KPFA - Bay Area Theater

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Little Women,” adapted by Lauren Gunderson, at TheatreWorks Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts through October 12, 2025.   Little Women Review The classic pre-twentieth century books never die, on stage or on film. A Christmas Carol keeps coming back in December, year after year after year. Maybe the setting is contemporary. Maybe Scrooge is a woman. But the same template carries on and on. Marley. First ghost. Second ghost. Third ghost. Count the beats. Yawn. There are others. Mr. Darcy and the Bennets. Huck Finn. Dracula. Anna Karenina. Alice and the Rabbit. Frankenstein. And then there's Little Women by Louisa May Alcott. There are seven feature length films, eight TV adaptations, two plays, an opera, a ballet, and a Broadway musical. Now there's Lauren Gunderson's adaptation of Little Women, at Theatreworks in Mountain View through  October 12th. Little Women's ageless popularity rests, as the playwright notes, on its proto-feminism, its focus on family love, and being set during a time of strife and shortages and adds how appropriate it feels in our current times., though of course it also felt appropriate through its previous adaptations. That's what timelessness is about. And unlike Dickens or Austen, it's hard to pull out the plot and change time periods or genders. You're stuck in the Civil War, in New England, and with four specific daughters. Maybe the future will bring us Jo, Meg, Amy and Beth and Zombies, but hopefully not. In this adaptation, Louisa May Alcott tells the story and illuminates the relationship of her real family to the fictional Marches, with the dialogue and sometimes the book descriptions coming out of the characters' mouths. It's a neat touch, and perhaps only possible on stage. But, as with A Christmas Carol, we are still stuck with the same beats. Jo meets Laurie, Beth goes to the big house, Amy burns a manuscript, and so on. Louisa May Alcott never married, and it's possible we know why. She's not attracted to men. This production hints at this through particulars of the performance of Elissa Beth Stebbins as Louisa and Jo,  and by the lack of chemistry with both of Jo's suitors. Greta Gerwig saw the same issue in the 2019 film, and tackled it by making Jo the author of Little Women and hits the issue dead on. Lauren Gunderson, thugh, approaches it  more obliquely, but without a fuller explanation, the ending feels false. Louisa is Jo, until she's not. For the fans who jump at every new adaptation, this Little Women, if redundant, might add a new dimension. For the rest of us, enough is enough. Lauren Gunderson's adaptation of Little Women, directed by Giovanna Sardelli, plays at Theatreworks Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts through October 12, 2025. For more information, you can go to theatreworks.org. I'm Richard Wolinsky on Bay Area Theatre for KPFA. The post Review: “Little Women” at TheatreWorks Mountain View appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “The Motion” by Christopher Chen at Shotgun Players Ashby Stage through October 12, 2025.   TEXT OF REVIEW ​​​​​THE MOTION With so much news in the world today, and with a CDC corrupted by politics and mentally ill cranks, the subject of animal testing seems to fall by the wayside. But the discussion about using animals to test potential life-saving medicines remains as ongoing as the one that drives many to become vegetarians. This question about animal rights lies at the beginning of “The Motion” by Christopher Chen, now in a Shotgun Players production at the Ashby Stage through October 12th. The play presents itself as an on-stage debate./ It's based on a podcast called Intelligence Squared Debates. So, there are two people on either side of the stage, flanking the moderater. The moderator points out that this is a Shotgun production, in Berkeley at the Ashby Stage. He then announces the motion to be debated, for and against, should animal testing be banned. All four debaters are presented as academics, the older two, the lead debaters, as doctors, the younger two as professors. The audience will be the jury, voting before the debate starts, and then again afterward, and a winner will be announced, based on the changed votes. The anti-testing lead debater starts by asking the audience to imagine they are in a cage and then murdered. This is what happens to a rabbit. The pro-testing second debater notes that we are fine killing vermin in a restaurant, and we don't care if the rats or roaches feel pain. The pro-testing lead then tries to find common ground. Nobody wants an animal to suffer. The anti-testing second thinks common ground is impossible. As in real life, the political of course starts to turn personal, and sparks start to fly. And that's the start of The Motion, but only the start. The playwright Christopher Chen has said he likes to think of his shows at times as magic acts, where you may even come in knowing there will be surprises, but then you end up being delighted by what the surprise actually is. He goes on. I use a lot of rug pulling in my plays. It's very fun from a structural perspective, but it's also very serious and meaningful to me. It's not meant to be a gotcha moment. I'd say the main journey in all of my plays is a digging process, where a reality is presented and we see below that, and then we see below THAT. Ultimately, The Motion is sometimes very funny, frequently surprising, sometimes confusing, and always entertaining. And it will resonate in your head for days. The Motion by Christopher Chen, directed by Patrick Dooley, plays at Shotgun Players Ashby Stage through October 12th. For more information, you can go to Shotgunplayers.org. I'm Richard Wolinsky on Bay Area theatre for KPFA. The post Review: “The Motion” at Shotgun Players Ashby Stage appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “The Reservoir” by Jake Brasch, at Berkeley Rep Peets Theatre through October 12, 2025. The post Review: “The Reservoir” at Berkeley Rep Peets Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews the national touring production of “Shucked” at the BroadwaySF Curran Theatre through October 5, 2025. The post Review: “Shucked” at the Curran Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Eureka Day” at Marin Theatre, in partnership with Aurora Theatre, through September 28, 2025. The post Review: “Eureka Day” at Marin Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “The Return,” a Golden Thread production at the Garret at ACT's Toni Rembe Theatre through August 24, 2025. The post Review: “The Return,” at the Garret at ACT's Toni Rembe Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “My Fair Lady” at San Francisco Playhouse through September 13, 2025. The post Review: “My Fair Lady” at San Francisco Playhouse appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews the national touring company of “& Juliet” at the BroadwaySF Orpheum Theatre through July 27, 2025. The post Review: “& Juliet” at the Orpheum appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews the world premiere of “Aztlan” by Luis Alfaro, at the Magic Theatre through July 13, 2025. The post Review: “Aztlan” at the Magic Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean,” a new musical, at TheatreWorks Mountain view Center for the Performing Arts through July 13, 2025. The post Review: “Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean” at TheatreWorks Mountain View appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Co-Founders” at ACT's Strand Theatre through July 6, 2025. The post Revew: “Co-Founders,” at ACT Strand Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “The Neil Diamond Musical A Beautiful Noise” at BroadwaySF Orpheum through June 22, 2025. The post Review: “The Neil Diamond Musical A Beautiful Noise” at the Orpheum appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Pacific Overtures” at Brava Theater Center through June 15, 2025. The post Review: “Pacific Overtures” at Brava Theater Center appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews the touring production of the Broadway revival of the musical “Parade” at BroadwaySF‘s Orpheum Theatre through June 8, 2025. The post Review: “Parade” at BroadwaySF Orpheum appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Yellow Face” by Henry David Hwang, at Shotgun Players Ashby Stage through June 14, 2025. The post Review: “Yellow Face” at Shotgun Players Ashby Stage appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” at San Francisco Playhouse through June 21, 2025. The post Review: “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time” at San Francisco Playhouse appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Two Trains Running” by August Wilson, a production of The Acting Company, at ACT Toni Rembe Theatre through May 4, 2025. The post Review: “Two Trains Running” at ACT Toni Rembe Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Here There Are Blueberries” by Moises Kaufman and Amanda Gronich, conceived and directed by Moises Kaufman, a Tectonic Theater Project, at Berkeley Rep Roda Theater through May 11, 2025. (Photo: Matthew Murphy). The post Review: “Here There Are Blueberries” at Berkeley Rep Roda Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “The Heart Sellers” by Lloyd Suh, at TheatreWorks Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts through April 27, 2025 (previously at Aurora Theatre in Berkeley). The post Review: “The Heart Sellers” at TheatreWorks Mountain View appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Eddie Izzard Hamlet” at ACT Strand Theatre through April 20, 2025. The post Review: “Eddie Izzard Hamlet” at ACT Strand Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Fat Ham” by James Ijames, directed by Margo Hall, at San Francisco Playhouse through April 19, 2025. The post Review: “Fat Ham” at San Francisco Playhouse appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Art” at Shotgun Players Ashby Stage through April 12, 2025. The post Review: “Art” at Shotgun Players Ashby Stage appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Nobody Loves You” at ACT Toni Rembe Theatre through March 30, 2025. The post Review: “Nobody Loves You” at ACT Toni Rembe Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Uncle Vanya” by Anton Chekhov, adapted by Conor McPherson, at Berkeley Rep Peets Theatre through March 23, 2025. The post Review: “Uncle Vanya” at Berkeley Rep Peets Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Waste,” directed by Carey Perloff, at Marin Theatre through March 2, 2025. The post Review: “Waste” at Marin Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “The Thing About Jellyfish” at Berkeley Rep Roda Theatre through March 9, 2025. The post Review: “The Thing About Jellyfish” at Berkeley Rep Roda Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Rachmaninoff and the Tsar” at TheatreWorks Mountain View Center for the Arts through February 9, 2025. The post Review: “Rachmaninoff and the Tsar” at TheatreWorks Mountain View appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Some Like It Hot,” the national tour production, at BroadwaySF Orpheum Theater through January 26, 2025. The post Review: “Some Like It Hot” at Orpheum Theater appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Waitress” at San Francisco Playhouse through January 18, 2025.   The post Review: “Waitress” at San Francisco Playhouse appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “A WHYNOT CHRISTMAS CAROL” at ACT Toni Rembe (Geary) Theatre through December 24, 2024. The post Review: “A WHYNOT CHRISTMAS CAROL” at ACT Toni Rembe Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “The Antipodes” by Annie Baker, performed by The Actors Reading Collective at the Marin Shakespeare Theatre through December 1, 2024. The post Review: “The Antipodes” at Marin Shakespeare Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Thirty-Six,” a world premiere play by Leah Nanako Winkler at Shotgun Players Ashby Stage through December 22. 2024. The post Review: “Thirty-Six” at Shotgun Players Ashby Stage appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Woiinsky reviews “Jaja's African Hair Braiding” at Berkeley Rep‘s Peets Theatre through December 15, 2024. The post Review: “Jaja's African Hair Braiding” at Berkeley Rep Peets Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Kimberly Akimbo” at BroadwaySF Curran Theater through December 1, 2024. The post Review: “Kimberly Akimbo” at BroadwaySF Curran Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Choir Boy” at Shotgun Players Ashby Stage through October 20, 2024. The post Review: “Choir Boy” at Shotgun Players Ashby Stage appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Mexodus” at Berkeley Rep Peets Theatre through October 20, 2024. The post Review: “Mexodus” at Berkeley Rep Peets Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Private Lives” by Noel Coward, at ACT Toni Rembe Theatre through October 6, 2024. The post Review: “Private Lives” at ACT Toni Rembe Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Girl from the North Country” at BroadwaySF Golden Gate Theatre through August 18, 2024. The post Review: “Girl from the North Country” at BroadwaySF Golden Gate appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties” at Shotgun Players Ashby Stage through August 18, 2024. The full title of the play by Jen Silverman is Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties; In Essence, a Queer and Occasionally Hazardous Exploration; Do You Remember When You Were in Middle School and You Read About Shackleton and How He Explored the Antarctic?; Imagine the Antarctic as a Pussy and It's Sort of Like That. The post Review: “Collective Rage: A Play in 5 Betties” at Shotgun Players Ashby Stage appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Evita” at San Francisco Playhouse through September 7, 2024. The post Review: “Evita” at San Francisco Playhouse appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “The Lifespan of a Fact” at Aurora Theatre Company through July 21, 2024. The post Review: “The Lifespan of a Fact” at Aurora Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Mother Road” by Octavio Solis, at Berkeley Rep Peets Theatre through July 21, 2024. The post Review: “Mother Road” at Berkeley Rep Peets Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews the touring production of Stephen Sondheim's “Company,” at BroadwaySF Orpheum Theater through June 23, 2024. The post Review: “Company” at BroadwaySF Orpheum appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “The Lehman Trilogy,” directed by Sam Mendes, at ACT Toni Rembe Theater through June 23, 2024. The post Review: “The Lehman Trilogy” at ACT Toni Rembe Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Galileo, A Rock Musical” at Berkeley Rep‘s Roda Theatre through June 23, 2024. The post Review: “Galileo” at Berkeley Rep Roda Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA theatre critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Torch Song” at Marin Theatre through June 2, 2024. The post Review: “Torch Song” at Marin Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “The Glass Menagerie” by Tennessee Williams, directed by Jeffrey Lo, at San Francisco Playhouse through June 15, 2024 The post Review: “The Glass Menagerie” at San Francisco Playhouse appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Blue Door” by Tanya Barfield, at Aurora Theatre Company through May 19th (streaming May 12th – 19th). The post Review: “Blue Door” at Aurora Theatre Company appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “A Strange Loop” at ACT Toni Rembe Theatre through May 12, 2024. The post Review: “A Strange Loop” at ACT Toni Rembe Theatre appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theater Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Tiger Style!” by Mike Lew, at TheatreWorks Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts through April 28, 2024. The post Review: “Tiger Style!” at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley appeared first on KPFA.

KPFA Theatre Critic Richard Wolinsky reviews “Kristina Wong Sweatshop Overlord” at ACT Strand Theatre through May 5, 2024. The post Review: “Kristina Wong Sweatshop Overlord” at ACT Strand Theatre appeared first on KPFA.