Berkeley’s Central Works continues providing entertainment during these pandemic times with the audio play “The Human Ounce” by Nicole Parizeau.
A longtime member of the Central Works Writers Workshop, the Montreal native has won numerous awards and been published in a series of literary and scientific journals. “The Human Ounce,” Parizeau’s first fully produced play, opened Central Works’ 30th season this past February. The story follows a historically important artist, admired worldwide, who is revealed as a monster. But can his art still be admired or is it tainted by the artist’s actions? Parizeau asks these questions and more in her intriguing work directed by Gary Graves and featuring Champagne Hughes, Kimberly Ridgeway and Don Wood. Central Works promises a “dynamic auditory experience” with this new audio version. “The Human Ounce” is available beginning Nov. 26. Go online to centralworks.org/cw30update for details.
Alameda: Just what is real and what is deception in “The Deception of Kathryn Vask” by Mark Steensland? The well-written play with several twists and turns was presented by the Altarena Playhouse on Oct. 29-30 in the company’s first live-stream play. The show centers on a wife (Kim Donovan) whose loss of her young son has her unable to function. The husband (Russ Whismore) sends her to a therapist and then agrees to a séance when that doesn’t work. The family priest (Matt Standley) enlists the help of a medium (Annette Oliviera) and her husband (Jim Rupp) to make the séance happen. But is it really happening and just who is really in charge?
Thanks to the aforementioned Kimberly Ridgeway’s astute direction and her talented cast, there are lots of surprises for the audience watching safely from their homes via YouTube. All of the performers create believable characters with Donovan and Whismore especially effective as the grieving parents, and kudos to Oliviera for alternating her voice to accommodate the various spirits she needed to embody.
I’m always amazed when actors performing alone in their own homes can convey an emotional attachment to the other characters, and Ridgeway’s cast certainly did that. The scene was also nicely set with slides of the Vask household and appropriate music before and during scene breaks. I look forward to more live-streaming from the Altarena. To see what the company plans next, go to altarena.org.
San Francisco: Several companies have announced new seasons recently. Most look into the future when theaters can reopen but others present an “inside/outside” season such as San Francisco’s Theatre Rhinoceros.
“We begin our 44th season inside with some slammin’ live-stream productions and then, we hope, venture outside into theaters again,” said John Fisher. “Along the way, we present the hottest and latest in diverse LGBT stories, with an emphasis on the stories of African-American and Latinx individuals. Please join us for an adventurous and topical season.”
It all starts Nov. 13 with “Overlooked Latinas,” and continues with live streamed productions through Jan. 29. The company hopes to open on stage May 21 with “Mark Nadler Tonight” followed by a final TBA production on stage by an African-American playwright. Several titles are under consideration. For more information, go to therhino.org.
Also in San Francisco, Smuin Ballet has always been fortunate to have couples and roommates among its dancers. While adding a further layer to the various works performed, these groups have taken on additional significance during the pandemic. Returning to the studio earlier this fall, these small “pods” were able to work on duets in which physical contact was restricted to dancers within the same household. Other Smuin dancers have been preparing solos. Together these new works, along with Smuin classics, make up the company’s Virtual Fall Dance Series.
The series, which began Nov. 4, was filmed outdoors at unique settings around the Bay Area, from oceanside at Fort Funston to the Point Reyes Shipwreck. Each week’s program includes new works as well as classics from the “Smuin Songbook,” which features favorite dances set to music from Sinatra to Willie Nelson to Elvis Presley and the Beatles. Audience members can also interact with Artistic Director Celia Fushille and the dancers in a Q&A following the performances. Program A continues Nov. 8 at 4 p.m. followed by Programs B and C and Smuin Dance Films taking place every Wednesday at 7:30 p.m. and Sunday at 4 p.m. through Dec. 2. For a complete listing of new works and the dancers performing, go to smuinballet.org.
Mill Valley: Marin Theatre Company begins its 54th season with digital productions starting with Leila Buck’s “American Dreams” in November. The company hopes to produce live theater on stage in its Boyer Theatre beginning in the fall of 2021.
“I am so proud of the effort that everyone has made to think outside the box, inside the box, through the box and down the rabbit hole to create pieces with visionary formats that match their unique voices and stories,” said Artistic Director Jasson Minadakis. “We are also announcing that our final two productions will be live productions from our Boyer Theatre, hopefully with a combined live and virtual audience so folks who aren’t ready to come back to the theatre can still participate.” For the complete season, go to marintheatre.org.
Sally Hogarty can be reached at sallyhogarty@gmail.com. Read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.
