Since Janey Hirsh and American Dream Theatre started performing original musical comedies in West Sonoma County 10 years ago, they’ve spoofed everything from private eyes to the bubonic plague. But probably the most popular of their zany productions has been their Western, “Lassos, Likker and Lead.” A new production of [...]

On the opening day at the Sonoma County Fair, I’d like write something that’s a little different from the usual preview of the rides, the races, the carnival and the midway. This is a story about one of fair’s biggest fans, who won’t be able to make it to the [...]

Last November, San Francisco political humorist Will Durst predicted that it would be tough to mock a popular newcomer like President Obama.    But Will never shirks his duty,  so here are  some sample shots:           On Obama's Supreme Court nominee, Sonia Sotomayor:   “It took Obama about a third of the [...]

Out on the Russian River, the decade-old Pegasus Theater Company, long known for its dedicated core of independent-minded stage directors, is opening a new production of “Driving Miss Daisy” this Friday (July 10). But the show’s director, Nancy Hansen, worries that Pegasus fans may not know where to find the [...]

The 37th season of Summer Repertory Theatre at Santa Rosa Junior College is well under way, and judging by the mood at last Friday’s (July 3) opening of “Barefoot in the Park,” spirits are high. Directed by former hometown boy Shad Willingham, a student cast (led by Joshua Roberts and [...]

The good people of Ukiah wish you to know that a recent story rounding up this summer’s fairs did not include the Redwood Empire Fair, Aug. 6-9 at their tree-shaded fairgrounds. This is a significant omission, since the event attracts some 20,000 visitors every year. The fair is especially known [...]

Last week, two local stage companies broke big news:* The Raven Players in Healdsburg would present the hit musical "Rent" in August 2010.* And Santa Rosa's 6th Street Playhouse would bring back TV and film actor Daniel Benzali, a box office success in 'Death of a Salesman' there last fall, [...]

Summer is the season for Shakespeare, indoors and outdoors and all over the place.If you haven't gotten started yet, don't worry. There's still plenty to come. Here's a quick sample of Shakespearean shows in the North Bay:* "In the Mood," the Broadway adaptation of "Much Ado About Nothing," set in [...]

When leaders at the Mendocino Art Center, got together to brainstorm a fund-raising gimmick to mark the art gallery and school's 50th anniversary, one of the ideas that came up was a calendar. Naturally. It always does.Mendocino photographer Larry Wagner wanted to take a different approach. Last October, Wagner started [...]

Just a quick note to fill you in on a few offbeat offerings for the weekend, that you might have overlooked:GET "WELL" SOON"Well," playwright Lisa Kron's autobiographical "serio-comedy" about health and well-being, opens at 8 tonight (Friday, June 12) and runs on weekends through July 12 in the Studio Theater [...]