Theater

Megan Trout, left, and Celia Maurice appear in Shotgun Players’ production of “Vinegar Tom.”

Shotgun Players stage hypnotic ‘Vinegar Tom’

Caryl Churchill’s 17th century-set witch play is funny, musical, provocative

Megan Trout, left, and Celia Maurice appear in Shotgun Players’ production of “Vinegar Tom.”
‘Pride and Prejudice’ comes to TheatreWorks’ stage with music

‘Pride and Prejudice’ comes to TheatreWorks’ stage with music

But handsome production based on classic novel lacks Austen’s trademark tone

‘Pride and Prejudice’ comes to TheatreWorks’ stage with music
Kim Epifano appears in “Rock & Mortar” at Z Space. (Courtesy Robbie Sweeny)

‘Rock & Mortar’ takes audiences on a journey through memory

Epiphany Dance Theater’s performance art piece transcends time

Kim Epifano appears in “Rock & Mortar” at Z Space. (Courtesy Robbie Sweeny)
From left, Alex Hairston (Disco Donna), Dan’yelle Williamson (Diva Donna) and Olivia Elease Hardy (Duckling Donna) sing up a storm in “Summer” at the Golden Gate Theatre. (Courtesy Matthew Murphy for Murphymade)

‘Summer’ turns up the old victrola

Disco queen’s hits sound great in shallow jukebox musical

From left, Alex Hairston (Disco Donna), Dan’yelle Williamson (Diva Donna) and Olivia Elease Hardy (Duckling Donna) sing up a storm in “Summer” at the Golden Gate Theatre. (Courtesy Matthew Murphy for Murphymade)
American Conservatory Theater is staging its popular production of “A Christmas Carol” for the 43rd year. (Courtesy Kevin Berne)

Holiday Theater 2019: ‘Christmas Carol’ and more

Classics, musicals, fairy tales and drag queens take to the stage for the season

American Conservatory Theater is staging its popular production of “A Christmas Carol” for the 43rd year. (Courtesy Kevin Berne)
In the San Francisco production of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” John Skelley as Harry (second from right) and loved ones Hermione (Yanna McIntosh), Rose (Folami Williams), Ron (David Abeles), Lily (Natalie Adele Schroeder), James (William Bednar-Carter), Ginny (Angela Reed) and Albus (Benjamin Papac) gather at the train station. (Courtesy Matthew Murphy)

Eighth Harry Potter tale takes to the stage quite well

Special effects, tender story magically meld in hit show at the Curran

In the San Francisco production of “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child,” John Skelley as Harry (second from right) and loved ones Hermione (Yanna McIntosh), Rose (Folami Williams), Ron (David Abeles), Lily (Natalie Adele Schroeder), James (William Bednar-Carter), Ginny (Angela Reed) and Albus (Benjamin Papac) gather at the train station. (Courtesy Matthew Murphy)
From left, Jorge Luis Diaz, Loreigna Sinclair, Larissa Kelloway, Kathryn Hannah, Ryan Drummond (center), Dean Linnard, Sophia Introna, Danielle Philapil and Montel Anthony Nord appear in San Francisco Playhouse’s “Groundhog Day the Musical.” (Courtesy Jessica Palopoli)

‘Groundhog Day the Musical’ rants more than enchants

Stage show lacks sweet tone of filmic source material

From left, Jorge Luis Diaz, Loreigna Sinclair, Larissa Kelloway, Kathryn Hannah, Ryan Drummond (center), Dean Linnard, Sophia Introna, Danielle Philapil and Montel Anthony Nord appear in San Francisco Playhouse’s “Groundhog Day the Musical.” (Courtesy Jessica Palopoli)
Father Christmas is among the highlights of the annual Great Dickens Christmas Fair at the Cow Palace. (Cathy Bowman/Special to S.F. Examiner)

Dickens fair hosts Father Christmas and much more

Victorian England comes to life at Cow Palace in 20th anniversary festivities

Father Christmas is among the highlights of the annual Great Dickens Christmas Fair at the Cow Palace. (Cathy Bowman/Special to S.F. Examiner)
From left, Dorcas Leung plays Despereaux and Yasmeen Sulieman is Princess Pea in PigPen Theatre Co.’s “The Tale of Despereaux” at Berkeley Repertory Theatre through Jan. 5. (Courtesy Kevin Berne/Berkeley Repertory Theatre)

PigPen Theatre charms with ‘Tale of Despereaux’

Funny, musical fairy tale onstage at Berkeley Rep

From left, Dorcas Leung plays Despereaux and Yasmeen Sulieman is Princess Pea in PigPen Theatre Co.’s “The Tale of Despereaux” at Berkeley Repertory Theatre through Jan. 5. (Courtesy Kevin Berne/Berkeley Repertory Theatre)
From left, Ariela Morgenstern, Jade Shojaee and DC Scarpelli appear in Bay Area Musicals’ “Gypsy.” (Courtesy Ben Krantz Studio)

Bay Area Musicals stages thoroughly entertaining ‘Gypsy’

Troupe kicks off fifth season with solid cast in classic show biz tale

From left, Ariela Morgenstern, Jade Shojaee and DC Scarpelli appear in Bay Area Musicals’ “Gypsy.” (Courtesy Ben Krantz Studio)
Sara Moore appears in “Atomic Clown” at Potrero Stage this week. (Courtesy Fernando Gambaroni)

‘Triptych of hell’ inspires ‘Atomic Clown’

Sara Moore details bad spell in funny semi-autobiographical play

Sara Moore appears in “Atomic Clown” at Potrero Stage this week. (Courtesy Fernando Gambaroni)
From left, Millie Brooks, Arwen Anderson, Lipica Shah, Meera Rohit Kumbhani and Avanthika Srinivasan are excellent American Conservatory Theater’s “Testmatch.” (Courtesy Kevin Berne)

ACT’s ‘Testmatch’ takes on cricket, colonialism

Political messages are clear in amusing century-spanning premiere

From left, Millie Brooks, Arwen Anderson, Lipica Shah, Meera Rohit Kumbhani and Avanthika Srinivasan are excellent American Conservatory Theater’s “Testmatch.” (Courtesy Kevin Berne)
LaChaze brings her semi-autobiographical cabaret act to The City. (Courtesy photo)

Tony winner LaChanze is ‘Feeling Good’

Broadway star makes SF Bay Area Cabaret debut

LaChaze brings her semi-autobiographical cabaret act to The City. (Courtesy photo)
Madonna dazzles the audience on her all-over-the-place “Madame X” tour. (Courtesy Stufish)

Madonna’s Madame X comes alive, rises

Pop diva takes control in ‘intimate’ Golden Gate Theatre

Madonna dazzles the audience on her all-over-the-place “Madame X” tour. (Courtesy Stufish)
Erik Preminger and Ariela Morgenstern visit at a rehearsal for Bay Area Musicals’ upcoming production of “Gypsy.” (Leslie Katz/S.F. Examiner Staff)

Erik Preminger shares intimate details with ‘Gypsy’ cast

Famed stripper’s son visits with Bay Area Musicals as it preps to open hit show

Erik Preminger and Ariela Morgenstern visit at a rehearsal for Bay Area Musicals’ upcoming production of “Gypsy.” (Leslie Katz/S.F. Examiner Staff)
Lenora Lee and Hien Huynh appear in “In the Skin of Her Hands” at Dance Mission. (Courtesy Robbie Sweeny)

Lenora Lee dancers get under cancer survivors’ skin

Powerful multimedia premiere at Dance Mission tells personal stories

Lenora Lee and Hien Huynh appear in “In the Skin of Her Hands” at Dance Mission. (Courtesy Robbie Sweeny)
One of two new routines in “Stomp,” onstage at American Conservatory Theater’s Geary Theater this week, features suitcases on wheels. (Courtesy Steve McNicholas)

‘Stomp’ tromps on

Fun, percussive dance extravaganza returns to The City

One of two new routines in “Stomp,” onstage at American Conservatory Theater’s Geary Theater this week, features suitcases on wheels. (Courtesy Steve McNicholas)
From left, Molly Shaiken, Olivia Levine, Jeunée Simon, Em Lee Reaves, Katie Rubin (replaced by Martha Brigham) and Erin Anderson appear in “The Daughters.” (Courtesy Jessica Palopoli)

‘Daughters’ a light look at SF’s lesbians through decades

Patricia Cotter’s premiere tackles complex issues with humor

From left, Molly Shaiken, Olivia Levine, Jeunée Simon, Em Lee Reaves, Katie Rubin (replaced by Martha Brigham) and Erin Anderson appear in “The Daughters.” (Courtesy Jessica Palopoli)
Gina Harris’ “The Magic of Ordinary Things” in The City on Oct. 30 and Nov. 1-2 is part of Reimagine End of Life programs throughout the Bay Area. (Courtesy David Hake)

Gina Harris dreams up a musical memoir

Singer’s show stems from efforts to find comfort after her parents’ deaths

Gina Harris’ “The Magic of Ordinary Things” in The City on Oct. 30 and Nov. 1-2 is part of Reimagine End of Life programs throughout the Bay Area. (Courtesy David Hake)
Will Dao and Rinabeth Apostol appear in Magic Theatre’s production of “The Chinese Lady.” (Courtesy Jennifer Reiley)

Magic Theatre’s ‘Lady’ fascinates

Lloyd Suh premiere details journey of first Chinese woman in U.S.

Will Dao and Rinabeth Apostol appear in Magic Theatre’s production of “The Chinese Lady.” (Courtesy Jennifer Reiley)