Steve Murray - Page 2

What did our critic think of EVERY BRILLIANT THING at Center Repertory Company? Individual thoughts, moments and actions help define the lead characters evolving and ever-growing list in this poignant and uplifting one man performance piece starring  William Thomas Hodgson with direction by award-winning Jeffrey Lo (Vietgone, Chinglish, The Great Leap).

What did our critic think of TO KILL A MOCKINGBIRD at Golden Gate Theatre? That Harper Lee’s 1960 novel of racial prejudice and social justice is just as prescient today is a sad indictment of American culture. Academy award winner Aaron Sorkin (The Social Network) and Director Bret Sher (Tony Award winner, South Pacific) have crafted a beautifully staged and wonderfully acted production that has taken the nation by storm and hauntingly illuminates the social rifts as seen through the eyes of three children representing the innocence of youth.

What did our critic think of RUTHLESS at New Conservatory Theatre Center?

What did our critic think of GUYS AND DOLLS - A MUSICAL FABLE OF BROADWAY at SF Playhouse?

What did our critic think of DRAGON LADY at Marin Theatre Company?

What did our critic think of HARRY CLARKE at Berkeley Rep? Would that we could all disassociate from our childhood traumas and morph into bold, confident self-creations. For young Philip Brugglestein life in rural South Bend Indiana is a nightmare of paternal abuse and anti-gay bullying. His escape is talking in a Cockney accent culled from British movies, and after the death of his parents Philip moves to NYC and re-creates himself as Harry Clarke, replete with a fake history as tour manager for Sade.

What did our critic think of JOSHUA HENRY - AN EVENING OF BROADWAY AND SOUL at Venetian Room? Bay Area Cabaret opened its 2023/24 season with Tony-nominated (Carousel, The Scottsboro Boys, Violet) and Grammy Award-winning artist Joshua Henry who presented his take on retro-soul and R&B to an enthusiastic audience.

What did our critic think of WE ARE CONTINUOUS at New Conservatory Theatre Center?

What did our critic think of ROSSUM'S UNIVERSAL ROBOTS at Cutting Ball Theater?

What did our critic think of MRS. CHRISTIE at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley?

Little actual work is being done at the family travel agency being run by sisters Ayamma and Dede. Ayamma dreams of becoming the lead actor in a new movie by Nigeria’s hottest director even though she can’t act, while Dede paws through gossip magazines for details on Wale Owusu, Nigeria’s Sexiest Man Born and never misses her favorite Oprah-esque talk show ‘Adenikeh’.

What did our critic think of POTUS: OR, BEHIND EVERY GREAT DUMBASS ARE SEVEN WOMEN TRYING TO KEEP HIM ALIV at Berkeley Repertory Theatre?

What did our critic think of BEFORE THE SWORD at New Conservatory Theatre Center? An eccentric author takes on a troubled teen in NCTC’s World Premiere of Andrew Alty’s fictionalized account of the inspiration of the writing of T. H. White’s The Sword and the Stone. Well-researched and lovingly realized, Before the Sword becomes a metaphor for people struggling with their identities and becoming the people they were meant to be.

What did our critic think of CROWNS at Center Repertory Company? Can a play centered around hats sustain interest for an extended period – in the case of Regina Taylors spirited Crowns, the answer is a resounding yes. These hats, worn by African American women, are so much more than an accessory to their outfits, representing cultural traditions, family histories, and pride.

What did our critic think of WOLF PLAY at Shotgun Players? I love, love, love this production! It hits the trifecta of theatre – great writing, impeccable staging and courageous, authentic acting. Add in puppetry, boxing sequences, and wonderful set design and you’ve got a powerhouse that delivers a cogent, timely message about family structure, fractured humans and gay rights in a unique, totally absorbing structure.

What did our critic think of PIAF! THE SHOW at Herbst Theatre? Nathalie Lermitte brings her world-renowned tribute to the music of Edith Piaf to the Herbst Theatre for a one night only performance. Combining Piaf’s timeless songs and intimate projections, Lermitte channels Piaf’s spirit.

What did our critic think of HIPPEST TRIP - THE SOUL TRAIN MUSICAL at A.C.T. Toni Rembe Theatre? Soul Train, one of the longest running nationally syndicated variety shows, and its creator Don Cornelius are the subject of this Broadway bound musical backed by some heavy players. The anticipation was running high and the star-studded audience ready to boogie.  Unfortunately, the sensational dance numbers and wild costumes can’t save the train wreck of a book surprising provided by two-time Tony-nominated playwright Dominique Morisseau (Ain’t Too Proud- The Life and Times of the Temptations, The Detroit Project).

What did our critic think of ODYSSEY at Marin Theatre Company? Four women, each with similar stories of escape from persecution, forced relocation and separation anxiety bond over a reenactment of portions of Homer’s Odyssey in Lisa Peterson’s engaging and beautifully staged world premiere production commissioned by Tony award-winning The Acting Company that opens MTC’s 2023/24 season.

What did our critic think of CIRQUE DU SOLEIL CORTEO at Chase Center?

What did our critic think of MAHĀBHĀRATA at Z Space?