A French call to #resist
It’s been less than a year since the U.S. election, and theatergoers are surely already tired of plays that tackle authoritarianism. While Camus’ State of…
Theater and Stage
Reviews and coverage of theater and performing arts in San Francisco, Silicon Valley, Berkeley, and beyond. Written by ATCA critic Clinton Stark.
A very funny rabbi(t) at Berkeley Rep
Have you ever confused a rabbi with a rabbit? Me, neither, but it seems like a plausible mistake in Daniel Handler’s new play Imaginary Comforts,…
Twin Trouble on Taylor
The Mineola Twins at Cutting Ball Theater opens with thunder and lightning. The intensity continues unabated throughout the show. Paula Vogel’s play follows a pair…
Stars align for a memorable ‘Hamlet’ at the ACT
The American Conservatory Theater’s Hamlet marks the debut of two greats who somehow (strangely) have never tackled this great play. John Douglas Thompson premieres his…
Lessons in driving and empathy at Custom Made Theatre
Playwright Paula Vogel has been in the news a lot recently. She made her (shamefully overdue) Broadway debut with Indecent, which was nominated for the…
Backstage Video: BTS at LUZIA by Cirque du Soleil (Now in Atlanta)
Stark Insider presents a backstage look at Cirque Du Soleil’s newest artistic creation, Luzia. LUZIA is now in Atlanta. Cirque’s “waking dream of Mexico” features…
David Lynch’s Festival of Disruption adds Bill Hader
Comedian and SNL alum Bill Hader is the latest to be added to the Festival of Disruption. You know, the guy with this kind of…
Blown away by Aurora’s ‘Luna Gale’
In the words of a character from Luna Gale, deciding a child’s future is an “awesome responsibility.” In this absorbing play, receiving its Bay Area…
Zenith dodges its own question
Kirsten Greenidge’s new play Zenith asks a difficult question: why do ordinary people commit horrifying crimes? Specifically (in a scenario loosely inspired by a true…
Something Rotten! proves a fresh musical parody
There’s nothing serious or meaningful about Something Rotten!. Still, if you know the lullaby of Broadway and brush up your Shakespeare, it’s sure to make…