By Ande Jacobson
While often the focus of many comic routines, the modern vibrator has its origins in medical science dating back to the 1880s, the dawn of the electric age. At that time, vibrators were employed as a treatment for “hysteria”, a problem thought to originate in the uterus that was treated by manipulation. Continue reading
By Ande Jacobson
As has become the tradition since The Pear’s second year, spring welcomes a collection of new one-Act plays from the Pear Avenue Theatre Playwrights Guild in its annual presentation of Pear Slices. This year, instead of the usual eight, there are nine of them, each adding to the running themes surrounding that metaphysical fuzzy ground between faith and magic while showing us new beginnings in a variety of circumstances. As usual, this year’s Slices installment has something for everyone. Continue reading
By Ande Jacobson
To many, William Shakespeare’s plays exemplify perfection in theatrical writing. Others find them incomprehensible, though if those in the latter group could shed their preconceptions, they might in fact recognize aspects of Shakespeare’s oeuvre reflected in their own experience. Take “Hamlet” for instance, surely one of the most famous in the Shakespeare cannon. Continue reading
By Ande Jacobson
TheatreWorks is known for premiering new theatrical works. Only having run once before in New York, playwright Carly Mensch’s new comedy, “Now Circa Then”, is making its West Coast debut at the Lucie Stern Theatre in Palo Alto. Continue reading
By Ande Jacobson
Since its founding, immigrants continue to flee oppression to come to the U.S., but at a cost. For many, the equation tips in favor of the opportunities available in spite of almost certain culture shock as they work to adapt to the prevailing ways that are so different from the lives they knew back home. Continue reading
By Ande Jacobson
The set is, in a word, pink. When walking into the auditorium and seeing the stage, your first thought could be this is where the Pink Panther meets Barbie. Though there are different shades, the curtains, revolving padded walls, center stairs, and raised platform are all varying shades of pink. Even the six chairs that start out downstage center, though actually white, initially appear pink. Continue reading
By Ande Jacobson 
South Bay Musical Theatre’s current production, “Finian’s Rainbow”, requires willing suspension of disbelief. The musical with book by E. Y. Harburg and Fred Saidy, lyrics by Harburg, and music by Burton Lane originally hit the stage in 1947, so this is vintage Broadway attempting to tackle social and political issues of the time with satire, romance, and fancy. The story is disjoint and doesn’t work, though if audiences don’t take it too seriously the show makes for an entertaining and uplifting evening. Continue reading
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
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
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
A Good Reed Review 