Jim has been hooked on theater ever since being dazzled by a high school production of “Damn Yankees” in Wilmington, Delaware way back in 1972 featuring his older brother in a cameo role. Fortunately, his horizons have expanded just a bit since then. A longtime San Francisco resident, Jim is an avid theater- and dance-goer throughout the Bay Area. He has also followed the theater scene across the country and loves nothing more than the 3-show days that can occasionally be scheduled in New York City. For the record, he holds a BA in Theater Arts from SUNY Buffalo, but happily learned long ago that his skills as a discerning audience member far exceed his skills as an actor.
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First Show:
RaisinFavorite Show:
"Falsettoland" at the Lucille Lortel in 1990. Even though I'd seen and loved "March of the Falsettos," I somehow went in having no idea what this sequel of sorts was about. I was absolutely gutted. Living in that time of the worst of the HIV pandemic, it felt like having my community as they actually were reflected right back at me from the stage. Faith Prince was a sublime Trina (the best I've ever seen). Her "Holding to the Ground" haunted me for weeks afterwards. Lonny Price had stepped in as Mendel and gave that character so much gravitas it was heartbreaking. And, of course, Michael Rupert and Stephen Bogardus were unparalleled as Marvin and Whizzer. I don't know if I've ever laughed and cried so hard at a performance. Afterwards, I remember taking a long, silent walk down along the Hudson River with my husband just because we weren't yet ready to be back in the real world, the emotions the show had brought to the surface were still too raw. I've been fortunate to see the full two-act "Falsettos" many times since then, on Broadway, on tour, in regional theaters, but nothing can top that first exposure to "Falsettoland."Favorite Stories:
- Interview: Laura Benanti at the Lesher Center for the Arts is a Golden-Age Star for Our Times - Laura was so approachable, direct, honest and generous with her time that it felt like talking to an old friend. Among other things, we took a deep dive into her conception of the character of Eliza Doolittle. I learned so much from her and yet it was like two theater geeks just shooting the breeze. Easiest interview I've ever done, and after it was published her husband told her it was the best interview she'd ever given.
BWW Review: HAIRSPRAY at Bay Area Musicals Provides the Perfect Tonic for Our Times
July 19, 2019
July 19, 2019
Is the state of the world making you more than a little crazy these days? The president's latest racist rants gotcha down? Well, Bay Area Musicals' production of "Hairspray" just might be the perfect remedy to lift you out of your despair and make you believe in our collective power to triumph over all the nastiness out there. The show pulls off the neat trick of delivering an upbeat, larger than life entertainment while also conveying a powerful message about the need for us all to band together if we're going to extinguish racism, and a host of other isms along the way. Lessons from the civil rights movement are presented without the show ever feeling didactic or preachy.
BWW Interview: Francis Jue of THE LANGUAGE ARCHIVE at TheatreWorks Talks about His Unexpected Journey from Sondheim to TheatreWorks to Hwang & Tesori to 'Madam Secretary'
July 16, 2019
July 16, 2019
Broadway and TV actor Frances Jue is currently starring in TheatreWorks' production of Julia Cho's 'The Language Archive.' Mr. Jue recently talked to BroadwayWorld about his lengthy and surprising career path, from his formative experiences with Stephen Sondheim and TheatreWorks to working with Tony winners David Henry Hwang and Jeanine Tesori, and of course his continuing role on the CBS television series 'Madam Secretary.' His fascinating story serves as an inspiring example for anyone who doesn't see a clear path to success or struggles to find a place to fit in.
BWW Review: PASSION at Custom Made Theatre Co. Presents a Chamber Version of the Sondheim & Lapine Classic
July 8, 2019
July 8, 2019
Watching Stephen Sondheim & James Lapine's "Passion" recently at San Francisco's Custom Made Theatre reminded me what a difficult show it is to pull off. Although it contains several of the most rapturous songs Sondheim has ever composed, there is an underlying earnestness that can be unsettling to a post-modern audience inured to a world that is constantly commenting on itself. When the leading lady sings the plainspoken lyrics "Loving you is not a choice, it's who I am" she means it with all her heart and soul. Unusually for a Sondheim score, she doesn't follow that up with a complicated rhyme or self-lacerating zinger. Nope, this show is thrillingly about nothing more nor less than the nature of true love.
BWW Interview: Melissa Momboisse of HAIRSPRAY at Bay Area Musicals Shares the Joys and Challenges of Returning to a Favorite Role
July 2, 2019
July 2, 2019
Melissa Momboisse is thrilled to be returning to her favorite role of Penny Pingleton in Bay Area Musicals' new production of "Hairspray," running from July 6th to August 11th at San Francisco's Victoria theater. Ms. Momboisse (pronounced "mom-boyce") is a veritable fixture of the Bay Area musical theater scene, known for her energetic and varied performances in a long and eclectic list of roles. Melissa also courageously beat Stage IV Hodgkins' Lymphoma 3 years ago, and when she survives 2 more years she gets to officially call herself a cancer survivor. She recently spoke with BroadwayWorld by phone about the joys and challenges of maintaining a thriving theatrical career while dealing with serious health challenges.
BWW Interview: Michael Patrick Gaffney of THE OLDEST LIVING CATER WAITER at 42nd Street Moon
June 25, 2019
June 25, 2019
San Francisco's 42nd Street Moon is currently presenting the final production of its 2018-2019 season, Michael Patrick Gaffney's original one-man show 'The Oldest Living Cater Waiter.' Written and performed by Gaffney, it offers up delicious insights into his complicated and hilarious careers as both a professional actor and a high-end waiter to the stars. A longtime 'Moonie,' Gaffney recently spoke by phone with BroadwayWorld about the show's creative journey and the joys and challenges of his dual career path.
BWW Review: MAMMA MIA! Aims to Entertain at San Jose Stage Company
June 17, 2019
June 17, 2019
San Jose Stage Company concludes its 2018-19 season with the musical juggernaut 'Mamma Mia!.' On the plus side, it's refreshing to see a show created largely by women that focuses on strong female characters. On the minus side, the show requires a high tolerance for groan-inducing jokes and song lyrics that make no sense when shoehorned into an alien context.
BWW Interview: Acclaimed Playwright Luis Alfaro of OEDIPUS EL REY at Magic Theatre Talks about His Path & the Role of the Artist in Creating Change
June 14, 2019
June 14, 2019
Acclaimed playwright Luis Alfaro talks to BroadwayWorld about revisiting his 'Oedipus El Rey' currently playing at San Francisco's Magic Theatre, how he forged a path for himself in the theater world, his influences along the way, and the role of artists in creating change.
BWW Review: OEDIPUS EL REY at Magic Theatre Offers a Hauntingly Beautiful and Timely Update of the Oedipus Tale
June 10, 2019
June 10, 2019
The stunning production of Luis Alfaro's "Oedipus El Rey" currently running at the Magic Theatre is visually arresting, genuinely moving, and slyly humorous - oh, and also seriously sexy, all in a taut 95-minute running time. The Magic presented the world premiere of this play back in 2010 and is bringing it back in this new production as a legacy revival. Given the current, unsettling political discourse on immigrants, this revival could not feel more timely.
BWW Review: SCHOOL OF ROCK at San Jose Center For The Performing Arts
June 6, 2019
June 6, 2019
"Where Did the Rock Go?" is one of the lovelier ballads Andrew Lloyd Weber has written - redolent of longing for a younger self unencumbered by the responsibilities and attendant anxieties of adulthood. The title phrase is set to one of Lloyd Weber's patented ear worms that I defy you to get out of your head days after seeing the show, maybe ever. It comes in the middle of Act 2 of "School of Rock," the stage adaptation of the popular 2003 film, playing through Sunday, May 9th at the San Jose Center for the Performing Arts.
BWW Review: FLOWER DRUM SONG at Palo Alto Players Provides a Moving & Entertaining Portrait of the Asian Diaspora
May 13, 2019
May 13, 2019
Palo Alto Players presented a wonderfully stirring and delightfully entertaining production of Rodgers & Hammerstein's "Flower Drum Song."
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