Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Links to assorted local theater & book venues
Pam MacKinnon, Artistic Director of American Conservatory Theatre (ACT) in San Francisco, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky.
Pam McKinnon, has been Artistic Director of ACT — American Conservatory Theatre, since January 2018. A leading interpreter of the works of Edward Albee, she won the Tony Award for Best Direction of a play for a Revival of Who’s Afraid of Virginia Woolf in 2013. She was also nominated for a Tony for her direction of Clybourne Park in 2012, as well as winning an Obie for an earlier off-broadway production of that play in 2011.
In this interview, she discusses, in depth, the upcoming season, as well as issues involving the area around the Strand Theatre, how the pandemic impacted ACT, and the differences between working in San Francisco and London as a director. Complete Interview.
Pride Month Special Interview: David Sedaris, noted humorist, essayist, and diarist, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky, recorded in the KPFA studios, June 28, 2008 while he was on tour for his collection of essays, “When You Are Engulfed in Flames.”
In this first of four interviews, he talks about his entry into the world of radio and as a print essayist, along with a deep dive into the fact checking expertise of the folks at The New Yorker magazine.
Review of “Mother Road” by Octavio Solis, at Berkeley Rep Peets Theatre through July 21, 2024.
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 See website for highlights from the 10th Annual Bay Area Book Festival, June 1-2, 2024.
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.
BookShop West Portal. 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). Calendar of upcoming readings.
African American Art & Culture Complex. See website for calendar.
Alter Theatre. See website for upcoming productions.
American Conservatory Theatre Carrie, The Musical, The Reuff at The Strand, August 1-11. Noel Coward’s Private Lives, September 12 – October 6, Toni Rembe Theatre.
Aurora Theatre The Lifespan of a Fact by Jeremy Kareken & David Murrell and Gordon Farrell, June 21-July 21. Streaming: July 16-21.
Awesome Theatre Company. Por La Noche (By Night), October 11 – 26, 2024. See website for information.
Berkeley Rep. Mother Road by Octavio Solis, June 14-July 21, Peets Theatre.
Berkeley Shakespeare Company. See website for upcoming shows.
Boxcar Theatre. The Speakeasy. Must close June 29, 2024
Brava Theatre Center: See calendar for current and upcoming productions.
BroadwaySF: Mrs. Doubtfire, July 2-28. Girl from the North Country, July 30-Aug 18, Golden Gate. See website for events at the Orpheum, Curran and Golden Gate.
Broadway San Jose: Peter Pan, June 25-30.
California Shakespeare Theatre (Cal Shakes). As You Like it, September 12 – 29.
Center Rep: Arsenic and Old Lace by Joseph Kesselring September 8 -29. Lesher Center for the Arts.
Central Works Accused by Patricia Milton, July 13 – August 11.
Cinnabar Theatre. La Boheme June 21 – July 5.
Club Fugazi. Dear San Francisco ongoing. Check website for Music Mondays listings.
Contra Costa Civic Theatre In Repertory: Hamlet and Rosencranz and Gildenstern Are Dead, September 7 – 22.
Curran Theater: The Cher Show, June 19-23.
Custom Made Theatre. In hibernation.
Cutting Ball Theatre. See website for upcoming shows.
42nd Street Moon. Bright Star postponed.
Golden Thread 11 Reflections: San Francisco, October 4-5 Brava Theatre Center. See website for other events.
Hillbarn Theatre: Always…Patsy Cline, August 22 – September 15.
Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. See website for upcoming productions.
Lower Bottom Playaz Pac and Biggie Are Dead by Biko Eisen-Martin, June 6 – 30, 2024, BAM House, Oakland.
Magic Theatre. Magic Gala, August 8, 2024. Richard II by William Shakespeare, August 21 – September 8. See website for other events.
Marin Theatre Company Yaga by by Kurt Sondler, October 10 – November 3, 2024.
Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Upcoming Events Page.
New Conservatory Theatre Center (NCTC) Ride the Cyclone by Jacob Richmond & Brooke Maxwell, September 20 – October 20.
Oakland Theater Project. Teatro Jornalero, June 28-29, 7:30 pm. Angels in America, Parts I & II, September 27 – October 26,
Odd Salon: Upcoming events in San Francisco & New York, and streaming.
Pear Theater. Chaplin and Keaton on the Set of Limelight by Greg Lam, June 28 – July 21, 2024.
Presidio Theatre. See website for complete schedule of events and performances.
Ray of Light: Legally Blonde, September 7-29, 2024, Victoria Theatre. See website for Spotlight Cabaret Series at Feinstein’s at the Nikko (It’s Britney, Bitch, July 24).
San Francisco Playhouse. Evita, June 27-September 7. 2024.
SFBATCO. See website for upcoming streaming and in- theater shows.
San Jose Stage Company: Dirty Rotten Scoundrels. June 5 – 30.
Shotgun Players. Collective Rage by Jen Silverman. July 20 – August 18.
South Bay Musical Theatre: No, No Nanette, Sept 28 – Oct. 19. Saratoga Civic Theater.
Stagebridge: See website for events and productions. Storytime every 4th Saturday.
The Breath Project. Streaming archive.
The Marsh: Calendar listings for Berkeley, San Francisco and Marshstream.
Theatre Lunatico See website for upcoming productions.
Theatre Rhino Four Play by Jake Brunger, June 13 – July 7, 2024. Streaming: Essential Services Project, conceived and performed by John Fisher, all weekly performances now available on demand.
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. Being Alive: A Sondheim Celebration June 5-30, Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts..
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]