Francis Gercke News

Backyard Renaissance delivers an exquisite reminder: we do not choose when the people we adore begin to fade, but we do get to decide how fiercely we hold them while they do.

Backyard Renaissance’s “A Streetcar Named Desire” isn’t just a drama; it’s a ghost story. Director Rob Lutfy leans into the spectral energy of Tennessee Williams’ New Orleans, conjuring a version of the classic that feels both timeless and supernatural. With ghostly music, poetic visuals, and achingly poignant performances, this production transforms Blanche DuBois’ descent into madness into something mythic.

The world premiere of “The Dark Heart of Dooley Stevens,” written by Backyard Renaissance Artistic Director Francis Gercke, will play through March 15th. This play is a mix of horror, drama, and things that may be hard to explain.

As this year draws to a close and the new theatrical experiences of 2025 are just about to begin, I am looking back at the shows of 2024 that have continued to capture my imagination.

Backyard Renaissance cuts through the seasonal sweetness with a shiver down your spine with Stephen King’s “Misery” through December 7th.

“The Beauty Queen of Leenane” by Backyard Renaissance finds humor in the darkest situations and plays through July 13th at 10th Avenue Arts. 

The new year is almost upon us and so it seems this is the best time to reflect on some of the theatrical experiences over 2023 that made a lasting impact.

PROOF from Backyard Renaissance ponders how love, family, and mathematics can bind people inextricably together and make them strangers to each other at the same time.  Math might be hard, but interpersonal relationships and emotions might be an unsolvable mystery. PROOF is playing at the 10th Avenue Arts Center through December 9th.

AUGUST: OSGAE COUNTY by Backyard Renaissance, which is playing through September 16th offers some breathtaking performances in this comedy-drama about the strong-willed Weston family who have all chosen paths away from each other until a family crisis brings them all back. 

Backyard Renaissance pulls no punches with their current production of GOD OF CARNAGE- where two couples have come together to resolve a fight between their children, but it quickly devolves from polite pretense to a delightfully chaotic and comedic confrontation as the gloves start to come off.  GOD OF CARNAGE from Backyard Renaissance is playing at 10th Avenue Arts Center through March 25th.

In 2015, Backyard Renaissance's (BYR) first production out-of-the-gate was very much a couple-thing. Helmed by Director Lisa Berger and starring her husband Mike Sears, BYR founders, husband-and-wife team Francis Gercke and Jessica John, produced and co-starred in the production of Jez Butterworth's Parlour Song.

THE OCTOBER NIGHT OF JOHNNY ZERO at Backyard Renaissance is a play that has a lot of mystery and secrets woven into the plot - which makes it difficult to write about without spoiling.  What can be said is that it brings some excellent performances to the stage as the dramatic tensions raises, but may leave you with more questions than are answered when you leave. THE OCTOBER NIGHT OF JOHNNY ZERO is playing through December 10th at 10th Avenue Theatre.

Over the last seven years, Backyard Renaissance (BYR) has proudly accepted the monikers 'edgy,' 'scrappy,' and 'gutsy,' all bequeathed by local media. Creative playing spaces, purposefully bad B-movie readings, a La Jolla Playhouse Residency, teeny-tiny musicals, a 5-camera filmed production and several world premieres have all been part of BYR's short but lively history.

ABIGAIL’S PARTY now playing at 10th Avenue Theatre by Backyard Renaissance through March 19th offers you a chance to have some drinks and nibbles in a blast from the past play from across the pond.

DRY POWDER by Backyard Renaissance and streaming through May 2nd is a fast-paced and cutting play about a private equity firm, acquiring a luggage company - it's not as dry as it may sound and offers a few fireworks along the way. 

Backyard Renaissance offers multiple theatre offering for your weekend enjoyment with THE DAZZLE and TARRYTOWN

This production of AMERICAN BUFFALO is meticulous in its details and it pays off in this powerful portrayal of betrayal for profit.

For the Backyard Renaissance Theatre Company, participating in this years Without Wall's Festival by La Jolla Playhouse, was an easy decision. Artistic Director Francis Gercke had a moment to chat about the how they became a part of the festival and also what to expect during this arts packed weekend in Liberty Station.

 AN EXPERIMENT WITH AN AIR PUMP, now playing through August 25th by Backyard Renaissance is an intriguing and thought provoking exploration on scientific discovery, the cost in the pursuit of that knowledge, and a mystery to solve.

Scripps Ranch Theatre wraps up its 40th Anniversary Season with Move Over, Mrs. Markham - previewing May 31st and running through June 30th on the campus of Alliant International University. Performances are Fridays and Saturday at 8pm, Sundays at 2pm.