It is time for this critic to take an end-of-year look back at local theater, and I am happy to report that no theaters have closed in this area. As a matter of fact, there’s a new company in town with the formation of Petaluma’s Mercury Theater.
So, continuing on that positive note, here, in chronological order, are my “Top Torn Tickets”—the best and/or most interesting plays produced in the North Bay in 2024:
She Loves Me, 6th Street Playhouse. The theatrical year got off to a good start with this bright and bouncy musical. Charming performances; a colorfully lit, cleverly-designed set; and precision timing in movement all made for a delightful post-holiday confection.
Orlando, SRJC Theatre Arts. If you’ve never attended an SRJC production because it’s just “college theater,” you’re missing out on some of the most interesting and well-produced shows around. Their gender-bending production of this Sarah Ruhl script was more than just a college exercise. It was fascinating, thought-provoking theater.
Uncle Vanya, Roustabout Theatre Company. Roustabout’s Professional Ensemble is the Brigadoon of local theater companies. It rises from the mist of the LBC every year to mount a usually superb production and then disappears. Their production of Vanya was the best Chekhov I’ve seen in a while.
The Prom, Sonoma Arts Live. Credit must be given when a theater company tiptoes outside of its usual box. SAL’s production of this gay-themed musical comedy wasn’t perfect, but it accomplished something fairly rare—it brought in a younger audience. They got a contemporary, relevant story; a couple of strong, young performers; and the opportunity to see some heartfelt work by local stage veterans.
The Germans Upstairs, Raven Players. Mounting an unknown, original play is always risky. Props to the Raven Players for taking a chance on local playwright Francine Schwartz and her script based on family stories from their time in German-occupied France during World War II.
Oklahoma!, Cinnabar. When Cinnabar announced they were taking their mainstage shows on the road to Sonoma State’s Warren Auditorium, I had my doubts. (I had acted in and produced shows there while attending SSU.) A reimagined script that changed a key plot point was problematic. Every other aspect of the production was not.
Beautiful: The Carole King Musical, Spreckels Theatre Company. There is no better stage in the North Bay on which to mount a large Broadway musical than the Codding Stage at the Spreckels Performing Arts Center. A large, talented cast of actor-singer-dancers had all the room they needed to do this trip down musical Memory Lane justice.
POTUS, etc., Left Edge Theatre. Contemporary productions are few and far between as local companies usually rely on the tried-and-true to attract an audience. Left Edge does the opposite, regularly giving local audiences opportunities to see shows they probably haven’t seen before. POTUS… was as in-your-face as theater gets. It was also pretty damn funny.
All is Calm: The Christmas Truce of 1914, Spreckels Theatre Company. The most powerful 70 minutes on stage this year. Simple stagecraft let the voices of the performers, the words of WWI soldiers at the front and the music of the era shine. A criminally short run deep into the holiday season may have limited its audience. They should do it again.
Merry Christmas. Go see something.
