SAN FRANCISCO / BAY AREA THEATER REVIEWS

W. Somerset's 'The Circle,' at the American Conservatory Theatre show-cases great actors (Allison White Jean and Kathleen Widdoes) as great characters in a not-so-great play....

Ted Neeley phenomenally headlines in the Farewell Tour of Andrew Lloyd Webber and Tim Rice's 'Jesus Christ Superstar.'...

The first national tour of 'Jersey Boys,' had unsurprising Opening Night success at San Francisco's Curran Theatre. Over-flowing with fantastic tunes and heart-racing performances, audiences literally bounce out of their seats with this well-received hit....

'all wear bowlers,' the Drama Desk Award-winning clown act starring Trey Lyford and Geoff Sobelle, is a comical romp that puts a unique and fun spin on familiar gags....

'Convenience,' the five-person Gregg Coffin musical (with only seven chairs and a keyboard), charms audiences at the New Conservatory Theatre Center of San Francisco....

The world-premiere of 'Passing Strange' at the Berkeley Rep, featuring a book and music by Stew, blends psychedelic rhythm with a semi-stale story....

'The Little Foxes' at the American Conservatory Theatre delectably wriggles in a snake-pit of lies, corruption, and familial deceit....

'Chicago' has made a great 2-week stop at San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre. Huey Lewis headlines (and declines), but the scintillating lead ladies and spicy ensemble pack a fiery and fun evening!...

'The War at Home,' now playing at the New Conservatory Theatre Center, skillfully reminds audiences that the fight for the freedom to love can hit closer than we think....

While dripping in political comedy and appropriateness, Sam Shepard's 'The God of Hell,' now playing the Magic Theatre, offers a cold slap of reality a few years late....

The American Conservatory Theatre's 40th season opened delightfully with Tom Stoppard's 'Travesties,' in a whirlwind of wit and intellectual eloquence!...

Berkeley Rep's season opener, 'Mother Courage,' brings melody but lacks substance....

'Love, Janis,' the musical retelling of Janis Joplin's life in San Francisco is an electrifying concert-like experience now at the Marines' Memorial Theatre!...

The exclusive pre-Broadway engagement of 'A Chorus Line' in San Francisco has been kicked back to life with an explosive cast and recreation!...

'The Light in the Piazza,' beginning its national tour in San Francisco, features a glowing cast and sweeping beauty!...

Review of the first Adults Only night at the San Francisco sit-down production of 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.'...

White Christmas returned to San Francisco this week after last year's successful holiday run at the Curran Theatre, and this year boasts separate productions in Boston and Los Angeles....

Something old, something new? Sure, Little Women has that. Borrowed and blue, that as well. It's a new show that's old-fashioned, with a score that's not all that original and bits of blue here and there, mainly represented in the period-lace that frames the brightly lit stage....

Part jukebox musical, part rock opera, part something - this production defies categorization....

Lennon is very much a multimedia musical, with every element working so well together......