Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Links to assorted local theater & book venues
Artwaves
Peter Brook (1925-2022), visionary director, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky.
Peter Brook was one of the greatest theatrical directors of the twentieth century. Artistic director of the Royal Shakespeare Company for twenty years from 1962-1982, he transformed how the English speaking world looked at the plays of William Shakespeare. He is perhaps best known, during those years, for his production of “The Persecution and Assassination of Jean-Paul Marat as Performed by the Inmates of the Asylum of Charenton Under the Direction of the Marquis de Sade,” also known as “Marat/Sade,” which later became a film and turned Glenda Jackson into an international star. His other films include “Lord of the Flies,” “Meetings with Remarkable Men” and a version of “King Lear” starring Paul Scofield.
His 1985 nine-hour adaptation of the Indian epic Mahabharata is probably his masterpiece. At the age of 92, he and his collaborator Marie Helene Estienne went back to the Mahabharata with a short theatrical piece, “Battlefield,” which played at ACT’s Geary Theater in May, 2017. This interview was recorded on April 24, 2017 in a rehearsal studio in the ACT offices in San Francisco.
Bookwaves
Tess Gerritsen, whose latest novel is “Choose Me,” written with Gary Braver. and author of the 12 books in the Rizzoli and Isles mystery series, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky.
In a long and successful career, Tess Gerritsen has written romantic thrillers, medical thrillers, science fiction, and noir. She’s written the screenplays for two produced movies, and serves as co-director of a documentary, “The Magnificent Beast.” The Rizzoli and Isles books served as the inspiration for a long-running Rizzoli and Isles television series, which can now be seen on HBO Max.
In this interview, she discusses her latest novel, born from discussions about the #metoo movement, her involvement in film and television, her feelings about how the pandemic affected her work, and her thoughts on how Black Lives Matter affected her as an Asian American author.
Extended 41-minute Radio Wolinsky podcast
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 Daylight 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 Wives by Jaclyn Backhaus, June 24 – July 24. See website for on-line programs.
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: The Prom, June 21 – July 17, Golden Gate.
Broadway San Jose: Season starts with Disney’s The Lion King, August 3-21.
California Shakespeare Theatre (Cal Shakes) Lear by Marcus Gardley, September 7 – October 2, 2022.
Central Works Dreaming in Cuban by Cristina Garcia, June 25 – July 24, 2022.
Cinnabar Theatre. See website for summer concert series.
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 Dali Make Me Hot by Jose Rivera, July 1 – 24.
42nd Street Moon. See website for weekly streaming events.
Golden Thread The Language of Wild Berries by Nagmeh Samini, October 14 – November 6, 2022. Potrero Stage.
Landmark Musical Theater. RENT, July 9 – August 14, 2022.
Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage, April 1-16, Magic Theater, Fort Mason, closed.
Magic Theatre. Deal with the Dragon written and performed by Kevin Ralston, July 22 – August 14, 2022. See website for other events and performances.
Marin Theatre Company See web page for announcement of upcoming season.
Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Upcoming Events Page.
New Conservatory Theatre Center (NCTC) Aunt Jack by Nora Brigid Monahan, September 16 – October 16, 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. Sondheim’s Follies, plays through September 10, 2022
SFBATCO See website for upcoming streaming and in- theater shows.
San Jose Stage Company: The Play That Goes Wrong, Sept. 21 – October 16, 2022.
Shotgun Players. Dream Hou$e by Eliana Pipes, July 16 – August 7, 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. Nan and the Lower Body by Jessica Dickey, July 13 – August 7, Lucie Stern Theatre, Palo Alto.
Word for Word. Boys Go To Jupiter by Danielle Evans, July 6 – 21, Z Space, Steindler stage.
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]