Bookwaves/Artwaves is produced and hosted by Richard Wolinsky.
Links to assorted local theater & book venues
Artwaves
Giovanna Sardelli, Artistic Director of TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, in conversation with host Richard Wolinsky.
Before becoming Artistic Director in July 2023, Giovanna Sardelli served as Artistic Director of TheatreWorks New Works since 2014. A noted stage director, she has worked closely with Tony winner Matthew Lopez and Pulitzer finalist Rajiv Joseph, among others, and has directed at several regional and New York theaters, along with several productions at TheatreWorks. Before joining TheatreWorks she served on the faculty at NYU Tisch School of the Arts, and before that had an acting career.
In this conversation, she discusses TheatreWorks’ current financial challenges, along with a look at the upcoming season. Complete 33-minute interview.
Artwaves
Stephen Sondheim (1930 – November 26, 2021) in conversation with Richard Wolinsky, recorded in New York, November 24, 2011.
Stephen Sondheim died at the age of 91 on November 26, 2021. A titan of American musical theater whose work both transcended and changed the genre itself, Sondheim was responsible for the lyrics for Gypsy and West Side Story — and his own shows, Company, Follies, A Little Night Music, Sweeney Todd, Sunday in the Park with George, Into the Woods, all became classics in the field. His lyrics were clever and deep – whether it be the torch song “Losing My Mind” from Follies, the history lesson, “Someone in a Tree” from Pacific Overtures, the gorgeous “Sunday” from Sunday in the Park, “Not While I’m Around” from Sweeney Todd, “Not a Day Goes By” from Merrily We Roll Along, “Send in the Clowns”… the list goes on.
In this interview recorded in November 2011 at his townhouse in New York City for “Look! I Made a Hat!”, the second volume of his collection of essays and song lyrics, he discusses his later works and his career with host Richard Wolinsky. Complete Interview
Interview for “Finishing The Hat, recorded November 6, 2010.
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 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 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). See website for past streams.
Alter Theatre. See website for upcoming productions.
American Conservatory Theatre The Hippest Trip: The Soul Train Musical, August 25 – October 1, 2023.
Aurora Theatre Born With Teeth by Liz Duffy Adams, September 1 – October 1.
Awesome Theatre Company. Check website for upcoming live shows and streaming.
Berkeley Rep POTUS: Or, Behind Every Great Dumbass Are Seven Women Trying to Keep Him Alive, by Selina Fillinger, September 16 – October 22, Roda Theatre.
Berkeley Shakespeare Company. King Lear. September 1 – 24. See website for days and locations.
Boxcar Theatre. See website for calendar listings.
Brava Theatre Center: See website for events.
BroadwaySF: Hadestown, September 12-17, 2023, Orpheum.
Broadway San Jose: Hadestown, September 26 – October 1.
California Shakespeare Theatre (Cal Shakes). Shakespeare in the Park: Cymbeline, September 16, 17, 23, 24, 4 pm. Free, tickets required. See website for other events.
Center Rep: Crowns by Regina Taylor, September 9 – October 6, 2023.
Central Works The Engine of Our Disruption by Patricia Milton, October 14 – November 12.
Cinnabar Theatre. The Sound of Music, September 8 -24.
Club Fugazi. See website for Club Date events in August. Dear San Francisco returns September 8, 2023.
Contra Costa Civic Theatre Sondheim on Sondheim, August 25 – September 17; Tintypes, October 20 – November 12.
Curran Theater: See website for upcoming live events and streaming choices.
Custom Made Theatre. Tiny Fires by Aimee Suzara, postponed to a later date in 2023.
Cutting Ball Theatre. See website for upcoming season.
42nd Street Moon. Mame, November 2 -19, 2023.
Golden Thread ReOrient Festival of Short Plays, October 13 – November 4, 2023.
Lorraine Hansberry Theatre. See website for upcoming productions and events.
Magic Theatre. Josephine’s Feast by Star Finch, extended to September 27, Campo Santo at the Magic. See website for other events at the Magic.
Marin Theatre Company Odyssey written and directed by Lisa Peterson, August 31 – September 24.
Mission Cultural Center for Latino Arts Upcoming Events Page.
New Conservatory Theatre Center (NCTC) Transnational Cabaret runs through August 20. Before The Sword by Andrew Alty, September 15 – October 15.
Oakland Theater Project. Gary, a sequel to Titus Andronicus by Taylor Mac, September 1 – 24.
Pear Theater. Noises Off by Michael Frayn, September 8 – October 1.
PianoFight. Permanently closed as of March 18, 2023.
Presidio Theatre. See website for upcoming productions
Ray of Light: 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. A Chorus Line runs through September 16, 2023.
SFBATCO See website for upcoming streaming and in- theater shows.
San Jose Stage Company: Bald Sisters by Vichet Chum, September 13 – October 8, 2023.
Shotgun Players. Wolf Play by Hansol Jung, Performances start September 2, 2023.
South Bay Musical Theatre: Rent, September 30 – October 21.
The Breath Project. Streaming archive.
The Marsh: Calendar listings for Berkeley, San Francisco and Marshstream.
Theatre Rhino Overlooked Latinas, September 24 – October 1. Streaming: Essential Services Project, conceived and performed by John Fisher, all weekly performances now available on demand, New performances most Wednesdays.
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. Mrs. Christie by Heidi Armbruster, October 4 -29, Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts.
Word for Word. See schedule for live and streamed performances and readings.
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]