Cirque du Soleil’s TOTEM – an unforgettable journey

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By Ande Jacobson

Cirque du Soleil is at its heart a traveling circus, but it’s also a ballet of sorts. Each Cirque du Soleil show attempts to tell a story, or at least unites the acts in a common theme while drawing the audience in to the well-known color and grandeur. This review is from the 2011 Thanksgiving matinee performance of TOTEM during their San Francisco fall run, but this is the same troupe coming to San Jose in March 2012 via the scenic route after wintering across the pond in London, UK. Continue reading →

Traversing paths both traditional and modern

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By Ande Jacobson

Manhattan’s Lower East Side has long been home to a substantial Jewish population, and Susan Sandler’s “Crossing Delancy” takes us there in June of 1985 to witness a tradition handed down through the generations. Continue reading →

Power is a Potent Aphrodisiac

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By Ande Jacobson

“Power tends to corrupt, and absolute power corrupts absolutely.  Great men are almost always bad men.”  While often attributed to JFK, Winston Churchill, and Richard Nixon, 19th century moralist and historian Lord Acton originally penned this famous quote in 1887 in a letter to Bishop Creighton as part of their ongoing correspondence regarding moral standards as applied to religious and political leaders.  Clearly, the quote is just as relevant today as it was then.  Intoxicated by the power they command, abuses come in many forms including those of a sexual nature, and indiscretions, proven or not, don’t stay hidden for long.  Unfortunately, the families and victims of powerful men are often caught in the crossfire. Continue reading →

Bone Marrow is Thicker Than Water

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By Ande Jacobson

Dragon Productions’ current show, “Marvin’s Room”, is vaguely reminiscent of that famed late 1970s soap opera parody “Mary Hartman, Mary Hartman”.  The story reads like a soapy satire, particularly in Act 1, though it’s not quite as bizarre as the aforementioned show. Continue reading →

Much to Moon Over

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By Ande Jacobson

American playwright Eugene O’Neill, son of Irish immigrant actor James O’Neill and Mary Ellen Quinlan, lived a varied life pursuing two distinct careers, the second of which spawned his rich classics drawn from his first career at sea and from characters based on members of his immediate family.  O’Neill’s “A Moon for the Misbegotten” is his last completed work, and premiered on stage in 1947. Continue reading →

The Secret is Out

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By Ande Jacobson

Twenty years ago, a favorite children’s story hit the Broadway stage in a colorful, musical adaptation that sailed to eight 1991 Tony Award nominations and won three of them. The story was “The Secret Garden”, and it has delighted audiences since its debut. Continue reading →

Tabard Adds Life to the Holiday Season

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By Ande Jacobson

It’s the holiday season, and one of the perennial favorites is that iconic 1946 Frank Capra film, “It’s a Wonderful Life” – the story of George Bailey and of Clarence Odbody, his guardian angel. George, like many of us, doesn’t realize the tremendous impact he has on the lives he touches, until, when he’s in his darkest moment, considering chucking it all after experiencing a rather unfortunate series of downturns, Clarence enters and shows him what life would be like in his hometown were he never born. Continue reading →

A Storied Hiatus

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Pictured (L to R): Kevin Kirby, Ande Jacobson, Tim Reynolds, Michael Johnson, and Peggy Liu. (Photo Credit: Nicolas Sancen)

By Ande Jacobson

Tabard Theatre Company’s production of “The Story of My Life” is presenting its invited preview tonight, is opening on Friday, 28 October, and is running through 20 November at Theatre on San Pedro Square. Given this reviewer is playing in the chamber trio for the show, A Good Reed Review will be on hiatus through November. Continue reading →

Tabard’s “The Story of My Life” Opens the End of October

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By Ande Jacobson

Tabard Theatre Company’s “The Story of My Life” opens 28 October for a four week run that will take you on a journey you won’t soon forget.  Written by Brian Hill, with music and lyrics by Neil Bartram, this is a memorable jaunt that starts with the story of how a chance meeting in first grade forges a profound connection between Alvin Kelby (played by Kevin Kirby) and Thomas Weaver (played by Tim Reynolds).  The rich melodies and lively songs tell the story and highlight the power and life-long influence of Alvin and Thomas’ deep and abiding friendship. Continue reading →

The Fury of the Gods Brings a Family Closer Together

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By Ande Jacobson

TheatreWorks is presenting another world premiere with “Clementine in the Lower 9”, a new play by Dan Dietz dealing with the fallout and personal tragedy of a New Orleans family following hurricane Katrina. Dietz patterned his play using the Greek tragedy form, specifically on Aeschylus’ “Agamemnon” and infused it with blues music created by composer Justin Ellington. Though not a musical, the music is central to the mood, imagery, and tone of the play. Continue reading →