James Lapine Celebrates His Longtime Friend’s Genius by Robert M. Gardner At Contra Costa Civic Theatre, “Sondheim on Sondheim” emerges as a testament to the genius of composer Stephen Sondheim. James Lapine, his collaborator and friend, conceived and documented this unique Broadway combination of video interviews and Sondheim songs. Director Marilyn Langbehn does a…
Marvin K. White’s Haight Street Tour Evokes Summer of Love by Barry David Horwitz Walking up Haight Street again reminds me of that long ago Summer of Love in 1967. Even today, the street is painted with psychedelic murals, rock music wafts from storefronts, and rainbows of gay, straight, and gender fluid folks populate…
Geetha Reddy Joyfully Reclaims an Indian Masterpiece by K. Marguerite Caronna J Jha gives a stellar performance as the storyteller of Mahābhārata, an Indian epic rendered in a mere two hours of inspired acting and movement. Playwright Geetha Reddy carefully selects and condenses a retelling of both well-known and obscure tales. First presented at…
Star Finch’s Bold Banquet Bursts a Family’s Bubble by Barry David Horwitz Watching Margo Hall dictating Josephine’s wishes and plans into a laptop throws open a window into a mother’s soul. Hall’s Josephine is delightful and decisive. Hall persuades us that this brilliant woman may finally escape her lifelong Mommy-trap. Josephine has had enough…