Linda Hodges is a freelance writer who has been covering the vibrant and exciting San Francisco Bay Area theater scene for the past two years. A dedicated theater aficionado, Linda first became involved in the dramatic arts while in college, becoming one of the first “techies” at her school to be voted into Delta Psi Omega, the National Theater Honor Society. She holds a Masters in Theological Studies from Pacific School of Religion and maintains that theater, at its best, is a religious experience! Linda is currently working on her first novel and, as always, is looking forward to another opening night.
 BWW Reviews: Virago's SONIA FLEW Finely Crafted, Must-See Theatre
May 22, 2013
Virago Theatre Company steps boldly and passionately into heart-wrenching territory with its production of 'Sonia Flew,'....one of the most finely crafted dramatic productions of recent note.
 BWW Reviews: STUCK ELEVATOR a Hit at A.C.T.
April 20, 2013
'Stuck Elevator' is a thought-provoking, sometimes funny, often stirring piece that opens the door to the dark side of the American dream exposing, in the story of one lone man, the flawed and feckless nature of our attitude toward immigrants. Paying now thru April 28 at A.C.T.in San Francisco
 BWW Reviews: Those Boys from Jersey Man, Can They Sing! JERSEY BOYS Rocks the Curran Theatre
March 15, 2013
The hit musical 'Jersey Boys' made its way to the California shore and into San Francisco's Curran Theatre for a spectacular opening night where Franki Valli and the Four Seasons ruled the airwaves once again. Catch 'Jersey Boys' now through April 28.
 BWW Reviews: A.C.T.'s ELEKTRA Rages Now thru November 18
January 21, 2013
Playing now through November 18, 'Elektra's keening, mournful and blood thirst quest for justice is challenging pedagogy but even more so, enthralling theatre.
 BWW Reviews: Phenomenal LION KING, a Must-See Theatrical Event
January 21, 2013
San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre plays host to Disney's 'The Lion King' now through January 13, 2013. I put that out there right away because if you're one for keeping a bucket list of must-see things to do and see before you 'exit stage left' then this show is surely one for the list.
 Berkeley Repertory's THE WHITE SNAKE Charms Now thru December 23
January 21, 2013
With a tail as old as time, 'The White Snake' slithers in and comes to life at Berkeley Rep, charming theater-goers with its story of enlightenment, true love, deceit and morality. Playing now through December 23.
 BWW Reviews: ANYTHING GOES, Frothy Fun and High Jinks on the High Seas Now Thru Feb. 3
January 19, 2013
In 1934, during the height of the Great Depression, Americans were looking for escapist entertainment and they found it in Cole Porter's frothy, screw-ball comedy, 'Anything Goes.'
 BWW Reviews: Curtain Call Performing Arts Presents A CHRISTMAS CAROL, Dec. 21-23
December 18, 2012
'Tis the season for merriment and Christmas joy as well as for reflecting on the vicissitudes of life and, as the chasm grows between the rich and the poor, it isn't surprising to find so many bay area theatres offering up adaptations of Charles Dickens' 'A Christmas Carol.'
 BWW Reviews: A.C.T.'s A CHRISTMAS CAROL Delights!
December 7, 2012
Playing now through December 24, the message and the magic of A.C.T.'s 'A Christmas Carol,' will delight and inspire children of all ages.
Berkeley Repertory's THE WHITE SNAKE Charms Now thru December 23
November 20, 2012
With a tail as old as time, 'The White Snake' slithers in and comes to life at Berkeley Rep, charming theater-goers with its story of enlightenment, true love, deceit and morality. Playing now through December 23.
BWW Reviews: Phenomenal LION KING, a Must-See Theatrical Event
November 13, 2012
San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre plays host to Disney's 'The Lion King' now through January 13, 2013. I put that out there right away because if you're one for keeping a bucket list of must-see things to do and see before you 'exit stage left' then this show is surely one for the list.
BWW Reviews: A.C.T.'s ELEKTRA Rages Now thru November 18
November 4, 2012
Playing now through November 18, 'Elektra's keening, mournful and blood thirst quest for justice is challenging pedagogy but even more so, enthralling theatre.
 BWW Reviews: AN ILIAD is a Masterpiece in Storytelling at Berkeley Rep
October 23, 2012
Playing now through November 18th at Berkeley Repertory Theatre 'An Iliad' is a masterpiece of storytelling genius; an edge-of-your-seat, dramatic tour-de-force replete with capricious gods and glorious Greeks; Trojans and their lady fair, Helen of Troy and lives that were lost for really no reason at all. And it's all done by one man.
 Steampunk CINDERELLA Delights Now Thru August 31
August 27, 2012
Playing now through August 31 in a limited engagement at the Castro Valley Center for the Arts, this 'Cinderella' is smart and edgy, giving a creatively refreshing twist to an old favorite.
 BWW Reviews: A FUNNY THING HAPPENED ON THE WAY TO THE FORUM is Hilarious, Now Thru August 19!
August 14, 2012
Set aside all of your 21st century politically correct notions and feminist fury for a moment and go see 'A Funny thing Happened on the Way to the Forum.' This show is guaranteed to make you laugh, but you better hurry because it's only here through August 19th.
 BWW Reviews: WAR HORSE - Stunning Stage Wizardry at Curran Theatre
August 11, 2012
Playing now through September 9, 'War Horse' will dazzle you with its stage wizardry even as it brings into bold relief the gut-wrenching horrors that humans and horses alike endured during the war that was supposed to end them all, World War I.
 25th Anniversary LES MISERABLES Storms the Stage in San Francisco
July 16, 2012
A technically reimagined 'Les Miserables' stormed the stage of San Francisco's Orpheum theatre for its 25th anniversary victory lap, electrifying a wildly enthusiastic audience and keeping them on the edge of their seats for the entire performance.
 BWW Interviews: VOCA PEOPLE Invade San Francisco June 6 thru June 17
June 5, 2012
VOCA PEOPLE is performed by eight snow-white, ruby-lipped aliens with perfect harmony--there are no musical instruments, no sound effects, only vocals! And they're here in San Francisco June 6 thru June 17 at the Marine's Memorial Theatre.
 BWW Reviews: BLACK N BLUE BOYS/BROKEN MEN: Brilliant Portrayal by Dael Orlandersmith Now thru June 24
June 4, 2012
'Black n Blue Boys/Broken Men is truth-telling at its very best...about the very worst.
 Julian Sands Stars in A CELEBRATION OF HAROLD PINTER, May 18 and 19
May 15, 2012
Julian Sands' warmly rendered readings and reminiscences of a man he much adored make 'A Celebration of Harold Pinter' a must-see event for now and future Pinter and Sands fans alike.
 Virago Theatrer's MADAMA BUTTERFLY a Wonderful and Passionate Offering
April 8, 2012
Virago brings 'Butterfly' to the Rhythmix Cultural Works Theatre (the Alameda venue seats 15), losing nothing of the rich lushness of Puccini's giant work and actually adding to the beauty of the Opera in the intimacy of the setting. Playing now through April 15*, 'Madama Butterfly' is a wonderful and passionate offering.
 Berkeley Rep's RED is Stunning - Now thru April 29th
March 30, 2012
The visceral and the tactile mix and swirl together with the heady intellectualness of the spoken word in this riveting play, making 'Red' a must-see performance at Berkeley Repertory Theatre.
 BWW Interviews: ENCHANTINGLY WICKED, An Evening With Stephen Schwartz
March 15, 2012
When the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus (SFGMC) decided on this season's theme, 'Sensational,' it was simply fitting that they contacted Stephen Schwartz to collaborate with them for a performance of some of the composer and lyricist's most sensational hits.
 Berkeley Rep's A DOCTOR IN SPITE OF HIMSELF Comes Highly Recommended!
March 10, 2012
Skewered throughout with up-to-the-moment pop culture references and liberally laced with sight gags, jokes and everything but the kitchen sink, 'A Doctor In Spite of Himself' is a must-see dose of depravity that may require you to get stitches due to its propensity to provoke sidesplitting laughter!
 BWW Interviews BEAUTY AND THE BEAST'S Julia Louise Hosack!
February 29, 2012
Disney's BEAUTY AND THE BEAST, the smash hit Broadway musical, is coming to Broadway San Jose. This classic musical love story is filled with unforgettable characters, lavish sets and costumes and dazzling production numbers including 'Be Our Guest' and the beloved title song,'Beauty and the Beast,' sung on this tour by Julia Louise Hosack who plays Mrs. Potts.
 MAMMA MIA! is Frothy, Bouncy, Romantic Fun - Now thru March 4th!
February 29, 2012
Mamma Mia! won't win any prizes for in-depth, philosophical story-telling, but its delightful mix of frothy, bouncy, romantic fun and disco/pop chart hits by ABBA make it a not-to-be-missed theatrical event.
Berkeley Rep's A DOCTOR IN SPITE OF HIMSELF Comes Highly Recommended!
February 26, 2012
Skewered throughout with up-to-the-moment pop culture references and liberally laced with sight gags, jokes and everything but the kitchen sink, 'A Doctor In Spite of Himself' is a must-see dose of depravity that may require you to get stitches due to its propensity to provoke sidesplitting laughter!
 BWW Interviews: MAMMA MIA's Alison Ewing
February 23, 2012
Mamma Mia!is back in the place where it all began - San Francisco's Orpheum Theatre! Broadwayworld's Linda Hodges caught up with actress Alison Ewing, who plays thrice married (and thrice divorced), delicious 'cougar' Tanya in the show.
 GHOST LIGHT Illuminates a Son's Struggle Now Thru Feb. 19th
February 19, 2012
Opening night for "Ghost Light" at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre saw luminaries from the world of politics converging for the production - a play that examines the struggle of a son coming to grips with the death of his father, San Francisco Mayor George Moscone, who was assassinated in 1978.
 BWW Reviews: Virago's A TASTE OF HONEY is Bold and Compelling - Playing Now Thru Feb. 25
February 9, 2012
Virago Theatre Company's A TASTE OF HONEY, playing now through Feb. 25, pays homage to playwright Shelagh Delaney's unflinching honesty with this bold and compelling production that offers a starkly realistic look into the social issues of 1960's England.
 BWW Interviews LEGALLY BLONDE's Bailey Hanks!
February 4, 2012
Bailey Hanks is blonde. She's Beautiful. And she's here in the bay area reprising her role Elle Woods in the hit musical comedy Legally Blonde, the Musical! Hanks talked with BWW's Linda Hodges about what it was like to be in the MTV spotlight, how she handles the challenges in her life and what scrumptious thing she and Elle have in common - besides being blondes!
 BWW Reviews: THE PITMEN PAINTERS Highlights Class Struggle and Art Now Thru Feb. 12th
January 24, 2012
Heartfelt, honest and peppered with humor, the TheatreWorks premiere of The Pitmen Painters will leave you with a desire to pick up a paintbrush yourself.
GHOST LIGHT Illuminates a Son's Struggle Now Thru Feb. 19th
January 14, 2012
Opening night for "Ghost Light" at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre saw luminaries from the world of politics converging for the production - a play that examines the struggle of a son coming to grips with the death of his father, San Francisco Mayor George Moscone, who was assassinated in 1978.
 Eve Ensler & Berkeley Rep Announce New EMOTIONAL CREATURE Project
January 1, 2012
On Friday, October 21st, close to 500 women and girls, (and some men and boys) stood in line waiting for the doors to open at Berkeley Repertory's Roda Theater. They were here to soak in, celebrate and be energized by one woman, the amazing avatar of all things "girl," Eve Ensler, who was here to make a special announcement.
 BWW Reviews: CATS at Broadway San Jose - Still Has Staying Power
December 29, 2011
Frolicking felines took the stage last night in all their graceful glory, bringing the Andrew Lloyd Webber classic CATS to life once again - this time at Broadway San Jose. The fantastical, magical world of London's Jellicle cats, who are gathered together for their yearly Jellicle Ball, still has the power to transfix and delight even now, thirty years after it first opened on Broadway.
 BRING IT ON has Lift - Now thru Jan. 7th
December 17, 2011
High school is never easy and, as Truman High's head cheerleader Campbell (the perfectly blonde Taylor Louderman) finds out, it's especially hard when last minute redistricting means you now have to attend inner-city Jackson High where there is no cheerleading! With a book by Jeff Whitty (Avenue Q) and music by Lin-Manuel Miranda (In the Heights) and Tom Kitt (Next to Normal), Bring It On: The Musical is bubbly, choreographed and, except for the occasional "biotch" to remind us that it's high school, clean, G-rated fun.
 BWW Interviews: BRING IT ON's Kate Rockwell Talks with BWW SF!
December 12, 2011
Kate Rockwell is blissfully excited about coming to San Francisco as part of the musical comedy cast of 'Bring It On.' She plays Skylar, whom she describes as "the sexy, sassy cheerleader you love to hate." In her interview with BroadwayWorld's Linda Hodges Kate talks about her love of SF and her new show - as well as what it's like to be living her Broadway dreams.
|
Bea Arthur Nude Sells For Nearly $2 Million At Auction
Drama Desk Award Winners - MATILDA, VANYA AND SONIA, PIPPIN, VIRGINIA WOOLF & More!
John Bantay Talks to Richard Jay-Alexander About Musical Mondays Farewell
STAGE TUBE: Join Them! Watch the PIPPIN Cast on Letterman!
CHUCK Star Zachary Levi and Krysta Rodriguez Set to Lead FIRST DATE
AMERICAN IDOL Execs Considering All-Alum Judges' Panel
VIDEO: New Trailer for MAN OF STEEL Released!
Stella McCartney and L'Oreal Part Ways
VIDEO: She & Him Release Music Video for 'I Could've Been Your Girl'
EA Announces Battlefield 4 for Xbox One and PlayStation 4
BWW Blog: Leah Edwards - Practice. Perform. Repeat
BWW Reviews: Blue Lapis Light's Encore Engagement of HEAVEN-EARTH-ONE is Heavenly
VIDEO: Must Watch - Mel Brooks AMERICAN MASTERS on PBS May 20!