New Conservatory Theatre Center

From left, Brian (ShawnJ West), Stephen (Joey Alvarado), Matt (Daniel Redmond), Esteban (Vaho), Carrie (Clove Galilee) and Steve (Greg Ayers) enjoy brunch in New Conservatory Theatre Center’s “Steve.” (Courtesy Lois Tema)

Steves and laughs abound in NCTC’s ‘Steve’

Meet Steven (Greg Ayers), a quip-prone, middle-aged gay man with middle-aged angst…

 

From left, Kyle Dayrit, Baily Hopkins J. Conrad Frank and David Bicha appear in Red Scare on Sunset. (Courtesy Lois Tema)

‘Red Scare’ at NCTC needs fine tuning

In his opening night speech, Ed Decker, artistic director at New Conservatory…

 

David Bicha has some fun moments in “When Pigs Fly.” (Courtesy Lois Tema)

‘Pigs’ fly but don’t quite land at NCTC

Porcine aviation is the current goal at New Conservatory Theatre Center, and…

 

Weightless, a world-premiere rock opera by The Kilbanes (Bay Area couple Kate Kilbane and Dan Moses) , opens at Z Space in February. [Courtesy Emily Sevin)

Winter 2018 Arts Preview: Theater

The theater season serves up major tours, offbeat experiments, musicals, comedy and…

Weightless, a world-premiere rock opera by The Kilbanes (Bay Area couple Kate Kilbane and Dan Moses) , opens at Z Space in February. [Courtesy Emily Sevin)
Audrey Baker, left, and Monica Ho light up New Conservatory Theatre Center’s purple cast of “Avenue Q.” (Courtesy Lois Tema)

Spirited NCTC ‘Avenue Q’ extends past the holidays

In program notes for New Conservatory Theatre Center’s annual holiday run of…

Audrey Baker, left, and Monica Ho light up New Conservatory Theatre Center’s purple cast of “Avenue Q.” (Courtesy Lois Tema)
From left, Tom Reilly, Tim Huls, Michael Moerman, Matt Weimer, Max Hersey and Paul Rodrigues appear in Harvey Fierstein’s “Casa Valentina” at New Conservatory Theatre Center. (Courtesy Lois Tema)

Cross-dressers take spotlight in ‘Casa Valentina’

The clothes in New Conservatory Theatre Center’s regional premiere of Harvey Fierstein’s…

From left, Tom Reilly, Tim Huls, Michael Moerman, Matt Weimer, Max Hersey and Paul Rodrigues appear in Harvey Fierstein’s “Casa Valentina” at New Conservatory Theatre Center. (Courtesy Lois Tema)
J. Conrad Frank is a hoot as an actor who has amusing encounters with Barbra Streisand in New Conservatory Theatre Center’s “Buyer & Cellar.” (Courtesy Lois Tema)

Funny guy fuels NCTC’s ‘Buyer & Cellar’

Hello gorgeous: “Buyer & Cellar” at the New Conservatory Theatre Center is…

J. Conrad Frank is a hoot as an actor who has amusing encounters with Barbra Streisand in New Conservatory Theatre Center’s “Buyer & Cellar.” (Courtesy Lois Tema)
Velina Brown and Andrew Nance appear in New Conservatory Theatre Center’s regional premiere of Terrence McNally’s “Mothers and Sons.” (Courtesy Lois Tema)

Velina Brown’s performance lights up NCTC’s ‘Mothers and Sons’

The title of Terrence McNally’s “Mothers and Sons” (now at New Conservatory…

Velina Brown and Andrew Nance appear in New Conservatory Theatre Center’s regional premiere of Terrence McNally’s “Mothers and Sons.” (Courtesy Lois Tema)
From left, Michaela Greeley, Janis DeLucia, SK Kerastas and Andy Collins appear in New Conservatory Theatre Center’s “Sagittarius Ponderosa.” (Courtesy Lois Tema)

Family drama ‘Sagittarius Ponderosa’ needs focus

Called “whimsical” in its promotional materials, the world premiere of “Sagittarius Ponderosa”…

From left, Michaela Greeley, Janis DeLucia, SK Kerastas and Andy Collins appear in New Conservatory Theatre Center’s “Sagittarius Ponderosa.” (Courtesy Lois Tema)
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Comedy overwhelms drama in NCTC’s ‘Harbor’

When couples enter long-term relationships without total clarity and agreement about potential…

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NCTC's Middle East -set ‘R&J’ doesn’t transcend context

In the late 1990s, playwright Joe Calarco set his abridged, four-actor version…

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“Die Mommie Die!’ sparkles with campy fun

Hot on the high heels of Charles Busch’s recent San Francisco cabaret…

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‘Cock’ a limp exploration of relationships

Despite the potential for title titillation, “Cock” at New Conservatory Theatre Center…

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COURTESY LOIS TEMA PHOTOGRAPHYKeith Marshall

NCTC’s ‘Homosexuals’ needs more practice

Stephen Sondheim fans may find the master composer curiously omnipresent in "The…

COURTESY LOIS TEMA PHOTOGRAPHYKeith Marshall
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‘Yellow’ a harrowing tale of a family

Playwright and stand-up comic Del Shores may be revered for his camp…

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Stroll down gritty, joyful ‘Avenue Q’

Ten years after snatching Tony Awards for best musical, book and score,…

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‘Submission’ a story of race, lies and theater

Playwright Shaleeha G’ntamobi’s new work about an alcoholic black mother and her…

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Courtesy photoMother and son: Stacy Thunes and Evan Johnson play a family that movies from the Bay Area to the Midwest in New Conservatory Theatre Center’s production of “Slipping.”

‘Slipping’ is missing human connections

Eli, the gay, teenage protagonist in erstwhile local playwright-actor Daniel Talbott’s new…

Courtesy photoMother and son: Stacy Thunes and Evan Johnson play a family that movies from the Bay Area to the Midwest in New Conservatory Theatre Center’s production of “Slipping.”
Courtesy PhotoThe Laramie Project: 10 Years Later

Theater List

The Laramie Project: 10 Years LaterThrough April 29. $24-$45. Members of the…

Courtesy PhotoThe Laramie Project: 10 Years Later
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‘Maurice’ hits U.S. stage almost a century later

Almost one hundred years ago, homosexuality was outlawed in Great Britain. That…

courtesy photoLove triangle From left