John O'Hara's Stories of Strippers & Hustlers Spring to Life by Lynne Stevens "Pal Joey" opens with an enthusiastic overture from a live band of syncopated seniors. We all breathe a coll…
Patrick Barlow Riffs on 1935 Hitchcock Film in Exciting Noir Comedy by Lynne Stevens The props become part of the action in "The 39 Steps." Characters leap through handheld windows. Doors sw…
Finn & Lapine's Revolutionary Musical Still Charms by Lynne Stevens The Jewish American tradition is rich with humor, melodrama, and heart. "Falsettos," the enduring musical by William F…
Thornton Wilder Reminds Us of The Human Condition by Lynne Stevens In "Our Town," a play within a play, the Stage Manager speaks directly to us, describing Grover's Corners, a quiet New Hamp…
William Finn's Musical Bee Creates an Endearing Buzz by Lynne Stevens I didn't expect to like this musical. There's plenty of singing and it's not particularly melodic and yet it is just eno…
Frank Loesser's Music Highlights Gritty N.Y. Riffs by Lynne Stevens Broadway is the embodiment of the melting pot. Damon Runyon's gritty 30s New York stories reveled in its variety. Broadway…
Cindy Goldfield Talks about A Life in the Theater by Lynne Stevens On Tuesday, October 24, I had the pleasure of interviewing actor Cindy Goldfield at 42nd Street Moon's very unglamorous reh…
Jerry Herman's Superb Music & Lyrics Still Enchant by Lynne Stevens From the start of "Mame," we realize that we are following the memories of Auntie Mame's nephew, Patrick. After the te…
Faulkner & Irving Conjure a Haunted House and Scary Woods by Lynne Stevens Don't go into those woods! Don't open that door! These are the classic warnings of many terror tales. And do we…
Heidi Armbruster Delivers Classic Christie by Lynne Stevens Almost a century since her 11-day disappearance in 1926, the time is right for prolific mystery writer Agatha Christie to have her…
David Abrams Illuminates Tennessee Williams' Masterpiece Family Drama by Lynne Stevens "The Glass Menagerie," a play for the Ages, will never go out of style. So long as people feel they…
Robert Harling's Southern Women Bloom Boldly & Tenderly by Lynne Stevens Director Elizabeth Carter conveys the universality of hairstyling, focusing on six women at a cozy hair salon in …
Masteroff, Bock, Harnick's Perfumery Scents the Air with Love by Lynne Stevens In these gray San Francisco days, we need some sparkling singing and dancing to cheer us up. Brilliance and che…
Lopez/Lorca Tragedy Unveils Woman Driven Mad by Tradition by Lynne Stevens Mythical in its makeup, "Yerma" is a study in what not to do in your romantic relationships. Melinda Lopez …
Josh Costello Revives Soldier-Poet for Our Time by Lynne Stevens I've always felt that an intelligent, witty man is much more attractive than one who is merely lucky to be handsome. I always…
Domenique Morisseau Celebrates Black Women's Wisdom by Lynne Stevens Domenique Morisseau takes a stylish look at the destruction of Detroit's Black neighborhoods, brilliantly depicting the e…
Emma Rice's Spectacular Brontë Reaches New Heights by Lynne Stevens Everything about the first act of Emma Rice's "Wuthering Heights" is physical and passionate and dark as a Grimm's fair…
Dominique Morisseau's Temptations Make Us Love Them by Lynne Stevens From the first beat, "Ain't Too Proud"The Life and Times of The Temptations" lifts us out of our seats. It's a trip down …
Martin Crimp Plays With Our Discomfort by Lynne Stevens Did you ever feel you're no one special and then learn everyone is talking about you behind your back? That's what's happening to Anni…
Marcus Gardley's Modern Verse Version Shakes US Up! by Lynne Stevens At Cal Shakes, Co-directors Eric Ting and Dawn Monique Williams have staged a first-rate "Lear" with all its rage and fur…
Arthur Miller's 50s Warnings Resonate in 21st Century by Lynne Stevens Arthur Miller had the Big Red Scare in mind when he wrote "The Crucible" in 1953. Miller depicts the Salem Witch Trials…
Shakespeare's Two Gentlemen in the Dog House by Lynne Stevens Sunlight filters through the redwoods as a gentle breeze mingles with the music of the band before the play begins. Curtain Thea…
Cristina Garcia Condenses Her Celebrated Novel to Its Essence by Lynne Stevens This is a play of rebellion and revolution, a tale of the struggle between mothers and daughters. In Brooklyn, …
Sarah Ruhl Turns Doldrums to Delight by Lynne Stevens We take our seats opposite the minuscule, stark, black stage. The only set pieces are five black stools and two window frames hanging fr…
Jay Kuo's Spirited Lyrics Illuminate Japanese American Story by Lynne Stevens From the opening scenes, I was almost moved to tears by this drama inspired by the true-life experiences of TV/f…