Belated Black History Month Double-Feature: ‘The Last Sermon of Sister Imani’ by TheatreF1rst and ‘Her Portmanteau’ at ACT
In which I catch up with two brand new Bay Area shows based exclusively around Black women.
A Less-Perfect Union: ‘Sweat’ at the ACT
Awkward tonal shifts and a jagged narrative sink this winner of the 2015 Pulitzer.
The Stupidity Principle: ‘Heisenberg’ at ACT
Science has nothing to do with this poorly-written May-December rom-com at the ACT.
From ‘Nam to Rom-Com: ‘Vietgone’ at the ACT
You wouldn’t think “rom-com” and “Vietnam War drama” would go together, but the ACT pulls it off well.
Like ‘Watch’-ing Paint Dry: ‘Watch on the Rhine’ at Berkeley Rep
The abundant flaws of Hellman’s script are made all the more apparent in Berkeley Rep’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.
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.
This is Just a Tribute: ‘A Night with Janis Joplin’ at The ACT
ACT’s show is many things – fun, invigorating, a celebration of a beloved artist – but “theatre” isn’t one of them. Not exactly.
‘Like’-minded: ‘As You Like It’ at Cal Shakes
The sexual politics of The Bard’s gender-bending comedy receive an uneven interpretation from Cal Shakes.
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.
