SAN FRANCISCO / BAY AREA THEATER REVIEWS

Peter Pan flies into the Golden Gate Theatre with its fantastical message of the joys of childhood, innocence, and freedom. For over 70 years J.M. Barrie’s story has been told and retold, becoming a beloved childhood adventure. This newly imagined production plays on that familiarity and will brin...

Thanksgiving is a time for food, family, and football. Or at least that is the way that most Americans experience it. In recent years, a few have stepped back to challenge the simplicity of the holiday, the edited history of its origin, and the lack of authentic Native voices in the story. Playwrigh...

New Musical Theater show EMOJILAND at 3Below Theaters in San Jose packs a heartfelt message into a colorful and entertaining high energy show. Cast of well known favorite emoji's are brought to vivid life by a talented cache of local actors....

Not in the mood for more election drama or Mideast War horror? Then this current  production of Clue - Live on Stage! might  be the remedy. With lightning flashes and an ominous score, a mysterious dinner party at Boddy Manor begins with the arrival of an assortment of guests familiar to a...

Ben Jones, award-winning singer, comedian, storyteller, and actor returned to the intimate Feinstein’s at the Nikko for an extremely successful two-run engagement displaying his considerable talents. If you haven’t seen Ben Jones, make it a must. He has that unique skill that makes a great enter...

What did our critic think of WAIT UNTIL DARK at Hillbarn Theatre? Read the review. ...

Coach John Wooden said “Sports don’t build character, they reveal it” and this applies to fans as well, evidenced wonderfully in TheatreWorks 54th season opener King James, award-winning Rajiv Joseph’s two-hander perspective on fandom and its effect on the relationship between two bros. See ...

What did BroadwayWorld's critic think of CHOIR BOY at Shotgun Players? Read the review and learn about the production. ...

What did our critic think of RIDE THE CYCLONE at New Conservatory Theatre Center? ...

Words seem like such an ordinary way to express such an extraordinary experience like CHOIR BOY by Shotgun Players. With a powerful story, soulful music, and purposeful choreography, CHOIR BOY captivates from start to finish. This mesmerizing show grapples with tough topics, not only on the surface ...

What did our critic think of THE PLAY THAT GOES WRONG at SF Playhouse in San Francisco. ...

GOD OF CARNAGE at Masquers Playhouse brings conflict and human nature to the forefront and shines a light on our tendencies to attack and our capacity to empathize and connect. With arguments evolving from couple against couple to husbands against wives, the show takes you on a rollercoaster of verb...

ARSENIC AND OLD LACE delivers the laughs in grand style at Center Rep. Director Matt M. Morrow puts a fresh spin on an old classic and breathes new life into it. In a show that is full of great one liners and subtle bits, Center Rep has added layers of physical comedy and technical accents. What is ...

THE PROM at Berkeley Playhouse sparkles with energy, sequins, and high-octane choreography. With its message of inclusivity and tolerance, the show highlights the continued struggles of LBGTQ+ youth. Come for the dancing, and stay for the story. And just like in high school, THE PROM is a night you ...

THE NIGHT ALIVE is brimming with tension, humor, and talent. With characters that are rich in nuance but light on acuity, the show winds its way through rough waters. With more heart than wit to see them through, they grapple with big problems and hard circumstances with every moment adding to your ...

Bay Area musical icon Melissa Wolfklain delivers another bravura performance as country star Patsy Cline in Ted Swindley’s nostalgic jukebox musical play. Based on a true story of Cline’s friendship with a Houston super fan named Louise Seger, played with ebullient joy by Kimberley Donovan, the ...

What did our critic think of DOING ALRIGHT at Gateway Theater?...

What did our critic think of GIRL FROM THE NORTH COUNTRY at Golden Gate Theatre?...

THE LIFESPAN OF A FACT explores the terrain of where fact and story meet, where art and truth intersect, and how they can work together or against each other. Are facts negotiable? Can specificity kill interest and ultimately undermine the goal? What matters most and who gets to decide? These are th...

What did our critic think of MRS. DOUBTFIRE at Orpheum Theatre?...

What did our critic think of EVITA at SF Playhouse?...

The Help Is on The Way: BROADWAY & BEYOND 30th Anniversary Concert & Gala on Sun., July 14, 2024,7:30 pm is truly a milestone to be celebrated. When Ken Henderson and Joe Seiler began the Richmond / Ermet Aid Foundation in 1995 and producing these concerts, they could not have imagined how many live...

The Transcendence Theatre Company kicked off its 2024 summer season with ‘Summertime!’ in an actual field of dreams at Fazio Field baseball park in the heart of downtown Sonoma.  Now in its (lucky) 13th year, this company has certainly transcended nearly impossible obstacles to keep its vision ...

What did our critic think of MOTHER ROAD at Berkeley Repertory Theatre?...

The Cher Show blows through town faster than the multitude of Bob Mackie costume changes and we’re better off for it. Even die-hard Cher fanatics had a challenging time mustering excitement for this tired jukebox musical, settling for the flash and cheese of 60’s style comic vignettes rather tha...