MTJA Announces Recipients of the 2026 Norbay Theater Awards

Over 150 members of the North Bay theater community gathered at The California in Santa Rosa on Sunday night for the Marquee Theater Journalists Association/North Bay Bohemian 2026 Norbay Theater Awards. The MTJA presented awards for outstanding work in 18 production, performance, and technical categories. Sonoma and Napa County productions in the 2025-2026 season that…

Review: “Misalliance” in Santa Rosa

by Harry Duke * Most theatregoers familiarity with the works of George Bernard Shaw begins and ends with his play Pygmalion, the source material for the classic musical My Fair Lady. His other plays range from historical dramas to comedies of manners. All contain elements of social criticism of their time. His works usually get…

Short Takes: “Dear Evan Hansen”, “Emilia”

by Harry Duke * When I see a show late in its run, or the run itself is short, I’ll take some time and provide a short take on the production… Dear Evan Hansen – Spreckels Theatre Company, Rohnert Park Pluses: excellent performances by veterans and new talent, technical elements Minuses: a wretchedly irresponsible book…

Interview: “Misalliance” at 6th Street Playhouse

My guests on the first of two 10/01/26 “Theatre Thursday” segments on The Drive on 95.5 FM were Drew Bolander and Laura Downing-Lee from the 6th Street Playhouse production of George Bernard Shaw’s Misalliance. The turn-of-the-20th-century comedy runs on the Monroe Stage at the Playhouse in Santa Rosa through October25. Click HERE for more info.

MTJA Announces Nominees for 2026 Norbay Theater Awards

The Marquee Theater Journalists Association has announced the nominees for their 2026 MTJA Norbay Theater Awards. The Association was originally formed by a group of Sonoma County-based theater journalists in 2015 with the intent of developing a critically-based awards program to acknowledge outstanding work done by the local theater community. It held Awards ceremonies from…

Review: “South Pacific” in Santa Rosa

by Cari Lynn Pace * Rodgers & Hammerstein’s South Pacific, now running at 6th Street Playhouse in Santa Rosa through Sep. 20, debuted 75 years ago. Even though it harkens back to a simpler and more sanitized time, it still resonates today with romantic songs and a powerful message. Its strengths leads one to forgive…