SAN FRANCISCO / BAY AREA THEATER REVIEWS

Jason Graae is a comic genius. With his flawless changes from personality to personality, one might think 'Little Me' a one-man show. But a fantastic ensemble also mounts an impossible-to-ignore smorgasbord of ever-changing, delightful characters. Performed in the capable hands of 42nd Street Moon, ...

'Stuck Elevator' is a thought-provoking, sometimes funny, often stirring piece that opens the door to the dark side of the American dream exposing, in the story of one lone man, the flawed and feckless nature of our attitude toward immigrants. Paying now thru April 28 at A.C.T.in San Francisco...

Contra Costa Civic Theatre offers a prescription for a remarkable theatre experience and an emotionally powerful journey in the Tony award winning "Next To Normal"...

Paul Gordon has a distinctive style that has made musicals like "Emma," "Daddy Long Legs," and "Jane Eyre" successful in their smaller regional and short Broadway runs. The composer-lyricist refuses to follow the typical Broadway musical formula and instead uses his music to tell the story. But that...

'Blue Man Group' is full-throttle fun, deliriously served up and flung out into the audience - which is why the front row people are given plastic ponchos to wear! 'Hodges and Hodges' was there to review the show for you!...

Playwright Matthew Lopez is a master at weaving jaw-dropping moments of revelation with stirring soliloquies on faith and perfectly placed gems of humor. His provoking drama, 'The Whipping Man,' which received its Bay Area premiere this week at Marin Theatre Company, leaves the minds of viewers roll...

With a unique staging and charming humor, the Lamplighters' production of 'The Sorcerer' charms audiences. The enchantment only lasts for one week, however, with three performances, one of which has already passed....

'Little Shop of Horrors, the deliciously dark comedy/horror-rock musical -- beloved by high school and community theatre companies across the country -- spreads its gripping green vines now through March 24 in the East Bay at Holy Names University's Regents' Theatre....

The hit musical 'Jersey Boys' made its way to the California shore and into San Francisco's Curran Theatre for a spectacular opening night where Franki Valli and the Four Seasons ruled the airwaves once again. Catch 'Jersey Boys' now through April 28....

Decorated with Monty Pythonesque humor, the touring production of 'Shrek' the musical contains enough tasteful pop culture and Broadway musical references to make the Genie at Disney California Adventure's 'Aladdin Musical Spectacular' proud. Creators lifted much of the dialogue from the original fi...

San Francisco Opera's new commission, a modern opera take on the classic children's story, "The Secret Garden," has trouble fully blooming. Littered with beautiful lilies and roses of moments, the opera waits until its second act to really let its music breathe....

The gloves came off last night as Mike Tyson took center stage at San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre in his one-man-show entitled 'Mike Tyson: Undisputed Truth.' As the curtain went up, loud cheers erupted and suddenly there he was, seated center stage in a pose reminiscent of Rodin's 'The Thinker'- a ...

Armed with twice the vocal power and awash with plenty of real, fiery chemistry, Broadway vets -- and real-life married couple -- Marin Mazzie and Jason Danieley's romantically-themed cabaret showcase titled 'He Said/She Said' played to packed audiences at the Samueli Theater in Costa Mesa over Vale...

Song echoes heart in Jon Marans' 'Old Wicked Songs,' a beautiful play that, like the classical music it celebrates, takes its time to mature story and soak in emotion and meaning. Much like the infamous Maria Callas account, 'Master Class,' 'Old Wicked Songs' follows teacher and student as pasts div...

'Dare to Dream' features some of the best costumes, sets and lighting in Disney on Ice history, not to mention some second act circus action. But some adults will have to wait until the second half of the show before the energy and choreography become engaging and impressive enough to capture their ...

Some time last year, Playhouse Merced christened its 2012-2012 season "There and Back Again." Of course, the title could describe the journey any show takes over the course of two hours. But it seems appropriate that the chosen name should find its base in the play version of J.R.R. Tolkien's "The H...

'Rock of Ages,' is rocking on stage at the San Jose Performing Arts Center and will blow your mind!...

If you watch Samuel Beckett's "Waiting For Godot," you're going to want to think about it. Don't. In the words of the classic play's title, wait. The key to appreciating this much-debated work comes in the audience's willingness to take it as is. Vladimir and Estragon sit by a bare tree, looking for...

Promised in marriage at the early age of one, Princess Ida lectures that woman must first place her feet upon man's neck. Only then, man conquered, may she treat him better than he treated womankind. By the end of Gilbert and Sullivan's comic operetta named after the mighty maiden, this may seem the...

Bring out your roll of one dollar bills and head on over to Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre's hilariously raunchy presentation of 'The Full Monty!'...

If you haven't made your way down to Good Company Players' production of "Spamalot" yet, there's something you've forgotten, and that's to "laugh and smile and dance and sing." Based on every dry-humored person's favorite film, "Monty Python and the Holy Grail," the riotous musical stays true to the...

In 1934, during the height of the Great Depression, Americans were looking for escapist entertainment and they found it in Cole Porter's frothy, screw-ball comedy, 'Anything Goes.'...

The drama of mental disorder and family angst explodes on the San Jose Repertory Theatre stage this month as Broadway-caliber actors tackle a penetrating story told through a high energy, rock n' roll, pop opera musical....

Check right in to Stockton Civic Theatre. A friendly bellhop (David Nelson) will greet you, reminding you in his own special way to turn off your cell phone and remind you of other important details. Although those welcoming lines are added for the audience's benefit, playwright Ken Ludwig easily co...

Close to flawless in its incredible staging and fantastic casting, the 2013 touring production of soul musical "Dreamgirls" boasts a dream cast that has audiences applauding throughout as actors display every vocal talent on parade....