SAN FRANCISCO / BAY AREA THEATER REVIEWS

Taking his inspiration from the summer solstice and a turn of the twentieth century Sweden setting, director Mark Lamos gives Sondheim's A Little Night Music an "erotic" staging at San Francisco's American Conservatory Theatre . A Little Night Music features breathtaking scenic design from Riccardo...

And the Arthur Award goes to… Playhouse Merced for its production of Monty Python's Spamalot. Actually, the production, which plays now through May 24, could win several "Arthur" awards: Best use of "Sir Not Appearing." Best use of original staging. Best reference to previous season shows. Honorab...

San Francisco Symphony continues to provide innovative, new programming for its film series. Saturday night saw a particularly different kind of film score as orchestra members used their hands, feet and voice next to their usual instruments....

Hodges & Hodges couldn't wait to see this eight time Tony award winning show....

Final Weekend April 24-26, Stage 1 Theatre's production of JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR is a Must-See Performance! It flips this show on its head....

San Francisco announced its new season recently, including the continuation of its film series with another John Williams favorite, ET, the reprise of Vertigo, and two Christmas classics - one a musical - Nightmare Before Christmas and It's A Wonderful Life. But Saturday night saw something more fam...

'Hello, possums!' Welcome to Dame Edna's Glorious Goodbye The Farewell Tour! This Dressed to kill, Astonishingly Magnificent, Elegant, Enchanting, Delightful, Nonsensically Amazing diva is now at SHN's Orpheum Theatre now through March 22. And if you can't come see the show - 'Well then, possum, you...

Be careful what you wish for… but if your wish is for great theatre, your wish is granted. Playhouse Merced offers a creative set and fantastic cast in Sonheim's "Into the Woods."...

Stop the presses! Stop the presses! Newsies is hitting the headlines in a way that is worthy of front page, above-the-fold coverage. If you're looking for an uplifting powerhouse show that will inspire you to action then Newsies is the show for you....

The lyrics tell all. "In short there's simply not a more congenial spot than here in Camelot," now lodged at Fresno's Saroyan Theatre through tonight only. Originally launched into success by Julie Andrews and Richard Harris, the classic receives a new, simplified staging with an overwhelming ambian...

Short and sweet, A Charlie Brown Christmas does not arrive until the second half of San Francisco Symphony's current holiday concert. But Charlie is worth the wait. In their West Coast debut, Charlie and friends dance about the Davies Hall stage and warm many a heart with feel-good cheer. Celebratin...

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....

Ladies, gentleman and those who are yet to make up your mind -- strut your stuff down to the Orpheum Theatre and march those stilettos into Kinky Boots! This, mind-bending tour-de-force will open up your mind, open up your heart, and maybe open up your legs -- to dancing in your boots (don't think s...

Pierce Peter Brandt and Jim Ambler lead the energy and talent of Hillbarn Theatre's White Christmas. The two equity actors give great character and Broadway-quality vocals to song and dance partners Bob Wallace and Phil Davis. Behind them, an ensemble provides perfect harmonies attuned to the show's...

Cirque du Soleil has always been a cabinet full of curiosities, and the fact of the matter finally found its own title and concept in Kurios, the latest show to tour under the grand chapiteau. While the imagery of the production harkens back to previous LA Cirque show Iris and the robotics of BBC's ...

You could feel the excitement rising as the crowd began to enter the theatre; the pull of liquor and jazz tugging them towards their seats as the opening night of Chicago at San Francisco's SHN was about to begin. Filled with songs that have become Broadway classics, such as 'All That Jazz', 'Razzle...

CHICAGO on Broadway's Terrra C. MacLeod and Bianca Marroquin are back on the road as the accused celebrity killers and reluctant vaudeville partners Velma Kelly and Roxie Hart, respectively, whose combination delivers equally strong lead performances....

Today women go to college to get their MRS degree, but apparently, back in the day, the youthful elite traveled to the south of France for school, and with great hopes of finding the perfect boyfriend. Such is the setting for 42nd Street Moon's latest production, "The Boy Friend," a delightful romp ...

As for The Addams Family musical, the 6th Street Playhouse does the show justice. The production values are high - a live band, well-done lighting and sets, and great costumes - and the acting is very good....

Verdi was a master at crescendo. In "Masked Ball," the score foreshadows and defines even while characters defy fate. As Count Anckarstrom laments his wife's betrayal in the opera's third act, the harp and violin take turn in old romance and revenge, building to a grand determination. Like Verdi's "...

Contra Costa Musical Theatre knows how to put on a happy face. You will, too, after two and a half hours of living with Bye, Bye Birdie. Inspired by the likes of Elvis Presley, Ed Sullivan and the bright colors and square designs of the 1950's, CCMT's production features its usual high-tech scenic d...

When Broadway actress Emily Skinner takes the stage and opens 42nd Street Moon's current offering, the next two hours look bright and worthwhile. Venice, Italy, as displayed on stage by set designer Hector Zavala promises magical, mystical miracles. Yet as the musical progresses, rather slowly at th...

The air was crackling with excitement on opening night for the much anticipated revival of Pippin at San Francisco's Golden Gate Theatre. And for good reason. The show won four Tony Awards last year including Best Musical Revival, with Diane Paulus taking home the Tony for Best Director. Patina Mill...

Set in Tennessee around the time of the Dust Bowl, 'Susannah' takes its inspiration from a story in the book of Daniel. Composer Carlisle Floyd's decision to remove the original's redemptive prophet seems to condemn Christianity, but also gives his revised version the dramatic thrust needed to explo...

'Hello gorgeous.' The Hillbarn Theatre in San Mateo kicked off its 2014-2015 season with the sensational Funny Girl. Based on the life of Fanny Brice, Funny Girl originally starred Barbra Streisand in the icon role of the famous vaudeville and Ziegfeld Follies legend. It was a part that catapulted...