Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Links to assorted local theater & book venues
Bookwaves
A.S. Byatt (1936-November 18, 2023), in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky on January 27, 2003 while on tour for the novel, “A Whistling Woman.” This would be the first of two interviews, the second in 2010 for her novel The Children’s Book.
Born Antonia Drabble and sister to novelist Margaret Drabble, A.S. Byatt spent her early professional life as a teacher before becoming a full time writer in 1983. In 1978 she began the first of a tetralogy, The Virgin in the Garden, which continued with Still Life, Babel Tower, and finally A Whistling Woman.
Her 1990 novel, Possession, probably her best known work, won the Booker Prize. and was turned into a successful film by Neil LeBute. Her novella Morpho Eugenia was adapted into a film titled Angels and Insects in 1995.
Over the course of her career, she wrote ten novels, the last of which was Ragnarok: The End of the Gods in 2011, along with six short story collections, a two-novella collection titled Angels and Insects, and nine essays and biographies. Her final work was a short story collection, Medusa’s Ankles, published in 2021.
This wide-ranging interview focuses not only on her most recent novel, but on the build-up to the American invasion of Iraq, which would happen in March, 2003, her views on Umberto Eco’s works, genre fiction, and other issues.
Remastered and re-edited by Richard Wolinsky, November 18-19, 2023.
Complete interview.
Review of “Guys and Dolls”at San Francisco Playhouse through January 13, 2023.
Review of “Harry Clarke” at Berkeley Rep Roda Theatre through December 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 Time. Closing dates are sometimes extended.
Book Stores
Bay Area Book Festival 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 Event Calendar.
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.
African American Art & Culture Complex. See website for calendar.
Alter Theatre. See website for upcoming productions.
American Conservatory Theatre A Christmas Carol, December 6 -24, Toni Rembe Theater.
Aurora Theatre 1984 by George Orwell, adapted by Michael Gene Sullivan, In Theater, November 10 – December 10, Streaming, December 5-10. Felonious Mixtape runs Nov. 30-Dec. 2 and Dec. 7-9.
Awesome Theatre Company. See website for upcoming productions.
Berkeley Rep Bulrusher by Eisa Davis, October 27 – December 3, 2023, Peets Theatre. Harry Clarke by David Cale, featuring Billy Crudup, Roda Theatre, November 15 – December 23, 2023.
Berkeley Shakespeare Company. See website for upcoming productions.
Boxcar Theatre. See website for upcoming shows.
Brava Theatre Center: See calendar for current and upcoming productions.
BroadwaySF: See website for assorted upcoming events in 2023. Disney’s The Lion King, November 22 – December 30, Orpheum.
Broadway San Jose: How the Grinch Stole Christmas, November 28 – December 3.
California Shakespeare Theatre (Cal Shakes). See website for events.
Center Rep: A Christmas Carol, December 7 – 21.
Central Works See website for 2024 season.
Cinnabar Theatre. The Addams Family, November 17-December 2. The Last Five Years, January 5-21, 2024,
Club Fugazi. Dear San Francisco. Open-ended run.
Contra Costa Civic Theatre ;Home for the Holidays, Dec. 8-10; 15-17. Fundraiser with Lamont Ridgell and Anita Veramontes.
Curran Theater: See website for upcoming live events and streaming choices.
Custom Made Theatre. Upcoming shows to be announced.
Cutting Ball Theatre. See website for upcoming productions.
42nd Street Moon. Falsettos, February 29 – March 17, 2024.
Golden Thread Upcoming season to be announced.
Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. Soulful Christmas, December 14-17, Magic Theatre.
Magic Theatre. See website for events at the Magic. Saint John Coltrane Church service, Sundays 11 am.
Marin Theatre Company Dragon Lady written and performed by Sara Porkalob, November 24-December 17.
Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Upcoming Events Page.
New Conservatory Theatre Center (NCTC) Ruthless, December 1 – January 7.
Oakland Theater Project. Cost of Living by Martyna Majek, March 1-24.
Pear Theater. In Repertory, November 17 – December 10: District Merchants by Aaron Posner; William Shakespeare’s The Land of the Dead by John Heimbuch.
PianoFight. Permanently closed as of March 18, 2023.
Presidio Theatre. See website for schedule of events and performances.
Ray of Light: Everybody’s Talking About Jamie, June 1 – 23, 2024. See website for Spotlight Cabaret Series at Feinstein’s at the Nikko.
San Francisco Playhouse. Guys and Dolls, November 16 – January 13.
SFBATCO See website for upcoming streaming and in- theater shows.
San Jose Stage Company: The Play That Goes Wrong. November 15 – December 10.
Shotgun Players. Hedwig and the Angry Inch. October 28 – December 30.
South Bay Musical Theatre: A Little Night Music, January 27 – February 17, 2024.
The Breath Project. Streaming archive.
The Marsh: Calendar listings for Berkeley, San Francisco and Marshstream.
Theatre Rhino Group Therapy by Tanika Baptiste, November 9 – December 3, Thursday thru Sunday. Streaming: Essential Services Project, conceived and performed by John Fisher, all weekly performances now available on demand, New performances most Wednesdays.
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee, November 29 – December 24, Lucie Stern Theatre, Palo Alto.
Word for Word. See website for upcoming productions.
Misc. Listings:
BAM/PFA: On View calendar for BAM/PFA.
Berkeley Symphony: See website for listings.
Chamber Music San Francisco: Calendar, 2023 Season.
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.
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]
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