Month: August 2013

All’s fair in families and politics

A Good Reed Review Review , , , , , , , , , ,

Other Desert Cities 1_MKitatokaBy Ande Jacobson

TheatreWorks opens the 2013/2014 season with another Regional Premiere – Jon Robin Baitz’ Other Desert Cities.  Baitz’ title was inspired by a California freeway sign and two cities in the Middle East. The freeway sign is an odd one along Interstate 10 near Palm Springs where most of the story takes place; the cities are Baghdad and Kabul in reference to a war that figures prominently in the plotline. Topical, volatile, and political only partially describe the tone of this production. Between the witty writing, dramatic theme, superb cast, and gorgeous set, this production is a find equal to a lush desert oasis. There’s no doubt that audiences are in for a gripping evening of theatre. Continue reading →

Finding happiness where you can

A Good Reed Review Review , , , , , , ,

sst-hd-6By Ande Jacobson

Samuel Beckett has been described as an Irish avant-garde novelist, playwright, theatre director, and poet known for his use of dark humor, absurd situations, and extreme precision in his writing. The second stage production of Stanford Summer Theater 2013 is Beckett’s Happy Days, a play that’s billed as a comedy “unparalleled in its comic precision and deep humor.” Some may quibble with that description, but for Beckett aficionados this is a “not to be missed” production. For those not so enamored, it could make for a very tedious evening. Continue reading →

Kander and Ebb make the music go ’round

A Good Reed Review Review , , , , , , , , , , , ,

worldGoesRound-1By Ande Jacobson

Tabard Theatre Company starts its 13th season with The World Goes ‘Round, a musical revue featuring the works of John Kander and Fred Ebb. The show was conceived by Scott Ellis, Susan Stroman, and David Thompson who weaved an interesting musical journey using the Kander and Ebb oeuvre from the worlds of stage, film, and television. The original production premiered Off-Broadway in 1991 and went on tour in 1992. In its current form, the show features works from New York, New York; 70, Girls, 70; The Happy Time; The Rink; The Act; Woman of the Year; Liza with a Z; Kiss of the Spider Woman; Funny Lady; Chicago; Cabaret; Zorba; Flora, The Red Menace; and two original songs written specifically for the revue. As director Diane Milo points out in her program note, the performers in this Tabard production have “all done the show before … and keep coming back for more.” Continue reading →