All stories by Robert M. Gardner on BroadwayStars

Thursday, June 27, 2019

"Fahrenheit 451" Blazes, at Quantum Dragon, S.F. by Robert M. Gardner

Ray Bradbury Challenges Our Trumpean Hell by Robert M. Gardner Written in 1953, "Fahrenheit 451" is fifty years ahead of its time. We have become the polarized future that Ray Bradbury feare…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 04:17AM[SHARE]
Wednesday, May 29, 2019

"Sister Act: The Musical" Hits Drag Heights, at Theatre Rhino, S.F.     by Robert M. Gardner

Brenden Noel Thomas Breaks Taboos, Shocks, & Delights by Robert M. Gardner Whoopi Goldberg did it on film, and now Brenden Noel Thomas in nun-drag is every inch the ideal choice for Sist…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 01:00PM[SHARE]
Sunday, May 12, 2019

"Territories" Uncovers A Woman's Secrets, at Arabian Shakes, S.F. by Robert M. Gardner

Betty Shamieh Opens the Gates to Arab Treasures by Robert M. Gardner Since the medieval Crusades, Muslims and Christians have fought over the Holy Land. In "Terrritories," playwright  Bet…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 12:33PM[SHARE]
Saturday, May 11, 2019

"Mother's Milk""A Homecoming, at The Marsh, Berkeley by Robert M. Gardner

Wayne Harris, Jazz Legend, Revives the Old Songs by Robert M. Gardner Memories hold us together, binding families and friends.They weave the fabric of our lives. For Wayne Harris, a Saint Lo…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 01:34PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, March 20, 2019

"Black Eagles" Soars, at African American Shakes, S.F. by Robert M. Gardner

L. Peter Callender Celebrates Black WWII Pioneers by Robert M. Gardner "Black Eagles" opens at a 90s reception honoring General Colin Powell, attended by three surviving WWII Black fighter p…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 08:24AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, March 12, 2019

"Marie and Rosetta" Break Barriers in Music & Life, at TheatreWorks, Palo Alto by Robert M. Gardner

George Brant Scores Big with Rosetta Retrospective by Robert M. Gardner Michelle E. Jordan is a powerhouse in the role of Rosetta Tharpe. Her dynamism, her conviction, and her obvious faith …

SOURCE: Theatrius at 12:28AM[SHARE]
Monday, February 18, 2019

"I, Too, Sing America" Melds Lyrics, Diversity, Joy, at BATCO, S.F. by Robert M. Gardner

Othello Jefferson Sets Great Poems to Superb Song & Dance by Robert M. Gardner Hearing the powerful words of Folami Abiade's "In Daddy's Arms" coupled with the beautiful interpretative d…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 09:48PM[SHARE]
Thursday, January 17, 2019

"Do's & Don'ts of Time Travel" Ignites Dreams, at Quantum Dragon, S.F. by Robert M. Gardner

Nicholas Wardigo Skips through Queer Time by Robert M. Gardner We all wish that we could travel in time to relive parts of our lives differently. Rather than changing the whole world, we onl…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 11:59PM[SHARE]
Monday, July 2, 2018

"Universal Robots" Mesmerizes, at Quantum Dragon, S.F. by Robert M. Gardner

Mac Rogers' Intelligent Dialogue Delights, Disturbs by Robert M. Gardner Do robots taking over the world sound too bizarre to be true?  Not if you go to see Quantum Dragon's latest produc…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 08:05PM[SHARE]
Tuesday, June 19, 2018

"A Walk on the Moon" Rocks the Crowd, at ACT, S.F. by Robert M. Gardner

Pamela Gray Pens Summer of '69 Musical by Robert M. Gardner  Sex, drugs, and rock and roll rule Pamela Gray's bold new musical "A Walk on the Moon." Premiering at ACT, based on her 1999 m…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 12:47PM[SHARE]
Thursday, June 7, 2018

"Sense and Sensibility" Slides into Town Hall, Lafayette by Robert M. Gardner

Kate Hamill Reimagines Jane Austen by Robert M. Gardner Jane Austen's charming Dashwood sisters thrive in Town Hall's  latest production,  "Sense and Sensibility." Hilarity abounds in …

SOURCE: Theatrius at 06:10AM[SHARE]
Sunday, May 13, 2018

Michael Menager"Consummate Poet, Minstrel, at ArtsUp, S.F. by Robert M. Gardner

Menager Graces Salons with Music for Millennials by Robert M. Gardner Seated on a tall stool in an intimate 40s era living room on Nob Hill, Australian Michael Menager, American born singer-…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 09:56PM[SHARE]
Sunday, April 22, 2018

"American Jornalero" Incarnates Workers' Woes, at Ubuntu, Oakland by Robert M. Gardner

Cardona, Collins Expose Exploitation on the Street by Robert M. Gardner In "American Jornalero," director Tioni Collins takes a harsh and revealing look at the lives of four day- laborers wh…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 12:02PM[SHARE]
Thursday, April 12, 2018

"The Fantasticks" Delight! at Novato Theater Company by Robert M. Gardner

Tom Jones Remembers the Time of Our Youth by Robert M. Gardner The opening lines of "The Fantasticks" run: "Try to remember the time in September / When life was slow and oh so mellow…""se…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 11:56AM[SHARE]
Friday, March 23, 2018

"Dance of the Holy Ghosts" Takes Us to Church, at Ubuntu, Oakland by Robert M. Gardner

Marcus Gardley: Poet of Dysfunctional Love  by Robert M. Gardner Marcus (talented Michael Curry) recites poetry as he fumbles through puberty and on to adulthood, the mediator for his fra…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 12:20AM[SHARE]
Monday, March 5, 2018

"Between Us" Forges New Paths, at TheatreFIRST, Berkeley by Robert M. Gardner

Viñas, Sakata, Tracys' Heroes Inspire by Robert M. Gardner TheatreFIRST steps out boldly in its premier production of "Between Us," Part B"with three solo plays by Bay Area artists. Part …

SOURCE: Theatrius at 05:14PM[SHARE]
Friday, February 9, 2018

"A Streetcar Named Desire" Thrills, Chills, at Ubuntu Theater, Oakland by Robert M. Gardner

Lisa Ramirez Dazzles as Star-Crossed Blanche DuBois by Robert M. Gardner Tennessee Williams elicits emotions far beyond the daily lives of his working class characters in the 1940s French Qu…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 04:33PM[SHARE]
Sunday, February 4, 2018

"Skeleton Crew" Reveals Workers' Woes, at Marin Theatre, Mill Valley by Robert M. Gardner

Dominique Morisseau Is Sticking to the Union by Robert M. Gardner In bringing "Skeleton Crew" to the Marin Theatre stage, Dominique Morisseau gives us a raw look at the lives of four auto wo…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 02:03AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, January 30, 2018

"Born Yesterday" Arouses Laughter, Reflection, at S.F. Playhouse by Robert M. Gardner

Garson Kanin Predicts Trumpian Times by Robert M. Gardner Set Designer Jacqueline Scott has fashioned a spectacular, opulent, hotel suite with floor to ceiling windows overlooking the U.S. C…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 09:09PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, January 17, 2018

"Man of La Mancha" Gives Dreamers Hope, at Custom Made, S.F. by Robert M. Gardner

Katz and Dietrich Deliver a Timely & Rousing Musical by Robert M. Gardner In the opening scene of "Man of La Mancha," Miguel de Cervantes (striking Edward Hightower) transforms himself o…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 06:38PM[SHARE]
Friday, November 17, 2017

"Beautiful, The Carole King Musical" Transports Us, at San Jose Center by Robert M. Gardner

Sarah Bockel as Carole King Makes the Earth Move by Robert M. Gardner The latest version of "Beautiful"The Carole King Musical" features a fast pace and talented performers, especially the h…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 03:51PM[SHARE]
Tuesday, November 7, 2017

"The Liar" Delights, at Center Rep, Walnut Creek by Robert M. Gardner

David Ives' Modernized Corneille Classic Rings True by Robert M. Gardner "The Liar" is a hoot!  This is a very good comedy that delights on many levels. The Lesher Center has scored anoth…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 03:40PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, October 11, 2017

"The Song of the Nightingale" Takes Flight, at Town Hall, Lafayette by Robert M. Gardner

Min Kahng Puts Modern Twist on Classic Fairy Tale by Robert M. Gardner Set in Ancient China but with its feet firmly planted in the present, Min Kahng's musical adaptation of the Hans Christ…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 10:46PM[SHARE]
Wednesday, October 4, 2017

"Barbecue" Sizzles with Satire, Comedy, at S.F. Playhouse by Robert M. Gardner

Robert O'Hara Cooks Up Social Class Ridicule by Robert M. Gardner In a working-class community, we meet two O'Mallery families"one white, one black"who are gathering in the park for an inter…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 05:05AM[SHARE]
Saturday, September 23, 2017

"Ain't Too Proud"The Temptations" Dazzles with Harmony, at Berkeley Rep by Robert M. Gardner

Otis Williams Reveals Life Behind Music by Robert M. Gardner "Ain't Too Proud"The Life and Times of The Temptations" takes us on a whirlwind tour of music by The Temptations, The Supremes, a…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 03:58AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, August 29, 2017

"Rashomon" Explodes Reality, at Ubuntu Theater, Oakland by Robert M. Gardner

Philip Kan Gotanda Strikes a Blow for Truth by Robert M. Gardner Say a lie long enough and loud enough, and it becomes the truth.  "Rashomon" In Philip Kan Gotanda's new adaptation of "Ra…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 07:58PM[SHARE]
Tuesday, July 25, 2017

"Castle Happy" Recreates Hollywood Party, at Altarena Playhouse, Alameda by Robert M. Gardner

Dunn & Freed Score Scandalous Musical Intrigue by Robert M. Gardner "Castle Happy" provides us with many happy moments as we meet William Randolph Hearst (skilled Leland Morine) whose ex…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 01:11AM[SHARE]
Saturday, July 15, 2017

"A Life on the Ocean Wave" Whips Up a Storm, at Exit Theatre, S.F. by Robert M. Gardner

Stuart Bousel Serenades Ghosts, Sirens, and Sailors by Robert M. Gardner Lovers of the sea and the stories that surround it will enjoy careening across the stage (err…waves) with this roll…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 03:45AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, June 6, 2017

"An Ideal Husband" Marries Politics with Love, at Town Hall, Lafayette by Robert M. Gardner

Oscar Wilde, the Jon Stewart of Victorian England by Robert M. Gardner Oscar Wilde's "An Ideal Husband," at Town Hall Theatre, pulls out all the stops with great acting, luxurious sets, and …

SOURCE: Theatrius at 03:38AM[SHARE]
Tuesday, May 23, 2017

"Monsoon Wedding" Dazzles at Berkeley Repertory Theatre by Robert M. Gardner

Mira Nair Imports Spectacle, Songs, Sweethearts"Bollywood Style by Robert M. Gardner "Monsoon Wedding" depicts a well-to-do Dehli family's frenzied preparations for the elaborate arranged ma…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 08:49PM[SHARE]
Monday, May 15, 2017

"The Events": Shock and Terror at Shotgun Players, Berkeley by Robert M. Gardner

David Grieg Exposes Our Innermost Fears by Robert M. Gardner Caleb Cabrera (The Boy) is a wild force of nature. A lithe, seething, multi-faceted actor, Cabrera moves as easily across the sta…

SOURCE: Theatrius at 05:44PM[SHARE]

All that Chat

2025-2026 BROADWAY SEASON
Jun 12, 2025: Call Me Izzy - Studio 54
Sep 16, 2025: Art - Music Box Theatre
Oct 08, 2025: Beetlejuice - Palace Theatre
Nov 13, 2025: Oedipus - Studio 54
Nov 16, 2025: Chess - Imperial Theatre
Mar 23, 2026: Giant - Music Box Theatre
Apr 06, 2026: Becky Shaw - Hayes Theater
Apr 16, 2026: Proof - Booth Theatre
Apr 26, 2026: Drama Desk Cut-Off