by Ron Friedenthal

Theatreworks Silicon Valley’s production of “August Wilson’s How I Learned What I Learned”, currently being presented at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts (500 Castro Street), in Mountain View, CA. through February 3 features Steven Anthony Jones in a heartfelt delivery that channels the late August Wilson’s autobiographical experiences in an impressive ninety-minute one-man show.

As I watched the show, I felt I was watching August Wilson himself. It was that convincing as he tells stories of his ‘becoming’ at age 20 in the colorful black neighborhood of Pittsburgh’s The Hill. Jones commands the audience’s attention with his gentle chiding anger, pride, and humor.

The play covers the stories of August Wilson’s early life as a young, black American trying to move forward in an era of blatant racism. As the story develops, the audience meets the characters he encounters along the way in this journey. For example, Cy Morocco, who can’t read but won’t let anyone know, and attempts to play the saxophone when he simply can’t. Stories about his struggle to sustain jobs display his newfound sense of self-respect, honor, and dignity.

by Ed Brice

“Every Brilliant Thing”, currently performing at Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, CA., is a very clever, interactive solo performance that takes the audience on a journey that counts the moments that make life worthwhile, such as falling in love, as well as grief, healing, and discovering all that it has to offer.

Directed by celebrated Bay Area director Jeffrey Lo and starring William Thomas Hodgson, this story of the human experience is loaded with opportunities for audience interaction, which is both heart-wrenching and hilarious, all at the same time.

“Every Brilliant Thing” does have a serious nature, but it is cleverly balanced through the balance of humor and audience participation. I’m always amazed and impressed when an actor can perform for a solid hour-plus, without cue cards, and also does some quick, on your feet adlibbing with the audience as Hodgson does in this performance.

The musical that never goes out of style, Bankhead Presents is tickled pink to ring in the New Year as it presents Tri-Valley Theatre Company’s production of “LEGALLY BLONDE The Musical”, performing January 13-28, 2024.

This fun, upbeat story of self-discovery with Harvard’s beloved leading lady is an Olivier Award-winning Best Musical with a Book by Heather Hach and Music and Lyrics by Laurence O'Keefe and Nell Benjamin, based on the novel by Amanda Brown and the Metro-Goldwyn-Mayer motion picture. “LEGALLY BLONDE” will play for seven (7) performances at the Bankhead Theater located at 2400 First Street in Downtown Livermore, CA.

“LEGALLY BLONDE The Musical” follows the transformation of Elle Woods (Gwymevere Cristobal) as she tackles stereotypes and scandal in pursuit of her dreams. Action-packed and exploding with memorable songs and dynamic dances, this musical is so much fun it should be illegal!

Center Repertory Company presents “The Great Leap” by San Francisco native and award-winning playwright Lauren Yee, performing March 16 through April 7, 2024 at the Lesher Center for the Arts (1601 Civic Dr.) in Walnut Creek, CA.

When University of San Francisco’s college basketball team travels to Beijing in 1989 for a high-stakes exhibition game, the unfolding drama goes deeper than the strain between countries. For coaches and players, the game offers a chance to claim personal victories on and off the court. Tensions escalate right up to the final buzzer, as a pivotal historical moment collides with the action in the arena.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre has announced that Emmy Award winner and New York Times bestselling author W. Kamau Bell will return to his stand-up comedy roots after a five-year hiatus with “W. Kamau Bell Gets His Act Together,” a two-month Ground Floor residency at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Every Saturday from January 20 – March 16, 2024 (except February 3), Bell will take the stage at Berkeley Rep’s Bakery Studio at Berkeley Rep School of Theatre (2071 Addison St., Berkeley) to experiment with fresh material, comment on the day’s news, talk to the audience, and share new stories about his life and family, while he tries not to freak out about the upcoming election. The goal is that Bell gets a new tour to take around the country…and the hope is that whatever is left of America’s democracy survives into 2025.

Said Berkeley Rep Artistic Director Johanna Pfaelzer: “Kamau is one of the great storytellers of our time, and the chance to get to support his process as he crafts a new piece that speaks to and about this particular moment is a privilege and a thrill.”


By Ron Friedenthal

TheatreWorks Silicon Valley production of “The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee” offers a rather jolly treat for this holiday season as it is fun, full of laughs, and is very uplifting. In this charming musical comedy, middle-school misfits personified by adult actors face off in a spelling showdown, vying for glory and a coveted slot at the National Spelling Bee. While they wage war with words like “crepuscular” and “hasenpfeffer,” this ragtag crew wrestles with the highs and lows of competition, finding self-discovery along the way. This heartwarming hit is a joyous look at adolescence through an adult’s lens, and captures all the chaos, heartbreak, and elation of becoming a childhood champion.

A talented cast has been assembled to bring to life this exuberant musical including a number of cast members who are making their TheatreWorks debut. Among them are Dave J. Abrams, who makes his TheatreWorks mainstage debut as Chip Tolentino, a Boy Scout who won last year’s Putnam County Spelling Bee but experiences an unfortunate obstacle while defending his title. Blake Kevin Dwyer also makes his TheatreWorks debut as Leaf Coneybear, a homeschooled kid who is the second runner-up from his district and is constantly distracted.

Center Repertory Company will ring in the new year with the remarkable, resplendent hit solo performance “Every Brilliant Thing”. Making a list of things that make life worth living would get different responses, and what would be at the top? Ice cream? Family? The even-numbered Star Trek films? For the lead character in this uplifting show, it’s his mother. This surprising and immersive theatrical experience by Duncan Macmillan and Jonny Donahoe delves into the human experience with playfulness and love. With poignant humor and joy,

“Every Brilliant Thing” takes audiences on a journey through favorite moments such as falling in love, as well as grief, healing, and (re)discovering all that life has to give. Directed by celebrated Bay Area director Jeffrey Lo and starring Oakland Theater Project Co-Artistic Director William Thomas Hodgson, the story is filled with opportunities for warm, fun audience participation. “Every Brilliant Thing” will perform January 6-28, 2024 at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr, Walnut Creek.

Smuin’s Contemporary Ballet kicked off the holiday dance season with “The Christmas Ballet” at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek, CA. As always, Smuin’s joyful holiday ballet offers something for everyone as it showcases its signature classical and contemporary dances set to the tone of festival music.

There are true gems in the ‘Classical Christmas’ first act, set to beloved traditional carols. This year, “The Christmas Ballet’s” first act unveils a new trio by Seiwert titled ‘Catalan Carol,’ in addition to traditional favorites such as Michael Smuin’s ‘Bach Magnificat,’ ‘Gloucestershire Wassail,’ and ‘Licht bensh’n’.

Livermore Valley Arts will close out 2023 with a season of events sure to please every appetite. From swinging holiday concerts at “Big Bad Voodoo Daddy’s Wild and Swingin’ Holiday Party” on November 25 and “Holiday Swingin’! A Kat Edmonson Christmas” on December 1, to beautiful insights into how Christmas is cherished and celebrated around the globe at “Irish Christmas in America” on December 3 and “Nochebuena: A Christmas Spectacular” on December 23, The Bankhead has a winter season full of events that will all lead up to a glamorous way in the Tri-Valley to toast “New Year’s Eve with The Four Freshmen” on December 31. All of these sparkling performances will take place at the beautiful Bankhead Theater (2400 First Street) in Downtown Livermore.

Winchester Mystery House lights up the holiday season with a limited series of Holiday Candlelight Tours. For only six select Saturday evenings — starting Saturday, November 25 and running through Saturday, December 30 — experience the magic of the season as you journey through the beautifully decorated home, lit up by the warm glow of candlelight.

 As guests explore the decked-out halls of one the grandest mansions in California with a nighttime open house style holiday tour. You might also uncover some tales of ghostly encounters and Victorian traditions, adding a layer of intrigue to your experience. Whether you're in search of a romantic night, a family adventure, or just a touch of holiday magic, the Holiday Candlelight Tour is the ideal option.
 
Holiday Candlelight Tours will take place between 6 p.m.– 9 p.m. on the following dates: Saturday, November 25; Saturday, December 2; Saturday, December 9; Saturday, December 16; Saturday, December 23; and Saturday, December 30.

Two very young, orphaned mountain lion siblings were recently rescued and transported to Oakland Zoo by the California Department of Fish and Wildlife (CDFW) following their search for the kittens. An adult female mountain lion, who CDFW suspects is their mother, was struck by a car and killed on Saturday, November 11th, along Highway 280, near the Hillsboro/Burlingame area. Residents reported seeing two cubs alone near the area, and they were found safe in one of the reporting residents’ backyard. Both kittens are female, approximately six to ten weeks old, and weigh five and five-and-a-half pounds, respectively. These kittens mark the 25th and 26th mountain lion rescues as part of the Zoo’s Rescue and Recovery Program for local wildlife in need.

Due to popular demand, award-winning actor and playwright Dan Hoyle’s critically acclaimed hit “Border People” has been extended at The Marsh San Francisco with performances this December and into the New Year. Based on Hoyle’s conversations and interviews from the South Bronx housing projects courtyards, refugee safe houses on the Northern Border with Canada, and travels along the Southwestern Border and into Mexico, “Border People” offers an intimate, raw, poignant, funny look at the borders that many negotiate in their everyday lives. This solo show has been greeted with unanimous critical acclaim, Dan Hoyle is a true theatrical gem and this production has been praised as “a testament to the core-to-nerve ending commitment and courage” of those living on borders of any kind. “Border People”, developed with and directed by Charlie Varon, will have performances 5:00pm Saturdays December 9, 2023 – January 13, 2024, at The Marsh San Francisco, 1062 Valencia St., San Francisco.

The Livermore-Amador Symphony will perform its “Winter Tales” concert on Saturday evening, December 2 at the Bankhead Theater in Livermore, CA. Celebrate the season with magical music and fairy tales! Sibelius’ “Karelia Overture” opens the program. “The music is full of joy and ends in a blaze of glory,” says music director and conductor Lara Webber.

Center Repertory Company’s presentation of “The Legend of Georgia McBride”, currently playing through November 26 at the Lesher Center for the Arts (1601 Civic Drive) in Walnut Creek, CA., is a heart-warming tale about a young couple just trying to make it — plus well-fashioned drag queens! It centers on Casey (Joe Ayers), a struggling Elvis impersonator with a flashy sequin jumpsuit, working at a dive called Cleo's in the Florida Panhandle.



Unfortunately, his act isn't very good, according to stage boss Eddie. In the meantime, Jo (Sundiata Ayinde, making her CenterREP debut), Casey’s wife, announces she is pregnant. It's great news for Casey, but his wife realizes that they if they can't afford to pay the rent now they will be evicted. And, with another mouth to feed things are going to be even worse.

In the midst of its 2023-24 Bankhead Presents Season, Livermore Valley Arts introduces a new type of programming to delight Tri-Valley audiences: seeing some favorite films in exciting new ways. Whether it be reliving joyful nostalgia with the stars themselves at Napoleon Dynamite LIVE! On Friday, November 3, or experiencing the score of a perfect film live with the full Orquesta Folclorica Nacional de Mexico at Coco In Concert on Wednesday, November 15, The Bankhead will be bringing to life these two fabulous films in new and exciting ways in the Tri-Valley this November. These unforgettable performances will both be at the beautiful Bankhead Theater in Downtown Livermore, CA.

Laughs and Nostalgia? “Gosh!” The Bankhead has audiences covered with the cult classic film Napoleon Dynamite on the big screen. But at Napoleon Dynamite LIVE!, fun doesn’t stop there: after the screening there will be a conversation and audience Q&A session with stars Jon Heder (Napoleon), Jon Gries (Uncle Rico), and Efren Ramirez (Pedro), where audiences will be treated to an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into the making of the film and unforgettable characters that have captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. More than just a film, this will be a laugh-out-loud, eventful experience that will give attendees a behind-the-scenes look like no other.

In the midst of its 2023-24 Bankhead Presents Season, Livermore Valley Arts introduces a new type of programming to delight Tri-Valley audiences: seeing some favorite films in exciting new ways. Whether it be reliving joyful nostalgia with the stars themselves at Napoleon Dynamite LIVE! On Friday, November 3, or experiencing the score of a perfect film live with the full Orquesta Folclorica Nacional de Mexico at Coco In Concert on Wednesday, November 15, The Bankhead will be bringing to life these two fabulous films in new and exciting ways in the Tri-Valley this November. These unforgettable performances will both be at the beautiful Bankhead Theater in Downtown Livermore, CA.

Laughs and Nostalgia? “Gosh!” The Bankhead has audiences covered with the cult classic film Napoleon Dynamite on the big screen. But at Napoleon Dynamite LIVE!, fun doesn’t stop there: after the screening there will be a conversation and audience Q&A session with stars Jon Heder (Napoleon), Jon Gries (Uncle Rico), and Efren Ramirez (Pedro), where audiences will be treated to an exclusive behind-the-scenes look into the making of the film and unforgettable characters that have captured the hearts of audiences worldwide. More than just a film, this will be a laugh-out-loud, eventful experience that will give attendees a behind-the-scenes look like no other.

The Marsh Berkeley audiences will take a deep dive into the true lives of three distinguished writers with Lynne Kaufman’s “Poetic Justice” this fall. Starring Bay Area favorites Charles Shaw Robinson and Lorri Holt, this double bill features ‘You Must Change Your Life’ and ‘Divine Madness’ – one-act plays written by Kaufman and directed by Sheila Balter. “Poetic Justice” is currently playing through November 5, 2023 at The Marsh Berkeley (2120 Allston Way), in Berkeley, CA.

The performance begins with ‘You Must Change Your Life,’ revealing the creation of Rainer Maria Rilke’s timeless masterpiece, ‘Letters to a Young Poet.’ Torn between becoming a writer or an officer in the Austro-Hungarian Army, 19-year-old Franz Kappus writes a poem for Rilke in 1902, asking for feedback. A single letter turns into a series of correspondences. After Rilke’s death, Kappus compiles and publishes Rilke’s letters to him. But what about his letters to Rilke? A recent discovery provides a surprising answer.

Pittsburg Theatre Company opens its 2023-2024 season with the hilarious Broadway musical “Young Frankenstein,” with music and lyrics by Mel Brooks and book by Mel Brooks and Thomas Meehan.

It’s alive! Frederick Frankenstein (Liam Cody), grandson of the infamous Victor Frankenstein (Kik Waller), inherits his family's estate in Transylvania. Leaving his fianceé Elizabeth (Stefanie Suzuki) at home, Frederick heads to Transylvania where, with help of a hunchbacked sidekick Igor (Phillip Leyva), a sexy lab assistant, Inga (Atessa McAleenan-Morrell) and an acerbic housekeeper Frau Blucher (Vicki Victoria), Frederick finds himself in the mad-scientist shoes of his ancestors as he brings to life a creature to rival his grandfather's. Eventually, of course, the Monster (Keith Adair) escapes and hilarity abounds as Inspector Kemp (Kevin Burns) and the townspeople try to capture him. Every bit as relevant to audience members who will remember the original film as it will be to newcomers, Young Frankenstein has all the panache of the screen sensation with a little extra theatrical flair added.

Berkeley Symphony, led by Music Director Joseph Young, will open the 2023-24 Symphonic Series with American Kaleidoscope on Sunday, October 15 at 4 p.m. at Zellerbach Hall. The first of four Symphonic Series performances, American Kaleidoscope will showcase the Marcus Roberts Trio's virtuosic style in a jazz-infused performance of James P. Johnson's Yamekraw: A Negro Rhapsody, and George Gershwin's Rhapsody in Blue. Audiences will also experience the rare harmonies of Samuel Barber's Essay for Orchestra No. 2 and Peter S. Shin's introspective score Relapse.

“We open this season with a celebration of the American sound, showcasing the intersection of different musical styles and the richness of our country's culture,” says Joseph Young, Music Director of Berkeley Symphony. “Samuel Barber's powerful second essay is unapologetic and a tour-de-force piece that highlights the neoclassical American style, while Berkeley's own Peter S. Shin brings a new contemporary work to our stage. I'm excited to welcome the Marcus Roberts Trio as we pair the music of two important American composers: George Gershwin, whose work is widely recognized, and James P. Johnson, a composer hardly heard in orchestral music. This program is an exciting way for Berkeley Symphony to begin its season, inviting audiences to gain a deeper understanding of American orchestral jazz.”