FloraLynnIsaacson

Sara Porkalob was given a standing ovation last weekend at Marin Theatre Company following her amazing one-woman musical show Dragon Lady.  Porkalob’s energy and talent as a writer and performer is a joy to behold. She knows how to take the stage, sings like a superstar and acts with depth and emotion.

Like a gifted mimic, she changes her voice, accent, tone and mannerisms bringing multi-generational characters from her Filipino family to life. Kudo’s to Andrew Russell for his outstanding direction, Pete Irving for his beautiful original music and the live band Hot Damn Scandal (Irving, Mickey Stylin and Jimmy Austin) for never missing a beat.

The set is spectacular thanks to Randy Wong-Westbrooke (Scenic Design), Kahlil Gray (Carpenter) and Joshua Patterson (Painter).  A huge dragon tail frames the stage and set of the Red Dragon nightclub. The club’s seating areas are upholstered in rich, red silk and velvet. Eerie lighting (Spense Matubang), a smoky mist and a jukebox that plays itself create a surreal mood.

The creativity and talent from all of those involved in this production is truly inspiring, especially Porkalob who bravely takes on the subject of generational trauma and bares every emotion. Even after the show, she shed a few tears on stage and her belief that “it is never too late to atone for the pain we inflict on the ones we love most and to forgive ourselves for past regrets.”

Coming up next at Marin Theatre Company is Bees and Honey, a new play by Guadalis Del Carmen, February 15 to March 10, 2024.

Ross Valley Players celebrates the holidays with Joe Landry’s radio play version of It’s a Wonderful Life on stage now through December 17.  It’s a wonderful show and a lot of fun thanks to Director Adrian Elfenbaum’s “immensely gifted cast, imaginative and creative designers, stalwart crew and gracious producer (Steve Price).”

As the audience enters the theater, the actors are already onstage, apparently just arriving to work at a radio station decorated beautifully for the holidays.

Set Designer Mikiko Uesugi does a fantastic job setting the scene with fabulous details and color. There is a piano on one side, four microphones at the front and two tables behind. On the tables are various objects to create sound effects that compliment the story the radio actors will perform.

Normally a “Foley” artist performs the sound effects, but Elefenbaum thought it would be clever to have the actors performing the effects and music themselves.  Luckily he found a group of multitalented actors capable of performing both music and various dramatic roles.

Loren Nordlund (Freddie) deserves special recognition for his acting as Mr. Potter, the angel, cabdriver and more. His music direction, original music and arrangements are incredible.  Evan Held (Jake) stands out playing both young and old George Bailey and Elenor Irene Paul (Sally) compliments him well in the role of George’s wife Mary.  Molly Rebekka Benson (Lana) has great energy and range in her multiple roles especially playing Violet, Rose, Ruth, Zuzu and Sadie.

Malcolm Rodgers (Harrry Jazzbo Heywood) plays Harry, Bert the Cop, Sam Wainwright and he also plays guitar and sings. All of these fine actors bring the era and story to life—making for a standing ovation from the audience at the end of the show.

This production is thoroughly enjoyable from start to finish.  Elfenbaum succeeds in his goal to “inspire us during this holiday season to always cherish the reality that we depend on each other and we need each other.”

Kudos also to Michael Berg for excellent costumes, Billie Cox (Sound), Michael Walraven (Set) and the entire production team for their dedication and talent.

Coming up next at Ross Valley Players is Our Town by Thornton Wilder and directed by Chloe Bronzan, January 26 to February 25, 2024.

Ross Valley Players presented two spectacular benefit performances of The Best of Edgar Allen Poe,October 21 and 22 at the Barn Theater in Ross. Conceived and composed by Billie Cox and directed by Ellen Brooks, the show featured five talented actors and Scrumbly Koldwyn-Beck on piano.

Photo by Jere Torkelsen

Don’t miss Novato Theater Company’s new musical comedy, The Addams Family, on stage now through October 8.  Based on the book by Marshall Brickman and Rick Elice, with music and lyrics by Andrew Lippa, this fun-filled production entertains from start to finish.

Marilyn Izdebski (Director/Choreographer) and Judy Wiesen (Music Direction & Keyboard) lead the large talented cast, crew and team of designers including Michael Walraven (Scenic), Frank Sarubbi (Lighting), Tracy Redig (Costume), Cindy Morris (Property) and Mark Shephard (Art).

The spacious set is spooktacular thanks to Walraven, Shephard and Kristy Arroyo (Specialty Painting). Front and center is a large door to a crypt. A wrought iron staircase on each side leads to a balcony with a haunted house in the background surrounded by spooky trees. Inside the crypt are “the ancestors,” a macabre group of ten singing and dancing ghosts dressed in white.

The overture features the familiar Addams Family song from television and the audience claps along. Soon the ancestors and Cousin Itt (with his signature long hair) take the stage followed by the whole family singing “When You’re An Addams.”  A scary looking Fester (Pat Barr) follows with an ironically tender performance of the song “But Love.”

The next tune in Act One, “Wednesday’s Growing Up,” is captivating. Performed by Bruce Vieira as Gomez Addams, the lyrics explain how daughter Wednesday has fallen in love with a “normal” young man. But Gomez must keep his daughter’s budding relationship a secret from his wife Morticia (Alison Peltz), at least for a while. Vieira and Peltz are tremendous in their roles. Their comedic timing and on-stage chemistry are a joy to watch.

HarriettePearl Fugitt is brilliant as Wednesday. She sings “Pulled” (with Robin Kraft as brother Pugsley) and “One Normal Night” with power and emotion. John Diaz is spot on as her smitten beau Lucas Beineke.

In Act Two, the Addams family invites Lucas’ parents, who are visiting from Ohio, to dinner. Alice and Mal Beineke (played by Jane Harrington and David Shirk) are convincing as the straight-laced, conservative couple nothing like Gomez and Morticia. Harrington is really funny when her character accidentally drinks some of Grandma Addams’ potion of “acrimonium,” losing her Midwest inhibitions and breaking into the song “Waiting.” The honesty in the lyrics ends up helping the Beineke’s marriage and brings an ultimate resolution between the two families and their children.  With help from their ancestors, friends and relatives, Wednesday and Lucas may actually have a chance at love despite the odds.

Other stand out performers deserving special mention include Kayla Gold who is hilarious as Grandma and Todd Krish (whose weird voices as Lurch) add much to the show.  Robin Kraft, the youngest cast member (sharing the role of Pugsley with Milo Ward) deserves special recognition for his incredible acting and singing. Kudos to the actors playing Cousin Itt (Lyra Wiesen, Alyse Levash,Cruz Galvez and Maison Sarkisian)–the show would not be complete without this strange character.

The Addams Family will make you laugh and smile. Director Marilyn Izdebski succeeds in her goal with the show–“to bring joy and love to everyone who watches.”

Coming up next at Novato Theater Company is Spamalot with book and lyrics by Eric Idle, music by John Du Prez & Eric Idle, directed by Larry Williams, music direction by Daniel Savio and choreography by Marilyn Izdebski, February 9 to March 3, 2024.

By Flora Lynn Isaacson & Co-written by Lori Wood

Ross Valley Players celebrates its 94th season with The Glass Menagerie on stage now through October 14. The show opened for one weekend in March 2020, then closed due to the pandemic. Some of the original team has returned along with new cast, crew and designers to produce an entertaining and moving production of Tennessee Williams’ classic drama.

David Abrams does a fine job as director and also acts in the role of Tom Wingfield, a young man living with his mother Amanda (Tamar Cohn) and sister Laura (Tina Traboulsi) in a small St. Louis apartment in 1937. The only other character is Tom’s friend Jim O’Connor played by Jesse Lumb. These extraordinary actors along with a fabulous production team bring the fragile existence of these characters to life.

As the play begins we see Tom staggering home after a heavy night of drinking. Abrams brings out the character’s discontent, boredom and ambivalence with the obligations he feels to his single mother and sister.

Traboulsi is brilliant in the role of Laura. Her voice, movements and mannerisms well reflect a shy young woman whose main interest in life is her collection of small glass animal figurines.

Cohn is spectacular and convincing playing Amanda, a middle aged woman who escapes her disappointment with denial and memories of her youth as a Southern belle surrounded with beauty, grace and charm.

Lumb is excellent as Jim, the friend and hoped for (by Amanda) gentleman caller for Laura. Lumb is spot on as the promising kind suitor. When he and Laura meet, they discover they knew each other in high school and slowly, with the help of a little wine and a dance, Laura begins to come out of her shell. The two actors shine in the last half hour of the play. Their acting is truly outstanding.

Kudos to Michael Berg (Costumes), Billie Cox (Sound), Tom O’Brien (Set) and the entire production team for their dedication and talent, especially Steve Price (Producer). Coming up next at Ross Valley Players is It’s a Wonderful Life by Joe Landry and directed by Adrian Eifenbaum, November 17-December 17.

Don’t miss one of the best musical productions of the year—Guys and Dolls now through July 30 at Sonoma Arts Live. Based on the book by Jo Swerling and Abe Burrows, Director Larry Williams brings New York City in the 1950’s to life with a fine cast of “colorful characters, bustling gangsters, sassy showgirls, and mission workers.” The live orchestra led by Sherrill Peterson (Musical Director) is fantastic performing Frank Loesser’s familiar songs including “Luck Be a Lady” and “I’ve Never Been In Love Before.”

The play begins with a lovely overture and dance movements by the cast foreshadowing events to come. The story revolves around a gambler, Nathan Detroit (Skyler King), and Miss Adelaide (Jenny Villeux), a nightclub singer who have been engaged for 14 years. Also central to the plot is another gambler and friend of Nathan’s–Sky Masterson (Andrew Smith). Ironically, Sky becomes smitten with a local God-fearing mission worker trying to save the world (Sarah Brown played by Maeve Smith). Both couples’ chemistry is electric–a joy to watch. Other performers that stand out include Jonathen Blue as Nicely Nicely (his Broadway quality voice is incredible) and Owen Hardisty as Benny Southstreet.

The entire large cast has great energy and timing. It was a great idea to block many of the scenes right in the audience space. The cast moves on and off the stage, and up and down the aisles making the audience feel part of it all. The choreography is very entertaining (Liz Andrews) and the costumes beautiful (Barbara McFadden & Sylvia Gregory). Kudos to Emily Cornelius (Stage Manager) Gary Gonser (Set Design), Frank Sarubbi (Light Design), Jaime Love (Artistic Director) and Rick Love (Executive Director) for all their contributions bringing this grand and spectacular production together.

Coming up next at Sonoma Arts Live is Dames at Sea September 8-24 directed by Larry Williams with musical direction by Jonathen Blue.

Co-written by Lori Wood

Marin Shakespeare’s annual summer festival begins with Hamlet running now through July 16 at Forest Meadows Amphitheatre at Dominican University in San Rafael. Director Jon Tracy’s brilliant adaptation moves the story from the year 1600 to the present. Lovely contemporary costumes (Miyuki Bierlein, Luisa Frasconi), interesting scenery (Nina Ball) and modern props (Joy Gonzales) all complement Shakespeare’s timeless dialogue.

As the play begins, Lady Zen (as the Clown King) shines with a powerful song that almost stopped the strong winds blowing through Forest Meadows on opening weekend. Yes, the wind blew fiercely on the audience and outdoor stage occasionally muffling the sound coming from the actors, but their fine talent made it all worthwhile.

Written around 1600, the story revolves around Denmark’s young Prince Hamlet (Nick Musleh) who is visited by his late father’s ghost. The Ghost of King Hamlet says he was murdered by his brother Claudius (Michael Torres) and wants revenge. Claudius (also Hamlet’s uncle) has become King of Denmark and is now married to Hamlet’s mother Gertrude (Bridgette Loriaux). With help from his friends Horatio and Guildenstern (both played by Stevie DeMott), Rosencrantz (Rinabeth Apostol), the beautiful Ophelia (désirée freda) and her father Polonius (Richard Pallaziol), Hamlet seeks the truth but only finds madness and tragedy.

Kudos to Producer Lesley Currier for keeping Shakespeare alive and offering Marin a fantastic summer theater experience year after year.

Co-written by Lori Wood

Michael Girts (Will Shakespeare) and Rachel Kaiulani Kennealy (Viola) star in Shakespeare in Love at Novato Theater Company.

Novato Theater Company presents Shakespeare in Love now through June 11. Don’t miss this amusing and enjoyable production of the Academy Award winning screenplay by Marc Norman and Tom Stoppard (adapted by Lee Hall). The Elizabethan world of William Shakespeare is brought to life thanks to Nic Moore’s and Gillian Eichenberger’s fine direction, an extraordinary cast and a talented production team.

The plot revolves around William Shakespeare (Michael Girts) and Viola De Lesseps (Rachel Kaiulani Kennealy), an aristocratic young woman who yearns to act in Shakespeare’s plays. Viola becomes Will’s inspiration and his muse as he struggles to write Romeo and Juliet. With additional support from his good friend Kit Marlowe (Michel Benton Harris) and many other characters, Will conquers his writer’s block, falls in love and produces a masterpiece.

Girts, Kennealy and Harris are exceptional in the main roles. The supporting cast is equally brilliant. Michele Sanner is commanding as Queen Elizabeth I, one of Will’s greatest benefactors. Glenn Havlan cleverly plays Hugh Fennyman, the “money man” behind Will’s plays at the Rose Theater owned by Philip Henslowe (David Noll).  Arup Chakrabarti is spirited and funny as Ned Alleyn, the arrogant actor/manager of the Rose and Tomás Fiero gives an intense performance as Richard Burgage, the actor/owner of the rival Curtain Theater. Supporting performances that stand out include Paul Gusciora as Edmund Tilney, Thomas Peterson as Lord Wessex and Kim Bromley as the Nurse.

Jody Branham’s amazing Elizabethan costumes add much to the show. Branham goes all out in her design using colorful, rich fabrics like velvet, fur and satin along with ruffled neck collars, jewels, feathers and leather to dress the characters from head to toe.

Special thanks to Marilyn Izdebski (Producer) for co-sponsoring this play with Merri Martori.

Co-written by Lori Wood

Ross Valley Players’ final offering of their 93^rd season is a comedy, Native Gardens, on stage now through June 11 at the Barn Theater in Ross. The story is written by Karen Zacarias (founder of Latinx Theatre Commons and Young Playwrights Theater) and directed by Mary Ann Rodgers who has won multiple awards from the SF Bay Area Theater Critics Circle for her acting and directing. The actors extraordinary talent (especially Steve Price) and the fine work from the production team make this show a real winner!

Audiences are immediately impressed by the magnificent set—thanks to the creativity of Malcolm Rodgers (Set & Property Design), Dhyanis Carniglia (Scenic Painter) and Michael Walraven (Set Construction). Running down the middle of the stage is a single fence separating two back yards. On one side is an award-winning, colorful garden brimming with beautiful non-native plants and flowers. It is tended by Frank Butley (Steve Price), and his wife Virginia (Ellen Brooks) an older couple who have lived there for many years. The Butley’s are excited that a young couple has just moved in next door. Hoping to make friends, they welcome the new neighbors, the Del Valle’s, with chocolate and wine.

The Del Valle’s are expecting a baby any day. Even so, Tania Del Valle (Jannely Calmell) and her husband Pablo (Eric Esquivel-Gutierrez), an attorney, are eager to impress his colleagues at the firm who are coming for a backyard barbecue in less than a week’s time.  Tania and Pablo decide a more attractive new fence is in order and Tania’s plan to create an earth-friendly, native garden is fast-tracked, creating a conflict as the property line comes into question.

As the story develops, familiar stereotypes, prejudices and historical controversies all come into play, but Zacarias’ humor is added into the mix. A brilliant, laugh out loud ending brings all the characters together despite their differences.

This fall Ross Valley Players presents The Glass Menagerie, written by Tennessee Williams and directed by David Abrams, September 15-October 15.

Co-written by Lori Wood

The current production at Masquers Playhouse in Richmond showcases Jaclyn Backhaus’ On the Moors Now, March 17-April 8. As part of their 2023 season tribute to women, the show features a female playwright (Backhaus), director (Angelina LaBarre) and protagonists.

Backhaus brings together familiar Victorian literary characters, matches them with “modern sensibilities” and transports them to “an in-between world of the 1800’s and today” according to LaBarre. In this surreal place, Jo (Little Women), Cathy (Wuthering Heights), Elizabeth (Pride & Prejudice) and Jane (Jane Eyre) meet, become friends and create new stories for their lives.

Isabella DaSilva (Elizabeth), Maelle Griffin (Jo), Anna Oglesby-Smith (Cathy) and Alix Josefski (Jane) all distinguish themselves in their roles. Oglesby-Smith’s moving narrations and Josefski’s comedic timing stand out. Austin Trenholm (Darcy), Kyle Carillo-Enders (Laurence), Oz Sobal (Heathcliffe) and Diego Loza (Rochester) are equally talented as the male counterparts.

Jon Hull frames the set with pages ripped from books by Austen, Alcott and the Bronte sisters indicating their stories have been pulled apart. His design captures the eeriness of the Moors in the background and lighting by Gill Stanfield sets the mood. Masquers productions consistently feature lovely and authentic costumes and this production is no exception. Mara Norleen’s costume design is dazzling.

While the storyline is sometimes hard to follow, the actors’ and production team’s talent and commitment to the show make it easy to enjoy.

Coming up next at Masquers is Roe, June 9 to July 2, written by Lisa Loomer and directed by Michael Sally.

Co-written by Lori Wood