All stories by Mary Lou Herlihy on BroadwayStars

Thursday, November 21, 2024

“The Strange Library” Beckons with Masterful Sleight of Hand—at Word4Word by Mary Lou Herlihy

Haruki Murakami Explores the Dark Side of Curiosity by Mary Lou Herlihy “YOUR TIME IN THE READING ROOM HAS BEGUN” announces a cross-dressing maid/librarian (Chuck Lacson) with authority …

SOURCE: Theatrius at 02:18PM
Monday, November 18, 2024

“Jaja’s African Hair Braiding”: Wild Comedy Hides Immigrant Perils—at Berkeley Rep by Mary Lou Herlihy

Jocelyn Bioh Celebrates Harlem’s African Women, Brilliantly by Mary Lou Herlihy & Barry David Horwitz Playwright Jocelyn Bioh dazzles us with intimate insights, fabulous hair, and a st…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 05:53PM
Thursday, November 7, 2024

“Ghost Quartet”: Gifted Musicians Play DREAM Gig—at OTP  by Mary Lou Herlihy

Dave Malloy’s Haunting Song Cycle Shimmers by Mary Lou Herlihy “Ghost Quartet” is so haunting and curious, I want to share it with my musical friends. In a cozy living room setting, an…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 07:16PM
Thursday, October 31, 2024

“The Gulf” Hooks Us with Humor & Fearless Acting—at NCTC by Mary Lou Herlihy

Audrey Cefaly Digs Deep in the Bayou for Love by Mary Lou Herlihy On a small fishing boat, stuck in the dark waters of the bayou, two women wallow together, forever. Could these ill-suited l…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 04:39PM
Wednesday, October 23, 2024

“The Contest” Breathes Life into Italian Power Struggle—at Central Works by Mary Lou Herlihy

Gary Graves & Three Superb Actors Reimagine Renaissance Power by Mary Lou Herlihy Playwright and director Gary Graves brings us reimagined perspectives on Leonardo da Vinci and Michelang…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 09:39PM
Tuesday, October 15, 2024

“King James” Turns up the Heat at the Final Buzzer—at TheatreWorks by Mary Lou Herlihy

Rajiv Joseph Reveals “What’s Wrong with America” by Mary Lou Herlihy Rajiv Joseph’s “King James,” a brilliantly crafted two-hander, continually reveals “What’s wrong with Ame…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 08:27PM
Monday, September 23, 2024

“Mourning Becomes Electra’ Brings the Civil War Home—at Tao House     by Mary Lou Herlihy

Eugene O’Neill’s Late Tragedy Shows Women Taking Revenge  by Mary Lou Herlihy I will never see Eugene O’Neill’s Tao House in Danville in quite the same light. The gorgeous setting w…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 09:22PM
Monday, September 16, 2024

“Crossing Delancey” Serves Up Tasty Comedy Treats—at Ross Valley  by Mary Lou Herlihy

Susan Sandler Invokes the Magic of a Jewish “Bubbie”   by Mary Lou Herlihy “Crossing Delancey” squeezes every possible moment of surprise, humor, and tenderness from a story of an …

SOURCE: Theatrius at 11:46PM
Saturday, August 17, 2024

“Shipping & Handling” Challenges with Wise ‘Black Robots’”—at Crowded Fire by Mary Lou Herlihy

Star Finch Explores AI, Channeling the Genius of Black Women by Mary Lou Herlihy “Shipping and Handling” is voluble and experimental, bursting with humor and intrigue. Dr. Mother Mercy o…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 06:24PM
Sunday, July 21, 2024

“Best of Second City” Displays Chicago Comedy Empire—at Berkeley Rep by Mary Lou Herlihy

Six Young Stars Shine in Surprising New Style Comedy by Mary Lou Herlihy & Barry David Horwitz Over decades, the famed comedy club and theater, “Second City” (Chicago) has been the s…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 03:53AM
Wednesday, July 3, 2024

“Who’s-Dead McCarthy”: Delivers Poetic Irish Wit at Its Finest—at Word4Word by Mary Lou Herlihy

Kevin Barry’s Stories, Brilliantly Staged—A Must See! by Mary Lou Herlihy Hilarious Irish characters mine a deep well of humor and humanity in all three of Kevin Barry’s short stories.…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 12:48AM
Monday, June 24, 2024

“Mother Road”: Epic Tale of Mexican & American Quest—at Berkeley Rep by Mary Lou Herlihy

Octavio Solis Reveals Mother Lode of Mexico-US Family by Mary Lou Herlihy and Barry David Horwitz From a CraigsList ad reading: “All Joads come home. Riches beyond your wildest dreams,” …

SOURCE: Theatrius at 05:27AM
Tuesday, June 18, 2024

“Innocence” Grabs Hold & Refuses to Let Go—at SF Opera by Mary Lou Herlihy

Kaija Saariaho’s Masterpiece Exposes Infection of School Massacre by Mary Lou Herlihy Students’ heads jerk backward in unison—a most horrifying moment, brilliantly staged. A sickening …

SOURCE: Theatrius at 07:20AM
Thursday, June 13, 2024

“Garuda’s Wing” Celebrates Nature, Travels Time—at Magic by Mary Lou Herlihy

Naomi Iizuka Sounds the Alarm in Beautiful New Poetic Drama by Mary Lou Herlihy Naomi Iizuka’s “Garuda’s Wing” takes us to Borneo, teaming with ghosts, orchids, and orangutans. She b…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 06:06PM
Friday, June 7, 2024

“Doubt, a Parable” Shines Spotlight on Acting—at Altarena by Mary Lou Herlihy

John Patrick Shanley’s Pulitzer Play Remains Relevant   by Mary Lou Herlihy Before the play begins, I chat with the woman next to me. She shares a painful story about her local church whe…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 05:24PM
Wednesday, May 22, 2024

“Galileo” Unveils A Universe of Superb Spectacle—at Berkeley Rep by Mary Lou Herlihy

Strong, Weiner, Sarnak’s New Musical Faces Mighty Challenges by Mary Lou Herlihy & Barry David Horwitz “Galileo” bursts onto the stage like a grand gold-wrapped gift with a big exp…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 05:10PM
Friday, May 17, 2024

“The Book Club Play” Delivers Laughs & Opens Minds—at Ross Valley by Mary Lou Herlihy

Karen Zacarías Explores How Books Expand Our Lives by Mary Lou Herlihy Fill your glass, take a seat, open to Chapter 13, and enjoy a juicy discussion about this week’s book selection. Ros…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 08:38PM
Saturday, April 13, 2024

“Tiger Style!” Raises the Stakes on Asian American Hilarity—at TheatreWorks by Mary Lou Herlihy

Mike Lew’s Rollicking Comedy Hits Home by Mary Lou Herlihy I succeed in life, and I fail. Occasionally I look for people and things to blame, including my gender. One thing I never blame i…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 05:34PM
Tuesday, April 2, 2024

“Sign My Name to Freedom”: Betty’s Songs Highlight a Legendary Life—at SFBATCO by Mary Lou Herlihy

Michael Gene Sullivan Thrills with Betty Reid Soskin at 102 by Mary Lou Herlihy & Barry David Horwitz You will find much to enjoy in the richly conceived, cleverly staged, deftly written…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 03:14AM

All that Chat

2024-2025 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 05, 2024: Home - Todd Haimes Theatre
Jul 11, 2024: Oh, Mary! - Lyceum Theatre
Jul 30, 2024: Job - Hayes Theater
Sep 12, 2024: The Roommate - Booth Theatre
Nov 14, 2024: Tammy Faye - Palace Theatre
Dec 12, 2024: Cult of Love - Hayes Theater
Dec 19, 2024: Gypsy - Majestic Theatre
Mar 17, 2025: Purpose - Hayes Theater
Apr 10, 2025: Smash - Imperial Theatre
TBA: Titanic
TBA: Ragtime