Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Links to assorted local theater & book venues
Bookwaves
Donald Spoto (1941-2023), noted biographer, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded June 18, 1997 while on tour for “Notorious: The Life of Ingrid Bergman.”
The legendary biographer Donald Spoto died on February 11th, 2023 at the age of 81. Among his works were biographies of Alfred Hitchcock, Marlene Dietrich, Tennessee Williams, Lawrence Olivier, the House of Windsor, James Dean and several others.
This is the first of three interviews about his subjects and about the art of biography. The second interview was conducted a year later for The Hidden Jesus: A New Life. The third and final interview was recorded in 2000 for Jacqueline Bouvier Kennedy Onassis, A Life. Later biographies focused on Francis of Assisi, Alan Bates, Grace Kelly and the Redgraves. His final biography, published in 2016 focused on the life of actress Teresa Wright.
Digitized, remastered and edited on April 1, 2023. This interview has not been heard since its original 1997 broadcast. Complete Interview
Bookwaves
Justine Bateman, actress and director, author of “Fame: The Hijacking of Reality,” in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky, recorded at Green Apple Books on the Park on San Francisco on October 27, 2018.
Justine Bateman jump-started her career at the age of sixteen with the role of Mallory in the hit television show “Family Ties.” She went on to other television shows, films and stage presentations before turning to directing and getting university degrees after she turned forty. Her book “Fame” details, from personal experience, what it’s like to be famous at an early age, how one deals with fame, and how a member of the public deals with a famous person. She details the ups and downs of fame, from the first time fans take notice to the later times, when nobody takes notice. Her first film as writer/director is Violet, released in 2021, which can be found on the free library app, Kanopy. Complete Interview.
Review of “The Triumph of Love” at Shotgun Players Ashby Stage through April 23, 2023.
Book Interview/Events and Theatre Links
Note: Shows may unexpectedly close early or be postponed due to actors’ positive COVID tests. Check the venue for closures, ticket refunds, and vaccination and mask requirements before arrival. Dates are in-theater performances unless otherwise noted. Some venues operate Tuesday – Sunday; others Wednesday or Thursday through Sunday. All times Pacific Standard Time.
Book Stores
Bay Area Book Festival Lists of guests at the upcoming Book Festival, May 6-7, 2023, event calendar and links to previous events.
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.
Green Apple Books. Events calendar.
Kepler’s Books On-line Refresh the Page program listings.
Live Theater Companies
Actor’s Reading Collective (ARC). See website for past streams.
Alter Theatre. See website for upcoming productions.
American Conservatory Theatre Poor Yella Rednecks: Vietgone 2 by Qui Nguyen, March 30 – May 7, Strand.
Aurora Theatre Cyrano by Edmond Rostand, adapted by Josh Costello, April 7 – May 7.
Awesome Theatre Company. Check website for upcoming live shows and streaming.
Berkeley Rep English by Sanazz Toosi, March 31 – May 7, Peets Theatre.
Boxcar Theatre. See website for calendar listings.
Brava Theatre Center: See website for events.
BroadwaySF: Come from Away, April 11 – 23, Golden Gate. Pretty Woman: The Musical, April 26-30, Orpheum
Broadway San Jose: Riverdance, 25th Anniversary Show, May 12-14. 1776, May 6-21.
California Shakespeare Theatre (Cal Shakes). No 2023 season scheduled. See website for events calendar.
Center Rep: Sweat, by Lynn Nottage. March 31 – April 16
Central Works Mondragola by Gary Graves, March 18 – April 16, 2023.
Cinnabar Theatre. Tiger Style! by Mike Lew, April 7 – 23.
Contra Costa Civic Theatre To Master the Art by William Brown and Doug Frew, April 21 – May 21, 2023.
Curran Theater: Into The Woods, direct from Broadway, June 20-25, 2023.
Custom Made Theatre. Tiny Fires by Aimee Suzara, postponed to a later date in 2023.
Cutting Ball Theatre. Exhaustion Arroyo: Dancin’ Trees in the Ravine by W. Fran Astorga. April 13 – May 21.
42nd Street Moon. Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along, March 23 – April 9, Gateway Theatre.
Golden Thread See website for ongoing special events.
Landmark Musical Theater. Annie Warbucks, sequel to Annie, March 11 – April 9, 2023, at the Landmark, 533 Sutter, SF.
Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. In The Evening by the Moonlight by Tracy Tolmaire, a staged reading, co-created and directed by Margo Hall. At the Museum of the African Diaspora, April 8, 2 pm.
Magic Theatre. The Ni¿¿er Lovers by Mark Anthony Thompson, May 3 -21. See website for other events at the Magic.
Marin Theatre Company Where Did We Sit On The Bus? by Brian Quijada, May 4 – 28,
Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Upcoming Events Page.
New Conservatory Theatre Center (NCTC) Locusts Have No King by C. Julian Jimenez, April 7 – May 14. The Confession of Lily Dare by Charles Busch, May 12 – June 11.
Oakland Theater Project. Is God Is by Aleshea Harris, in theater, March 31 – April 23.
Pear Theater. Pear Slices 2023, Original short plays. April 20 – May 14.
PianoFight. Permanently closed as of March 18, 2023.
Presidio Theatre. See website for upcoming productions
Ray of Light: Spring Awakening In Concert, June 8-10, Victoria Theatre. Cruel Intentions: The ’90s Musical, September 8 – October 1, Victoria Theatre. The Rocky Horror Show, Oasis Nightclub, October 6 – 31. See website for Spotlight Cabaret Series at Feinstein’s at the Nikko.
San Francisco Playhouse. Clue, based on the screenplay, March 9 – April 27, 2023.
SFBATCO See website for upcoming streaming and in- theater shows.
San Jose Stage Company: Grand Horizons by Bess Wohl, April 5 – 30. 2023.
Shotgun Players. Triumph of Love by Pierre de Marivaux, March 25 – April 23, streaming on demand, April 6, April 13.
South Bay Musical Theatre: Singin’ In the Rain, May 13 – June 3.
The Breath Project. Streaming archive.
The Marsh: Calendar listings for Berkeley, San Francisco and Marshstream.
Theatre Rhino The Rita Hayworth of This Generation written and performed by Tina D’Elia, April 6 – 23, Streaming: Essential Services Project, conceived and performed by John Fisher, all weekly performances now available on demand, New performances most Wednesdays. Arts in America, performed and conceived by John Fisher, Tuesday April 11, 7 pm See website for free staged readings.
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. A Distinct Society by Kareem Fahmy, April 5 – 30, 2023, Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts.
Word for Word. Home by George Saunders, April 5-29, Z Below. See schedule for one-night readings and streaming performances.
Misc. Listings:
BAM/PFA: On View calendar for BAM/PFA.
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.
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]