Tag: review
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 Alterina 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 […]
Victoria Theater production of ‘Hairspray’ not to be missed
By CHARLIE JARRETT Special to the Gazette How many of us still remember Dick Clark and the American Bandstand show in the mid-50’s? It formulated in Philadelphia until it was moved to the ABC television Center Los Angeles in 1964. At much the same time, there was another similar show hosted by Winston “Buddy” Deane […]
Bring the kids! Two great shows for the family
By CHARLIE JARRETT Martinez Gazette Contributor The Woodminster Summer Musical series production of Walt Disney’s “Newsies” and the California Shakespeare Theater’s production of Bertolt Brecht’s thought-provoking parable, “The Good Person of Szechwan”, are equally stunning and worthy of a “too good to miss” declaration. In the 1890s and early 1900s, newspapers played a major role […]
Reviews: ‘The Fitting Room’ and ‘A Chorus Line’
By CHARLIE JARRETT Special to the Gazette This week I will invite you to experience a delightful evening of changing room silliness, in Kathryn G. McCarty’s delightful comedy, “The Fitting Room”, right here in the Campbell Theater. This is not your typical plot driven story, but rather a character driven story that seems to be […]
Take a peek into the adventures of everyday life in ‘The Fitting Room’
By SCOTT BABA Art and Entertainment Editor Onstage Theater Company premiered its last play of the season at the Campbell Theater on Friday with “The Fitting Room,” a vibrant and ambitious work by local playwright Kathryn G. McCarty. “The Fitting Room” is an intriguing piece of theater, and feels almost experimental in nature. It isn’t […]
Orinda presenting ‘Witness for the Prosecution’
By CHARLIE JARRETT Special to the Gazette This week’s reviews provide opportunities that could take you from Orinda to Lafayette, or all the way to San Jose. First and foremost, for those of you who prefer to not wander too far from home, I have to recommend the Orinda Starlight Village Player’s production of Agatha […]
“Woody Sez: The Life and Music of Woody Guthrie” is top-notch
By CHARLIE JARRETT Special to the Gazette If you, like me, enjoy bluegrass and country music, then you are bound to be put in hillbilly heaven if you attend. The Center Repertory Company’s new show, “Woody Sez: The Life and Music of Woody Guthrie”, is once again a terrific, moving, and inspirational evening of some […]
