149 stories by "Chuck Louden"
JESUS CHRIST SUPERSTAR RISES AGAIN. ROCK ON. Rock operas don't come much more iconic than Jesus Christ Superstar, and Berkeley Playhouse's electric new production makes it feel as urgent and…
A SUSPENSEFUL ONE-MAN MURDER MYSTERY The Gay community in San Francisco was shocked and terrified by a series of murders between 1974-75 committed by a serial killer known as "The Doodler." …
Currently playing at The New Conservatory Theater, Francis Grey and the Case of His Dead Boyfriend is a whirlwind one-man mystery that fuses elements of classic whodunits, camp, film noir, a…
THE THING ABOUT GREAT THEATER Directed by Tyne Rafaeli, Berkeley Rep's world premiere production of The Thing About Jellyfish delivers an emotionally resonant adaptation of Ali Benjamin's be…
San Francisco Ballet opened its season last weekend with Manon"the first in its "British Icons" series"a sumptuous and heartbreaking ballet by Sir Kenneth MacMillan. Based on Abbé Prévost'…
A SPONTANEOUS MOCKERY OF JUSTICE, INDEED Now on for a short run through January 26 at Walnut Creek's Lesher Theater, Synergy Theater brings an improvised spoof of the iconic TV series Law &a…
THIS TRULY IS HOLIDAY JOY Now playing this holiday season through January 5, 2025, down by The Embarcadero: The circus is in town. But not just any circus. Circus Bella, in a colorful Big To…
HOLIDAY CHEESE The Transcendence Theatre Company is based out of Sonoma County and is known for putting on live theater productions usually in the summer, often in actual wineries. They have…
A.C.T. ASKS US TO PONDER "WHY NOT" " BUT AFTER THIS UPDATED CAROL YOU'LL BE SCREAMING "WHY?!" Last holiday season, American Conservatory Theater (A.C.T.) announced that, after over 40 years,…
WITH ROTIMI AGBABIAKA KILLING IT AS PIRATE CAPTAIN HOOK, IT'S NO WONDER WHY THIS PETER PAN IS SUCH A TREASURE This holiday season, The Presidio Theater presents the fourth incarnation of Pan…
A CABARET IN THE HEART OF THE CASTRO Cabaret is a masterpiece of American musical theater that has been presented in a vast variety of musical and physical shapes and sizes since its premier…
This perennial favorite is back for its 19th year. This "drag" version of classic holiday-themed Golden Girls episodes seems to grow in popularity every year. Since its inception in 2005 whe…
WEAVING TOGETHER THE IMMIGRANT EXPERIENCE With our post election blues, and immigration becoming a hot button issue again, Jaja's African Hair Braiding sends a message of love, hope and fami…
"HOW LUCKY YOU ARE" TO SEE SEUSSICAL No one does youth and family theater better in the Bay Area than The Berkeley Playhouse. Everything they offer features classic and family friendly shows…
Club Oasis, San Francisco's premiere drag and cabaret theater showcases the best of Bay Area's queer community's talent, from fresh performers to campy remakes of pop culture and TV shows (t…
EXPLORING THE GULF IN A RELATIONSHIP New Conservatory Theater is premiering in it's West Coast debut, Audrey Cefaly's 2017 play The Gulf " An Elegy. This intense one-act two-hander traces th…
IT TAKES DAN HOYLE TO CREATE GREAT JOURNALISTIC THEATER San Franciscans pride themselves on their open mindedness towards all walks of life and outlooks. But do we really listen objectively …
THIS MUSICAL IS A GOLDRUSHER Post Pandemic, New Conservatory Theatre Center is continuing to branch out in its selection of theater offerings. Primarily known for stories about gay men, comi…
CHOIR BOYS TO MEN Shotgun Players in Berkeley is presenting the Bay Area premiere of the Tony-nominated play, Choir Boy. It's a fine fit. This one-year chronicle of a distinguished African-A…
FUNNY HOW IT GOES WRONG, BUT IT KEEPS GETTING WRONGER AND WRONGER AND… San Francisco Playhouse launches into its 2025-25 season with the fast-paced comedy: The Play That Goes Wrong. ÂÂ…
JAGGED WITH SOPHISTICATION A.C.T. is bringing back on stage to the Bay Area a tried and true favorite: Noël Coward's Private Lives. An ultimate comedy of manners, this three-act play cent…
STUNNING STORYTELLING Many times when I go to see a show, whether as a critic or just a patron, I'll come in not knowing in advance what I'm going to see. With a reputable theater company, m…
Arsenic and Old Lace, the classic black comedy about two sweet old sisters poisoning old men lodgers has been told on stage and screen for decades. This includes the original play written by…
LET THIS SILLY BLONDE MUSICAL ENTERTAIN YOU Post-pandemic, as the world is seemingly opening up, local theater and the arts have not rebounded. Many venues are suffering or have gone out of …
WHAT'S ALL THE HOO-HA? Last Saturday, Berkeley's Shotgun Players opened a play by Jen Silverman which is so provocative that some publications won't publish its full title: Collective Rage: …