Paula Vogel’s Collage of Stories, Songs Touches Hearts by Barry David Horwitz “A Civil War Christmas: An American Musical Celebration” embodies the ultimate Advent calendar. Every moment, a new and emotional scene on Christmas Eve, 1864, in Washington, D.C. appears before us. We are confronted with reminders of the Civil War. We visit with…
Lillian Hellman Dramatizes Altruistic Actions by Barry David Horwitz Berkeley Rep’s choice of Lillian Hellman’s “Watch on the Rhine” (1941) plunges us into the pre-World War Two time of indecision, cowardice, and sporadic bravery. Hellman’s play illuminates the 1930s, when “good” folks could still turn their eyes away from the Nazi invasions, and live…
Will’s Charismatic Crew Leaps from Screen to Stage by Barry David Horwitz Marin Theatre Company has crafted a whirligig of theater, holding our attention with a kaleidoscope of color, song, and favorite lines from Shakespeare—as the poet struggles to write them. In “Shakespeare in Love,” Scenic Designer Kat Conley has lovingly created the metal…
Joe DiPietro Celebrates Immigrant Italians Finding Famiglia by Barry David Horwitz If you’re going to grandmother’s house for the Holidays, take in “Over the River and through the Woods” at Contra Costa Civic Theatre in El Cerrito, first. Joe DiPietro’s play will prepare you to appreciate annoying relatives, excessive feasting, and possible blind dates….