Vichet Chum Dives into Cambodian Sisters’ Debate on Mother’s Death by Patricia L. Morin “Bald Sisters” engages us in a microscopic view of two estranged sisters’ reactions to their Ma’s death. A looming question fuels their differences: “What will we do about the body?” Ma left no will. Vichet Chum’s play has heavy psychological…
Regina Taylor Celebrates Southern Black Women’s “Hatitude” by Robert M. Gardner Playwright Regina Taylor’s “Crowns” explodes with talent in this larger than life musical on Black life and culture. Director Delicia Turner Sonnenberg impresses us with flair and style. Scenic Designer Nina Ball’s abstract wooden arches form an inspired church setting. “Crowns” has a…
Wayne Harris Artfully Merges Three Angles on Prostitution by Robert M. Gardner Writer-Director Wayne Harris has re-opened his masterpiece “Train Stories” at The Marsh, Berkeley. His three storytellers have separate views of a railroad story from the 1948 pre-Civil Rights time. Each man has a singular revelation about a girl named Jesse Blueribbons. As…
Taylor Mac’s Absurdist Tragedy Faces Despair with Jokes by K. Marguerite Caronna Murder, mayhem, dismemberment, cruelty toward women, all drive Taylor Mac’s answer to Shakespeare’s bloody tragedy. At Oakland Theater Project, Emilie Whelan directs a fast paced, skillful performance of Mac’s sequel to Shakespeare’s scandalous early tragedy “Titus Andronicus.” With roots in Greek myth,…