By Ande Jacobson
“A fiddler on the roof. Sounds crazy, no? But in our little village of Anatevka, you might say every one of us is a fiddler on the roof, trying to scratch out a pleasant, simple tune without breaking his neck…how do we keep our balance? That I can tell you in a word – tradition!”
West Valley Light Opera is proud to present its production of Fiddler on the Roof this November and December in Saratoga, CA. Continue reading
By Ande Jacobson
Sacramento’s 2012 Saxophone Christmas is history, but San Jose is in for a treat on 15 December. In addition to the many favorites on the program, founder Ray Bernd promises three special new arrivals at this year’s San Jose event. Alas, he’s keeping them close to the vest until show time. Continue reading
By Ande Jacobson
As the holiday season approaches, the one event that stands out above all others isn’t Santa Claus’ arrival. No, for a reed player at least, it’s that San Jose tradition – Saxophone Christmas. This year marks the 19th annual gathering where saxophonists of all levels and ages convene on the third Saturday in December (this year the 15th) to renew friendships and make merry playing holiday music on every kind of saxophone one can imagine. From the tiny, pen-sized soprillo, to the 1.9 meter tall contrabass sax, this is an event not to be missed. Fear not, the standard alto, tenor, and baritone saxes that you’ve seen in school bands will be there as well, along with many others. Continue reading
By Ande Jacobson
While there’s no shortage of theatre to see in the SF Bay Area this summer, A Good Reed Review will be short on reviews until September as this writer is once again moving back into a musician’s role for a time playing a stretch of performances in Saratoga and San Jose. Continue reading
By Ande Jacobson
Tabard Theatre Company’s “The Tin Pan Alley Rag” opens Friday, 30 March at Theatre on San Pedro Square in San Jose, this time taking us back to Tin Pan Alley and a chance meeting between the conservatory educated, Scott Joplin, and the boy wonder, Irving Berlin. While there’s no evidence the two men ever crossed paths, the story examines what might have happened if they had met. We learn of their dreams, their lives, and of course, their music. Continue reading
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
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
By Ande Jacobson
West Valley Light Opera (WVLO) is bringing Rodgers and Hammerstein’s beloved family classic, The Sound of Music, to the Saratoga Civic Theater soon. The show opens Saturday, 25 June and will run Fridays – Sundays through Saturday, 23 July. Continue reading
By Ande Jacobson
California Theatre Center’s 28th Summer Repertory season opens this Friday, 3 June, with Around the World in 80 Days, adapted by Mark Brown and based on the Jules Verne novel of the same name. Verne’s story chronicles Phileas Fogg and his manservant Passepartout on their 80-day, around the world journey, all in an effort to win an unlikely wager. Set in the days before air travel or rapid ocean vessels, this seems an impossible task for our heroes, but it should be fun to watch as they risk life and limb to cover all seven continents within their allotted timeframe.
CTC Resident Director, Will Huddleston, has pulled together a dexterous cast of 6 actors to play 39 parts using all manor of theater invoking quick changes, puppetry, and shadow play, along with sound effects provided by the actors onstage.
Around the World in 80 Days will run performances on June 2 (Preview), 3 (Opening) 4, 18 & 30, and July 8, 14, & 22 at 7:30pm; and June 12 & 18 and July 10 at 3:00pm. I’ll be there on opening night to catch the start of the season, so look for my review soon.
Note that the full repertory season includes Around the World in 80 Days in rotation with three other plays through late July including: Agatha Christie’s Black Coffee, The Servant of Two Masters, and The Emperor’s New Clothes, the last one suitable for children of all ages.
All performances will be held at the Sunnyvale Theatre – Sunnyvale Community Center, 550 E Remington Drive, (between El Camino Real and Sunnyvale-Saratoga Rd) in Sunnyvale. Single tickets range from $10 – $25. Discounts are available for students, seniors and groups of 6 or more. For tickets and more information, call the CTC Summer Rep Box Office at 408-720-0873, or visit www.ctcinc.org.
(Photo Credit: Will Huddleston)
By Ande Jacobson
Next up on A Good Reed Review’s docket is this weekend’s opening of playwright Lisa Loomer’s Distracted at the City Lights Theater Company. A virtual epidemic today, Attention Deficit Disorder will be brought to the stage and explored from many points of view. Treated with humor and whimsy, this promises to be an entertaining production. Continue reading
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