As Leo Tolstoy once said, “All happy families resemble one another; every unhappy family is unhappy in its own way.” Every member of the MacTwatt Clan’s 10-year family reunion reveals unique unhappiness as they meet again after years apart in the Logger Legends, Liars and Lookers, the third in the Logger Bar-located series of plays written and directed […]
Front Row
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A Gentleman’s Guide Kills Again
I think many directors salivate at the idea of reworking their theater pieces despite knowing it is a double-edged sword. As a production runs, actors’ discoveries, relationships and the merging of tech solidifies, creating a slew of nuance that can be explored and expanded. However, that evolution could result in the production feeling overworked to […]
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The Valiant Red Rooster Crows
By reimagining the classic folk tale of The Valiant Red Rooster for the annual holiday musical pantomime at the Arcata Playhouse, director Evan Grande offers this year’s post-earthquake, holiday spirits-boosting entertainment enjoyable for all ages. Backed by the equivalent of a Greek chorus (the talented and funny Blue Lake Choir in chicken costumes) that witnesses […]
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Mystery and Mirth
The Game’s Afoot If local theater awards existed, North Coast Repertory Theatre’s last production of the season, The Game’s Afoot, would be nominated for several coveted (and imagined) Woody awards. With ugly Christmas sweaters, oversized magnifying glasses and half-in-the-bag smiles smattering the audience, the production is lively, spirited and fun. Despite my having one of […]
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Silence and Depth
Voices of a Silent Stage After an absurd week, Cal Poly Humboldt’s production of Voices of a Silent Stage is food for a tired soul. The dichotomy of the entire piece creates the perfect balance of levity and depth, joy and mourning. It is a show where empty space feels full, so much is said […]
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NCRT’s Sweeney Todd Stays Sharp
Sometimes the uncanny ability that live theater has to evoke jouissance is more a product of the audience than the production. On the night I attended North Coast Repertory Theatre’s Sweeney Todd at the 5th and D Street Theatre, people clutching flowers waiting to reward months of their friend’s commitment to the show, new-to-theater locals […]
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Blithe Spirit‘s Cast Brings the Comedy to Life
Conflicting production designs are not enough to hinder interesting directorial choices and strong acting in Ferndale Repertory Theatre’s new production of Noel Coward’s classic Blithe Spirit. Originally a British farce in three acts, director Merrick D. Yra removes an act, relocates the show to America, mutes the setting to gray and sepia tones, and plays […]
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The White Card‘s Dialogue on Race and Art
Like a speck of dirt on a pristine white dinner jacket, a black flatscreen TV hangs starkly against the all-white set, the screen showing the intense tennis battle between the Willams sisters at the 2017 Australian Open. The sound of shoes screeching and the claps of the tennis ball being smacked back and forth on […]
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The Riches of The Poor of New York
Our lives through these past pandemic years have been a little melodramatic — as well as lonely and heart-wrenching at times. It’s also been a disappointing five years since the last Dell’Arte International summer show within the now renamed Baduwa’t Festival in Blue Lake. Performed in a welcome return to vintage DAI comedic style, this […]
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Raised Stakes at The Prom
As giggling teens heckled, “You’re GAY. We’re all GAY,” from an open second-story window, echoing off the buildings of downtown Ferndale, and an unfortunate side street detour led us to a church marquee reading, “Ferndale Reps The Prom is Anti Christ and Pro LGBTQ,” the importance of playing stakes in theater productions was solidified. Stakes […]
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A New Brain‘s Snappy Synapses
Director, actor, choreographer and wicked talent Alex Blouin let the new Redwood Curtain production of A New Brain marinate for years. Her persistence and ambition in getting this charming musical produced by Redwood Curtain Theatre finally comes to fruition in a spectacular way at 5th and D Street Theater. With star-studded local theater familiars, beautiful stage […]
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Albee at the EXIT
I have never liked Edward Albee’s The American Dream, not as a part of my script analysis classes, nor in the multiple productions that I’ve seen performed. I find it to be shrouded with intellectual commentary and unfollowable simile that leaves the audience wondering what the hell is actually happening. Yet, I am still drawn […]