Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Links to assorted local theater & book venues
Artwaves
Stephen Sondheim (1930 – November 26, 2021) in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded in New York, November 24, 2011.
Stephen Sondheim died at the age of 91 on November 26, 2021. A titan of American musical theater whose work both transcended and changed the genre itself, Sondheim was responsible for the lyrics for Gypsy and West Side Story — and his own shows, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, all became classics in the field. His lyrics were clever and deep – whether it be the torch song “Losing My Mind” from Follies, the history lesson, “Someone in a Tree” from Pacific Overtures, the gorgeous “Sunday” from Sunday in the Park, “Not While I’m Around” from Sweeney Todd, “Not a Day Goes By” from Merrily We Roll Along, “Send in the Clowns”… the list goes on.
In this interview recorded in November 2011 at his townhouse in New York City for “Look! I Made a Hat!”, the second volume of his collection of essays and song lyrics, he discusses his later works and his career with host Richard Wolinsky. Complete Interview
An in-depth interview recorded a year earlier, in November 2010 in San Francisco will air in its entirety on December 30, 2021. Radio Wolinsky podcast.
Artwaves
Nancy Opel, Broadway veteran performer, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky, recorded November 22, 2021.
Nancy Opel performs as the Ghost of Christmas Past in the touring production of A Christmas Carol, playing at the BroadwaySF Golden Gate Theatre through December 26, 2021.
Nancy Opel has appeared in several Broadway shows, starting with the original productions of Evita and Sunday in the Park with George, and later Wicked, Beautiful, Honeymoon in Vegas, Memphis, revivals of Fiddler on the Roof and Gypsy, and most recently, Urinetown. On television, she’s appeared in The Big C, and Law and Order.
In this interview she talks about preparing for her roles, singing in musicals, her work in Sunday in the Park and her current role in A Christmas Carol. Complete Interview.
The Bookwaves/Artwaves Hour returns on December 23, 2021.
Review: “Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley” at Marin Theatre Company through December 19, 2021.
Book Interview/Events and Theatre Links
Note: Most in-person events require proof of full vaccination for all audience members over 12 (some may allow unvaccinated audience members with recent negative Covid tests), and masks. Shows may unexpectedly close early or be postponed due to actors’ positive COVID tests. Check the venue for mandates or closures before arrival. Dates are in theater performances unless otherwise noted.
Book Stores
Bay Area Book Festival On-line: Sam Wasson, December 5, 5 pm. Nicholas Buccola, December 8,, 5 pm. Bay Area Book Festival, May 7-8, 2022,
Book Passage. Calendar for December. Mix of on-line and in-store events.
Books Inc. Mix of on-line and in-store events.
The Booksmith Calendar for December. On-line events only.
Center for Literary Arts, San Jose. Check website for archived events.
Kepler’s Books On-line Refresh the Page program listings.
Live Theater Companies
Alter Theatre. Brer Peach, an audio play by Andrew Saito, on-line through-December 12.
American Conservatory Theatre Limited engagements: Get On Your Knees, with Jacqueline Novak, December 2-4. Strand; The Woman in Black, original London production, December 15 – January 16, Strand. 2022 season: Freestyle Love Supreme opens January 21, 2022 at the Geary Theater.
Aurora Theatre Father/Daughter by Dael Orlandersmith, By Kait Kerrigan, directed by M. Graham Smith, in performance now; streaming Dec. 7-12.
Awesome Theatre Company. On-line now: The Jersey Devil Play.
Berkeley Rep Wintertime by Charles L. Mee, through December 19, Roda Theater. Fran Lebowitz, Jan. 22-26, 2022.
Brava Theatre Center: They Friend. Non-Binary Performance Festival, Streaming through December 6, 2021. Help Is On The Way For the Holidays XX: Feliz Navidad. benefit concert, in theater, December 5, 6 pm silent auction; 7:30 pm, performance.
BroadwaySF: Touring companies: A Christmas Carol, November 26 – December 26, 2021 at the Golden Gate. Rent, December 3 -12, Orpheum. The Band’s Visit, January 11 – February 6, 2022, Golden Gate.
Broadway San Jose: A Magical Cirque Christmas, Dec. 30. The Simon and Garfunkel Story, January 12, 2022, 7:30 pm.
California Shakespeare Theatre (Cal Shakes) Streaming: A Winter’s Tale, Dec. 13-19, 2021. Streaming: Br’er Peach, through January 11, 2022.
Central Works Audio plays: Bystanders by Patricia Milton, streaming now. The Human Ounce by Nicole Parizeau, streaming now. 2022 season to be announced.
Cinnabar Theatre. Cinnebar Young Rep: Beauty and the Beast, Nov. 19 – Dec. 5.
Contra Costa Civic Theatre On stage: Home for the Holidays with Lamont & Friends, Dec. 3-5.
Curran Theater: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child set to resume January 11, 2022 as a single evening play. Taylor Mac videos available on-line.
Custom Made Theatre Season schedule resumes in 2022.
42nd Street Moon. Fun Home, February 3-22. 2022, Gateway Theater.
Landmark Musical Theater. Check website for upcoming schedule.
Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. Upcoming season to be announced.
Magic Theatre. Check website for upcoming schedule.
Marin Theatre Company On stage: Georgiana and Kitty: Christmas at Pemberley by Lauren Gunderson and Margot Melcon, November 18 – December 19, 2021.
Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Upcoming Events Page.
New Conservatory Theatre Center Streaming: Hold Me The Forgotten Way, through December, 31, 2021. In Theater: Plot Points in Our Sexual Development by Miranda Rose Hall, November 12 – December 19, 2021. Gently Down the Stream by Martin Sherman, December 3, 2021 – January 9, 2022.
Oakland Theater Project. In Theater: sAiNt jOaN (burn/burn/burn) by Lisa Ramirez, Nov 12 – Dec 19, 2021.
Pear Theater. In Theater: Eight Nights by Jennifer Maisel and The Thanksgiving Play by Larissa FastHorse, in repertory, November 19 – December 12, 2021.
PianoFight. Calendar of shows. Expansion to The Flight Deck in Oakland.
Ray of Light: Upcoming shows to be announced.
San Francisco Playhouse. Twelfth Night, a musical adaptation. Nov. 24 – January 15, in theater. On Demand: December 1 – January 15.
SFBATCO See website for upcoming streaming and in theatre shows.
San Jose Stage Company: Great Expectations, Nov. 17- Dec. 12
Shotgun Players. The Cassandra Sessions: Recording the World, December 2 – 26.
The Breath Project. Streaming archive.
The Marsh: MarshStream updated calendar.
Theatre Rhino The Rhino Reading Series, December 7, 7 pm, 4229 18th St., SF. Streaming: Essential Services Project, conceived and performed by John Fisher, all weekly performances now available on demand. Bulge, Saturday December 4, 5 pm live from NYC. Upcoming:The 2021 Rhino Holiday Extravaganza, December 30, 8 pm. Gateway Theater.
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. It’s A Wonderful Life Radio Play, December 1 – 26, 2021
Word for Word. Wordcast streaming: A Pair of Eyeglasses by by Anna Maria Ortese; Home by George Saunders; two by Toni Cade Bambara, live November 4. Each will be streamed through summer, 2022.
National, Misc:
Chamber Music San Francisco: Live concerts return February, 2022.
Dance Mission Theatre. On stage events calendar.
Oregon Shakespeare Festival: New 2022 season announced.
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]