Sam Chanse Illuminates Need for Perseverance & Preservation by Patricia L. Morin On a small stage with four ottomans, used as seats and storage, Playwright Sam Chanse reminds us of our need for connections to people and nature. A huge video screen of a peaceful underwater ocean with swaying colorful coral reefs greets us….
Gogol’s Satire Highlights How Self-Deception Fuels Greed by Patricia L. Morin Jeffrey Hatcher’s adaptation of Nikolai Gogol’s 1836 comedy delights us with satire of small-town tyranny. In a Russian town, a panicked Mayor (versatile Steve Price) finds out from a letter that a Government Inspector will arrive “incognito.” The undercover Inspector will audit how…
Dave Malloy Melds Music, Madness in Brilliant Chorus by Barry David Horwitz Dave Malloy has gathered us at Berkeley Rep with his musical show from Signature Theatre in New York. We find ourselves in the basement of a church for a 12-step meeting where eight singers give up their phones and confess, “Hello, my…
Cleavon Smith Debates the Ways and Means of Racial Progress by Jennifer Ann Charron Students rally frequently at UC Berkeley’s Sproul Plaza. During protests, University Police are often called to seal off buildings and to “protect” people and property. All too often police clash with impassioned students in predictable outcomes. Playwright Cleavon Smith wisely…