Jennifer McGeorge

What did our critic think of AUNT JACK at New Conservatory Theatre Center? The huge divides between intergenerational communities are addressed both poignantly and comically in Nora Brigid Monahan's Aunt Jack, NCTC's opening production of the 22-23 season. With a broad pen, Monahan includes themes of gender identity, gender politics, grief, and family ties. It's plenty to chew and perhaps less could have been more.

In September, New Conservatory Theatre Center will kick-off a new season of LGBTQ+ stories with Nora Brigid Monahan’s side-splitting and provocative tale of modern love and gender identities, Aunt Jack. 

Four-time Obie Award-winner Caryl Churchill is the pre-eminent writer of feminist themes involving sexual politics, abuses of power and gender equality. There's no better metaphor of these themes than the witch hunts of 17th century England which provide the backstory of Vinegar Tom, an allegory that rings so true today. The play, which includes a modern score by Diana Lawrence sung by a Greek chorus dressed as street walkers, bridges time to illustrate the continuity of women's struggle against shaming, disempowerment and inequality. In director Ariel Craft's skillful hands, Churchill's sad satire blazes anew with a remarkable cast and technical crew that conjure both history and the present in vivid detail.

If witches have so much power, then why are they always poverty-stricken? Vinegar Tom is a wild mash-up of desperate women living in 17th century society with modern musical numbers connecting the tale to our own troubled times. This is Churchill at her best: raw, satirical, political, and mad as hell! Vinegar Tom begins previews on Friday, December 6, 2019; opens on Friday, December 13, 2019; and runs through Sunday, January 5, 2020, at the Ashby Stage.

The Mountain Play, the San Francisco Bay Area's most magical outdoor theater experience is proud to present Mamma Mia! for its 105th Season. Directed by Jay Manley, Musical Direction by Jon Gallo, and Choreography by Nicole Helfer and Zoe Swenson-Graham.

The Mountain Play - Casting is complete for the Mountain Play's production of Mamma Mia! which will inject the San Francisco Bay Area with a dose of Abba elation this May.

Due to an overwhelming positive response from critics and audiences alike, Berkeley Rep has announced the new play, Aubergine, will extend for an additional week. Originally scheduled to close on March 20, the critically acclaimed play will run through March 27.

NCTC Pride Season 15 presents Good Boys and True by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and directed by John Dixon. The show previews August 14 - 21, opens August 22nd (Press Night is Friday, August 21st) and runs through September 20, 2009: Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm.

NCTC Pride Season 15 presents Good Boys and True by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and directed by John Dixon. The show previews August 14 - 21, opens August 22nd (Press Night is Friday, August 21st) and runs through September 20, 2009: Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm.

NCTC Pride Season 15 presents Good Boys and True by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and directed by John Dixon. The show previews August 14 - 21, opens August 22nd (Press Night is Friday, August 21st) and runs through September 20, 2009: Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm.

NCTC Pride Season 15 presents Good Boys and True by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and directed by John Dixon. The show previews August 14 - 21, opens August 22nd (Press Night is Friday, August 21st) and runs through September 20, 2009: Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm.

NCTC Pride Season 15 presents Good Boys and True by Roberto Aguirre-Sacasa and directed by John Dixon. The show previews August 14 - 21, opens August 22nd (Press Night is Friday, August 21st) and runs through September 20, 2009: Wednesdays through Saturdays at 8pm and Sundays at 2pm.