If you recall, I got all gushy about Broadway By the Bay’s “The Full Monty” a little while back. Though the trek to the San Mateo Performing Arts Center is a bit much for most of us, the journey is most definitely worth it. High production values, excellent casts, and a reasonably priced concession stand—what [...]

Hello, all. I hope you had a fun, safe, and gorge-tastic Halloween. Now that you’re recovering from your hangovers (alcohol or candy-induced), I thought I’d bring you some exciting news. “Resident Expert” John Hodgman is appearing at the Herbst Theatre on November 7. If the name doesn’t instantly ring a bell, you’re probably not as [...]

San Francisco native Manoel Felciano has wowed audiences and critics on Broadway. His performance as Toby in “Sweeney Todd” earned him a Tony nomination for Best Featured Actor in a Musical. Now he’s taking a vacation from New York theater and has joined A.C.T.’s Core Acting Company. I spoke to Felciano during rehearsals for “November,” [...]

Starting tomorrow, the “Toy Story” series won’t be the only newly 3D contemporary animated classic in theaters. (Try saying that five times fast.) The Castro will be presenting a limited engagement of Disney’s “The Nightmare Before Christmas” in digital 3D. I probably shouldn’t admit this, but I saw “The Nightmare Before Christmas” in 3D a [...]

This week I got to experience two firsts: one, attending a show at the Rrazz Room, and two, seeing Sandra Bernhard live. Both lived up to my expectations—the Rrazz Room for being a swanky, intimate lounge setting, and Sandra Bernhard for being effing hilarious. (Yes, I said “effing.” I try to keep things PG over [...]

Do I really need to sell you on “Rent”? We’re talking about one of the most famous musicals of all time. A show that redefined the genre. The quintessential ’90s rock musical. Need I go on?
Well, I’m going to anyway, because I have a confession to make: I have now seen “Rent” five times. That [...]