Area Reporter, Chingwe Padraig Sullivan reflected on growing up in New England and pursuing a career in theater as a queer Native American. Sullivan costars in the cast of "Cashed Out," currently running at SF Playhouse.

'Clyde's' - Lynn Nottage's diner comedy at Berkeley Rep

'Clyde's' - Lynn Nottage's diner comedy at Berkeley Rep

  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Jan 31, 2023

The beautifully balanced ensemble of five actors who play the owner and staff of a truck stop diner in "Clyde's" are provided with a bumper crop of fresh, zesty dialogue by Pulitzer-winning playwright Lynn Nottage.

'Getting There' - world premiere debuts at NCTC; 'tick tick BOOM' postponed

'Getting There' - world premiere debuts at NCTC; 'tick tick BOOM' postponed

  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Jan 24, 2023

"Getting There," Dipika Guha's shifting, shimmering new play asks its characters and audiences to puzzle over a half-dozen abstract but interrelated concepts: loneliness, desire, friendship, love, guilt, and aging.

New operas for the new year; 'Everest' and 'Prospero'

New operas for the new year; 'Everest' and 'Prospero'

  • by Philip Campbell
  • Jan 24, 2023

Two new opera productions from groundbreaking creators are coming to San Francisco in February and March. Collaborations between a veritable Who's Who of contemporary artists give encouraging evidence of the state of the art.

Donna McKechnie: Broadway legend sings Sondheim at Feinstein's

Donna McKechnie: Broadway legend sings Sondheim at Feinstein's

  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Jan 17, 2023

Donna McKechnie, best known for originating, and winning a Tony for, the role of Cassie in "A Chorus Line," will honor her late colleague in her solo show, "Take Me To The World: the Songs of Stephen Sondheim," at Feinstein's at the Nikko on Jan. 19 & 20.

Marshall Forte at Lyon & Swan: two sensational debuts

Marshall Forte at Lyon & Swan: two sensational debuts

  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Jan 17, 2023

Marshall Forte, a lightning bolt of charisma and musicality who, debuted as Lola in Ray of Light Theatre's production of "Kinky Boots," is now setting off sparks with his own cabaret act, "Hello My Name Is Marshall" at the new supper club Lyon & Swan.