Your conception of love and commitment will be turned upside down in Shotgun Players’ brilliant production of Edward Albee’s “The Goat or, Who is Sylvia?” which runs through April 26.
The question mark at the end of the title is appropriate as the play asks many questions and, hopefully, will spark many conversations.
Albee’s work opens with Martin, a middle-aged architect and his wife Stevie getting ready for a video interview with their long-time friend Ross. Their idyllic existence crumbles when Martin admits he has fallen in love with a goat.
As Director Kevin Clarke notes in the program, “Tragedy served steaming hot, by actors on a platform — with jokes!”
The action takes place on designer Liliana Duque Pineiro’s seemingly simple set with costumer Sharon Peng dressing performers in flowing garments with muted shades of cream and champagne.
Albee’s witty, fast-paced dialogue is given more than its due with superb performances by William Giammona (Martin), Joel Ochoa (Billy), Kevin Singer (Ross) and Erin Mei-Ling Stuart (Stevie). Stuart in particular impresses as she easily alternates between sarcasm, anger and disbelief.
Unfortunately, I can’t describe the stunning ending as it would ruin the effect. But trust, it will be shocking. Also, please note the F-word is often used.
For tickets, call 510-841-6500 x 303 or go to shotgunplayers.org/box-office.
The cast of “Anything Goes” with a dynamic Seana Nicol as Reno Sweeney in the Altarena Playhouse’s production running through April 26. (Photo courtesy Grizzly De Haro)
Alameda: For a light-hearted time at the theater, try Altarena Playhouse’s delightful production of “Anything Goes.” Running through April 26, the musical features Cole Porter’s foot-tapping tunes, romance and colorful characters aboard the S.S. American where anything goes.
Director Laura Morgan assembled a talented group of performers to bring the outrageous characters to life with Nico Jaochico a charming Billy and Seana Nicol a sizzling hot Reno Sweeney. Christina Swindlehurst Chan uses her gorgeous voice as Billy’s love interest Hope Harcourt with Dan Kolodny and Erica Hartono adding laughs as Moonface Martin and Bonnie.
Rachelle King Campodonico creatively choreographed exciting dance numbers on Altarena’s small stage with Jenn Stephens’ beautiful period costumes and Tom Curtin’s nautical set added greatly to the fun.
Music Director Armando Fox and his orchestra get into the swing of things not only with their snappy tunes, but also by wearing sailor hats including Anastasia Preston’s thin-line stand-up electric bass.
For tickets to this toe-tapping production, call 510-523-1553 or go to altarena.org.
Pittsburg and Martinez: Pittsburg Theatre Company presents Alfred Uhry’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play “Driving Miss Daisy” starting Friday through April 19 at Steeltown Coffee & Tea in Pittsburg before transferring to the Martinez Campbell Theater May 28-30.
Dianna Schepers directs with Sandy Wright as Daisy, Kirk Waller as her driver Hoke and Michael Wilson as her son Boolie.
Go to pittsburgcommunitytheatre.org to purchase tickets at either venue.
S.F.: It’s game on at San Francisco Playhouse where Candrice Jones’ “Flex” scores high in its West Coast premiere.
Jones, a competitive girls basketball player in high school and college, has all the right moves as she tells of a 1997 high school team in southeast Arkansas hoping to win the state championship and the attention of scouts from Division I universities.
More than just a game to these young women, basketball offers an opportunity to leave their backwater town, go to college and, possibly, one day play for the newly formed WNBA.
Director Margo Hall keeps the action at a fast pace as her excellent cast creates diverse characters dealing with the challenges of being young, Black and female in the rural South.
Basketball consultant Emmanuel Blackwell’s work certainly shows as the actors perform various drills and shooting sequences with ease.
The scenes between rivals Starra (Santeon Brown) and Sidney (Paige Mayes) up the intensity of the action on and off the court. Brown, in particular, shows some fine basketball moves. Every time she made a basket or executed a difficult dribbling sequence, the audience roared its approval.
Camille Collaco (April), Emma Gardner (Cherise) and Courtney Gabrille Williams (Donna) beautifully capture their vibrant characters as well as the teenage energy and athleticism necessary for this show.
Halili Knox as the tough but motherly Coach Francine keeps the girls in line and helps them form a cohesive team.
For tickets to “Flex,” call 415-677-9596 or go to sfplayhouse.org. The theater is located on 450 Post St. in San Francisco.
Also in S.F.: The Tenderloin Museum presents “The Compton’s Cafeteria Riot” through June 30 on 835 Larkin St. in San Francisco.
Based on the April 11,1966 riot and presented in the same neighborhood, the show honors those LGBTQ+ individuals who stood up for their rights during that volatile time. Given the current political climate, the community is once again fighting for their rights making the upcoming anniversary of the riot even more meaningful.
Directed by trans activist and theater veteran Ezra Reaves, the show places audiences inside a 1960s cafeteria as the riot unfolds around them.
For more information and tickets, go to comptonscafeteriariot.com.
Reach Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com, and read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.