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42nd Street Moon boasts “classic four-part harmonies” and “pitch-perfect melodies” in its upcoming production of the heavenly musical “Forever Plaid” at the Gateway Theatre in San Francisco.
Stuart Ross’ slightly off-the-wall musical tells of four guys sharing their love for music and a desire to become their idols — The Four Freshmen. However, on their way to their first big gig, they are broadsided by a school bus and killed instantly. Now, the heavenly foursome passionately squabble about close harmonies and crazy choreography on a celestial plane.
Ross, obviously, has quite the imagination.
Daniel Thomas directs with Brittney Monroe choreographer. The show features Edu Gonzalez-Maldonado, Justin P. Lopez, Matt Skinner and Kevin Singer as the heavenly vocalists.
“Forever Plaid” runs
Related Articles
Curtain Calls: Unrepentant ‘Pal Joey’ makes the old feel new at Altarena Playhouse
Curtain Calls: Shotgun Players opens its 2024 season with Shakespearean favorite
Curtain Calls: Fast-paced action in ‘The Great Leap’ a slam dunk at Lesher Center
Curtain Calls: ‘Cost of Living’ not just seen, but felt at Oakland Theater Project
Curtain Calls: Evil shines in Central Works’ ‘Boss McGreedy’ at Berkeley City Club
Thursday through May 25 at the Gateway Theatre on 215 Jackson St. Call 415-255-8207 or go to 42ndstmoon.org.
Alameda: While you may think of “Pal Joey” as an old-time musical, it still has relevance today and, given the current production at the Altarena Playhouse, it certainly has plenty of entertainment value.
The theme of striving to get ahead using whatever means necessary and disregard for the truth in favor of a good story has continued into our current time. And, if anything, gained in popularity. But, what else could you expect when one of the musical numbers is entitled “Den of Iniquity?”
Altarena director Laura Morgan has found a powerful cast to not only bring out their characters’ flaws but their vulnerabilities as well.
Nico Jaochico as Joey, the operator of a second-rate night club, finds all his character’s charms along with a few vulnerabilities as he spins one story after another to get ahead. As Joey’s wealthy, middle-aged lover, Vera, Maria Mikheyenko nicely blends sarcasm and assuredness as she takes control of their relationship. Both have lovely voices and Mikheyenko, especially, shows a depth of emotions in “Bewitched.”
Charles Evans portrays night club manager Mike and Commissioner O’Brien with ease. My only criticism is that Evans, an established cabaret singer, doesn’t sing in this production. An accomplished vocalist and actress, Sarah Elizabeth Williams plays Joey’s other romantic interest Linda with a subtle hand while Max Thorne and Dan Kolodny nicely portray several roles.
Morgan and choreographer Rachel Kane outdid themselves casting the four club dancers — Jarusha Ariel (the not-so-nice Gladys), Joan Hong (Francine), Jetta Martin (Cookie) and Shelly McDowell (Val). The day I saw the show, Martin was out with Kane seamlessly taking her place and the other dancers picking up some of Martin’s routines with ease.
Kane made the most of the Altarena’s intimate, three-quarter staging with clever routines and a particularly fun fan dance.
The day I saw the show was also a fundraiser for the Bayview Women’s Club, a group who volunteers as ushers for all the Altarena shows. They not only enjoyed watching the show instead of ushering, but they had quite a party following.
“Pal Joey” continues through April 28 at the Altarena Playhouse, 1409 High St., Alameda. Call 510-523-1553 or go to altarena.org.
Martinez: Can a young upstart teach an older priest new tricks? Playwright Bill C. Davis certainly thinks so in his comedy-drama “Mass Appeal.”
Running May 3-19 at the Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St., Martinez, the show features Jess Rodgers as the firebrand seminarian challenging the Catholic Church’s stance on several topics including the ordination of women. Jerry Motta portrays Father Tim Farley, a very popular pastor who prefers keeping his parishioners happy rather than questioning the church’s teachings.
Produced by Plotline Theater Company, the show is directed by Randy Anger.
“This is a very funny yet compassionate play and I’m grateful to have two good actors who take direction but have wonderful ideas of their own,” Anger said.
For tickets, go to campbelltheatercompany.com.
Pittsburg: Chocolate lovers everywhere won’t want to miss a trip to Willy Wonka’s mysterious chocolate factory with Pittsburg Theatre Company’s “Willy Wonka.” The Roald Dahl musical runs April 26-May 5 at California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg.
Go to pittsburgcommunitytheatre.org for tickets.
Lafayette: “Speak every single word of the text” is the mantra for Word for Word, a theater company that brilliantly brings short stories to life. I’ve seen several of their productions and am always amazed at how captivating they are.
The San Francisco company journeys to Lafayette’s Town Hall Theatre, 3535 School St., with the company’s “Off the Page” staged reading series April 23 at 7 p.m.
The performance features Kevin Barry’s “The Coast of Leitrim,” a modern romance about an Irish man smitten with a young Polish woman.
After the reading, the audience can give feedback on the production moves.
For more information, go to townhalltheatre.com.
Also in Lafayette: For classical music lovers, Pacific Chamber Orchestra presents Max Bruch’s “Violin Concerto #1 in g minor” with violinist Livia Sohn, Felix Mendelssohn’s “Symphony #3 ‘Scottish’” and Fanny Mendelssohn’s “Overture for Orchestra” on April 27 at 7:30 p.m., Lafayette-Orinda Presbyterian Church.
For tickets, go to PacificChamberOrchestra.org.
Reach Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com, and read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.