Millennial Notes Gordon Dahlquist Reminds US about Revolutionary History by Hamilton Nguyen Using recent political outrages and straight-forward language, “Tea Party” touches on history, politics, and social issues. The rapid-fire dialogue blasts through the audience leaving us shell-shocked and impressed: AGENT: This isn’t some masculinity contest. Please, you’re used to controlling the conversation—whether it’s…
Lorraine Hansberry Revival Reminds Us of Our Opportunities by Kristina Lovato & Gabriela Santis In his eloquent poem “Harlem,” Langston Hughes asks, “What happens to a dream deferred? / Does it dry up / like a raisin in the sun?” Lorraine Hansberry selected those words for the title of her 1959 masterpiece drama. Hansberry’s play directly…
Millennial Notes Lauren Yee Recalls Cambodian Tragedy via Rock Band Cyclo by Erin Weitzman It can’t be easy to direct a play that is simultaneously a comedy and a rock concert while telling a story about genocide. But director Chay Yew balances humor and terror adroitly. He captivates us with seamless scene transitions and…
Lauren Yee Showcases Talented Cast in Rock Concert + Tragedy by Karen Caronna Lauren Yee’s “Cambodian Rock Band” musical at Berkeley Rep showcases an amazingly multi-talented cast. Travel in Cambodia often reveals a country of beauty and artistic heritage, but also deep sorrow. Lauren’s Yee’s “Cambodian Rock Band” seeks to fuse the joy of…