Growing up in Union City meant being close to Hayward's terrific Ye Olde Pizza Joynt, where there was an organist in the '90s named Jerry Nagano. Since the old days of pizza places hiring a full time organist, he's stayed busy. For @kqedarts.bsky.social, I spoke with Jerry about his career.

it's taken me a while to put this together. but I hope, if you've never heard of her, or even if you have, this tribute to Alice Wong buoys your heart and gives you a good sense of who this incredible person was. www.coyotemedia.org/remembering-...

I believed "Georgiana and Kitty," the 3rd in the Pemberley series trilogy, would be quite good. I didn't anticipate it to be as funny as it was, and better than expected. The show runs thru 12/28 at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. My review for the @mercurynews.com #hellatheatre (gift article)

The cultural impact, the amount of times I've watched his films on repeat, and the outspoken voice he was known for just makes this news beyond devastating. What a voice, what artistry, what a loss. #RIPRobReiner

After spending the last few years watching bad hockey, feels like such a reward to enjoy a very fun team.

Great night at the bally. #SanJose #TheNutcracker

Badass. BADASS!!!

Live music in Oakland is the shit. #JohnLegend #Paramount

The South Bay is fortunate to have multiple, amazing versions of #TheNutcracker For the @mercurynews.com, I spoke with creatives from both New Ballet and San José Dance Theatre in advance of Dec. 13, when both companies open their versions of the longstanding Christmas tradition. (gift article)

Director Jeffrey Bracco does a terrific job of creating mood in "Over the River and Through the Woods" by Joe DiPietro at City Lights Theater. It's a delightful production that really bears down with some wonderful acting performances. My review for the @mercurynews.com, thru 12/21 #hellatheatre

Austen afternoon. On the job for the @mercurynews.com. TheatreWorks Silicon Valley.

The script is showing its age in places, but #MillionDollarQuartet is all about the live tunes and the fun nostalgia. Here's my review of the rockabilly and rock and roll hit at San Jose Stage for the @mercurynews.com. Through 12/14 (gift article) #hellatheatre www.mercurynews.com/2025/12/02/r...

For @kqedarts.bsky.social, @enkohl.bsky.social and I did our annual end of the year picks for theater events, shows and news. In 2025, there were great things going on despite news that was a bit tough on the ecosystem. Still, there's hope for a more positive 2026 in Bay Area theater. #hellatheatre

They are so terrific, please support these legends! Doing lots of great work.

For @americantheatre.org, I was honored to write about the #LatinoTheaterCompany of #LosAngeles, learning about all the wonderful work they do, rooted in familia and comunidad. Thank you to the amazing creatives who took the time to speak with me for the piece. An honor of a lifetime, mil gracias!

There's lots that goes into building the world of Jane Austen. TheatreWorks Silicon Valley has made the holidays about the Pemberley series adapted by Lauren Gunderson & Margot Melcon. I spoke w/ 3 creatives responsible for that world for the @mercurynews.com. Thru 12/28 #hellatheatre (gift article)

Sunday afternoon matinee time, nice crowd on hand. City Lights Theatre, on the job for the @mercurynews.com. #hellatheatre

Million Dollar Quartet at San Jose Stage. On the job for the @mercurynews.com. #hellatheatre

Holiday arts 2025: Catch these 11 Bay Area stage shows trib.al/JDdIC6D

You don't have to look far to find lots of traditional Christmas fare in the Bay Area. But if you're looking for other kinds of theater shows, here are 11 terrific ones throughout the Bay, even a great tradition in San Benito County. My winter picks for @mercurynews.com #hellatheatre (gift article)

World premiere in Berkeley. #hellatheatre

Factoring in cultural specificity is why you need Asian/AANHPI singers in a variety of mediums so that tropes stop repeating

Gift article: www.mercurynews.com/2025/11/16/o...

An afternoon at the opera - opening day. Seated for #MadamaButterfly at the historic CaliforniaTheatre #SanJose

I enjoy writing about opera when I can, so it was great to speak with soprano Emily Michiko Jensen and director Michelle Cuizon about #MadamaButterfly at Opera San Jose for the @mercurynews.com. They shared how they infused the opera with cultural competence, historically not always the case.

Waiting on this one for a while. #hellatheatre

"A Driving Beat" at TheatreWorks does good things, but still needs more development, and must address a highly problematic scene that undercuts the story's arc. Nice to also see the company utilize a new space in their Mountain View home. My review for the @mercurynews.com, thru 11/23 #hellatheatre

The Hills of California @ Berkeley Rep has thrilled audiences in Broadway and London. This is only the 3rd production, this one coming from Boston. It's also a homecoming for Loretta Greco (Magic Theatre) and lead Allison Jean White (Menlo Park/ACT). My feature for the @mercurynews.com #hellatheatre

Sixth and final show on the trip. Two straight days at the Public.

Show #5 #Broadway

Show #4 - taking in some Jordan E. Cooper magic. My goodness, this pre-show playlist is just 🔥🔥🔥.

"The only places you have to leave your home to have a true experience are hospitals and theaters." Great words by @brittanidsamuel.bsky.social, in conversation with NY critic Linda Armstrong. #ATCANY2025

Medina Prize presentation with @christianlewis.bsky.social and Citlali Pizarro. Wonderful morning with some phenomenal artists.

Jordan E. Cooper and Kelundra Smith chatting at the Public in lower Manhattan for @americantheatre.org Offscript Podcast.

I definitely needed some resistance and feminism tonight. Bess Wohl is pretty badass. #Broadway

Great quote by director Whitney White - "There is New York, and there are your plans. And New York doesn't care about your plans."

Show #2 #Broadway

"We got a hunch you'll love the Baseball Bunch."

A little technical difficulty at Chess tonight.

Show #1 of the biz trip. #Broadway

I'll be arriving in New York tomorrow morning in a much different post-election situation than when I arrived last year the day after an election.

It was great to revisit the terrific touring production of "Stereophonic" and how the Bay Area is a central figure in the story. Easter eggs galore for those who embrace this region. My review of the show for @kqedarts.bsky.social, runs through 11/23 at the Curran. #hellatheatre

Hmmm...

New theater space debut. On the job for the @mercurynews.com. world premiere at TheatreWorks. #hellatheatre

Loved the Broadway production of #Stereophonic - the tour in SF, fitting our region like a glove, is outstanding. I was fortunate to speak w/ Arcade Fire's Will Butler and Benicia native Cornelius McMoyler for the @mercurynews.com about the tour at the Curran, thru 9/23. #hellatheatre (gift article)

Every once in a while, there are shows you just need. One of those I will see next week. But last week, I saw the phenomenal #Suffs in #SanFrancisco. My review of the show for the @mercurynews.com, which spends another week in the Bay, through 11/9. #hellatheatre www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/28/r...

Thrilled to revisit this one, loved it in NY. On the job for @kqedarts.bsky.social #hellatheatre

Soooo hyped. Hey @amandafinn.bsky.social, you ready for Next Friday night????!!! #Liberation

Yeah, we kinda need this one right now, though I would have preferred to see this when I was in NYC in Nov of '25, the day after a certain election 😭😭😭. On the job for the @mercurynews.com. #hellatheatre

A year later, RAGTIME does not hit nearly as hard. But my god, those voices! www.theatrely.com/post/a-glori...