Christopher Williams – San Diego Story

North Coast Repertory Theatre’s production does the play justice but also exposes some of its flaws….

Neil Simon sucks, God bless him, except when he doesn’t. North Coast Repertory Theatre is mounting a very good ‘Chapter Two,’ Simon’s tribute to his second wife Marsha Mason and a nod to the pain of widowerhood — for once, this criminally overrated playwright is on to something.

Andrew Rally has no idea what he’s doing as a Shakespearean actor, but he does know something about artistic integrity, whether he realizes it or not. An acting lesson or two from the iconic John Barrymore (rather, his ghost) help define that lofty concept in Intrepid Shakespeare Company’s rambunctious “I Hate Hamlet.”