Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Links to assorted local theater & book venues
Berkeley Art Museum Pacific Film Archives
Wayne Wang, director of such films as “Chan is Missing,” “The Joy Luck Club” and “Smoke,” in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky.
In this second of two parts , the noted filmmaker discusses his move toward the mainstream, from independently-minded studio films like The Joy Luck Club and Smoke to such movies as Anywhere But Here and Maid in Manhattan. He goes on to discuss his later films, and his views on Asian-American participation in the film world..
A Wayne Wang retrospective is currently on view at Berkeley Art Museum Pacific Film Archive, featuring several of his films, including Chan is Missing, Dim Sum: A Little Bit of Heart, Life Is Cheap..But Toilet Paper Is Expensive, Chinese Box and others, several of which are introduced live by the filmmaker. BAMPFA Website and schedule.
Complete 64-minute podcast interview.
Susan Oxtoby, curator of the “Federico Fellini at 100” retrospective at Berkeley Art Museum Pacific Film Archive, running into April 2022, in which films directed by Fellini, along with the films he wrote prior to becoming a director, will be shown in mostly new digitized restorations, talks about Fellini and the films with Richard Wolinsky.
Federico Fellini is considered one of the greatest film directors of all time, with such masterpieces as La Strada, Nights of Cabiria, La Dolce Vita, 8 1/2, and Amarcord to his credit. Born January 20, 1920, this year will see many restrospectives of his work.
For more information, go to the BAM/PFA website.
Complete 30-minute interview from 2020.
Review: “Passing Strange” at Shotgun Players Ashby Stage through April 10, 2022.
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 Standard Time.
Book Stores
Bay Area Book Festival This year’s Festival dates: 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, summer 2022.
American Conservatory Theatre Fefu and her Friends by Maria Irene Fornes, at the Strand, March 24 – May 1, The Lehman Trilogy postponed. Neo-Symposium, March 20-24, various locations, see website for details.
Aurora Theatre The Incrementalist by Cleavon Smith, opens April 15. Aurora Connects, conversations via YouTube, Fridays at 8 pm. A Year With Dawn: Monthly Reading Group via Zoom, free, see website to register. Wives by Jaclyn Backhaus, starts June 24, 2022.
Awesome Theatre Company. Them by J. Elliot Mendez, premiere screening, March 25, PianoFight. Coffee Lady by Bridgette Dutta Portman, Thursdays March 31-May 5, 9 pm, PianoFight. Now streaming: The Jersey Devil Play, on Vimeo, tickets required.
Berkeley Rep Octet, a chamber choir musical by Dave Malloy, April 20-May 29, Peet’s Theater.
Brava Theatre Center: La Dona y Sus Cuates, April 8, 8 pm. See website for other events.
BroadwaySF: Il Volo Sings Morricone and more, April 24, Orpheum. Rain: A Tribute to the Beatles, April 30, Golden Gate. Cats. national tour, June 1 – 12, Golden Gate. Hadestown national tour, opens June 7, Orpheum.
Broadway San Jose: Rent 25th Anniversary Tour, April 8-10, 2022. TOOTSIE national tour, April 19-24. Season starts with Disney’s The Lion King, August 3-21.
California Shakespeare Theatre (Cal Shakes) Romeo y Juliet May 25 – June 19, 2022. Here We Go: Virtual Fundraiser & Season Launch, March 19, 5 pm.
Central Works Escape From the Asylum by Patricia Milton, Mar 19–Apr 17, at the Berkeley City Club.
Cinnabar Theatre. Three Tall Women by Edward Albee. Begins April 8, 2022.
Contra Costa Civic Theatre Crowns by Regina Taylor, April 15 – May 15, 2022.
Curran Theater: Harry Potter and the Cursed Child playing now.
Custom Made Theatre Circle Mirror Transformation by Annie Baker, March 25- April 16.
42nd Street Moon. A Grand Night for Singing, March 10-27 Gateway Theater
Golden Thread Drowning In Cairo by Ada, Ashraf Elsayigh, April 8 – May 1, 2022. Potrero Stage.
Landmark Musical Theater. You’re A Good Man, Charlie Brown, March 11 – April 10.
Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. Intimate Apparel by Lynn Nottage, April 1-16, Magic Theater, Fort Mason.
Magic Theatre. Campo Santo in Residence: Otto Frank by by Roger Guenveur Smith, March 12-27, weekends only; one performance Saturday, two performances Sunday.
Marin Theatre Company Hotter Than Egypt by Yussef El Guindi, March 31 – April 24.
Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Upcoming Events Page.
New Conservatory Theatre Center Dot by by Colman Domingo, March 4 – April 3. See schedule for other listings.
Oakland Theater Project. Endlings by Celine Song, in association with Ferocious Lotus Theatre Company, April 8 – May 1, at FLAX art & design, 1501 MLK, Oakland.
Pear Theater. In Theater: Metamorphoses by Mary Zimmerman opens March 25.
PianoFight. Calendar of shows.
Ray of Light: Kinky Boots, September 8 – October 1, 2022.
San Francisco Playhouse. By The Water Spoonful by Quiara Alegria Hudes,
March 16 -April 23.
SFBATCO See website for upcoming streaming and in- theater shows.
San Jose Stage Company: Strange Courtesies by L. Peter Callender, scheduled to open in January, has been rescheduled to spring, 2023. Coming next: August: Osage County, March 30 – April 24, 2022.
Shotgun Players. Passing Strange by Stew, March 5 – April 10.
The Breath Project. Streaming archive.
The Marsh: Calendar listings for Berkeley, San Francisco and Marshstream.
Theatre Rhino How Black Mothers Say i Love You by Trey Anthony, March 16-April 3, 2022, 4229 18th St., SF. Streaming: Essential Services Project, conceived and performed by John Fisher, all weekly performances now available on demand.
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. Sense and Sensibility, a musical, music and lyrics by Paul Gordon, March 9 – April 3, Lucie Stern Theater, Palo Alto, also available streaming March 25 – April 17.
Word for Word. See webpage for WORD for WORDcast streaming availability.
Misc. Listings:
BAM/PFA: Current film series. Wayne Wang retrospective, with the director introducing the films, in theater, see schedule for details.
Berkeley Symphony: Reimagine, Second Symphonic Concert of the 50th Anniversary Season, Friday, March 25, 7:30, First Congregational Church of Berkeley
Chamber Music San Francisco: Calendar, Feb. 13 – May 8, 2022.
Dance Mission Theatre. On stage events calendar.
Oregon Shakespeare Festival: Calendar listings and upcoming shows.
San Francisco Opera. Calendar listings, January 16 – June 10, 2022.
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]