Theater

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)
Michael Ray Wisely, left, and L. Peter Callender are excellent in African-American Shakespeare Company’s “Othello.” (Courtesy Lance Huntley)

Lead actors light up African-American Shakes’ ‘Othello’

Modern-dress version of tragedy is engrossing, electrifying

Michael Ray Wisely, left, and L. Peter Callender are excellent in African-American Shakespeare Company’s “Othello.” (Courtesy Lance Huntley)
From left, Dan Wheetman, Tony Marcus, Chic Street Man, Valisia LeKae and Rondrell McCormick sing up a storm in “Mark Twain’s River of Song” in Mountain View. (Courtesy Kevin Berne)

Tunes flow freely in ‘Mark Twain’s River of Song’

But TheatreWorks show could add focus on great writer’s words

From left, Dan Wheetman, Tony Marcus, Chic Street Man, Valisia LeKae and Rondrell McCormick sing up a storm in “Mark Twain’s River of Song” in Mountain View. (Courtesy Kevin Berne)
From left, Chris Herbie Holland, Therese Barbato, Aimé Donna Kelly and Nick Dillenburg appear in Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s “White Noise.” (Courtesy Alessandra Mello/Berkeley Repertory Theatre)

Effects of racism play out in ‘White Noise’

Berkeley Rep stages local premiere of Suzan-Lori Parks’ latest

From left, Chris Herbie Holland, Therese Barbato, Aimé Donna Kelly and Nick Dillenburg appear in Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s “White Noise.” (Courtesy Alessandra Mello/Berkeley Repertory Theatre)
From left, Amy Meyers, Cheryl Smith, Alison Whismore and Christine Macomber appear in “This Side of Crazy” at New Conservatory Theatre Center. (Courtesy Lois Tema)

‘This Side of Crazy’ needs tightening

NCTC premieres Del Shores’ less sordid, too long saga

From left, Amy Meyers, Cheryl Smith, Alison Whismore and Christine Macomber appear in “This Side of Crazy” at New Conservatory Theatre Center. (Courtesy Lois Tema)
Zuzu (Krystle Piamonte, center), is congratulated by the rest of the team (from left, Indiia Wilmott, Julia Brothers, Bryan Munar, Ash Malloy and Mohana Rajagopal) in San Francisco Playhouse’s “Dance Nation.” (Courtesy Jessica Palopoli)

‘Dance Nation’ goes all out with teen angst

Actors strong in San Francisco Playhouse show

Zuzu (Krystle Piamonte, center), is congratulated by the rest of the team (from left, Indiia Wilmott, Julia Brothers, Bryan Munar, Ash Malloy and Mohana Rajagopal) in San Francisco Playhouse’s “Dance Nation.” (Courtesy Jessica Palopoli)
Theatre Bay Area will no longer sell discount tickets at the Union Square ticket booth. (Courtesy photo)

Union Square discount ticket booth to close

Tix Bay Area continues full-service offerings online

Theatre Bay Area will no longer sell discount tickets at the Union Square ticket booth. (Courtesy photo)
From left, Rosie Hallett, Summer Brown, Michelle Beck, Monica Lin and Julia McNeal appear in American Conservatory Theater’s funny and fierce “Top Girls.” (Courtesy Kevin Berne)

ACT stages top production of ‘Top Girls’

Caryl Churchill’s modern classic a strong season opener

From left, Rosie Hallett, Summer Brown, Michelle Beck, Monica Lin and Julia McNeal appear in American Conservatory Theater’s funny and fierce “Top Girls.” (Courtesy Kevin Berne)
Stacy Ross and Phil Wong are excellent in Cutting Ball Theater’s world premiere of Megan Cohen’s “Free For All.” (Courtesy Ben Krantz)

Cutting Ball reimagines ‘Miss Julie’ with panache

‘Free For All’ cleverly updates Strindberg classsic

Stacy Ross and Phil Wong are excellent in Cutting Ball Theater’s world premiere of Megan Cohen’s “Free For All.” (Courtesy Ben Krantz)
Ryan Hill and Deborah Eliezer appear in foolsFURY’s “Dionysus Was Such a Nice Man.” (Courtesy Ben Yalom)

Zany antics spoil ‘Dionysus Was Such a Nice Man’

foolsFURY show unsuccessfully mixes comedy and tragedy

Ryan Hill and Deborah Eliezer appear in foolsFURY’s “Dionysus Was Such a Nice Man.” (Courtesy Ben Yalom)
Rey Lucas and Liz Sklar are excellent in California Shakespeare Theater’s “Macbeth.” (Courtesy Kevin Berne)

Actors take charge in Cal Shakes’ ‘Macbeth’

Tragedy boasts strong ensemble, innovative set design

Rey Lucas and Liz Sklar are excellent in California Shakespeare Theater’s “Macbeth.” (Courtesy Kevin Berne)
‘Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ a vivid, cautionary tale

‘Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ a vivid, cautionary tale

Word for Word brings Coleridge’s epic poem to life

‘Rime of the Ancient Mariner’ a vivid, cautionary tale
Jo Mei plays Hanako, a teen who kidnapped, in “The Great Wave” at Berkeley Rep. (Courtesy Kevin Berne/Berkeley Repertory Theatre)

Tension missing in Berkeley Rep’s ‘Great Wave’

U.S. premiere of political drama falls flat

Jo Mei plays Hanako, a teen who kidnapped, in “The Great Wave” at Berkeley Rep. (Courtesy Kevin Berne/Berkeley Repertory Theatre)
American Conservatory Theater’s “Top Girls” features (top row, from left) Monique Hafen Adams, Lily Harris, Michelle Beck, Julia McNeal, Summer Brown, Monica Lin and Rosie Hallett; and, kneeling, from left, Gabriella Momah and Nafeesa Monroe. (Courtesy Robert Sokol, BAYSTAGES)

ACT’s ‘Top Girls’ leads local Caryl Churchill revival

Production offers new take on 1982 award-winner

American Conservatory Theater’s “Top Girls” features (top row, from left) Monique Hafen Adams, Lily Harris, Michelle Beck, Julia McNeal, Summer Brown, Monica Lin and Rosie Hallett; and, kneeling, from left, Gabriella Momah and Nafeesa Monroe. (Courtesy Robert Sokol, BAYSTAGES)
Leigh Rondon-Davis, left, and Christell Lewis appear in Crowded Fire Theater’s production of “Inked Baby.” (Courtesy Cheshire Isaacs)

Disparate stories don’t connect in ‘Inked Baby’

Crowded Fire production could go deeper

Leigh Rondon-Davis, left, and Christell Lewis appear in Crowded Fire Theater’s production of “Inked Baby.” (Courtesy Cheshire Isaacs)
Tovah Feldshuh’s cabaret act offers a peek of “The Queen of Mean,” a musical about Leona Helmsley. (Courtesy photo)

Tovah Feldshuh brings Leona Helmsley to life

‘Walking Dead’ actress previews musical about Queen of Mean

Tovah Feldshuh’s cabaret act offers a peek of “The Queen of Mean,” a musical about Leona Helmsley. (Courtesy photo)