Tag: review
‘Insignificance’ at the Campbell Theater is an elegant, thoughtful piece of historical fiction
By SCOTT BABA Art and Entertainment Editor It’s always an interesting thought experiment to consider what it would have been like if historical figures from different spheres of influence met each other. What would they think of each other? What would they have to say? That’s the premise of “Insignificance,” the new play currently running […]
Witty and thought-provoking production shines at Campbell
By CHARLIE JARRETT Martinez News-Gazette Columnist This week’s promise of double billed theatrical events has turned out to be two excellent productions being reviewed. However, only one will be available over the next two weekends. The Eugene O’Neill foundation’s premier production of Eugene O’Neill’s Nobel prize-winning play, Long Day’s Journey into Night, opened this past […]
‘Camping With Henry and Tom’ a tightly crafted character study at the Campbell Theater
By SCOTT BABA Art and Entertainment Editor In television there is a narrative device called the “bottle episode.” Originally conceived of as a way to cut costs, a bottle episode usually involves finding a way to keep the characters in a single location and giving them little to do besides bounce off of one another. […]
Two top-notch community theater productions
By CHARLIE JARRETT Martinez News-Gazette Columnist First this week, the very intriguing murder mystery play in Orinda, “The Woman in White”, extracted from the 500-page book written by Wilkie Collins in 1859, and recently adapted into a theatrical play by local author Malcolm Cowler. Next, in Pittsburgh, the Pittsburgh community Theater presents the upbeat musical […]
Two productions take on classic plays
By CHARLIE JARRETT Martinez News-Gazette Columnist In his first hit play, The Glass Menagerie, Tennessee Williams wrote a heartfelt story based on his own life and that of his domineering mother, still living her colorful life as a southern belle, and created a fragile-as-glass sister, reflecting the emotions imprisoned in her painfully shy, somewhat erratic […]
Production tackles political climate
By CHARLIEJARRETT Martinez News-Gazette Columnist In The Great American Sh*T Show, Brian Copeland and Charlie Varon are now engaging audiences through meaningful monologues revealing their own deeply disturbing concerns about where America is morally and materially heading today, by combining wisdom and witticism in making Americans Think Again! Their new show, of which I saw […]
Two great productions worth the drive
By CHARLIE JARRETT Martinez News-Gazette Columnist This week’s two reviews take us first to San Francisco for some thought-provoking discourse on the pain of segregation to children and their families, as described in Brian Copeland’s award-winning solo show, “Not a Genuine Black Man”. Next, in Alameda, the terrific little theater known as Altarena Playhouse has […]
Billy Elliot the Musical shines at Woodminster Ampitheater
By CHARLIE JARRETT Special to the Gazette “Billy Elliot the Musical” is a moving, inspiring, and delightful musical based primarily on the 2000 film of the same name. The music in this musical was created by Elton John, and the book and lyrics are by Lee Hall, who wrote the film’s initial screenplay. My wife […]
‘Delightfully humorous Charlotte’s Web comes to Campbell Theater
This week’s reviews take us to Orinda and Martinez where we can find two delightfully humorous and engaging theatrical performances at a very reasonable price. I’m going to encourage you to go to the Campbell Theater where you will see a wonderful children’s story by author E. B. White, “Charlotte’s Web”. This delightful story was […]
Political humor at Chanticleers Theater; ‘Wedding Singer’ comes to Pinole
By CHARLIE JARRETT Special to the Gazette This week, I want to introduce you to a great little theater called the Chanticleers, located in Castro Valley. This is one I have gone to for many years but not recently. The Chanticleers Theater is currently presenting the very funny political comedy, Born Yesterday. This story was […]
