Performance

A very complex history

Tricycle Theatre artistic director Nicolas Kent co-directs "The Great Game," a play covering Afghan history from 1842 to now.

An unexpected creation

"Reluctant" creator, writer and actor Joel Israel says the piece isn't really a ghost story, "it's just ... intimidating." Read the review.

A rising ACT star in 'Marcus'

Richard Prioleau is in his third and final year of ACT's master's of fine arts program, and he has already scored a major career coup.

The perfect Cyrano

The great and seemingly indefatigable Spanish tenor Plácido Domingo is making a long-overdue return to the S.F. Opera. Plus: Best recordings.

Worth a rant

Politically incorrect comedy, explicit sex jokes and riffs on his "chubby little cousin Harris," courtesy of "Parks and Recreation" star Aziz Ansari at the Fillmore.

All aboard!

As Sara Shelton Mann choreographed a work for S.F.  Trolley Dances, she didn't expect a troupe of boisterous squirrels to become her muses.

Unerringly winning

"Becoming Britney" is a small musical with a big heart but a lightweight book.

'West Side' sizzles at Orpheum

In its best moments, this is a pretty vital "West Side Story."

A fine Halloween offering

"Reluctant" is an hour of strangely discursive and seductive storytelling.

'Great Game: Afghanistan'

The London import now at Berkeley Rep, is one of the theatrical events of the season. Sheer size almost guarantees it.

Dancer tested, patron approved

The verdict is clear: ODC's new theater should serve dancemakers and dance audiences splendidly for decades to come.

Hurray for hula

If an episode occasionally lagged during Na Lei Hulu I Ka Wekiu's 25th anniversary celebration performance, you could expect a dazzler 10 minutes later.

The dancing thrills

Alonzo King's "Scheherazade" impresses with its logic, consistency, dramatic contrasts and musicality.

Thrillingly beautiful

S.F. Opera's "Cyrano de Bergerac" it was worth attending just to hear Plácido Domingo do his first staged opera since 1994.

Largely lackluster

"Madama Butterfly" at the S.F. Opera does have enough things going for it to provide an intermittently gripping evening of musical drama.

L.A. premieres 'Il Postino'

Operagoers who complain that they don't write 'em like they used to can take comfort from "Il Postino."