James Wagner and Kathryn Tkel in the Regional Premiere of the biomedical thriller Secret Order at San Jose Repertory Theatre. Photo: Kevin Berne

Theater Review: ‘Secret Order’ a question of ethics at SJ Rep

Dynamic and flashy, the Rep's production even conveys a sense of Matrix-like cutting edge.
James Wagner in the Regional Premiere of the biomedical thriller Secret Order at San Jose Repertory Theatre. Photo: Kevin Berne

Theater Ticker: Secret Order, Dial M for Murder, The Great Game: Afghanistan, Dracula

"Drama assumes an order. If only so that it might have -- by disrupting that order -- a way of surprising."
Or, - Magic Theatre

West Coast premiere of ‘Or’ comes to Magic Theatre

In Duffy Adams’ comedic play, Aphra Behn is getting out of the spy game and into showbiz.
Whatever you do..don't answer the phone! The cast of Hillbarn Theatre's Dial M for Murder includes (from left to right) Fred Pitts (Max Halliday), Steve Schwartz Inspector Hubbard), Kelly Rinehart (Margot Wendice), Frederick Goris (Tony Wendice) , and Max Reinhardt (policeman Thompson).

Classic Hitchcock thriller ‘Dial M for Murder’ arrives for Halloween

Tony arranges what he thinks is the perfect murder…or is it?
l-r Arthur (Howard Swain) and Franco (Lance Gardner) in the regional premiere of SUPERIOR DONUTS at TheatreWorks. Photo Credit: Tracy Martin

Theater Review: ‘Superior Donuts’

However, inasmuch as these darker threads are woven into a larger fabric, they also raise the possibility of connection without getting maudlin.
Halsey Varady and Robert Brewer* in the the Regional Premiere of Reasons To Be Pretty at San Jose Stage Company (left to right). Photo by Dave Lepori.

Theater Review: Neil LaBute’s ‘Reasons to be Pretty’ cuts

Once again, I found myself armchair quarterbacking the playwright.
Our Town - Pear Avenue Theatre

Review: ‘Our Town’ at the Pear Avenue Theatre

Written before World War II, it harkens to a simpler America.
Carl Lumbly* and Charles Dean* - Sunset Unlimited - *Courtesy of Actors' Equity Photos by Jessica Palopoli

Theater Review: ‘The Sunset Limited’ at SF Playhouse

In a sense, author Cormac McCarthy is shadow boxing.
Angels in America - Pear Ave. Theatre - Mountain View

Review: ‘Angels in America, Part One: Millennium Approaches’ at The Pear Avenue Theatre

It’s easy to envision an audience insensible to Roy Cohn’s indirect references to Nancy Reagan.
Reasons to Be Pretty - San Jose Stage

‘Reasons to be Pretty’ at San Jose Stage

"I never want my audience to feel safe."