Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Links to assorted local theater & book venues
Bookwaves
Richard Powers, author of “Bewilderment,” just out in trade paperback, in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded via zencastr on September 27, 2021.
Richard Powers is one of America’s most distinguished novelists. In 2006, his novel The Echo Maker, won the National Book Award and was a finmalist for the Pulitzer, and his most recent novel, The Overstory, was short-listed for the Booker Prize and won the Pulitzer Prize for Fiction.
“Bewilderment” is the story of a father and son relationship, set in a world slightly different from our own, in which a president much like Donald Trump won re-election. The father is an astrobiologist exploring planets based on spectroscopic input whose wife died before the book opens; he is dealing with his continued grief and with issues involving his brilliant son who has a host of psychological issues. Long-listed for the National Book Award, and the subject of excellent reviews, “Bewilderment” is a meditation on grief, on love, on science and on the wonders of nature.
Artwaves
Lisa Ramirez, playwright, “The Book of Sand” at the Oakland Theater Project, November 11 – December 4th, and Associate Artistic Director of the Oakland Theater Project, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky. Second of two parts.
Lisa Ramirez is a bi-coastal actor and playwright. She recently appeared in “Water by the Spoonful” at San Francisco Playhouse. Among the plays she has written are “Exit Cuckoo,” a one-person play about nannies, and “To the Bone.” During the pandemic shutdown, she presented a solo version of T.S. Eliot’s “The Wasteland,” in a parking lot in Oakland, using radios. She also works with the Center Theatre Group in Los Angeles
Oakland Theater Project website.
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 Highlights from this year’s Festival, May 7-8, 2022 and upcoming calendar.
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
Actor’s Reading Collective (ARC). See website for past streams.
Alter Theatre. Upcoming: Snag by Tara Moses, Pueblo Revolt by Dillon Chitto
American Conservatory Theatre A Christmas Carol, November 30 – December 24, Toni Rembe Theater.
Aurora Theatre Colonialism is Terrible, but Pho is Delicious by Dustin Chinn, November 4 – December 2, in theatre. Streaming: December 3-4.
Awesome Theatre Company. Check website for upcoming live shows and streaming.
Berkeley Rep Jerrod Charmichael: Ari Told Me I Lack Focus, November 8-13, Peets Theatre. Wuthering Heights, adapted and directed by Emma Rice, November 18 – January 1, Roda Theatre.
Boxcar Theatre. See website for event.
Brava Theatre Center: See website for events.
BroadwaySF: Ain’t Too Proud November 9 – December 6, 2022, Golden Gate. Hadestown returns September 12-17, 2023 at the Orpheum.
Broadway San Jose: The Book of Mormon, Nov. 22-27, 2022
California Shakespeare Theatre (Cal Shakes). 2023 Season to be announced.
Center Rep: Clue based on the screenplay, Lesher Center, Walnut Creek, October 29 – November 20, 2022.
Central Works The Museum Annex by Mildred Inez Lewis, now through Nov. 13, 2022.
Cinnabar Theatre. Daddy Long Legs, January 6 – 22, 2023.
Contra Costa Civic Theatre To Master the Art by William Brown and Doug Frew, April 21 – May 21, 2023.
Curran Theater: An Evening with Nigella Lawson, November 14, 2022.
Custom Made Theatre. Shoshana in December. November 18 – December 18, Phoenix Theatrre, 414 Mason St., San Francisco.
42nd Street Moon. Gypsy In Concert, November 12-13, Alcazar Theatre.
Golden Thread The Language of Wild Berries by Nagmeh Samini, recorded during a live performance, streaming through November 13, 2022, on demand.
Landmark Musical Theater. The Addams Family, now through November 20, 2022.
Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. Halie! The Mahalia Jackson Musical, world premiere. December 2 – 24, at the Magic.
Magic Theatre. The Travelers by Luis Alfaro, February 15 – March 5, 2023. See website for other theatre events at the Magic.
Marin Theatre Company Two Trains Running by August Wilson, November 25 – December 18, 2022.
Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Upcoming Events Page.
New Conservatory Theatre Center (NCTC) A Picture of Two Boys by Nick Malakhow now through November 27, 2022. Oy Vey in a Manger, by the Kinsey Sicks, December 7 – 31, 2022.
Oakland Theater Project. Book of Sand: A Fairy Tale by Lisa Ramirez, November 11 – December 4, livestream/on demand November 26. The Oakland Theatre at FLAX.
Pear Theater. Frankie and Johnny at the Claire de Lune by Terrence McNally, December 1- 18, 2022.
PianoFight. Calendar of shows.
PlayGround. See website for upcoming shows.
Presidio Theatre. Sleeping Beauty: Panto at the Presidio, December 1 – 30, 2022.
Ray of Light: See website for upcoming productions.
San Francisco Playhouse. As You Like It, a musical adaptation of the play by William Shakespeare, November 17, 2022 – January 14, 2023.
SFBATCO See website for upcoming streaming and in- theater shows.
San Jose Stage Company: Meet John Doe, a stage adaptation of the Frank Capra film, November 23 – December 18, 2023.
Shotgun Players. Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812 by Dave Malloy. November 5 – December 30, Streaming November 17, December 1.
South Bay Musical Theatre: The Spitfire Grill, January 28-February 18, 2023.
The Breath Project. Streaming archive.
The Marsh: Calendar listings for Berkeley, San Francisco and Marshstream.
Theatre Rhino A Slice of Life, world premiere by John Fisher, November 5-27. At Theatre Rhino (formerly Spark Arts). Streaming: Essential Services Project, conceived and performed by John Fisher, all weekly performances now available on demand.
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. Little Shop of Horrors, November 30 – December 24, Lucie Stern Theater, 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]