Taking a Tour Through Europe’s Top Historical Sites

After an extended period of confinement due to the ongoing pandemic, has seen the reintroduction of in-person theatre performances in the Bay Area since . Nevertheless, this return has been insufficient in comparison to pre-COVID levels of attendance and production. This year has been full of both turmoil and rebirth, including the resignations of long-time Berkeley Repertory Theatre managing director Susie Medak, as well as various artistic directors such as California Shakespeare Theater’s Eric Ting, San Francisco Shakespeare Festival’s Rebecca Ennals, AlterTheater’s Jeanette Harrison, and Marin Theatre Company’s Jasson Minadakis. Despite such considerable change, it is evident that progress is being made.

This year, in the midst of San Francisco’s EXIT Theatre and San Jose’s Dragon Productions Theatre Company both closing their doors and Cal Shakes announcing that it may not host any productions next year, the venerable Uers Playhouse reopened after a period of six years of rebuilding. Despite this unfortunate news, there was still an abundance of exceptional theatrical performances to be found on local stages throughout the year; I am honored to have been able to witness ten of the most memorable moments. To name some: “Indecent” at San Francisco Playhouse, Paula Vogel’s ingenious work which focuses on the Broadway premiere of Sholem Asch’s Yiddish play.

The gripping one-person play of Playwright Lucas Hnath, entitled “Dana H.”, presented by Berkeley Repertory Theatre, epitomizes the controversy surrounding its inception, which included the whole cast being arrested for obscenity. This is juxtaposed with the ever-increasing prevalence of antisemitism in Europe at the time. Under the direction of Susi Damilano, the production was hauntingly resonant, as evidenced by the wonderful cast who effortlessly shifted roles within a beautifully theatrical play-within-a-play. Jordan Baker gives a riveting performance as she embodies the words and voice of Playwright Hnath’s mother during her months-long abduction.

The true story, as well as the masterful direction of Les Waters, served to create a profoundly affecting and intense experience during the exclusive post-Broadway show of “Hadestown”; this unique drama entranced its audience with its irresistibly catchy mixture of folk, jazz, blues, and pop music, as well as its captivating and moving version of the timeless tragedy about Eurydice and Orpheus’ descent into Hades, which was set in a s Speakeasy. Special mention must be given to Kimberly Marable’s mesmerizing performance as Persephone, the exuberant ruler of the underworld.

Aurora Theatre Company’s rendition of Jonathan Spector’s “This Much I Know” is an exemplary production, guided by director Jackson Gay, that relays the story of a family wrestling with their emotional efforts to integrate public swimming pools in a Kansas city. The narrative spans multiple decades and the corresponding styles of the era, artfully narrated with eloquence, humor, and captivating performances. This thought-provoking piece provides a compelling perspective on this important subject.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s world premiere of “Goddess” boasted wonderful performances from Rajesh Bose as an obsessively pedantic psychology professor, Anna Ishida as his grief-stricken wife and Kenny Toll as a semi-reformed white supremacist. The musical, written by Jocelyn Bioh with songs by Michael Thurber, presented an African deity of music with propulsive rhythms, electrifying choreography from Darrell Grand Moultrie and stunning vocals from Amber Iman as the titular goddess.

In Summary

In summary, Aurora Theatre Company’s rendition of Jonathan Spector’s “This Much I Know” is an exemplary production, guided by director Jackson Gay, that artfully portrays the story of a family’s emotional efforts to integrate public swimming pools in a Kansas city. The narrative spanning multiple decades and its accompanying styles was eloquently narrated with humor and captivating performances. An engaging piece, it provides a thought-provoking perspective on this important subject.