Review: “Theater Camp”

Dear Evan Hansen‘s Ben Platt plays a 14-year-old middle schooler who… Just kidding. I never went to theater camp, but I was involved in enough theater from elementary through high school that I recognized a lot of the characters and situations in this film. It’s an affectionate look at the world of youth theatre, best…

Review: “You Hurt My Feelings”

It’s interesting that the budget for this film is approximately the same as “Asteroid City” (somewhere in the 25 MM range). Anderson’s film was shot in Spain, with government subsidies. “You Hurt My Feelings” was shot in New York. It’s amazing what 25 MM will get you (or not get you) depending on where you…

Review: “Something Rotten!” in Santa Rosa

The Venn diagram that displays the relationship between lovers of the works of William Shakespeare and musical theatre probably shows very little overlap. Nevertheless, if you’re in either category – and especially if you’re in that overlap – you should head to Santa Rosa’s 6th Street Playhouse and catch one of their remaining performances of…

Review: “Chapatti” in Healdsburg

The 222 is a non-profit, member-supported arts, culture, and entertainment venue that’s housed in the Paul Mahder Gallery in Healdsburg. Open since 2021, to date it’s presented musical programs, literary readings, film presentations, and other community events. Professional theatre now enters that mix with a series of productions programmed by well-known Bay Area theatre artist…

Review: “Smart People” in Santa Rosa

Conversations overheard during the intermission of a show often provide fascinating insights into an audience’s immediate reaction to what they’re experiencing. Topics can range from the temperature in the theater (“too cold”) to the running time of the first act (“too long”) to the volume level of the actors when delivering dialogue (“too low.”). All…

KSRO Interview – “Smart People”

My guests on the second of two “Theatre Thursday” segments on the May 18 broadcast of The Drive on KSRO were stage manager John Ruzika and cast member Keene Hudson from the 6th Street Playhouse production of Smart People. Click below to listen: ********** Click the graphic below for more information:

KSRO Interview – “Hay Fever”

My guests on the first of two “Theatre Thursday” segments on the May 18 broadcast of The Drive on KSRO were director Katie Watts-Whitaker and cast member Steven David Martin from the Raven Players production of Hay Fever. Click below to listen: ********** Click the graphic below for more information:

Review: “Hay Fever” in Healdsburg

Eccentric families have long been a source of humor for popular entertainments from TV’s Addams Family to film’s Royal Tenenbaums. Kaufman and Hart’s You Can’t Take It with You may be the preeminent stage production on the subject and is one of the most produced plays since its premiere in 1936, but Noël Coward beat…

KSRO Interview – “The Addams Family Musical”

My guests on the April 13 “Theatre Thursday” segment on The Drive with Steve Jaxon & Harry Duke on KSRO were Laura Downing-Lee, Michael Coury Murdock, Austin Aquino-Harrison, and Gwenevieve Nelson from the Santa Rosa Junior College Theatre Arts production of The Addams Family Musical. Click below to listen: ********** Click the graphic below for…