Neil LaBute Parallels 9/11 Attack & Lovers’ Psychodrama by Patricia L. Morin “The Mercy Seat,” under the creative direction of Allie Bailey at Los Altos Stage Company, cleverly exposes a caustic relationship between a younger man and an older woman. And she is his boss. Playwright Neil LaBute highlights gender differences that spill over…
Jeanne Sakata Celebrates an American Hero by Barry David Horwitz In Jeanne Sakata’s moving “Hold These Truths,” the incomparable Jomar Tagatac takes us into Gordon Hirabayashi’s mind when he stood up against FDR’s racist Executive Order 9066—taking his case to the Supreme Court. At S.F. Playhouse, Tagatac also plays judges, police, family, and friends—each…
Denmo Ibrahim Explores an Immigrant Family’s Alienation by Patricia L. Morin Marin Theatre Company and Storykrapht have created an avant-garde story form in both real time and on film, with an abundance of ingenious tech innovations. “Brilliant Mind” reminds us that who and what we become comes from family, culture, and nation. Playwright Deno…
Mark St. Germain’s Dr. Ruth: Refugee, Sniper, Sex Guru by Patricia L. Morin Cinnabar Theater introduces us to Dr. Ruth, a lively, four-foot-seven, 69-year-old, matronly immigrant woman who boldly asserts: “People don’t look at the elderly as sexual beings.” Karola Ruth Siegel was born in Germany in 1928, to Orthodox Jewish parents. She faced…