Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Links to assorted local theater & book venues
Artwaves
Joe Ngo, who plays the role of Chum, the father, in “Cambodian Rock Band,” by Lauren Yee, and won an Obie for his performance at the Signature Theatre in New York, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky.
Joe Ngo is an actor and musician, and has been performing in “Cambodian Rock Band” since its origins at the Ground Floor, Berkeley Rep’s Center for the Creation and Development of New Work in 2016 before moving on to Houston and New York. Previously he acted in regional theatre in both “King of the Yees” and “Viet Gone,” as well as other plays.
In the interview, he discusses how “Cambodian Rock Band” evolved, his own development as a musician, his relationship to the material in the show — both his parents lived through the Khmer Rouge Killing Fields era in Cambodia before migrating to America — and his career as an actor. Photos: Berkeley Rep; Joe Ngo. Recorded via zencastr due to ongoing Covid protocols on March 8, 2023.
Artwaves
Jesse Green, New York Times theatre critic, and co-author of “Shy: The Alarmingly Outspoken Memoirs of Mary Rodgers,” in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky.
In this brief previously unaired excerpt from an interview recorded on September 8, 2022, Jesse Green discusses Mary Rodgers’ greatest feature, working on theatre reviews, the current state of Broadway theatre, and his view on the new Editor in Chief of the New York Times.
Review of “Fannie: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer” at TheatreWorks Lucie Stern Theatre through April 2, 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. 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. At the Rueff in the Strand: Tea Party by Gordon Dahlquist, directed by Erin Merritt, 12 performances only, March 2 – 19, 2023.
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 Cambodian Rock Band by Lauren Yee, February 25 – April 2, Roda Theatre.
Boxcar Theatre. Lady Gaga #ARTBIRTH with Gaga impersonator Athena Reich, Palace Theatre (home of Speakeasy), March 16-19, multiple shows daily.
Brava Theatre Center: See website for events.
BroadwaySF: Six, through March 19, Orpheum. Fiddler on the Roof, March 22 – 26, Golden Gate. Come from Away, April 11 – 23, Golden Gate. Pretty Woman: The Musical, April 26-30, Orpheum
Broadway San Jose: Pretty Woman: The Musical, March 21-26.
California Shakespeare Theatre (Cal Shakes). 2023 Season to be announced.
Center Rep: Sweat, by Lynn Nottage. March 25 – 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.
42nd Street Moon. Sondheim’s Merrily We Roll Along, March 23 – April 9, Gateway Theatre.
Golden Thread What Do Women Say? Fighters for Freedom, Celebration for International Women’s Day. On Demand, March 15-22..
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. Richard II by William Shakespeare, weekends through March 26.
PianoFight. Calendar of shows. Note: PianoFight in San Francisco and Oakland permanently close on 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 A Guide for the Homesick by Ken Urban, February 23 – March 19. Streaming: Essential Services Project, conceived and performed by John Fisher, all weekly performances now available on demand, Most Recent: Eisenstein, performed March 15, 2023. See website for free staged readings.
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. Fannie: The Music and Life of Fannie Lou Hamer, by Cheryl L. West, March 8 – April 8, 2023, Lucie Stern Theatre, Palo Alto.
Word for Word. See schedule for live and streaming works.
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]