Arts & Culture :: Theater

Rita Moreno: celebrated actress at SF FILM's 'West Side Story' screening

Rita Moreno: celebrated actress at SF FILM's 'West Side Story' screening

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Dec 14, 2021

A packed audience braved the rain and filled the Castro Theater on Sunday Dec. 12 for a free screening of Steven Spielberg's reimagining of the classic musical 'West Side Story,' and a special Q&A with legendary actress Rita Moreno.

Cassandra's complex: Shotgun's take on Malvina Reynolds; SF Playhouse's 'Twelfth Night'

Cassandra's complex: Shotgun's take on Malvina Reynolds; SF Playhouse's 'Twelfth Night'

  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Dec 7, 2021

Malvina Reynolds's "Little Boxes" expands to a performance arty stage event, while SF Playhouse's one-act version of Shakespeare comedy of errors is colorfully anachronistic.

50 years in 50 weeks: Alec Mapa's pride

50 years in 50 weeks: Alec Mapa's pride

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Dec 3, 2021

Heading up the arts features in our June 23, 2005 edition, Adam Sandel gets good quotes from comic actor Alec Mapa, who was a celebrity Grand Marshal at that year's Pride events.

Robin de Jesús: from Camp to Boom

Robin de Jesús: from Camp to Boom

  • by Gregg Shapiro
  • Nov 30, 2021

Robin de Jesús discusses his new more mature role in the film 'tick, tick... Boom,' plus his earlier work onstage and film in 'Rent,' 'The Boys in the Band' and 'In the Heights.'

Caleb Teicher: dancing a new path

Caleb Teicher: dancing a new path

  • by Philip Mayard
  • Nov 30, 2021

Caleb Teicher & Company amake their Bay Area debut at Zellerbach Hall on Dec. 5 with 'More Forever,' a jazz/tap/Lindy Hop ensemble work, performed in a 24-foot sandbox with a live original score, composed and performed by virtuoso pianist Conrad Tao.

Holiday concerts of note

Holiday concerts of note

  • by Philip Campbell
  • Nov 30, 2021

The holidays are here and ready to celebrate in person. Opportunities to attend concerts and seasonal music events are plentiful and most performance venues are back to full capacity.

Martin Sherman: the acclaimed playwright discusses his new and classic works

Martin Sherman: the acclaimed playwright discusses his new and classic works

  • by Tim Miller
  • Nov 30, 2021

In advance of the local premiere of his new play 'Gently Down the Stream,' prolific playwright Martin Sherman discusses 'the full heat of queer and Jewish identity' in his writing with performer and author Tim Miller.

Poetic points of perplexion: 'Plot Points in Our Sexual Development' at NCTC

Poetic points of perplexion: 'Plot Points in Our Sexual Development' at NCTC

  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Nov 30, 2021

Miranda Rose Hall's 'Plot Points in Our Sexual Development,' now in its regional debut in a polished production at the New Conservatory Theatre Company, is a superficially familiar hour-long relationship drama with a surprising grenade toss of an ending.

Stephen Sondheim: March 22, 1930-November 26, 2021

Stephen Sondheim: March 22, 1930-November 26, 2021

  • by Brian Bromberger
  • Nov 29, 2021

It is no exaggeration to say that Stephen Sondheim reinvented the Broadway musical and became the quintessential musical dramatist of our age, and the most influential composer-lyricist of the second half of the 20th century.

50 years in 50 weeks: 2004's home runs

50 years in 50 weeks: 2004's home runs

  • by Jim Provenzano
  • Nov 25, 2021

You can't fault us for our enthusiastic coverage of Richard Greenberg's thought-provoking drama 'Take Me Out,' about a gay baseball player's decision to come out. Also, the play includes extensive male nudity in shower scenes.

'On Broadway' - documentary raises the curtain on theater history

'On Broadway' - documentary raises the curtain on theater history

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Nov 23, 2021

Oren Jacoby's documentary 'On Broadway' covers a lot of ground. The film, which celebrates Broadway's unique ability to bounce back bigger than ever after facing adversity, is now available on DVD and streaming online.

Veteran dancer Brian Fisher's new steps

Veteran dancer Brian Fisher's new steps

  • by Philip Mayard
  • Nov 23, 2021

Having originated and performed the role of Drosselmeyer in Mark Foehringer's Nutcracker Sweets for 13 years, this year, Fisher will step down as a performer to serve as the production's Artistic Associate and Rehearsal Director.

Family forays on stage: Berkeley Rep's 'Wintertime' — Aurora Theatre's 'Father/Daughter'

Family forays on stage: Berkeley Rep's 'Wintertime' — Aurora Theatre's 'Father/Daughter'

  • by Jim Gladstone
  • Nov 23, 2021

Berkeley Rep's giddy show, Charles Mee's comic 'Wintertime,' takes on a home-for-the-holidays extended family gathering. Aurora Theatre offers the world premiere of Kait Kerrigan's Father/Daughter, about parents and children's connections.

Holigay events: choral, cabaret, comedy and more for December fun

Holigay events: choral, cabaret, comedy and more for December fun

  • by David-Elijah Nahmod
  • Nov 22, 2021

It's the most wonderful time of the year, and now that the Bay Area has reopened, there's plenty to do in December. Here are several ways you can celebrate and have a joyous holiday.