“Hamnet” Looks at Shakespeare through Women’s Eyes—at ACT by Mary Lou Herlihy

O’Farrell & Chakrabarti Celebrate Women’s Natural Wisdom by Mary Lou Herlihy In a brilliant reimagining of Anne Hathaway’s life, Royal Shakespeare Company’s “Hamnet” conquers…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 3:35am on April 27, 2026[SHARE]

“Lost in Yonkers” Finds Tenderness in Tough Love—at Center REP by Mary Lou Herlihy

Neil Simon Tempers Jewish Immigrants’ Grief with Youthful Laughter by Mary Lou Herlihy Generations of bitterness cast a pall over the Kurnitz family. But the unexpected arrival of an estra…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 6:12pm on April 9, 2026[SHARE]

“Pass the Nails & Shame the Devil” Lifts Up Black Women Changemakers—at The Marsh by Mary Lou Herlihy

Pearl Louise Gets Pulled into Parents’ Duplex Dream in 80s East Oakland by Mary Lou Herlihy “Pass the Nails and Shame the Devil,” is a love letter to Pearl Louise’s powerful mom. Sma…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 9:43pm on March 24, 2026[SHARE]

"Happy Pleasant Valley, A Senior Sex Scandal Murder Mystery""at Center REP by Mary Lou Herlihy

Min Kahng Exposes Senior High Jinx in Raucous Comedy by Mary Lou Herlihy "first published on March 13, 2025, for the TheatreWorks co-production. There may be changes of performers in the Cen…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 2:57am on June 1, 2025[SHARE]

"Yellow Face" Exposes Playwright's Secrets & Lies"at Shotgun by Mary Lou Herlihy

David Henry Hwang Takes a Forensic Look in the Mirror by Mary Lou Herlihy At the intersection of Truth and Fiction lies the storyteller. David Henry Hwang's comedy "Yellow Face" blurs fac…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 9:40pm on May 22, 2025[SHARE]

"The Roommate": Da Bronx vs. Iowa in Hilarious Culture Clash"at Center REP  by Mary Lou Herlihy

Jen Silverman's Laugh Riot Liberates Women on the Edge by Mary Lou Herlihy With memorable characters and laugh out loud dialogue, "The Roommate" reminds us that we are just one stranger away…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 6:41am on April 9, 2025[SHARE]

"Fat Ham: Sexy Family Comedy Pits Older vs. Younger Generations"at SF Playhouse by Mary Lou Herlihy

James Ijames Finds Funny Bone in Black BBQ-Wedding by Mary Lou Herlihy "Fat Ham," a raucous, rapid-fire romp about a southern Black family, tackles sexual secrets and gender roles with raunc…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 5:24pm on March 29, 2025[SHARE]

"Mrs. Krishnan's Party" Delights with Laughter & Love"at Marin by Mary Lou Herlihy

Lewis & Rajan Elevate Daily Life into Pure Joy by Mary Lou Herlihy & Barry David Horwitz Using an Indian celebration in New Zealand and a shared meal, "Mrs. Krishnan's Party" transce…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 8:53pm on March 22, 2025[SHARE]

"Happy Pleasant Valley, A Senior Sex Scandal Murder Mystery Musical""at TheatreWorks by Mary Lou Herlihy

Min Kahng Exposes Senior High Jinx in Raucous Comedy by Mary Lou Herlihy A horny grandma and her self-obsessed granddaughter light up the stage with comedic timing and musical gifts. In gran…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 1:24am on March 14, 2025[SHARE]

"Froggy" Jumps Off the Page & into Our Lives"at Center Rep by Mary Lou Herlihy

Jennifer Haley & Tech Wonders Animate Mystery, Dark Humor by Mary Lou Herlihy "Froggy" lifts the two-dimensional world of a dark graphic novel off the page and artfully installs it onsta…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 12:00am on February 19, 2025[SHARE]

"The Spitfire Grill" Serves Up Helpings of Hope"at Ross Valley by Mary Lou Herlihy

Valcq & Alley Shine Bright, Musical Light on Small Town USA by Mary Lou Herlihy Hope is the thing with feathers. "Emily Dickinson "The Spitfire Grill," set in the fictional town of Gilea…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 2:47pm on January 29, 2025[SHARE]

"The Strange Library" Beckons with Masterful Sleight of Hand"at Word4Word by Mary Lou Herlihy

Haruki Murakami Explores the Dark Side of Curiosity by Mary Lou Herlihy "YOUR TIME IN THE READING ROOM HAS BEGUN" announces a cross-dressing maid/librarian (Chuck Lacson) with authority and …

SOURCE: Theatrius at 2:18pm on November 21, 2024[SHARE]

"Jaja's African Hair Braiding": Wild Comedy Hides Immigrant Perils"at Berkeley Rep by Mary Lou Herlihy

Jocelyn Bioh Celebrates Harlem's African Women, Brilliantly by Mary Lou Herlihy & Barry David Horwitz Playwright Jocelyn Bioh dazzles us with intimate insights, fabulous hair, and a stun…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 5:53pm on November 18, 2024[SHARE]

"Ghost Quartet": Gifted Musicians Play DREAM Gig"at OTP  by Mary Lou Herlihy

Dave Malloy's Haunting Song Cycle Shimmers by Mary Lou Herlihy "Ghost Quartet" is so haunting and curious, I want to share it with my musical friends. In a cozy living room setting, an array…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 7:16pm on November 7, 2024[SHARE]

"The Gulf" Hooks Us with Humor & Fearless Acting"at NCTC by Mary Lou Herlihy

Audrey Cefaly Digs Deep in the Bayou for Love by Mary Lou Herlihy On a small fishing boat, stuck in the dark waters of the bayou, two women wallow together, forever. Could these ill-suited l…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 4:39pm on October 31, 2024[SHARE]

"The Contest" Breathes Life into Italian Power Struggle"at Central Works by Mary Lou Herlihy

Gary Graves & Three Superb Actors Reimagine Renaissance Power by Mary Lou Herlihy Playwright and director Gary Graves brings us reimagined perspectives on Leonardo da Vinci and Michelang…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 9:39pm on October 23, 2024[SHARE]

"King James" Turns up the Heat at the Final Buzzer"at TheatreWorks by Mary Lou Herlihy

Rajiv Joseph Reveals "What's Wrong with America" by Mary Lou Herlihy Rajiv Joseph's "King James," a brilliantly crafted two-hander, continually reveals "What's wrong with America." You don't…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 8:27pm on October 15, 2024[SHARE]

"Mourning Becomes Electra' Brings the Civil War Home"at Tao House     by Mary Lou Herlihy

Eugene O'Neill's Late Tragedy Shows Women Taking Revenge  by Mary Lou Herlihy I will never see Eugene O'Neill's Tao House in Danville in quite the same light. The gorgeous setting with vi…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 9:22pm on September 23, 2024[SHARE]

"Crossing Delancey" Serves Up Tasty Comedy Treats"at Ross Valley  by Mary Lou Herlihy

Susan Sandler Invokes the Magic of a Jewish "Bubbie"   by Mary Lou Herlihy "Crossing Delancey" squeezes every possible moment of surprise, humor, and tenderness from a story of an immi…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 11:46pm on September 16, 2024[SHARE]

"Shipping & Handling" Challenges with Wise 'Black Robots'""at Crowded Fire by Mary Lou Herlihy

Star Finch Explores AI, Channeling the Genius of Black Women by Mary Lou Herlihy "Shipping and Handling" is voluble and experimental, bursting with humor and intrigue. Dr. Mother Mercy offer…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 6:24pm on August 17, 2024[SHARE]

"Best of Second City" Displays Chicago Comedy Empire"at Berkeley Rep by Mary Lou Herlihy

Six Young Stars Shine in Surprising New Style Comedy by Mary Lou Herlihy & Barry David Horwitz Over decades, the famed comedy club and theater, "Second City" (Chicago) has been the seedb…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 3:53am on July 21, 2024[SHARE]

"Who's-Dead McCarthy": Delivers Poetic Irish Wit at Its Finest"at Word4Word by Mary Lou Herlihy

Kevin Barry's Stories, Brilliantly Staged"A Must See! by Mary Lou Herlihy Hilarious Irish characters mine a deep well of humor and humanity in all three of Kevin Barry's short stories. Melan…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 12:48am on July 3, 2024[SHARE]

"Mother Road": Epic Tale of Mexican & American Quest"at Berkeley Rep by Mary Lou Herlihy

Octavio Solis Reveals Mother Lode of Mexico-US Family by Mary Lou Herlihy and Barry David Horwitz From a CraigsList ad reading: "All Joads come home. Riches beyond your wildest dreams," surf…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 5:27am on June 24, 2024[SHARE]

"Innocence" Grabs Hold & Refuses to Let Go"at SF Opera by Mary Lou Herlihy

Kaija Saariaho's Masterpiece Exposes Infection of School Massacre by Mary Lou Herlihy Students' heads jerk backward in unison"a most horrifying moment, brilliantly staged. A sickening event …

SOURCE: Theatrius at 7:20am on June 18, 2024[SHARE]

"Garuda's Wing" Celebrates Nature, Travels Time"at Magic by Mary Lou Herlihy

Naomi Iizuka Sounds the Alarm in Beautiful New Poetic Drama by Mary Lou Herlihy Naomi Iizuka's "Garuda's Wing" takes us to Borneo, teaming with ghosts, orchids, and orangutans. She beckons u…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 6:06pm on June 13, 2024[SHARE]