Sierra Jolene

How do you "fix" the misogyny of Shakespeare's now antiquated THE TAMING OF THE SHREW? For playwright Amy Freed, it means injecting it with a noticeable dose of equality empowerment, and then shifting its characters' traits and motivations as if written from a female's perspective. That is the premise of South Coast Repertory's latest World Premiere production SHREW!-which continues performances in Costa Mesa through April 21. The results? A funny but flawed update with good intentions.

Playwright Amy Freed has always been a Shakespeare fan. Her breakout hit, The Beard of Avon (SCR-commissioned and premiered, 2001), was a smart, funny look at the controversy surrounding the authorship of Shakespeare's plays. Now comes SHREW! (March 24-April 21, Segerstrom Stage), in which Freed has re-imagined The Bard's play, The Taming of the Shrew, as a wickedly funny love story of two people who find their way to true, deep and mutual love. Art Manke directs SHREW!, which is an anchor production of the 2018 Pacific Playwrights Festival. Tickets are available at www.scr.org.

North Coast Repertory has extended its run OF MICE AND MEN through November 19th, adding five more performances due to demand. BroadwayWorld has a first look at the cast in action below!

For its second play of Season 36, North Coast Rep is reviving John Steinbeck's classic drama novella-turned play, OF MICE AND MEN.

For its second play of Season 36, North Coast Rep is reviving John Steinbeck's classic drama novella-turned play, OF MICE AND MEN.

For its second play of Season 36, North Coast Rep is reviving John Steinbeck's classic drama novella-turned play, OF MICE AND MEN.

North Coast Repertory Theatre closes Season 35 with the San Diego premiere of AT THIS EVENING'S PERFORMANCE, an uproarious comedy about a bohemian theatre troupe appearing in an Eastern European police state.

North Coast Repertory Theatre closes Season 35 with the San Diego premiere of AT THIS EVENING'S PERFORMANCE, an uproarious comedy about a bohemian theatre troupe appearing in an Eastern European police state.

North Coast Repertory Theatre closes Season 35 with the San Diego premiere of AT THIS EVENING'S PERFORMANCE, an uproarious comedy about a bohemian theatre troupe appearing in an Eastern European police state.

Critics and audiences agree -THE MONSTER-BUILDER is smashing! Due to popular demand, Aurora Theatre Company announces a second extension of the Bay Area Premiere of Pulitzer Prize finalist (Freedomland) Amy Freed's THE MONSTER-BUILDER for an additional 6 performances. Art Manke makes his Aurora directing debut with this viciously funny comedy featuring Danny Scheie (The Mystery of Irma Vep), Rod Gnapp (The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity), Nancy Carlin (Hysteria), Thomas Gorrebeeck (The Eccentricities of a Nightingale), Maggie Mason (Magic Theatre, San Francisco Playhouse), and Sierra Jolene. Originally extended through December 13, THE MONSTER-BUILDER now plays through December 20th (added performances: Tuesday, December 15, 7pm; Wednesday, December 16, 8pm; Thursday, December 17, 8pm; Friday, December 18, 8pm; Saturday, December 19, 8pm; Sunday, December 20, 2pm) at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets ($32-52) and information the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.

Critics and audiences agree -- THE MONSTER-BUILDER is smashing! Aurora Theatre Company announces that it will add an additional 7 performances of the Bay Area Premiere of Pulitzer Prize finalist (Freedomland) Amy Freed's THE MONSTER-BUILDER.

Aurora Theatre Company presents the Bay Area Premiere of Pulitzer Prize finalist (Freedomland) Amy Freed's THE MONSTER-BUILDER. Art Manke, who directed the World Premiere of THE MONSTER-BUILDER at Portland's Artists Repertory Theatre in 2014, makes his Aurora directing debut with this viciously funny comedy featuring Danny Scheie (The Mystery of Irma Vep), Rod Knapp (The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity), Nancy Carlin (Hysteria), Thomas Gorrebeeck (The Eccentricities of a Nightingale), Tracy Hazas, and Sierra Jolene. THE MONSTER-BUILDER plays November 6 through December 6 at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets ($32-60) and information the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.

Aurora Theatre Company presents the Bay Area Premiere of Pulitzer Prize finalist (Freedomland) Amy Freed's THE MONSTER-BUILDER. Art Manke, who directed the World Premiere of THE MONSTER-BUILDER at Portland's Artists Repertory Theatre in 2014, makes his Aurora directing debut with this viciously funny comedy featuring Danny Scheie (The Mystery of Irma Vep), Rod Knapp (The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity), Nancy Carlin (Hysteria), Thomas Gorrebeeck (The Eccentricities of a Nightingale), Tracy Hazas, and Sierra Jolene. THE MONSTER-BUILDER plays November 6 through December 6 at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets ($32-60) and information the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.