Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Links to assorted local theater & book venues
Artwaves
Christine Dwyer, who plays “Mother,” along with characters in the ensemble, in the current production of the musical “Ragtime” at TheatreWorks Mountain View Center for the Arts, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky.
Ragtime is based on the E.L. Doctorow novel, and concerns the changes in music, women’s rights, and the experience of Black Americans at the turn of the 20th Century. In the interview, Christine Dwyer discusses how she came to the role, the various elements that came up during rehearsal, and her life before and during the pandemic. She also discusses how the #MeToo movement and Black Lives Matter has impacted the theatrical community in terms of sensitivity training and behavioral changes.
Christine Dwyer has performed as Elphaba in “Wicked” both on the national tour and on Broadway, has appeared in several off-Broadway productions as well as touring companies of “Finding Neverland” and “Waitress.” She also performed in the ensemble of the 2018 “Jesus Christ Superstar Live” production on NBC.
Bookwaves
Flynn Berry, whose latest thriller is “Northern Spy,” set in contemporary Northern Ireland, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky. Recorded via zencastr on May 12, 2021.
Flynn Berry is the author of two other novels, “Under the Harrow,” which won the Edgar Award for best first novel, and “A Double Life.”
“Northern Spy” takes place in Northern Ireland as the tension between Catholics and Protestants has ratcheted up several notches. A single Catholic mother of an infant son, working as a producer in Belfast’s BBC studios, finds herself increasingly drawn into dealings with the IRA through her sister, who had lived a double life for the previous seven years.
In this interview Flynn Berry discusses how she came to write the novel, her writing process, and her history as an author of thrillers.
Complete 36-minute Radio Wolinsky podcast.
Review: “The Sound Inside” at Marin Theatre Company through June 19, 2022.
Book Interview/Events and Theatre Links
Note: Most in-person events still require proof of full vaccination for all audience members over 12 and masks. Many venues will require proof of boosters. Shows may unexpectedly close early or be postponed due to actors’ positive COVID tests. Check the venue for closures, ticket refunds, and vaccination status requirements before arrival. Dates are in-theater performances unless otherwise noted. All times Pacific Standard Time.
Book Stores
Bay Area Book Festival Highlights from this year’s Festival, May 7-8, 2022,
Book Passage. Monthly Calendar. Mix of on-line and in-store events.
Books Inc. Mix of on-line and in-store events.
The Booksmith Monthly Calendar. On-line events only.
Center for Literary Arts, San Jose. See website for Book Club guests in upcoming months.
Kepler’s Books On-line Refresh the Page program listings.
Live Theater Companies
Alter Theatre. Upcoming: Snag by Tara Moses, filmed. Live Outdoors: Pure Native by Vickie Ramirez, Upper Grove at the Bruns, Cal Shakes, Orinda, July 15-24.
American Conservatory Theatre The Code by The Kilbanes, August 4-7, 2022, ACT Young Conservatory, Strand Theater.
Aurora Theatre Aurora Connects, conversations via YouTube, Fridays at 8 pm. A Year With Dawn: Monthly Reading Group via Zoom, free, see website to register. Wives by Jaclyn Backhaus, starts June 24, 2022.
Awesome Theatre Company. Now streaming on the website: The Jersey Devil Play, Holy Sh*t That Was Scary: The Cloud; and previous productions.
Berkeley Rep Dana H by Lucas Hnath, June 3 – July 10, Roda Theatre.
Brava Theatre Center: See website for events.
BroadwaySF: Hadestown national tour, June 7 – July 3, Orpheum.
Broadway San Jose: Season starts with Disney’s The Lion King, August 3-21.
California Shakespeare Theatre (Cal Shakes) Romeo y Juliet June 4 – June 19, 2022.
Central Works Dreaming in Cuban by Cristina Garcia, June 25 – July 24, 2022.
Cinnabar Theatre. La Traviata, begins June 10, 2022.
Contra Costa Civic Theatre Camelot, small cast version, September 9 – October 9.
Curran Theater: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child playing now.
Custom Made Theatre References to Salvador Dalí Make Me Hot. References to Salvador Dali Make Me Hot by Jose Rivera, July 1 – 24.
42nd Street Moon. The Pajama Game, June 2 – June 19, Gateway Theater.
Golden Thread The Language of Wild Berries by Nagmeh Samini, October 14 – November 6, 2022. Potrero Stage.
Landmark Musical Theater. RENT, coming summer 2022.
Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage, April 1-16, Magic Theater, Fort Mason, closed.
Magic Theatre. Monument, or Four Sisters (The Moth Play) by Sam Chanse, closed; video to come.
Marin Theatre Company The Sound Inside by Adam Rapp, May 26 – June 19, 2022.
Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Upcoming Events Page.
New Conservatory Theatre Center (NCTC) Encore: A Cabaret Performance Celebrating Forty Years, through June 12, 2022.
Oakland Theater Project. See listings for upcoming season.
Pear Theater. In Theater: The Piano Teacher, June 22 – July 16.
PianoFight. Calendar of shows.
Ray of Light: Kinky Boots, September 8 – October 1, 2022.
San Francisco Playhouse. The Paper Dreams of Harry Chin by Jessica Huang, May 4 – June 18, 2022.
SFBATCO See website for upcoming streaming and in- theater shows.
San Jose Stage Company: The Tooth of Crime by Sam Shepard, June 1 – 26, 2022.
Shotgun Players. A Small Fire by Adam Bock, May 14 – June 12, 2022.
The Breath Project. Streaming archive.
The Marsh: Calendar listings for Berkeley, San Francisco and Marshstream.
Theatre Rhino Streaming: Essential Services Project, conceived and performed by John Fisher, all weekly performances now available on demand.
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley.Ragtime, the musical. June 1 – June 26, Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts.
Word for Word. Boys Go To Jupiter by Danielle Evans, July 6 – 21, Z Space, Steindler stage.
Misc. Listings:
BAM/PFA: Current film series.
Berkeley Symphony: See website for listings.
Chamber Music San Francisco: Calendar, 2023 Season, starting February.
Dance Mission Theatre. On stage events calendar.
Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Calendar listings and upcoming shows.
San Francisco Opera. Calendar listings, January 16 – June 10, 2022.
San Francisco Symphony. Calendar listings.
Playbill List of Streaming Theatre: Updated weekly, this is probably the best list you’ll find of national and international streaming plays and musicals. Each week has its own webpage, so scroll down.
National Theatrical Streaming: Upcoming plays from around the country.
Filmed Live Musicals: Searchable database of all filmed live musicals, podcast, blog.
If you’d like to add your bookstore or theater venue to this list, please write [email protected]