Category: Review
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when a classic Puccini opera is given a modern voice for a new audience? The Girl of the Golden West, presented by The Voice Studio of Thomas Clark Inc., takes Puccini’s La Fanciulla del West and makes the Western tale considerably more approachable through a new English translation by producer…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when four women from history are given the chance to rewrite their own revolution? The Revolutionists at Los Altos Stage Company takes the turbulence of the French Revolution and filters it through the distinctly modern voice of playwright Lauren Gunderson. Historical figures collide with contemporary humor, sharp dialogue, and plenty…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when espionage, natural disasters, drag, and enough inappropriate jokes to fill an airplane all collide under one roof? Disastrous! at Oasis SF answers that question with absolutely no interest in playing it safe. D’Arcy Drollinger’s latest Champagne White adventure embraces the wonderfully ridiculous world of 1970s disaster and exploitation films,…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when a musical you’ve seen time and time again suddenly feels brand new? S.F. Playhouse’s Hairspray accomplishes exactly that. Based on the beloved John Waters film and packed with one of the most infectious scores in musical theatre, the show remains a joyful celebration of acceptance, perseverance, and the courage…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when Mel Brooks unleashes his unmistakable brand of comedy on one of cinema’s greatest horror stories? Young Frankenstein at Broadway Sacramento’s Music Circus is a gloriously ridiculous celebration of classic movie monsters, Broadway spectacle, and unabashed silliness. Based on Mel Brooks’ beloved 1974 film, the musical lovingly spoofs the Frankenstein…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when one of the most beloved Golden Age musicals asks audiences to wrestle with its most difficult themes? Carousel at Woodminster Summer Musicals is a reminder that some of musical theatre’s greatest classics are also some of its most complicated. Rodgers and Hammerstein’s beloved musical explores love, loss, redemption, and…
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By AJ Jaffari Some stories are timeless. Others become unforgettable when paired with a live orchestra. The San Francisco Symphony’s film series offers audiences the rare opportunity to experience beloved movies with their iconic scores performed live, and West Side Story is one of the finest examples of why these events are so special. Whether…
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By Sarah Duarte Surviving the end of the school year made it challenging to see shows in May, but I was fortunate enough to make the drive to Livermore on May 8th to attend Tutti Frutti: The Tribute Concert to Little Richard at the Almost Famous Wine Bar and Music Hall. It was well worth…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when a beloved animated film is transformed into a theatrical spectacle in the round? Frozen at Broadway Sacramento’s Music Circus proves that Disney magic can thrive on stage just as powerfully as it does on screen. Filled with unforgettable songs, dazzling visuals, and a story rooted in love and self-discovery,…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when science, morality, and a split personality collide? Jekyll & Hyde at Woodminster Summer Musicals brings the iconic story to life in a sweeping outdoor production that takes full advantage of its unique setting. Based on Robert Louis Stevenson’s classic tale and featuring one of musical theatre’s most dramatic scores,…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when one of the greatest vocal groups in music history gets the jukebox musical treatment? Ain’t Too Proud at Transcendence Theatre Company celebrates the music, legacy, and enduring influence of The Temptations through a high-energy evening filled with unforgettable songs and powerhouse performances. While jukebox musicals aren’t always my favorite…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when a quiet weekend getaway turns into a revolving door of secrets, affairs, and utter chaos? The Cottage at Palo Alto Players embraces the timeless tradition of farce, delivering an evening filled with mistaken assumptions, rapid-fire revelations, and enough door-slamming antics to keep audiences on their toes. Sandy Rustin’s comedy…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when a radioactive accident, a blind librarian, and a corrupt mayor collide in one of the campiest musicals ever written? The Toxic Avenger at Los Altos Stage Company embraces its outrageous premise with open arms, delivering a delightfully absurd evening of musical theatre that refuses to take itself too seriously.…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when one of the most iconic musicals of all time returns to the stage with all of its grandeur intact? The Phantom of the Opera at ATG San Francisco proves that some classics never lose their power. Andrew Lloyd Webber’s sweeping score, paired with its timeless story of obsession, artistry,…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when a centuries-old horror story is stripped down, modernized, and injected with fresh theatrical energy? SF Playhouse’s production of Kate Hamill’s Dracula reimagines the classic vampire tale with wit, tension, and a contemporary edge that feels both unexpected and invigorating. Rather than leaning solely into gothic melodrama, Hamill’s adaptation embraces…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when an entire neighborhood becomes the heartbeat of a musical? In the Heights at South Bay Musical Theatre brings the streets of Washington Heights to life through music, movement, and stories centered on community, family, and the pursuit of something more. Lin-Manuel Miranda’s Tony Award–winning musical continues to resonate through…
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By Sarah Duarte The Cornley Drama Society is newly in residence at Hillbarn Theatre with their production of The Murder at Haversham Manor. At the helm is the President of the Cornley Drama Society and director of the show, Chris Bean. (Also, do note that Mr. Bean is also acting in the show, serving as…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when a small town is asked to hold the weight of the world?Come From Away at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley reminds us of the extraordinary power of human kindness in the face of unimaginable tragedy. Centered around the events of September 11, 2001, the musical tells the true story of the…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when a simple train ride becomes something far more revealing? The Coast Starlight at The Stage transforms an ordinary journey into something quietly introspective, where connection, curiosity, and vulnerability take center stage. Keith Bunin’s play doesn’t rely on spectacle—instead, it leans into stillness, allowing its characters the space to exist,…
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By AJ Jaffari What happens when a lie meant to comfort spirals into something far more complicated? Dear Evan Hansen at CMT Marquee dives into the fragile intersection of loneliness, connection, and the deep human desire to be seen. With its contemporary score and emotionally charged story, the musical explores how one moment—one decision—can ripple…