Distant Relation: ‘Sister Act: The Musical’ at Berkeley Playhouse
Although the script veers into cliched (if not racist) territory, strong performances and lavish set design save Berkeley Playhouse’s production.
Far ‘Too Proud’ of Itself: ‘Ain’t Too Proud’ world premiere at Berkeley Rep
The sets are amazing and the songs are classics, but Dominique Morisseau’s truncated script shortchanges its subjects in this Berkeley Rep world premiere musical.
Love Machine: ‘The Watson Intelligence’ at Shotgun
Though Shotgun pulls off some grand production design, Madeleine George’s script doesn’t successfully tackle the themes it ponders.
In the Swing of Things: Disney’s ‘Tarzan the Musical’ at Berkeley Playhouse
Berkeley Playhouse pulls out all the stops for Disney’s version of Edgar Rice Burroughs’ most famous character.
One Wacky ‘War’: ‘Shakespeare or Space Wars’ by Peripatetic Players
The Bard bumps up against blast doors in this hilarious new comedy from the Peripatetic Players.
Only a Fraction of an Idea: ‘An Octoroon’ at Berkeley Rep
Fine acting and great Berkeley Rep production values can’t save Branden Jabobs-Jenkins’ God-awful script.
Same ‘song’: ‘brownsville song (b-side for tray)’ at Shotgun
A strong director and able cast elevate a clichéd story in this Shotgun show.
An Almost-Perfect Storm: ‘Monsoon Wedding’ world premiere at Berkeley Rep
Some head-scratching directorial choices are the only thing keeping this world premiere musical from being perfect.
Average ‘King’: ‘Edward King’ at Central Works
Creative production values can’t save a muddled script in this Central Works show.
No Satisfying Answers: ‘The Events’ at Shotgun
Racist direction combines with a confused (and hypocritical) script in pretty-looking production by Shotgun.
The Thinking Man's Idiot (Charles Lewis III) 