Before 2002 becomes a
long-lost memory, here's a final look at the year's most
notable theater events in The City. Illustrating the
scope of the local stage scene, these shows -- both
homegrown and touring productions -- range far and wide.
Witness the glamorous opening night of Baz Luhrmann's
pre-Broadway "La Boheme" vs. the cozy environs of "Far
From Springer," put on by playwright Craig Fox in the
front room of his Bernal Heights flat.
In no particular order, here
are 2002's most remarkable shows:
"Russell Simmons' Def
Poetry Jam" -- In the most evocative evening of
theater all year, a group of amazing young poets brought
to life every shade of the human experience. Their
stories were sad, excruciating, sentimental, goofy,
political, provocative and so personal as to be
universal. The show's a great argument for bringing the
poetry slam beyond the New York cafe and into the
mainstream.
"Stories by Tobias
Wolff" -- The San Francisco-based Word for Word
unbelievably managed to outdo its glorious self with
this picture-perfect theatrical version of three short
stories by Wolff, who's perhaps best known for his
memoir "This Boy's Life." While these troupers didn't a
change a word in Wolff's text, they did bring an
ingeniously clever and concrete vision to it.
"Five Flights" --
Proving how "less is more," Encore Theatre Company's
world premiere of Adam Bock's bittersweet comedy hit all
the right notes. The quirky story about a family
regrouping after mom passed away was staged with a
beautiful simplicity that added all the more to the
play's emotional power.
"Pericles, Prince of
Tyre" -- The best outdoor Shakespeare production
came from Woman's Will, the local all-female troupe
dedicated to the Bard. The obvious shoestring budget
didn't mar the proceedings; the innovative spare staging
and superlative acting are what turned this lesser-known
play into pure fairy tale.
"Hedwig and the Angry
Inch" -- Kevin Cahoon made John Cameron Mitchell's
character his very own in this show that managed to be
hip and have a huge heart at the same time. Fans of the
movie about the lives and loves of a lovable transsexual
were amazed at how well this live version complements
what's already a cult classic on celluloid. It's an
honest-to-goodness rock musical just made for The City
-- young and old audiences. It's still in town; don't
miss it.
"The Full Monty" --
The touring production of this musical based on the hit
movie was fully satisfying on every level. It had catchy
tunes, knockout dancing and a multifaceted story that
touched on family relations, labor relations, friendship
and homosexuality. Oh, and there were some almost naked
fellows, too.
"The Mandrake Root" --
What a delight to see Lynn Redgrave acting in her own
production about the complex connections between mothers
and daughters. San Jose Repertory Theatre (OK, it's not
in San Francisco!) had the great sense -- and honor --
to host this inimitable show biz veteran in a show she
also scripted.
"Circumstance" -- The
New Pickle Circus presented this breathtaking production
about a young girl who literally runs away with the
circus. While the individual stunts were thrilling, it
was the harmony of the entire troupe -- under direction
by Gypsy Snider and Shana Carroll -- that mesmerized the
audience.
"La Boheme" -- Every
so often, a show lives up to the hype. Director Baz
Lurhmann and set designer Catherine Martin created a
gorgeous, theatrical version of the famed opera that had
both mass -- and snob -- appeal.
"Far From Springer" --
Craig Fox's play about two friends at crossroads had
lots of local laughs and drama, too. Fox, who directed
as well as wrote the show, staged it in his flat in
Bernal Heights, making for a truly homey theatrical
experience. It might just be a mixed blessing if
promising young playwright, a San Francisco State
graduate in creative writing, finds a larger venue for
his next production.
