Posts by Martin Jones Westlin
NCR’s Excellent ‘All in the Timing’ Fêtes the Genius of David Ives
If nothing else, the human condition is an incredibly generous entity, serving up endless degrees of humor at the drop of a hat. North Coast Repertory Theatre’s excellent ‘All in the Timing,’ in which David Ives chronicles this rather wry observation, is an ideal example.
Read MoreConstruction Is Suspect in InnerMission’s OK ‘Church’
God may be unknowable, but the fruits of His labor are anything but. Just ask the cast of ‘Church,’ InnerMission Productions’ latest production — but keep in mind that the production doesn’t exactly suggest there’s a supernatural at all.
Read MoreLamb’s’ Fair ‘CHAPS!’ Is Too Slaphappy for Its Own And the Patrons’ Good
World war? What world war? The human experience is a virtual kaleidoscope of triumph over adversity through humor, as evidenced through Lamb’s Players Theatre’s current ‘CHAPS!’ Sadly, that’s about all there is to be said for this surprisingly substandard piece.
Read MoreRemarkable Ensemble Spirit Is King in NCR’s Cadenced, Very Good ‘Gabriel’
World War II was just that, a global catastrophe that threatened the future of human affairs — but it also tested family loyalties on an infinitely smaller scale. Amid its soaring language and cadence, North Coast Repertory Theatre’s ‘Gabriel’ is an intriguing case in point.
Read MoreSerendipity Is the Key to NVA’s Outstanding ‘Smokey Joe’s Cafe’
Songwriting legends Jerry Leiber and Mike Stoller almost never saw the light of day together — but the aftermath of a ship disaster eventually made short work of any doubt. Today, we have ‘Smokey Joe’s Cafe: The Music of Leiber and Stoller,’ New Village Arts’ absolutely outstanding account of their careers.
Read MoreThreadbare Writing Hobbles Cygnet’s Wannabe Bio ‘Marie and Rosetta’
Modern gospel stylist Sister Rosetta Tharpe was inducted into the Rock & Roll Hall of Fame in 2018 — and if her followers’ pedigrees are any indication, the honor is a little late in the game. Eric Clapton and Keith Richards couldn’t get enough, sitting mesmerized at one of her concerts in 1963. Elvis, Chuck,…
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