Kpfa - Bay Area Theater

Nilaja Sun, in conversation with KPFA associate theater critic C.S. Soong. Nilaja Sun portrays a dozen people living on New York’s Lower East Side in her one-woman show “Pike St.,” now at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. In “Pike St.” three generations of a Puerto Rican family await, along with neighbors and friends, the arrival of a hurricane. The play, directed by Ron Russell, runs through December 9. Berkeley Repertory Theatre is located at 2025 Addison Street in Berkeley. The post Interview: Nilaja Sun about “Pike St.” at Berkeley Rep appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Pike St,” written and performed by Nilaja Sun, at Berkeley Rep’s Peets Theatre through December 9, 2018. Berkeley Rep website The post Review: Pike St., at Berkeley Rep appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Everything Is Illuminated” , west coast premiere, based on the Jonathan Safran Foer novel, at Aurora Theatre Company in Berkeley. The play has been extended to December 16th. Aurora website The post Review: Everything Is Illuminated at Aurora Theatre Company appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “In the Heights,” music and lyrics by Lin-Manuel Miranda, at Custom Made Theatre in San Francisco through December 15, 2018. Custom Made website The post Review: In The Heights, at Custom Made Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

John Fisher, Artistic Director of Theatre Rhine, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky. Director, playwright and actor John Fisher discusses his one-man show, “A History of World War II” at the Marsh in San Francisco Nov, 8 – Dec. 16, 2018, Thursday and Saturday evenings. He also talks about the current Theatre Rhino season, which opened with the musical “The Boy From Oz” about the life of gay singer/songwriter Peter Allen, playing at the Gateway (Eureka) Theatre through Nov. 17, 2018. John Fisher also talks about his career in theatre, as well as the relationship between audience and performer, and whether there’s such a thing as a “bad night,” and other issues when seeing a play. The post Interview: John Fisher, Artistic Director Theatre Rhino appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Men On Boats” by Jaclyn Backhaus, directed by Tamilla Wodard, at ACT’s Strand Theatre through December 16, 2018.   The post Review: Men On Boats, at ACT Strand appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “The Resting Place” at the Magic Theatre in Fort Mason, through November 4, 2018. The post Review: The Resting Place, at the Magic appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews the touring company of “Waitress” at SHN’s Golden Gate Theatre through November 11, 2018. The post Review: Waitress, at SHN Golden Gate appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Fairview” by Jackie Sibblies Drury at Berkeley Rep through November 4, 2018 Berkeley Rep website The post Review: Fairview, at Berkeley Rep appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Oslo” by J.T. Rogers, directed by Jason Minadakis, at Marin Theatre Company through October 28, 2018. Marin Theatre Company website The post Review: Oslo by J.T. Rogers, at Marin Theatre Company appeared first on KPFA.

 Loretta Greco, Artistic Director of the Magic Theatre, and director of “Sweat” by Lynn Nottage, at ACT’s Geary Theater through October 21st, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky. Loretta Greco has developed, premiered, and championed the work of Taylor Mac, Mfoniso Udolfia, Barbara Hammond, Jessica Hagedorn and Luis Alfaro during her years at the Magic. She’s also directed plays at both the Magic, Cal Shakes, A.C.T. and other theatrical companies. “Sweat” by Lynn Nottage won the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. ACT website.     Images from “Sweat” The post Interview: Loretta Greco, Artistic Director of the Magic Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Red Scare at Sunset” by Charles Busch at New Conservatory Theatre Center through October 21, 2018. New Conservatory website The post Review: Red Scare on Sunset, at New Conservatory Theatre Center appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “You Mean to Do Me Harm” by Christopher Chen, directed by Bill English, at San Francisco Playhouse through November 3, 2018. SF Playhouse website The post Review: You Mean to Do Me Harm, at SF Playhouse appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “The Goat, or Who is Sylvia” by Edward Albee, at Custom Made Theatre in San Francisco through October 20, 2018. Custom Made Theatre website The post Review: “The Goat, or Who is Sylvia” by Edward Albee, at Custom Made appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “A Doll’s House, Part 2” by Lucas Hnath, at Berkeley Rep’s Roda Theatre through October 21, 2018 Berkeley Rep website   The post Review: A Doll’s House, Part 2 by Lucas Hnath, at Berkeley Rep appeared first on KPFA.

Johanna Pfaelzer has been named the new Artistic Director of Berkeley Rep, starting in the 2019-2020 season. In this interview she talks about her history as the Artistic Director of New York Stage & Film, and about how she views her new position at one of the coountry’s leading regional theatres. Berkeley Rep website The post Interview: Johanna Pfaelzer, Berkeley Rep appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Detroit ’67” by Dominuqe Morisseau, at Aurora Theatre Company through October 7, 2018. Aurora Theatre Company website   The post Review: Detroit ’67 by Dominique Morisseau, at Aurora appeared first on KPFA.

Robert Kelley, founder and Artistic Director of Theatreworks Silicon Valley, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky. Robert Kelley helped found Theatreworks back in 1970, shortly after graduating college. Originally a workshop, over a short time it turned into a community theatre, then a professional theatre, and now is one of the country’s leading regional theatre companies, with several originating shows (including the Tony winner “Memphis”) going to New York and Broadway. Entering his second-to-last season, a year before the company’s fiftieth anniversary in 2019-2010, Robert Kelley discusses the history of Theatreworks, how it’s situated within the Bay Area community, along with details of the upcoming season, which features a production of the Tony-winning musical based on the graphic novel by Alison Bechdel, “Fun Home,” and the latest play by Rajiv Joseph (“Guards at the Taj”). He also discusses how Broadway has changed, the role of Theatreworks in maintaining diversity and political consciousness, and t

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “The War of the Roses, from William Shakespeare’s Henry VI trilogy and Richard III, adapted by Eric Ting & Philippa Kelly and directed by Eric Ting, through September 15, 2018 at California Shakespeare Theatre in Orinda. KPFA host Mitch Jeserich: “Richard III is one of most visible and known disabled characters in the literary and theatrical worlds and he is part of a long tradition of portraying primary disabled and deformed characters as a villains.  I can see Cal Shakes wanting to avoid perpetuating that type of characterization.  But to erase his disfigurement all together is antithetical to the character himself because Richard uses society’s maltreatment of him for motivation to gain power precisely in order to be seen and recognized.  Because Cal Shakes always seems to strive in bringing diversity into Shakespearean plays, I was disappointed that instead of figuring a clever and dignified way to represent his disability they erased it all together.” Cal

Susia Damilano and Bill English, founders of San Francisco Playhouse. Bill English, Artistic Director of San Francisco Playhouse, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky. In this yearly interview, Bill English discusses the previous and upcoming seasons at San Francisco Playhouse. In addition, he discusses the current production of “Sunday in the Park with George” and examines the role of lighting in creating the feel of Playhouse productions. San Francisco Playhouse website The post Interview: Bill English, San Francisco Playhouse appeared first on KPFA.