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.
Review: A MUSICAL CONVERSATION ABOUT STEPHEN SONDHEIM Sheds New Light on the Composer's Genius
March 22, 2023
March 22, 2023
What did our critic think of A MUSICAL CONVERSATION ABOUT STEPHEN SONDHEIM at Hershey Felder Presents? BroadwayWorld reviews pianist-actor Hershey Felder's fascinating and entertaining new film exploring the composer's genius.
Review: THE COLORS OF DANCE at San Francisco Ballet Is Truly a Thing of Beauty
March 16, 2023
March 16, 2023
What did our critic think of THE COLORS OF DANCE at San Francisco Ballet? BroadwayWorld reviews SFB's 'The Colors of Dance,' a gorgeous new program of 3 contemporary ballets running through March 19th at the War Memorial Opera House.
Interview: Greta Oglesby of FANNIE: THE MUSIC AND LIFE OF FANNIE LOU HAMER at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Has Clearly Found Her Calling
March 9, 2023
March 9, 2023
BroadwayWorld speaks with acclaimed actor Greta Oglesby about playing a civil rights icon in Cheryl L. West's 'Fannie: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer' running at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley through April 2.
Review: GISELLE at San Francisco Ballet Casts an Otherworldly Spell
February 28, 2023
February 28, 2023
What did our critic think of GISELLE at San Francisco Ballet? BroadwayWorld reviews SFB's stunning production of 'Giselle,' a classic ballet that still has the power to startle and move us, running through March 5th at the War Memorial Opera House.
Interview: Hershey Felder of GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE at Mountain View Center For The Performing Arts Reprises the Role that First Brought Him International Acclaim
February 24, 2023
February 24, 2023
BroadwayWorld chats with virtuoso pianist/actor/playwright Hershey Felder about returning to the Bay Area in 'George Gershwin Alone,' the show that initially brought him international acclaim. It will run in a strictly limited engagement at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts March 2nd to March 5th
Interview: Ashley Cowl of ANYTHING GOES at 42nd Street Moon Straps on Her Tap Shoes to Play Reno Sweeney
February 21, 2023
February 21, 2023
BroadwayWorld chats with Ashley Cowl, who is starring as Reno Sweeney in 42nd Street Moon's new production of Cole Porter's gloriously tuneful and riotously funny 'Anything Goes' in San Francisco February 23 to March 12.
Review: THE HEADLANDS at A.C.T. Tells a True Crime Tale That Hits Close to Home
February 17, 2023
February 17, 2023
What did our critic think of THE HEADLANDS at A.C.T.? BroadwayWorld Christopher Chen's beguiling true crime tale that also serves as a love letter to San Francisco, running now through March 5th.
Interview: Luis Alfaro of THE TRAVELERS at Magic Theatre Explores the Heartland, Our Migrant Roots & Lost Connections
February 15, 2023
February 15, 2023
BroadwayWorld talks to celebrated playwright Luis Alfaro about the world premiere production of his new play 'The Travelers' running at San Francisco's Magic Theatre February 15 to March 5. The play explores the heartland, our immigrant roots and lost connections.
Interview: Darren Drone & Chanáe Curtis of FALSTAFF at Opera San José Represent the New Face of Opera
February 3, 2023
February 3, 2023
BroadwayWorld chats with baritone Darren Drone & soprano Chanae Curtis, stars of Verdi's comedic masterpiece 'Falstaff' at Opera San Jose February 11-26. The 2 up-and-coming singers represent the new face of opera.
Review: NEXT@90 FESTIVAL - BLANC / SCHREIER / POSSOKHOV PREMIERES at San Francisco Ballet Presents a Trio of Striking Dances Set to Glorious Music
January 27, 2023
January 27, 2023
What did our critic think of NEXT@90 FESTIVAL - BLANC / SCHREIER / POSSOKHOV PREMIERES at San Francisco Ballet? BroadwayWorld reviews the 3rd program of San Francisco Ballet's 'next@ 90 festival' of world premieres, running through February 7th. It's a consistently transporting evening of dance.
Interview: Claude Jackson, Jr. of CASHED OUT at San Francisco Playhouse Explores the Struggles and Triumphs of Battling Addiction within the Native American Community
January 25, 2023
January 25, 2023
BroadwayWorld chats with Native American playwright Claude Jackson, Jr. about his play 'Cashed Out' enjoying its world premiere at San Francisco Playhouse January 26 to February 25.This frank and touching play tells the story of 3 generations of women living on the Gila River Indian Community Reservation in Arizona and their battles with addiction.
Review: NEXT@90 CANIPAROLI / BREINER / OISHI PREMIERES at San Francisco Ballet Shows Just How Thrillingly Relevant Ballet Can Be
January 24, 2023
January 24, 2023
What did our critic think of NEXT@90 CANIPAROLI / BREINER / OISHI PREMIERES at San Francisco Ballet? BroadwayWorld reviews the 2nd program of San Francisco Ballet's 'next@90' festival featuring immensely rewarding world premieres by Val Caniparoli, Bridget Breiner & Yuka Oishi.
Review: NEXT@90 GARLAND / ROBERTS / ROWE PREMIERES at San Francisco Ballet Offers a Trio of World Premieres
January 23, 2023
January 23, 2023
What did our critic think of NEXT@90 GARLAND / ROBERTS / ROWE PREMIERES at San Francisco Ballet? BroadwayWorld reviews the first program of San Francisco Ballet's 'next@90' festival featuring an eclectic lineup of world premieres by choreographers Robert Garland, Jamar Roberts & Danielle.
Interview: Michael Barakiva of IN EVERY GENERATION at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Revisits His Own Family Memories of Passover in This Inherently Theatrical Play
January 18, 2023
January 18, 2023
BroadwayWorld talks to acclaimed director Michael Barakiva about his new production of Ali Viterbi's award-winning 'In Every Generation' playing at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley through February 12th.
Review: AS YOU LIKE IT at San Francisco Playhouse Offers a Vision of a Truly Inclusive Community
December 20, 2022
December 20, 2022
What did our critic think of AS YOU LIKE IT at San Francisco Playhouse? BroadwayWorld reviews Shaina Taub & Laurie Woolery's fanciful musical adaptation of Shakespeare's 'As You Like It' running through January 14 at San Francisco Playhouse.
Interview: Unique Derique of FOOL LA LA: HOLIDAY GIFT! at The Marsh Berkeley Is All About Joy & Gratitude
December 19, 2022
December 19, 2022
BroadwayWorld chats with master clown Unique Derique (aka Lance McGee) about 'Fool La La: Holiday Gift!' his whimsical show combining vaudeville and African American hambone at The Marsh Berkeley December 21 to 30.
Review: LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Takes a New Look at the Campy Cautionary Musical Tale
December 14, 2022
December 14, 2022
What did our critic think of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley? BroadwayWorld reviews TheatreWorks Silicon Valley's new production of Howard Ashman and Alan Menken's 'Little Shop of Horrors' reset in San Francisco's Chinatown.
Review: NUTCRACKER at San Francisco Ballet Delivers a Flurry of Holiday Cheer
December 12, 2022
December 12, 2022
What did our critic think of NUTCRACKER at San Francisco Ballet? BroadwayWorld reviews San Francisco Ballet's wondrous production of the classic Tchaikovsky holiday balletr.
Interview: Jeffrey Lo of LITTLE SHOP OF HORRORS at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Offers a Fresh Take on the Beloved Musical
December 12, 2022
December 12, 2022
BroadwayWorld chats with Jeffrey Lo about TheatreWorks Silicon Valley's new production of 'Little Shop of Horrors' that he is directing. Lo has reset the action to San Francisco's Chinatown to explore the musical's underlying themes of cross-cultural community.
Interview: Bill English of AS YOU LIKE IT at San Francisco Playhouse Loves Everything That Theatre Can Do
November 22, 2022
November 22, 2022
BroadwayWorld talks to Bill English, Artistic Director & Co-Founder of San Francisco Playhouse, about his new production of the musical adaptation of Shakespeare's 'As You Like It' featuring an rollicking folk-pop score by Shaina Taub running November 17 to January 14.
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