I just watched "Woman Spelled This Way" being performed up at the Jewish Community Center, and it…read morewas incredible. It mixes older pieces along with a few world premieres, but it was all new to me. Robert Moses' Kin exhibits Alvin Ailey/Judith Jamison ritual-like choreography, but uses a full repertoire of neoclassical and modern elements. More than other modern dance performances I've see, Kin can be ironic, use metaphor, or even be a little playful at any given time. The new piece, "slowly watching memory" was a delight, but the last piece "Speaking ill of the dead" leaves a lasting impression.

I just watched cinderella principle followed by fable and faith. Both were not just visually…read morebeautiful, but used a variety of movement, music, props, dialogue, humor, and multimedia to compose thought provoking social commentary. It was engaging on so many levels that you just heard people gasping wow every time the curtains fell.

Odyssey Strings performed at our wedding in Menlo Park a couple of weeks ago. They were a group of…read moreprofessional musicians who helped make our big day very special. We worked with Evan Buttemer through piece selection to the final contract. He was very flexible and easy to work with. They showed up on time, in the attire requested (black formal). And the musicians played the pieces beautifully. We opted for a strings trio for our outdoor ceremony and cocktail hour (since the venue does not allow amplified music outdoors), and it was just the right volume and the perfect type of music for the occassion.

The singing group's sell-out of their artistic legacy is alarming. They are trying to please a…read morecertain type of crowd. They are pursuing exotic elements at the expense of traditional values and integrity.

Interesting..I hadn't heard of this performance of Christmas music(chorus)...I found a promotion in…read morethe brochure at Symphony this year...it seemed like a good show to try for the first time...my parents would go..if I asked my mom for tickets...we saw lots of interesting shows...that was our tradition since 1990s..it's a holiday show with chorus...interesting variations on classics and a presentation with different music---something you hadn't seen or heard before..they held a tour in the Bay Area...and this was at USF campus church St Ignatius...super.

This new musical, with book and lyrics by Tanya Shaffer and music and lyrics by Vienna Teng is…read morequite impressive for a new production opening in a small, local venue. Of course, with a talent as adept as Ms. Teng's my expectations were rather high, but I was not disappointed. The story by Tanya Shaffer is well-crafted, contemporary and relevant, and the realization is this debut small budget production is pulled off well, leaving one with the impression that the musical has legs, and could scale up to even Broadway standards given the requisite budget. Teng's compositions are up to her standards, the lyrics throughout work, and develop the story without feeling contrived. The integration of humor is mostly successful. This production at the Ashby Stage in Berkeley and directed by Matt August is realized simply but effectively. A lot of cast members are doubling roles, but the production does have a quite competent live pit band, albeit up in the loft, and the blocking and lighting are well thought out and executed. The cast is perhaps only slightly hindered by the limited local market, but their voices are strong, and pleasingly on key, and their acting ranges from the passable to the quite good. While the wardrobe is pedestrian, it fits the bill, especially at this level of production. This is a well-written, composed and produced musical, and it is well worth the low price of entry for this premier production of what may well become a critically acclaimed new musical.

I loved this production! I found it musically exciting, and the premise was very powerful: what if…read morethe Buddha were born as a 20th c. woman? It's hard to handle spiritual and religious subjects without being too saccharine, and this musical strikes just the right notes of humor, skepticism, poignancy, and genuine spirituality. As a long time Buddhist, I was also impressed with the accuracy of the teachings in the production. A particular thumbs-up to the scenes in the retreat center, which had me on the floor, first with laughter and then with tears. I saw a pre-opening performance, and the ending was the only part that felt a little too pat to me, but don't let that keep you from going....I'm sure they've gotten feedback from others too, and will be continuing to refine it during the run. Just really great!

Just saw the recent matinee production of Iolanthe at the YBCA in SF. Wow what a performance! Still…read morehumming the songs hours later. The vocals were powerful, the orchestra flawless. Thoroughly enjoyable. Hard to believe those satirical lyrics about politics, class and power were written 140 years ago. Just as apt today. A magical performance indeed. We are lucky to have such talent in the Bay Area.

This is where they store all the gear. If you have never seen a warehouse of period costumes and…read moresets, you have not fully lived. The original troupe was funded by Bona Fide Aristocrats, and all the costumes were designed and built to a very discerning eye. Nowadays, the outfits are modified and repaired by a small, underpaid crew of free-lance thread-based fairies and gypsies. This brings magic and mystery to the used and re-used garments, props and sets...The strangest things have been revealed to me whilst opening a boned seam or 32 foot hemline. Occasionaly, they will sell off some of the goods to ward off bankruptcy, so if you collect clothes, get thyself onto their mailing list! http://www.lamplighters.org

My wife and I have seen a dozen plays at the Magic Theatre over the years. I probably have seen…read moreanother half dozen on my own or with others. We have enjoyed everything. To be honest, I'm not sure why given their association with the late Sam Shepard they are not more significant; I offer that as a compliment rather than a criticism. The Shepard they have put on, we always buy tickets for. I saw his True West on Broadway with Ethan Hawke and Paul Dano, and while it is always wonderful to see movie stars on stage I was more than satisfied with Magic productions of Buried Child and Fool for Love. (I do not love every show. My wife and I have walked out of a couple, such as Tennessee Williams Camino Real; or maybe we stayed to the end, but were disappointed.) Since Yelp is what it is, and I am not a theatre critic, I will add a bit of background. Magic is in the Fort Mason complex. It is near Greens, a great restaurant, though we have never put together an evening of dinner and a show -- that is just a matter of poor planning on our part, and I intend to remedy it and without having done it myself recommend it (we dine at Greens at least once a year, probably twice, so that would mean two dozen dinners). You also can stop into the Flax art shop, which is open on weekends as well. Others have pointed out the annoyance of no restrooms on the floor; they are a level down. But they have elevators for handicapped access. Shows I have especially liked include the Tarell Alvin McCraney trilogy, presented with Marin Theatre and ACT; Terminus, which was just enthralling; Bad Jews, which I probably didn't understand as thoroughly as members of the audience who identify as Jewish; and the Chinese Lady, which despite being so didactic achieved its purpose. Their staging tends to be more minimal than maximal. The last show we saw, Richard II in the Play On series of modern "translations" of Shakespeare (edition is a better term) was terrific. I'm a completist. My wife and I saw a traditional Richard II at the Shakespeare Theatre in Washington, D.C., and while it was good, it was staid. This interpretation was brisk, with tasteful video projections, and a predominantly female cast. It should win over skeptics of this effort (they preserve the famous lines; here in the soliloquy about time, "doth" becomes "does"). It also would appeal to those who have no idea what iambic pentameter is. That is what prompts me to post. I hope they do all of these -- I saw Edward III when the Classical Stage Company traversed the canon before the pandemic, and that allowed me to proclaim I was done (well, I then tacked on Double Falsehood, which continues to be a disputed title). I have a friend who doesn't like plays. I don't understand that. Live theatre is what they say here: magic. I encourage people with any interest at all in the art form to check out Magic Theatre.

A nice, tight little theatrical venue…read more Old fashioned tiered seating is comfortable and made for viewing from each and every seat. The theater is great for getting into the production you've come to experience. Clean. Welcoming. Friendly staff. All of it makes this a place to be enjoyed in every way. The ONLY downside is the lack of restrooms on the theater level; one must travel two flights down for gender specific facilities or just one flight down for the co-ed version (I'm sorry; I have boys (3) and they just can't or won't aim ... I go all the way down to the ground level for my potty call cuz boys drool, girls RULE!)

Magnificent pieces by Mozart Unique backdrop... interior of…read moreMission Santa Clara Sounds resonating harmoniously In the 8th row with premium seating! Connie C., thank you!!! I was fortunate enough to attend the Midsummer Mozart Festival Program 1 at the Santa Clara University's Mission Church this evening. I took the VTA #32 after work and found the venue quite easily. It was my first time on the campus and at the mission. The interior was really nice. I don't think I've ever been to a concert inside a church before. But having a church/altar backdrop with a full orchestra playing some of Mozart's best pieces is quite AMAZING!!!! My friend and I got premium seating ($50 value) and so worth it!!! We got to sit with the older crowd in the 8th row! And we were able to see the orchestra pretty well from where we were! Seating price from front to back (at Santa Clara): Gold Circle $60 Premium $50 Choice $40 Orchestra $30 Student $20 This evening's program consisted of: - Overture to the Opera, La Clemenza di Tito, K. 621 - Double Piano Concerto in E-flat major, K. 316a (I was daydreaming about a meadow and California poppies) * short intermission* - Flute Concerto in G major, K. 313 (quite an enlightening piece... made me daydream about butterflies) - Symphony in D major, K. 385 (started to doze off, but woke to the dynamic and lively piece towards the end) Overall, this concert was a wonderful experience! The two Korean sisters playing the piano was just beautiful!! And the flutist too!! So much talent!! The concert this evening was just under two hours! And I can't wait for to attend it next year! And yes, no review can ever be complete without the mentioning of ICE CREAM (haha thanks Terre P.)!!! After the concert, we ran to Blondies just when they were about to close. They were extremely nice to accommodate us!! Small cup ($3.50) of black raspberry, strawberries and cream, and banana nut!!!! A lot of YUM! Midsummer Mozart Festival from July 16-26, 2009 July 16: Mission Santa Clara July 17 & 24: San Francisco Conservatory of Music Concert Hall July 18 & 25: Gundlach Bundschu Winery (in Sonoma) July 19 & 26: First Congregational Church (in Berkeley) July 23: California Theatre (in Downtown San Jose) Go green take: VTA #22, 32, 522, or Caltrain towards Santa Clara Transit Center/Caltrain Station

I bet most of you didn't know that I could have been a Musicology minor at UCLA. I think I was just…read morea few credits shy. I grew up listening to classical music, and played piano and violin growing up (as most Chinese kids do), and Mozart was always one of my favorite composers. When I took a class on Mozart in college, his short but very accomplished life was so fascinating to learn about. Of all the composers I studied, Mozart's music was probably some of the most complex. So, when I learned there was this Midsummer Mozart Festival, I was extremely excited to go. This is their 35th season doing the festival -- and the first time I've ever heard of it! Where have I been? The first program was held last night at the beautiful Mission Church at SCU. We were able to get fantastic seats up front. There were four pieces performed, and they were all amazingly performed. The conductor was so mesmerizing to watch! It was the perfect venue too -- my mom and I felt like we were at a historical church in Vienna. The first program will be performed at various venues around the Bay Area this week, and the second program will go on next week. If you're a fan of the symphony and of Mozart's work, this festival is not to be missed!

Recently attended Oakland Ballet's Dancing Moons festival performance at the Oakland Asian Culture…read moreCenter with my husband who was a former Oakland Ballet dancer and his friend who's very involved in the ballet world, and we all thought it was amazing! The stage was a bit too small for the dancers but they made it work. Amazing costumes, symbolism, technique, choreography, etc and loved that there was a diverse group of dancers. My husband thought it was great that the dancers were able to give input on the choreography. After the dance, we were able to talk to the director of the company and he was so friendly. Would love to attend more of their performances!