When word spread earlier this month that Jim DePriest had died at 79 there were those in the Sonoma County theater community who expressed more than just shock and sadness. To many, the tireless actor and director had given the impression that he might never die, so relentless was his commitment to local theater. “It’s…

Two North Bay Theater Companies announce details of next season March 10, 2016 —It’s a little like Christmas, this time of year, when one-by-one the majority of theater companies release details about their upcoming. And like Christmas, when lists of gifts become a focus of attention (whether it’s a child’s list of toys hoped for from…

“I don’t laugh because I’m happy,” says Michael Pritchard, recipient of this year’s Heroes of Marin Lifetime Achievement Award. “I’m happy,” he says, “because I laugh.” Pritchard, for the record, is actually laughing as he says this, wrapping up a story, this late February morning, in which he describes his day so far—a day that the rest…

With just one more show to go in its inaugural season, Left Edge Theater has scheduled a season two announcement party like none other. On February 26 and 27, the decision of which shows the company stages next will be determined by audience vote. It’s a clever idea, and it was bound to happen eventually. It…

Benefit concert announced to send Mary Gannon Graham’s ‘Mother Jones in Heaven’ to the Dublin Fringe Festival this Fall January 30, 2016 — In two sold-out Sonoma County productions of Si Kahn’s award-winning musical ‘Mother Jones in Heaven,’ actress-singer Mary Gannon Graham knocked out crowds with her stellar voice and heartbreaking performance. No she’s planning on taking…

Marin Theatre Company to offer free daycare for matinee show January 21, 2016 — Sooner or later, someone had to do it. For years (and years, and years) younger theater fans, those with families, have claimed that it was the complexity and cost of childcare that prevented them for attending live stage shows. It’s Marin Theatre Company that is…

Well. It’s begun. As happens at the beginning of each new year, a number of theaters are starting to announce the shows that will make up the next theatrical season. First out of the gate is Novato Theater Company, which earlier this week sent out a press release describing its 2016-17 season, along with an open…

January 6 — In a recently distributed message from Frank Chong, President of the Santa Rosa Junior College, it was announced that the school’s much-used Burbank Auditorium – home to SRJC’s Theater Arts program and the popular Summer Repertory Theatre program – will be getting a long-delayed upgrade and remodeling. Using grant money’s set aside for the improvement…

[SPOILER ALERT: Anyone who believes in Santa Claus, still writes letters to and receives letters from Santa Claus, or would prefer not to hear stories about how other people came to believe that there was no Santa Claus, should be warned that, um, stuff is about to be said that might change the way they…

November 5, 2015—Southwest Shakespeare’s Jared Sakren has been named new Executive Director of 6th Street Playhouse, while Cinnabar has welcomed San Leandro’s Diane Dragone to replace former Executive Director Terence Keane. And that’s just the beginning to the new faces on the North Bay theater scene. READ ARTICLE IN NORTH BAY BOHEMIAN