It was impossible not to be intrigued when I received an invite to “soar to the second star to the right and straight on ’till chaos” from San Francisco Playhouse. And their production “Peter Pan Goes Wrong,” running through Nov. 28, didn’t disappoint with chaos running rampant throughout the show. Fortunately, the chaos ebbed every now and then allowing audience members to relax their sore stomach muscles from all the laughter.
Writers Henry Lewis, Jonathan Sayer and Henry Shields (award-winning creatives of “The Play That Goes Wrong”) have taken J.M. Barrie’s classic story and added a healthy dollop of silliness as the Cornley Drama Society once again battles technical mishaps to embark on an ill-fated journey to Neverland.
The clever Susi Damilano directs a multi-talented cast capable of playing many parts all of which require physical comedy skills. Special kudos to Renee Rogoff whose quick changes from Mrs. Darling to the maid (repeated several times in a row) were hysterical. In Neverland, she then switches to Tinkerbell and the pirate Curly. Very impressive.
It is quite a feat to make the endless catastrophes look real without actually hurting the performers, but Damilano and her technical crew succeed beautifully.
Scenic designer Cody Tellis Rutledge makes great use of the theater’s revolving stage and adds much of the comedy as the revolve speeds up and refuses to stop much to the chagrin of the performers.
For tickets, call 415-677-9596 or go to sfplayhouse.org.
From left, Allison Gamlen (Truvy), Melody Payne (Shelby) and Lexy Grant (M’Lynn) starred in “Steel Magnolias,” Town Hall’s opening show of its 2026-27 season. (Photo courtesy of Travis House Photography)
Lafayette: One Louisiana beauty parlor and six women equals friendships that nurture during the best and worst of times. Such is a brief summary of Robert Harling’s “Steel Magnolias,” which recently closed at Town Hall Theatre. Hopefully, you had a chance to peek into Truvy’s beauty salon and spend some time with the colorful characters who stop by for a cut and curl.
While I’ve seen this play several times and been in it once, it still touches all my emotions as I watch these women deal with the ups and downs of life and the extraordinary friendship they share.
Director Richard Perez and his talented cast of Allison Gamlen (Truvy), Lexy Grant (M’Lynn), Melody Payne (Shelby), Aero England (Annelle), Kristine Ann Lowry (Ouiser) and Marsha van Broek (Clairee) for showing us small-town life at its best.
Next up at the Lafayette theater is “Robin Hood of the Reservoir – a holiday panto.” If you’re unfamiliar with this popular British farce, here’s your chance to experience one without flying to Britain.
This lively musical comedy is performed across the UK during the Christmas and New Year season. While the storyline changes, it always includes colorful costumes, silly jokes and usually women playing men’s roles and vice versa. Audience reaction is encouraged so be ready with your boos and cheers and tune up your voice to sing along with the cast.
Town Hall’s panto deals with a power-hungry sheriff who threatens to drain the town’s beloved reservoir. Marian decides to protect her home, family and community by opposing the sheriff’s plans.
Written and directed by local residents Heather Cousins, Lulu Braunstein and Kathleen Olson, the show runs Dec. 11-19. For more information and tickets, call 925-283-1557 or go to townhalltheatre.com/a-holiday-panto.
Oakland: Celebrating its 54th year, the internationally acclaimed Dimensions Dance Theatre performs the world premiere “Memory Freedom Joy (Healing to Joy Part 3)” featuring new choreography by Alseny Soumah and Deborah Vaughan. The event takes place Oct. 17 at Valley Center for the Arts on 3500 Mountain Blvd.
The provocative premiere uses dance and music to shine a light on Bangoura women and the women of the Black Panther Party who fearlessly challenged political systems, overcame oppression and inspired ordinary people to participate in extraordinarily transformative movements.
“As we look toward the October 2026 performance, we honor the truth that joy is rarely effortless and recognize the profound ways women have contributed to movements for freedom,” said Deborah Vaughan, Dimensions founder and artistic director. “Joy asks something of us: reflection, healing and the strength to face memory with compassion. Yet it is through this personal work that hope takes root. Memory becomes not only a record of where we have been, but a bridge to where we can go together. In choosing joy, we create space for connection, resilience and the possibility of a stronger, more caring community.”
For tickets, go to dimensionsdance.org.
Antioch: On a sad note, the El Campanil Theatre Preservation Foundation has been served a 60-day notice from the attorney representing the new owners of Antioch’s historic El Campanil Theatre terminating the Foundation’s tenancy.
The Foundation will continue with its current calendar of shows through Nov. 30. They hope to move the community’s beloved “Nutcracker,” performed by the Black Diamond Ballet, to an earlier date in November before they vacate the cultural landmark. For more information, go to elcampaniltheatre.com.
Reach Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com, and read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.