Author Archives: scharles

Making Light Comedy Fest: notes and comments

Posted on September 27, 2015 by scharles

Comedy seems to me to be an amazing cultural phenomena.   In what other segment of the natural world do we see “comedy” other then in human beings?  Not just that, how far along in cultural development does a culture have … Continue reading →

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Nicholas Thurkettle’s “Stages of Sleep”: notes and comments

Posted on July 20, 2015 by scharles

Nicholas Thurkettle’s writing is finely tuned. Immediate, lyrical, and lean.  His work has elements of various American short-story masters — Damon Runyon comes to mind.  So does O. Henry. And particularly Ray Bradbury. In “Stages Of Sleep” Thurkettle offers up 15 … Continue reading →

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Celebration Arts production of Mark St. Germain’s “Best of Enemies”: notes and comments

Posted on April 26, 2015 by scharles

Celebration Arts production of Mark St. Germain’s “Best of Enemies” is full of vigor and energy — the word that comes to mind is explosive.  Two characters — a white racist named “C.P. Ellis” (Chris Lamb) and a black civil rights activist named “Ann Atwater” … Continue reading →

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Elisabeth Nunziato’s production of Maurice Robie’s “Stolen Moments”: notes and comments

Posted on March 29, 2015 by scharles

Elisabeth Nunziato’s production of Maurice Robie’s  “Stolen Moments” has something every movie wants to achieve, but often doesn’t: authenticity and a natural in-the-moment feel. There is something about this film I can’t quite express in words, except to say it has … Continue reading →

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Virago Theater Company’s Production of Catherine Trieschmann’s Crooked: notes and comments

Posted on March 3, 2015 by scharles

Virago Theater Company’s production of Catherine Trieschmann’s “Crooked”  at The Flight Deck in Oakland was outstanding.   The acting was spot on, vigorous, and relentless — made more so because one of the actors — Isadora Cass (as “Maribel”) is thirteen … Continue reading →

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Virago Theater’s production of William Bivins’ “Ransom, Texas” at the Tides Theater: notes and comments

Posted on October 19, 2014 by scharles

William Bivins’ “Ransom, Texas” reminds me of Oedipus Rex turned inside out– a Greek tragedy with a distinctly Western accent.  There are no women in the play, except as references, and it shows: not a hint of femininity anywhere.  The … Continue reading →

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Living in a post CrossFit world

Posted on August 9, 2014 by scharles

I think CrossFit has been discussed so much, and with such vigor, that we can finally say (or ought to be able to say) we’re done now let’s move on.  Which is not to say CrossFit is over, or passe, … Continue reading →

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Celebration Arts production of David Mamet’s “Race”: notes and comments

Posted on August 3, 2014 by scharles

I’ve been thinking lately that it’s really quite easy to convince someone of something they already believe to be true.  The reason I came to that conclusion, and why such an obvious truism should need to be restated, will be … Continue reading →

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Big Idea Theater’s Production of Jeff Talbot’s “The Submission”: notes and comments

Posted on July 4, 2014 by scharles

Sometimes a play comes together in such a way that it doesn’t feel like theater, it feels like there isn’t any difference between the audience and the actors.  Big Idea Theater’s “The Submission” was one of those moments — there … Continue reading →

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CapStage’s Production of Jordan Harrison’s “Maple and Vine”: notes and comments

Posted on June 28, 2014 by scharles

For me theater is at it’s best when it most clearly reflects the social consciousness of our times.  Put another way, it’s the antidote for being brainwashed.  And by “brainwashed” I don’t mean “Manchurian Candidate” or water-boarding or torture generally. … Continue reading →

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