Adrienne Price Rocks & Shocks with No Apologies by Robert M. Gardner When will we realize that difference is not dangerous, but rather enhances and strengthens US. In “The Red Shades: A Trans Superhero Rock Opera,” Adrienne Price celebrates the trans and queer superheroes who fought San Francisco Police at the 1966 Compton Cafeteria…
Cayman Ilika Channels Patsy Cline’s Genius by Robert M. Gardner At Lesher Center in Walnut Creek, I enjoyed Center REP’s retrospective of the short but brilliant career of country folk singer Patsy Cline. Cayman Ilika does a superb job of interpreting 27 of Patsy’s iconic songs. The songs range from the traditional “How Great…
Katori Hall Imagines King & a Mysterious Woman by Robert M. Gardner In “The Mountaintop,” playwright Katori Hall’s conversational dialogue makes us eager to hear more of the spirited interaction between two fully engaged actors: Fred Pitts and Damaris Divito. Director Sinjin Jones does a wonderful job opening their connection into a multifaceted tragicomedy….
Beth Wilmurt Revives Prophetic Musical Genius by Robert M. Gardner Song stylist and virtuoso keyboard artist Beth Wilmurt inhabits the skin of 60s folk icon Malvina Reynolds. She treats Reynolds with a sense of awe, but also exposes Reynolds’ conflicts. As Reynolds, Wilmurt appears alone in a recording booth struggling with rhythm and tempo. …