Author: Sahar Yousefi

Theater Review: Last Weekend to Catch Irma Vep at the Danville Village Theatre

Lady Enid (Dana Lewenthal) passes out from fear as the Vampire (Alicia von Kugelgen) lurks over her planning their next move (photo courtesy of Marian Bliss, 2019).

The Mysteries of Irma Vep is a classic gothic tale filled with ghosts, vampires, werewolves, and suspicious family members. The show centers around Lord Edgar Hillcrest and his new wife, Lady Enid Hillcrest, who has arrived at the estate and struggles to fit in. The ominous presence of Edgar’s late wife Irma Vep hovers over them, in more ways than one. Late night shenanigans lead to the exposure of supernatural elements, and lead both characters on a journey to discover who, what, when, and how.
Continue reading “Theater Review: Last Weekend to Catch Irma Vep at the Danville Village Theatre”

Theater Review: Bay Area Musicals Presents Violet, a Story of Acceptance and Self-love

Andrea Dennison-Laufer, Danielle Philapil, Tanika Baptiste (Passengers), Jon-David Randle (Flick), Juliana Lustenader (Violet), and Jourdán Olivier-Verdé (Bus Driver #2) in Bay Area Musicals’ production of VIOLET. (Photo courtesy of Ben Krantz Studio, 2019.)

Violet is the perfect follow up to last season’s Crazy for You. With a similar small-town country-twang and a southern gothic feel, this musical follows the story of Violet, a young woman with a mysterious scar headed out on a mysterious journey. Continue reading “Theater Review: Bay Area Musicals Presents Violet, a Story of Acceptance and Self-love”

Theater Review: Role Players Ensemble Presents Award-Winning Off Broadway Hit Honky

(l-r) Michael L. Grayson II, Craig Eychner, Terrance Smith, Justin Hernandez, Miia Ashley, Micah Watterson, Khary Moore, and Emily Keyishian. Photo by Marian Bliss, 2019.

Honky is a play that explores race relations in modern day America. What could be a timely piece, however, falls victim to one-dimensional characters who appear to be caricatures of the very topic that the author is trying to advocate. Because of this, the play, although highly entertaining, does not quite send the proper message about what it means to be a person of color in America. It is very much from the perspective of playwright Greg Kalleres, and, unfortunately, there are a lot of playwrights out there who are discussing the topic of race with much more clarity. That being said, director Katja Rivera does an incredible job bringing the play to life. Rivera has an incredible eye for detail; there’s intention behind every move. Under a less skilled director, the material could’ve been a mess, but Rivera’s vision brings the clarity that the play’s words often lack. Continue reading “Theater Review: Role Players Ensemble Presents Award-Winning Off Broadway Hit Honky“

Theater Review: An Ode to Love and the Human Condition: A.C.T. Presents Edward Albee’s Seascape

Charlie (James Carpenter) and Nancy (Ellen McLaughlin) face the unknown in Edward Albee’s Pulitzer Prize (1975) winning play. Photo courtesy of Kevin Berne, 2019.

In Call of the Wild by Jack London, there’s a line that repeats several times, said to be a universal law, the law of life, that is, “Eat or Be Eaten.” In the subsequent passages, London sets up a horrific narrative that is often true: what separates “man” from other species that are deemed eatable, and, of these species, many will eat man; then is man truly of any value? Because of this need for survival, there’s so much fear that permeates our condition. What’s actually real, and what isn’t? In Edward Albee’s Seascape, two couples face these demons head on. One is of the human form and the other alien, but ultimately, we wonder, whose world is it? Continue reading “Theater Review: An Ode to Love and the Human Condition: A.C.T. Presents Edward Albee’s Seascape“

Theater Review: Bay Area Musicals presents Crazy for You – A Delightfully Charming Gershwin Classic

Danielle Altizio (Polly) and Conor Devoe (Bobby) dance to save the town. Photo Courtesy of Jonathan White, 2018.

New York City banker Bobby Child (Conor Devoe) has a dream — dancing dreams — but his parents just aren’t having it. Neither is his fiancée, Irene (Morgan Peters), who’s wondering why they’ve been engaged for five years without wedding bells… and she’s understandably at her wit’s end. His parents’ plan is to send him to Deadrock, Nevada to foreclose a rundown theater. His plan is to dance for the acclaimed artistic director Bela Zangler (Tony Michaels), but one quick mishap during an impromptu audition and he’s on the first train to Deadrock. Continue reading “Theater Review: Bay Area Musicals presents Crazy for You — A Delightfully Charming Gershwin Classic”

Theater Review: Danville Village Theatre Presents Jon Robin Baitz’s Other Desert Cities

From l. to r.: Silda (Sally Hogarty), Trip (Micah Watterson), Brooke (Emily Keyishian), Lyman (Christian Phillips), and Polly (Christine Macomber). Photo by Marian Bliss, 2018.

Writer Brooke Wyeth (Emily Keyishian) has come home after a long hiatus to reveal her new novel to her family. Settled in Palm Springs, with conservative values, the Wyeths harbor a plethora of family secrets. It’s all water under the bridge as they go through the motions of their daily lives, secluded in an affluent neighborhood where they appear indestructible. Brooke’s novel threatens to shatter this peaceful image. And so the drama unfolds, as each member fights to keep their secrets under wraps. Continue reading “Theater Review: Danville Village Theatre Presents Jon Robin Baitz’s Other Desert Cities“

Theater Review: Ubuntu Theater Presents Michael Moran’s Passion Project: Hamlet

R. to L. : Hamlet (Michael Moran), Horatio (Ogie Zulueta), and Claudius (Rolf Saxon) duke it out. Photo courtesy of Simone Finney, 2018.

At the Flight Deck in Oakland, on a raised plank in the middle of an oblong stage, sits Michael Moran’s Hamlet. Eerie vocalizations surround him as provided by a cast of thirty actors. The entire action takes place in this space in a modern retelling of William Shakespeare’s popular tragedy about Denmark’s grieving prince. Continue reading “Theater Review: Ubuntu Theater Presents Michael Moran’s Passion Project: Hamlet“

Theater Review: A.C.T. Presents Sweat – Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize Winning Drama about Working Class America

The cast of of Sweat, l. to r.: Jed Parsario, Adrian Roberts, Chiké Johnson, Tonye Patano, Lise Bruneau, Rod Gnapp, Sarah Nina Hayon, Kadeem Ali Harris, and David Darrow.

Simmering tensions underly a seemingly good time as friends gather at a bar in Reading, Pennsylvania. Set in the 2000s, scenes flash back and forth piecing together a riveting examination of corporate greed and its effects on working class America.

Sweat begins in an interrogation room ran by a very patient Evan (Adrian Roberts) as Jason (David Darrow) spews out anger and racial slurs. Chris (Kadeem Ali Harris) enters the scene and although the two men don’t remain in the same room, their bond is palpable. Something happened, and we aren’t quite sure what yet, as we flash back to three long time friends and steel factory workers, Tracey (Lise Bruneau), Cynthia (Tonye Patano), and Jessie (Sarah Nina Hayon). Continue reading “Theater Review: A.C.T. Presents Sweat — Lynn Nottage’s Pulitzer Prize Winning Drama about Working Class America”

Theater Review: Town of Danville Presents Charming Musical Comedy The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee

From l. to r.: the contestants of Putnam’s annual spelling bee: Hayley Kennen (Barfee), Alex Borja (Leaf Coneybear), Zach Marshall (Chip), Kirsten Torkildson (Marcy Park), Micaela Gorman (Logainne), Emily Shea (Olive), and Shauna Shoptaw (Principal Rona Lisa Peretti)

The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee is exactly what it is, a Spelling Bee. And as it sounds, it’s a ridiculous evening full of quirky characters and hilarious musical numbers. We follow the journey of six young hopefuls as they navigate the pitfalls of puberty and the actualization of their expectations from the Bee. Continue reading “Theater Review: Town of Danville Presents Charming Musical Comedy The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee“

Theater Review: Ubuntu Theater Project Gets Ambitious with the Premiere of Philip Kan Gotanda’s New Play Pool of Unknown Wonders

L to R: Mergherita Ventura (Sophie), Peter Strielstra (Gorkys), and Sharon Shao (Karma). Photo Courtesy of Simone Finney, 2018.

Ubuntu Theater Project starts off it’s season collaborating with acclaimed Bay Area playwright Philip Kan Gotanda in the premiere of Pool of Unknown Wonders: Undertow of the Soul. It’s a conceptual piece: abstract and non-linear. Multiple characters play different roles in each other’s lives, so it can be a test of focus. As they overlap, the stories seem to intersect; it’s clear there’s one destination, but how they got on that bus is the mystery about to unfold. Continue reading “Theater Review: Ubuntu Theater Project Gets Ambitious with the Premiere of Philip Kan Gotanda’s New Play Pool of Unknown Wonders“