Review: “The Merry Wives of Windsor” in Mill Valley

For twenty years, Mill Valley’s Curtain Theatre has treated local audiences to admission-free, fully-produced Shakespeare plays performed in the small outdoor amphitheatre in Old Mill Park. Whether they will get to continue to do so is in the hands of city’s Parks and Recreation Commission as they deal with complaints from some neighbors who appear…

Review: “The Book Club Play” in Santa Rosa

Perhaps the most mislabeled entertainment genre is what we refer to as “reality TV”.  The belief that anything can be real in the presence of cameras is misleading at best and downright deceitful at worst. That’s one of the themes at work in Karen Zacarias’ The Book Club Play, 6th Street Playhouse’s season opener running…

Review: “Those Dancin’ Feet” in Glen Ellen

After their success with A Chorus Line, the Transcendence Theatre Company returns to form with Those Dancin’ Feet, an original musical revue running now in the winery ruins in Jack London State Historic Park in Glen Ellen. Transcendence has built its reputation on a series of productions featuring top Broadway and national touring company talent.…

Review: “The Tasting Room” in Napa

Adhering to Mark Twain’s advice to “write what you know”, Napa Valley’s Barry Martin has written and directed a play based on his experiences in the wine hospitality trade. The Tasting Room, running now at the Lucky Penny Community Arts Center through August 18, is his comedic take on the individuals found on both sides…

Review: “Monty Python’s Spamalot” in San Rafael

Silliness takes the stage at Dominican University’s Forest Meadows Amphitheatre as the Marin Shakespeare Company presents Monty Python’s Spamalot. It’s the company’s first full musical production in thirty years. “Lovingly ripped off” from the Python’s 1975 cult classic Monty Python and the Holy Grail, it’s the tale of King Arthur and his Knights of the…