Robert Kelley News

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley continues its 2015/2016 season with the Regional Premiere of the dazzling romance, CYRANO, a new sprightly adaptation by Michael Hollinger (Opus) and Aaron Posner (My Name is Asher Lev, The Chosen) of Edmond Rostand's classic Cyrano de Bergerac.

Theatre enthusiasts packed the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts tonight to hear Founding Artistic Director Robert Kelley and Managing Director Phil Santora of TheatreWorks Silicon Valley unveil the line-up for the company's 47th season.

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley today announced that the company has broken all box office records with the sparkling musical Jane Austen's Emma, created by Tony-nominated Broadway composer Paul Gordon. This revival production, which closed its extended run on January 2, has become the highest grossing show in the company's 46-year history, surpassing the previous record-holder … the original production of Emma, which received its world premiere at TheatreWorks in 2007. 

Clever, sharp and witty, "Emma" the musical is as charismatic as it title character. Creator Paul Gordon took the Jane Austen classic and gave audiences a crisp, well-paced and engaging script with a score that wonderfully serves its characters' acerbic humor and innermost thoughts. Gordon's soliloquy style and multiple short themes highlight each role, which, when well-cast, sell the show with radiant storytelling. In the case of TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, a four-member orchestra also adds charm.

San Francisco -- As part of its unique annual Hands-on-Opera education and youth performance program, Opera Parallèle (OP) will present the world premiere of Amazing Grace, by OP composer-in-residence Christopher Pratorius. Based on the children's book of the same name by Mary Hoffman and with a libretto by Opera Parallèle's Brian Staufenbiel and Roma Olvera, three free performances will be presented this weekend, November 12 & 14, at the African American Art & Culture Complex in San Francisco.

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley celebrates the holidays - and the 200th anniversary of the novel's publication - with a limited return engagement of Jane Austen's Emma, the musical adaption which originated at TheatreWorks and became the most popular show in the company's 46 year history.

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley continues its 2015/2016 season with David Auburn's brilliant contemporary drama Proof, winner of the Tony Award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. This riveting masterpiece tells the still timely tale of a young woman caught in a quest for legitimacy in the male dominated world of high-level science. It is a mystery of family instability and fledgling romance, an exhilarating, funny, and fulfilling tribute to the humanity that permeates our world of equations, equivocations, and codes. Proof will be directed by TheatreWorks Associate Artistic Director Leslie Martinson and features a talented cast including L. Peter Callender, Michelle Beck, Ashley Bryant, and Lance Gardner.

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley continues its 2015/2016 season with David Auburn's brilliant contemporary drama Proof, winner of the Tony Award for Best Play and the Pulitzer Prize for Drama. This riveting masterpiece tells the still timely tale of a young woman caught in a quest for legitimacy in the male dominated world of high-level science. It is a mystery of family instability and fledgling romance, an exhilarating, funny, and fulfilling tribute to the humanity that permeates our world of equations, equivocations, and codes. Proof will be directed by TheatreWorks Associate Artistic Director Leslie Martinson and features a talented cast including L. Peter Callender, Michelle Beck, Ashley Bryant, and Lance Gardner. Performances will be presented October 7 - November 1 (press opening October 10) at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro Street (at Mercy), Mountain View. For tickets ($19-$80) and information the public may visit www.TheatreWorks.org or call (650) 463-1960.

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley continues its 2015/2016 season with the Regional Premiere of THE COUNTRY HOUSE. This recent Broadway hit is the latest from Donald Margulies, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Dinner with Friends. A revered stage and film star summons her show-biz family to her Berkshires home for a summer stock season soon overstocked with memories. In a Chekhovian blend of witty comedy and poignant drama, they grapple with fame, art, the promise of romance, and the frustration of faded dreams-and as always, each other. BroadwayWorld has a look at the cast in action below!

San Francisco, CA, August 28, 2015 – As part of its unique annual Hands-on-Opera education and youth performance program, Opera Parallèle (OP) will present the world premiere of Amazing Grace, by OP composer-in-residence Christopher Pratorius. Based on the children's book of the same name by Mary Hoffman and with a libretto by Opera Parallèle's Brian Staufenbiel and Roma Olvera, three free performances will be presented November 12 & 14at the African American Art & Culture Complex in San Francisco. The fully staged and costumed production will be developed during an innovative eight-week residency with fourth and fifth grade students at Saint Martin de Porres Catholic School in Oakland, assisted by the Opera Parallèle creative team and professional singers. The production will be directed by Krista Wigle, and conducted by David Gordon. Performances will be given Thursday, November 12, at 6 pm and Saturday, November 14, at 11 am and 1 pm at the African American Art & Culture Complex, 762 Fulton Street (at Webster) in San Francisco. Admission is free; past Hands-on-Opera performances have filled up quickly, so audience members are encouraged to arrive early. For more information, visit www.operaparallele.org .

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley continues its 2015/2016 season with the Regional Premiere of THE COUNTRY HOUSE. This recent Broadway hit is the latest from Donald Margulies, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Dinner with Friends. A revered stage and film star summons her show-biz family to her Berkshires home for a summer stock season soon overstocked with memories. In a Chekhovian blend of witty comedy and poignant drama, they grapple with fame, art, the promise of romance, and the frustration of faded dreams-and as always, each other. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley continues its 2015/2016 season with the Regional Premiere of The Country House. This recent Broadway hit is the latest from Donald Margulies, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Dinner with Friends. The Country House will be directed by Robert Kelley who has assembled a cast including Kimberly King, Gary S. Martinez, Marcia Pizzo, Stephen Muterspaugh, Rosie Hallett, and Jason Kuykendall, with performances tonight, August 26, through September 20 (press opening August 29) at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro Street (at Mercy), Mountain View. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast below!

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley continues its 2015/2016 season with the Regional Premiere of The Country House. This recent Broadway hit is the latest from Donald Margulies, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Dinner with Friends. The Country House will be directed by Robert Kelley who has assembled a cast including Kimberly King, Gary S. Martinez, Marcia Pizzo, Stephen Muterspaugh, Rosie Hallett, and Jason Kuykendall, with performances August 26 - September 20 (press opening August 29) at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro Street (at Mercy), Mountain View. BroadwayWorld has a sneak peek at the cast below!

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley continues its 2015/2016 season with the Regional Premiere of The Country House. This recent Broadway hit is the latest from Donald Margulies, the Pulitzer Prize-winning author of Dinner with Friends. A revered stage and film star summons her show-biz family to her Berkshires home for a summer stock season soon overstocked with memories. In a Chekhovian blend of witty comedy and poignant drama, they grapple with fame, art, the promise of romance, and the frustration of faded dreams -- and as always, each other.

An audience of theatre enthusiasts waited in anticipation at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts tonight, when Founding Artistic Director Robert Kelley and Managing Director Phil Santora of TheatreWorks Silicon Valley unveiled the thrilling line-up for its 2015/2016 season.

Peter and the Starcatcher may not match your idea of the perfect Christmas show, but it's certainly best friends with the holidays. An emotional and inspirational experience awaits at Theatreworks' production of the Pan prequel. And there's always the company's faux snow after each performance.

Off-Broadway's award-winning Irish Repertory Theatre presents this season's annual holiday offering. Tony Award winner Alice Ripley will lead the cast of the New York premiere of A CHRISTMAS MEMORY, a musical based on the classic Truman Capote short story.

TheatreWorks, the nationally-acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, presents its 45th Anniversary Celebration, a gala event featuring dinner, dancing, and a special concert version of the most popular show in TheatreWorks history, Emma. The event will honor Donald Kennedy, esteemed teacher, scientist, Stanford president emeritus, former FDA commissioner, and longtime TheatreWorks supporter, who will be recognized for his contributions to the arts and the community. The theme of the event is 'Original and Timeless,' reflecting TheatreWorks' ongoing commitment to supporting new and innovative work, as well as its role as a fixture in the Bay Area theatre community. TheatreWorks 45th Anniversary Celebration will take place Today, November 8 at Hotel Sofitel, 223 Twin Dolphin Dr, Redwood City.

San Francisco, CA, September 30, 2014 – Continuing its trailblazing tradition of presenting new and less familiar works of music theatre, Opera Parallèle will give the world premiere of an opera based on author Catherine Friend's beloved children's book, My Head is Full of Colors, today, November 1, at 11 am in the Koret Auditorium of the San Francisco Main Library, 100 Larkin Street. Written by Santa Cruz composer Chris Pratorius with libretto by Opera Parallèle Artistic Director Nicole Paiement, the work is the first commission premiered by the Company and is being performed during National Opera Week (October 24—November 2). The production will feature 4th grade students from Creative Arts Charter Schoolperforming with soprano Carolyn Bacon and baritone Sergey Khalikulov. Laura Anderson is the stage director, costumes are designed by Elly Jessop; the singers and small instrumental ensemble will be conducted by OP Intern Conductor William Long.

Off-Broadway's award-winning Irish Repertory Theatre has announced the cast for this season's annual holiday offering. Tony Award winner Alice Ripley will lead the cast of the New York premiere of A CHRISTMAS MEMORY, a musical based on the classic Truman Capote short story.