Kpfa - Bay Area Theater

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Octet,” with music, lyrics, book and choral arrangements by Dave Malloy, directed by Annie Tippe, from Signature Theatre in New York, at Berkeley Rep‘s Peets Theater through May 29, 2022. The post Review: “Octet,” at Berkeley Rep’s Peets Theater appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Fefu and her Friends” by Maria Irene Fornes, directed by Pam MacKinnon at ACT Strand through May 1, 2022. The post Review: “Fefu and Her Friends” at ACT Strand appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Water by the Spoonful” by Quiara Alegria Hudes, directed by Denise Blasor, at San Francisco Playhouse through April 23, 2022. The post Review: “Water by the Spoonful,” at San Francisco Playhouse appeared first on KPFA.

Jan Hunter, director of “Intimate Apparel” by Lynn Nottage, produced by the Lorraine Hansberry Theatre at the Magic Theatre in Fort Mason, April 1 – 16, 2022, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky. “Intimate Apparel” tells the story of a young black seamstress and her struggles in 1905 New York, her relationships and the way she deals with adversity. In 2004, “Intimate Apparel” won the Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Play and was one of the highlights of that year’s off-Broadway season. Jan Hunter has been an actor and director in both the San Francisco and Los Angeles areas, and spent thirty years as the Director of the Performing Arts Academy at Skyline High School in Oakland. Most recently she performed in the cast of Interlude at New Conservaatory Theatre in San Francisco.   The post Interview: Jan Hunter, director, “Intimate Apparel” at Lorraine Hansberry Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Passing Strange” at Shotgun Players Ashby Stage extended through April 23, 2022. The post Review: “Passing Strange” at Shotgun Players appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Dot” by Colman Domingo, at New Conservatory Theatre Center in San Francisco through April 3, 2022.   The post Review: “Dot” by Colman Domingo, at New Conservatory Theatre Center appeared first on KPFA.

Bill English, Artistic Director of San Francisco Playhouse, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded via zencastr February 9, 2022. Bill English is the director of SF Playhouse’s latest production, Heroes of the Fourth Turning by Will Arbery, playing through March 5, 2022, as well as the company’s Artistic Director. In this interview he discusses, in depth, the themes and characters of the play, as well as some of the challenges in bringing this production to fruition. He also talks about upcoming shows in the SF Playhouse season.   The post Interview: Bill English, Artistic Director, San Francisco Playhouse, 2022 appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Heroes of the Fourth Turning” by Will Arbery, directed by Bill English, at San Francisco Playhouse through March 5, 2022. The post Review: “Heroes of the Fourth Turning” at San Francisco Playhouse appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Swept Away” at Berkeley Rep’s Peets Theater through March 6, 2022. The post Review: “Swept Away” at Berkeley Rep’s Peets Theater appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theater critic Richard Wolinsky reviews the national tour company of “Freestyle Love Supreme” at ACT’s Geary Theater through February 13, 2022. The post Review: “Freestyle Love Supreme” at ACT Geary Theater appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “The Woman in Black,” adapted from the novel by Susan Hill, written by Stephen Mallatratt and directed by Robin Herford at ACT Strand Theater through January 16, 2022. The post Review: “The Woman in Black” at ACT Strand appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley” by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, at Marin Theatre Company through December 19, 2021.     The post Review: “Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley,” at Marin Theatre Company appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Wintertime” by Charles L. Mee, directed by Les Waters, at Berkeley Rep‘s Roda Theater through December 19, 2021. The post Review: “Wintertime” by Charles L. Mee, at Berkeley Rep’s Roda Theater appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “My Fair Lady,” the Lincoln Center revival production, at BroadwaySF ‘s Orpheum Theater through November 28, 2021.   Photo: BroadwaySF The post Review: “My Fair Lady,” Lincoln Center Revival, at the Orpheum appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “The Great Khan” at San Francisco Playhouse through November 13, 2021, live on stage and on video by demand.   The post Review: “The Great Khan,” at San Francisco Playhouse appeared first on KPFA.

Michael Gene Sullivan, whose play “The Great Khan” runs live and streaming at San Francisco Playhouse through November 13th, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky. A principal member of the San Francisco Mime Troupe since 1988, and currently the Playwright in Residence (“The Great Khan” is co-produced with the Mime Troupe), Michael Gene Sullivan has also been an actor and director, both with the Mime Troupe and in several companies around the Bay Area, including Berkeley Rep, A.C.T., TheatreWorks and San Francisco Playhouse. As he explains in the interview, he uses his playwrighting to further the cause of social activism, and focuses attention particularly on race and on the narratives we learn, and the narratives we can unlearn. The post Interview: Michael Gene Sullivan, playwright, “The Great Khan” at San Francisco Playhouse appeared first on KPFA.

Tim Bond, Artistic Director of TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky. Shortly after Tim Bond was hired and began working with Robert Kelley, who founded TheatreWorks in 1970 and spent the next fifty years as Artistic Director, the pandemic hit, and the company had to shut down its season. Formerly the Associate Artistic Director at Oregon Shakespeare Festival, Producing Director at Syracuse Stage and Syracuse University Department of Drama, and Professor at the University of Washington School of Drama, Tim Bond has spent a distinguished career as a director in several different venues. In this interview recorded on October 19, 2021, he talks about his career, about taking TheatreWorks through the pandemic shutdown, the rise of streaming, and the effects of the Black Lives Matter protests of 2020, as well as gives a rundown of the upcoming slate of plays for the 2021 season. Lizard Boy, a new musical, plays at Mountainview Center for the Arts through October 31. Streaming On D

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “The Claim” by Tim Cowbury, directed by Rebecca Novick, at Shotgun Players Ashby Stage through November 7, 2021. Shotgun Players website The post Review: “The Claim” at Shotgun Players Ashby Stage appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Jesus Christ Superstar,” the 50th Anniversary touring production, which runs through November 7th at the Golden Gate Theater. BroadwaySF website The post Review: “Jesus Christ Superstar” 50th Anniversary Tour, at the Golden Gate appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theater critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “The Winter’s Tale” by William Shakespeare, directed by Eric Ting, at Cal Shakes (California Shakespeare Theater) extended through October 2, 2021. The post Review: The Winter’s Tale, at Cal Shakes appeared first on KPFA.