Flora Lynn Isaacson

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

Don’t miss Ross Valley Players current production, Pride and Prejudice, The Musical. Adapted for the stage by Josie Brown, Jane Austen’s timeless story comes to life thanks to outstanding direction by Phoebe Moyer, incredible music and lyrics by Rita Abrams and fine orchestrations by Wayne Green and Jack Prendergast.

When the musical was first performed in 2016 at the Cowell Theater in San Francisco, Moyer found it “clever and inventive…with some fun and enchanting modern interpretations.” She suggested RVP produce the show and it was added to the 2020 season, then cancelled due to the pandemic. Moyer is “very relieved and very happy to finally present this very special show.” She dedicates the production to the memory of her husband Charles Brousse (producer, playwright and theater critic).

Set in Meryton England in the “Year of our Lord and King George III—1813,” the story revolves around the Bennet family’s five “marriageable” daughters, in particular protagonist Elizabeth Bennet (Lily Jackson). Lizzy meets local aristocrat Fitzwilliam Darcy (Evan Held) whose arrogance causes them to clash from the start, but as the story develops, so does love, and not only for Lizzy and Darcy!

The large cast’s fine acting and singing satisfies the audience for the entire show –2 hours 45 minutes with one 15 minute intermission.   The set is charming (Tom O’Brien & Michael Walraven) and costumes authentic (Adriana Gutierrrez).

Pride and Prejudice, The Musical runs March 17-April 16 at the Barn Theater in Ross.

Coming up next at RVP is Native Gardens by Karen Zacarias and directed by MaryAnn Rodgers, May 12-June 11.

Co-written by Lori Wood

Each season, Ross Alternative Works (RAW) presents an original play by a local playwright.  This year’s show, Reservations by Joe Barison is superb! Director Michael Cohen says Barison’s play “hilariously captures the absurdity of artistic aspirations including the highs, lows, the insecurity and lack of acceptance…I am honored Joe has trusted me with his art…I hope we can make you laugh and give you something to think about!”

The play delves into the lives of creative individuals unable to make a living through their artistic pursuits.  The story is set in the present, at a hotel in Manhattan. Melissa (Kara S. Poon), the hotel bellhop who is also a documentary filmmaker, shows Alan (an aspiring writer played by Evan Held) to his room.  He discovers the hotel is sold-out and since no other hotels have space, the second bed in his room has been mistakenly reserved for someone he has never met–a painter named Gail (TinaTraboulsi). Alan and Gail agree to share the space and as the story progresses, the artists are forced to come to terms with their shared hopes, dreams, pain and despair. Humor carries them and the show through.

Actor Evan Held (last seen in RVP’s fall production of Picnic), Poon and Traboulsi are all a delight to watch. Held’s portrayal is truthful and emotional, while Poon and Traboulsi beautifully capture the essence and nuance of their characters. Michael-Paul Thomsett, Helen Kim, Maxine Sattizahn and David Noll round out this fine cast of actors. Bravo to Michael Cohen for his outstanding direction and kudos to the production team including Lyra Smith (Stage Manager), Michele Samuels (Lighting Design), Michael Berg (Costumes) and Isaiah Tweed (Set Builder).

Reservations runs through February 12 at the Barn Theater, Marin Art & Garden Center, Ross.

Coming up next at Ross Valley Players is Pride and Prejudice, the Musical adapted from Jane Austen’s novel by Josie Brown featuring music and lyrics by Rita Abrams and directed by Phoebe Moyer, March 17-April 16.

Co-written by Lori Wood

Cinnabar Theater’s recent two-person show, Daddy Long Legs, featured married actors Brittany Law Hasbany (Jerusha Abbott) and Zachary Hasbany (Jervis Pendleton aka Daddy Long Legs) in starring roles. They carried the show with a great sense of timing and energetic performance. They broke into song as the story, set in 1908, progresses into a letter exchange and finally romance. The music and lyrics by Paul Gordon are charming.

The imaginative set (Designer Wayne Hovey) was divided into two sides—one the orphanage where a young woman, Jerusha lives and later the college she attends; the other side is the office of Jervis Pendleton, Jerusha’s “secret” benefactor.

The live orchestra featuring Brett Strader, Issac Carter and Gwyneth Davis accompanied the players wonderfully and made the show worthwile.

Coming up next at Cinnabar is Tiger Style opening April 27, 2023.

Co-written by Lori Wood

Before Ross Valley Players’ 2020-21 season was canceled, Director Adrian Eifenbaum and the actors cast in Picnic, met on Zoom and read William Inge’s play together.  All were surprised at how the story, set in a small town in 1950’s Kansas, still resonates with our world today. The show was postponed, but as the saying goes, all good things come to those who wait.  Picnic finally opened September 9 at the Barn Theatre in Ross. It is the first offering of RVP’s 93rd season and runs Thursdays-Sundays through October 9.

The play revolves around a charismatic drifter, Hal Carter (played by Max Carpenter), who jumps off a freight train to look up his former college pal Alan (Evan Held).  Time has changed Hal. Once a popular college football star, he’s now fallen on hard times. Before he goes to see Alan, Hal meets a local widow, Mrs. Potts (Tamar Cohn), and asks if she has any work. Happy to see a new face, she offers to clean his shirt and give him breakfast in exchange for doing some chores around her yard.

As he goes about his work, Hal’s good looks, muscles and vigor are soon noticed by Mrs. Potts’ neighbors–all women–who are busy getting ready for the town’s annual Labor Day picnic.  Flo (Tori Truss) is the mother of two daughters Millie, the smart one (Lizzy Bies) and Madge, the beautiful one (Dale Leonhart). Flo’s hopes are pinned on Madge marrying Alan for the security his wealthy family can provide. Flo also has a boarder, Rosemary (an “old maid” school teacher played by Valerie Weak), whose boyfriend Howard (Steve Price) arrives later with Alan. Alan is surprised but happy to find Hal in town and invites him to join the group leaving for the picnic.  As the day goes on and the night/morning follows, the characters come to terms with their relationships, disappointments, hopes, dreams and desires. Inge’s plot and dialogue is so well written that it is no surprise he won a Pulitzer Prize for the play.

Choreographer Jannely Calmell and Stage Combat/Intimacy Director Richard Squeri deserve special recognition for the artistry conveyed by the actors’ onstage movements.  The sequences involving fighting, dancing and intimacy were especially good and emotionally moving.

The subtle Set, Lighting and Sound Design (by Tom OBrien, Robin DeLuca and Billie Cox respectively) rightly puts the focus directly on the impressive acting from all of the cast including those in supporting roles–Dalton Ortiz (Bomber), Raysheina de Leon-Ruhs (Christine) and Jen Marte (Irma). Each one of the actors shines bright and the audience is carried away–captivated every moment– thanks to their extraordinary talent!

Coming up next at Ross Valley Players is Gypsy, A Musical Fable, a Mountain Play production, directed by Zoe Swenson-Graham running November 11 to December 18, 2022.

Flora Lynn Isaacson, SFBATCC (with Lori Wood)

The title of Marin Theatre Company’s current production, Dunsinane, refers to Shakespeare’s Battle of Dunsinane where Macbeth was defeated. The play by David Greig explores what happened in the year following the battle beginning with Spring and ending with Winter.

The show features actors from Tamalpais High School’s Conservatory Theatre Ensemble (CTE). Aldo Billingslea steals the show with his superb acting as Siward. Josh Odess-Rubin is an intriguing Malcolm and Lisa Anne Porter shines as the Queen. Brendan Barger, Daniel Duque-Estrada, Jack Hochschild, Kira Keane, Molly Lyons and Michael Ray Wisely round out the fine cast.

Jasson Minadakis and Rob Lutfy deserve a big round of applause for their superb direction. The lighting is especially interesting (Mike Post) and the costumes (Brooke Jennings) authentic. The fight scenes (Josh Odess-Rubin, Coach) are precise and emotional.

Dunsinane continues through October 16 at Marin Theatre Company. Coming up next at Marin Theatre will be August Wilson’s Two Trains Running, Novemer 25-December 18.

Flora Lynn Isaacson (with Lori Wood)

Bravo to the entire production team and cast of What Women Want—a musical comedy presented October 14-23 at the Masquers Playhouse in Richmond. Originally produced in 2016 at Actors Ensemble of Berkeley, this new show is a merry romp (sponsored by the Richmond Arts & Culture Commission) that enthralls the audience from start to finish.

Director Kim Bromley calls the story mix of “silliness, clever music and lyrics along with interesting literary history.” Based on Chaucer’s Canterbury Tales, the cast takes us on a pilgrimage to the Canterbury shrine of Thomas Becket. Writer Vicki Siegel (book and lyrics) says it like “a touch of Spamalot.” Whatever you call it—its just incredible thanks to the talent of Evan Alparone (Composer and Arranger) and Judy Wiesen (Music Director).

Applause to Kim Bromley whose fine direction is evident in the cast’s broad and energetic style of acting. Alexis Lane Jensen is fantastic in the role of the Wife of Bath/Ms. Bromwell, Ron Anderson (Merlin/Chaucer), Christine Sheppard (Lady of the Lake), Pat Barr (Sir Pellinore), Kelly Nicolaisen (Lady Bedivere), David Shirk (especially elegant as King Arthur), Lily Jackson (Guinevere), Steve Beecroft (Sir Gawain), Amy Dietz (Lady Kane/Crone) & Jacinto Castillo (intense as Lord of Manor/Sir Gromer).

Kudos to Jo Lusk for the wonderful costumes, Nancy Benson, Production Manager for bringing it all together, John Hull & Hoa Tran for the charming set and Paul Seliga & Mark Decker for the dramatic lighting.

Coming up next at Masquers Playhouse is the musical, Amelie, by Craig Lucas, Nathan Tysen, Daniel Messe, Jean Pierre Jeunet and Guillaume Laurant—directed by Enrico Banson, November 11-December 4.

Flora Lynn Isaacson (with Lori Wood)

Ross Valley Players and the Mountain Play present the timeless music of Jules Styne and the lyrics of Stephen Sondheim with Gypsy, A Musical Fable running November 11 to December 18 at the Barn Theater in Ross.

The story is suggested by the memoirs Gypsy Rose Lee, a stage mother who is “always plotting and planning her daughter June’s rise to stardom and desperately reaching to feel the spotlight herself,” according to Director/Choreographer Zoe Swenson-Graham. Mama Rose is “blindly ambitious, closed off, and complex” making the role a challenge for any actor. Dyan McBride rises to the occasion with a fine performance. Her command of the stage is immediate and her acting and singing is enchanting. DC Scarpelli is no less charming in the role of Herbie, a former agent who agrees to become the act’s manager/promoter.

Alexandra Fry is cute and funny as the younger Baby June and Julia Ludwig is equally good as the older “Dainty” June. In Act One Baby June and “Her Newsboys” (the real name of the 1920’s traveling vaudeville act) sing and dance their hearts out with hits like “Let Me Entertain You” and “Small World.” Jill Jacobs gives a standout performance as June’s plain sister Louise in Act One. In Act Two she transforms into the burlesque star, Gypsy Rose Lee.

Kudos to the show’s Music Director Jon Gallo and Adriana Gutierrez for her lovely vintage costume designs. Eileen Grady (Mountain Play Association Executive Director & Artistic Producer) and Steve Price (RVP Executive Producer) deserve applause as well for the time and talent they give to this production.

Coming up next at Ross Valley Players is Ross Alternative Works’ production of Reservations, a new play by Joe Barison, directed by Michael R Cohen January 27-February 12, 2023.

Flora Lynn Isaacson (with Lori Wood)

The sub-title of this review might well be “RVP Versus the Pandemic” inasmuch as the show goes on in spite of Covid-19 mask mandates and social-distancing requirements…offstage. That said, this production is a worthy diversion from the restrictions we are enduring because of the pandemic. There is plenty of comic relief during the pandemic in this crazy/slapstick-comedy by Playwright David Lindsay-Abaire — thanks to its script, casting, directing, and acting.

Kudos to Co-Producer Heather Shepardson; Director, Chloe Bronzan; and to the Cast for stellar performances: “Abby” (absolutely outstanding by Tori Truss); “Scotty” (Beau Tran); “Marilyn” (Pamela Hollings); “Colleen” (Rebekah Kouy-Ghadosh); “the Clown” (Nate Currier); and (Peter Warden) masterfully performing multi-characters: “Derek,” “Zombie Butler,” and “Masked Man.”

Kudos to the Crew for creating our escape into the “safe space” of the living facility: Tom O’Brien (Scenic Design) with Scenic Artistry by Dhyanis Carniglia; Michael Walraven (Set Construction). Stage Manager Dianne Harrison’s talents and those of her assistants, Ben Vasquez and Raysheina de-Leon-Ruhs, were shown by the flawless property design choices and their use. Kudos to Bruce Viera (perfect Sound Design); also, to Michael A. Berg for his tasteful costuming; also, kudos to Richard Squeri for the excellent coaching of the sky-diving skit, combat and intimacy choreography, as well as practical effects; and to Tina Johnson for excellent Lighting Design.

Kudos to the Ross Valley Players Board of Directors Officers and At-Large Members:
President Carol Winograd
Vice-President/Exec. Producer Steve Price
Vice-President/Treasurer Allan Casalou
Vice-President/Business Manager Alex Ross
Secretary Ellen Goldman
At Large:  Stephanie Ahlberg, Michael Cohen, Mark Friedlander, Maureen Kalbus, Dee Kordek,
Maureen Scheuenstuhl, and Vic Revenko

Kudos also to Robin Jackson for the Program Photography and to Graphic Designer Mark Shepard; to Karen Topakian for the all-important Show Publicity; to Suzie Hughes as Program Consultant; and last but equally important: to Volunteer Coordinator, Eleanor Prugh, and to Webmaster, Andrew Wilson.

For sheer enjoyment this Ross Valley Players production is not to be missed. For performances at The Barn (30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Ross) on the grounds of the Marin Art and Garden Center to and including October 10, 2021, tickets are available online at RossValleyPlayers.com or by telephone: 415/456-9555, Ext. 1.

By Elle Alexa Simon
on behalf of Flora Lynn Isaacson, Critic San Francisco Bay Area Critics Circle