"Liberation" at Berkeley Rep will have a fired up audience tonight, for good reason. The criticisms are fair, critiques I chatted about with fellow critics a year ago after seeing the Broadway show, but I feel Wohl's script is very strong. My review for the @mercurynews.com #hellatheatre (gift link)
Review: Feminism is a work in progress in ‘Liberation’ at Berkeley Rep
Bess Wohl’s 2026 Pulitzer Prize- winning play is a clever and powerful reminder that change is difficult
www.mercurynews.com
November 5, 2026 at 12:33 AM
"Liberation" at Berkeley Rep will have a fired up audience tonight, for good reason. The criticisms are fair, critiques I chatted about with fellow critics a year ago after seeing the Broadway show, but I feel Wohl's script is very strong. My review for the @mercurynews.com #hellatheatre (gift link)
Sunday matinee at ZSpace. #wordforword #hellatheatre
October 25, 2026 at 9:03 PM
Sunday matinee at ZSpace. #wordforword #hellatheatre
For @kqedarts.bsky.social, I reviewed "Oh, Mary!" running at the Curran in San Francisco. Alaska Thunderfuck kicks some ass in this role. Through Nov. 1 #hellatheatre
In ‘Oh, Mary!,’ A Closeted President’s Unhinged Wife Draws Cackles | KQED
The Pulitzer-nominated musical has opened in San Francisco, with drag star Alaska as Mary Todd Lincoln.
www.kqed.org
October 20, 2026 at 5:30 AM
For @kqedarts.bsky.social, I reviewed "Oh, Mary!" running at the Curran in San Francisco. Alaska Thunderfuck kicks some ass in this role. Through Nov. 1 #hellatheatre
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley has a pretty snazzy production of "Dracula" running in Mountain view through Nov. 1. My review for the @mercurynews.com #hellatheatre (gift article) www.mercurynews.com/2026/10/19/r...
Review: TheatreWorks’ ‘Dracula’ is a delicious take on gothic classic
Great performances and stellar effects make this a show to remember
www.mercurynews.com
October 20, 2026 at 5:28 AM
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley has a pretty snazzy production of "Dracula" running in Mountain view through Nov. 1. My review for the @mercurynews.com #hellatheatre (gift article) www.mercurynews.com/2026/10/19/r...
Back in the City for the SFBATCO world premiere, on the job for the @mercurynews.com #hellatheatre
October 17, 2026 at 2:32 AM
Back in the City for the SFBATCO world premiere, on the job for the @mercurynews.com #hellatheatre
Ready. On the job for @kqedarts.bsky.social #hellatheatre
October 16, 2026 at 2:07 AM
Ready. On the job for @kqedarts.bsky.social #hellatheatre
As "Phantom" makes its 2nd Bay Area stop on the current tour, a familiar face is returning to SJ. Krista Wigle, who was on the entire 1990s SF run, returns to the South Bay, where she did lots of shows at 3Below in Downtown SJ. I spoke with Wigle for the @mercurynews.com #hellatheatre (gift link)
‘Phantom of the Opera’ actor rejoices in return to Bay Area
Krista Wigle has performed in many South Bay musical productions
www.mercurynews.com
October 9, 2026 at 8:23 PM
As "Phantom" makes its 2nd Bay Area stop on the current tour, a familiar face is returning to SJ. Krista Wigle, who was on the entire 1990s SF run, returns to the South Bay, where she did lots of shows at 3Below in Downtown SJ. I spoke with Wigle for the @mercurynews.com #hellatheatre (gift link)
Eureka Day at City Lights, on the job for the @mercurynews.com #hellatheatre
October 3, 2026 at 2:59 AM
Eureka Day at City Lights, on the job for the @mercurynews.com #hellatheatre
Seasons continue to kick off. Seated for Barcelona at SJ Stage by Bess Wohl, on the job for the @mercurynews.com #hellatheatre
September 27, 2026 at 8:58 PM
Seasons continue to kick off. Seated for Barcelona at SJ Stage by Bess Wohl, on the job for the @mercurynews.com #hellatheatre
Closing night with some of my favorite theater folk. Manning at Potrero Stage from Crowded Fire. Hanging with @juanmichaelii.bsky.social #hellatheatre
September 27, 2026 at 6:36 AM
Closing night with some of my favorite theater folk. Manning at Potrero Stage from Crowded Fire. Hanging with @juanmichaelii.bsky.social #hellatheatre
Fun one on tap tonight. Seated at Palo Alto Players for "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder. #hellatheatre
September 19, 2026 at 4:01 AM
Fun one on tap tonight. Seated at Palo Alto Players for "A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder. #hellatheatre
The staccato dialogue can sometimes feel inorganic, but when this play cooks, it really cooks (pun fully intended!) My review of "The Cook" by Eduardo Machado at Berkeley Rep for @kqedarts.bsky.social #hellatheatre www.kqed.org/arts/1399379...
In ‘The Cook’ at Berkeley Rep, Revolution Is in the Air — and the Kitchen | KQED
Eduardo Machado’s spellbinding play of political drama and family scandal spans four decades in Cuba.
www.kqed.org
September 18, 2026 at 2:49 AM
The staccato dialogue can sometimes feel inorganic, but when this play cooks, it really cooks (pun fully intended!) My review of "The Cook" by Eduardo Machado at Berkeley Rep for @kqedarts.bsky.social #hellatheatre www.kqed.org/arts/1399379...
Opening night at Berkeley Rep, on the job for @kqedarts.bsky.social #hellatheatre
September 10, 2026 at 3:00 AM
Opening night at Berkeley Rep, on the job for @kqedarts.bsky.social #hellatheatre
Hairspray at SF Playhouse! #hellatheatre
September 5, 2026 at 3:07 AM
Hairspray at SF Playhouse! #hellatheatre
I'll be an in-studio guest on @kqedforum.bsky.social at 9 am on Friday, 9/4 to chat about these shows. 88.5 on your FM dial, come through and give us a listen! #hellatheatre
'Oh, Mary!,' the riotous, side-splitting play by Cole Escola, will be led by drag superstar Alaska during its San Francisco run. Plus, shows from Oakland Theater Project, SFBATCO and more ⬇️
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13993037/best-plays-musicals-fall-2026-sf-berkeley-oakland-mill-valley-san-jose
https://www.kqed.org/arts/13993037/best-plays-musicals-fall-2026-sf-berkeley-oakland-mill-valley-san-jose
10 of the Best Plays and Musicals to See This Fall in the Bay Area | KQED
Including shows about a lost jazz neighborhood, a women’s revolution and Abraham Lincoln’s wife run amok.
www.kqed.org
September 3, 2026 at 11:49 PM
I'll be an in-studio guest on @kqedforum.bsky.social at 9 am on Friday, 9/4 to chat about these shows. 88.5 on your FM dial, come through and give us a listen! #hellatheatre
ROI at SF Playhouse. New space I have not been to, Creativity Theater. #hellatheatre #SanFrancisco
September 2, 2026 at 2:00 AM
ROI at SF Playhouse. New space I have not been to, Creativity Theater. #hellatheatre #SanFrancisco
Fell very hard for this charmer of a show, with a great local production in Downtown #SanJose. My review of City Lights production of #RidetheCyclone for the @mercurynews.com, show runs through 8/23, do not miss it! (gift link) #hellatheatre www.mercurynews.com/2026/07/28/r...
Review: Take a spin on City Lights’ wonderfully weird ‘Ride the Cyclone’
Dark musical comedy centers on youthful victims of a carnival ride gone tragically wrong.
www.mercurynews.com
July 29, 2026 at 4:55 AM
Fell very hard for this charmer of a show, with a great local production in Downtown #SanJose. My review of City Lights production of #RidetheCyclone for the @mercurynews.com, show runs through 8/23, do not miss it! (gift link) #hellatheatre www.mercurynews.com/2026/07/28/r...
World premiere at TheatreWorks! On the job for the @mercurynews.com #hellatheatre
July 12, 2026 at 2:40 AM
World premiere at TheatreWorks! On the job for the @mercurynews.com #hellatheatre
For the @mercurynews.com, I spoke w/ playwright Geetha Reddy and actor/Cupertino native Kapil Talwalkar about the world premiere "The Employee Dharma Handbook" at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. Inspired by the Cisco caste case of 2020, the comedy begins on 7/8 in Palo Alto #hellatheatre (gift article)
Cupertino native cast in world premiere of play about caste system
Kapil Talwalkar is featured in ‘The Employee Dharma Handbook’ at TheatreWorks.
www.mercurynews.com
June 30, 2026 at 4:22 PM
For the @mercurynews.com, I spoke w/ playwright Geetha Reddy and actor/Cupertino native Kapil Talwalkar about the world premiere "The Employee Dharma Handbook" at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. Inspired by the Cisco caste case of 2020, the comedy begins on 7/8 in Palo Alto #hellatheatre (gift article)
While the dialogue is snappy and smart, some situations and feel of the show still can use some development. So much to like about this world premiere, a co-production between Golden Thread and SFBATCO. My review of #ArabSpring for @kqedarts.bsky.social, thru July 12 in #SanFrancisco #hellatheatre
Sorting Through the Wreckage of an Immigrant Father’s Death
In San Francisco, the new play ‘Arab Spring’ explores family tension and Muslim tradition.
www.kqed.org
June 26, 2026 at 10:01 PM
While the dialogue is snappy and smart, some situations and feel of the show still can use some development. So much to like about this world premiere, a co-production between Golden Thread and SFBATCO. My review of #ArabSpring for @kqedarts.bsky.social, thru July 12 in #SanFrancisco #hellatheatre
Ritesh Batra's 2013 film #TheLunchbox is fantastic. The world premiere musical, now in its second extension at Berkeley Rep, is also wonderful. Kuhoo Verma is a star. The show runs through July 12. My review for the
@mercurynews.com #hellatheatre (gift link) www.mercurynews.com/2026/06/03/r...
@mercurynews.com #hellatheatre (gift link) www.mercurynews.com/2026/06/03/r...
Review: ‘The Lunchbox’ world premiere is a poignant pleasure at Berkeley Rep
World premiere musical at Berkeley Rep captures the power of friendship
www.mercurynews.com
June 26, 2026 at 8:46 PM
Ritesh Batra's 2013 film #TheLunchbox is fantastic. The world premiere musical, now in its second extension at Berkeley Rep, is also wonderful. Kuhoo Verma is a star. The show runs through July 12. My review for the
@mercurynews.com #hellatheatre (gift link) www.mercurynews.com/2026/06/03/r...
@mercurynews.com #hellatheatre (gift link) www.mercurynews.com/2026/06/03/r...
Closing weekend for "We Will Rock You" @ San Jose Stage. The script is very odd and not great, but this show is all about listening to kickass live Queen tunes and terrific performances, namely Nicholas Tabora as Killer Queen. My review for the @mercurynews.com #hellatheatre - thru 6/28 (gift link)
Queen songs reign supreme in flawed ‘We Will Rock You’
The musical built off Queen’s mighty song catalogue suffers from a ridiculous story line.
www.mercurynews.com
June 25, 2026 at 8:53 PM
Closing weekend for "We Will Rock You" @ San Jose Stage. The script is very odd and not great, but this show is all about listening to kickass live Queen tunes and terrific performances, namely Nicholas Tabora as Killer Queen. My review for the @mercurynews.com #hellatheatre - thru 6/28 (gift link)
Sunday matinee, on the job for the @mercurynews.com. #hellatheatre
June 7, 2026 at 9:06 PM
Sunday matinee, on the job for the @mercurynews.com. #hellatheatre
One of my all-time favorites. Lorca FTW. #hellatheatre #Oakland
June 6, 2026 at 2:33 AM
One of my all-time favorites. Lorca FTW. #hellatheatre #Oakland
Always love a brand new world premiere musical that hardly anyone has seen. On the job for the @mercurynews.com #hellatheatre
May 30, 2026 at 2:20 AM
Always love a brand new world premiere musical that hardly anyone has seen. On the job for the @mercurynews.com #hellatheatre