by Harry Duke
It’s that time of year when critics looks back and attempt to encapsulate an entire year’s worth of productions into one easily read “best of” list. Why? Because it gives them something to do during the slow period between the close of the holiday shows and the onslaught of productions in the New Year.
I’m kidding. Mostly.
Here, in alphabetical order, are my Top Torn Tickets for the best and/or most interesting theatre produced in the North Bay in 2025:
As You Like It – Napa Valley College – A joyous celebration of diversity and a giant thumb in the eye to those who have a problem with that.
The Epic of Gilgamesh – Stray Dog Theater Co./Marin Shakespeare Company – Proof that a 4,000-year-old story in the hands of inventive artists can be as fresh and entertaining as anything written today.
Featherbaby – Spreckels Theatre Company – Maybe the greatest talking bird play ever written.
Gary, A Sequel to Titus Andronicus –Left Edge Theatre – An absolutely outrageous theatrical piece. Ballsy in every sense of the word.
The Importance of Being Earnest – 6thStreet Playhouse – Proof that no gimmicks are necessary to get audiences to appreciate this hilarious Oscar Wilde classic.
Meet Me at Dawn – Mercury Theater – A very impressive opening entry into full productions by the newest North Bay theatre company.
Othello – Jacobethan Theatre Workshop – Towering performances and simple outdoor staging combined for Shakespeare as it’s meant to be done and done well.
The Pirates of Penzance – 6thStreet Playhouse – Charming performances, colorful stagecraft, and a top-notch orchestra brought the Gilbert & Sullivan classic energetically to life.
The Resistible Rise of Arturo Ui – Mercury Theater – Sonoma County’s newest theatre company might be called Further Left Edge Theatre…
Ride the Cyclone – SRJC Theatre Arts – An absolute showcase for the young artists involved in all aspects of this production and the facility local taxpayers funded.
Sally & Tom – Marin Theatre – A very well produced and performed entry in the ongoing discussion of who should tell whose stories and the devil’s bargains that are (or aren’t) made to get those stories told.
The North Bay is an incredibly supportive community for the performing arts. Thanks to theatre companies for continuing to invite me into your houses, and thanks to the audiences for continuing to show up.
This year in review was extracted from columns originally published in the Pacific Sun and North Bay Bohemian that included entries from Caitlin Strom-Martin and Beulah Vega. Click the individual links for the papers for the complete columns.
North Bay Stage and Screen 