By David John Chávez

San Jose dance companies stay on point with ‘Nutcracker’ productions New Ballet, San Jose Dance Theatre mount holiday ballet.

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)

Review: City Lights’ ‘Over the River’ a bittersweet look at family ties Family- and holiday-themed comedy-drama plays at City Lights Theater in San Jose

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.

Review: Rock history delivered with attitude in ‘Million Dollar Quartet’ Play with music depicts a day when Elvis Presley, Jerry Lee Lewis, Carl Perkins and Johnny Cash met by chance at a Sun Records Studio.

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...

The Best Bay Area Theater We Saw in 2025 | KQED New musicals, world premieres and invigorating storytelling illuminated Bay Area stages this year.

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.

Who Is Latino Theater Company’s Work For? It’s in the Name For 4 decades, this Los Angeles troupe has developed and staged vital theatre by, for, and about their community, and for about half that time have also run a multi-venue city facility.

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!

Nuance counts for a lot in TheatreWorks play based on Jane Austen’s works Etiquette consultant helps ‘Christmas at Pemberley’ stay true to time period

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 From a new ‘Carol’ to ‘Christmas at Pemberley,’ there is something for everyone.

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

Holiday arts 2025: Catch these 11 Bay Area stage shows From a new ‘Carol’ to ‘Christmas at Pemberley,’ there is something for everyone.

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

Opera San Jose’s ‘Butterfly’ sings her director’s praises Two women navigate cultural appropriation issues in Puccini’s work.

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

Review: ‘Driving Beat’ at TheatreWorks resonates on many levels TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s moving, hip-hop fueled world premiere almost always rings true.

"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

Parent's neighbors were going crazy at least 30 seconds ahead for a Niner playoff game, I had no idea why. Bought an antenna and a little converter box the week after, plugged in with an HDMI cable, split the signal to four tvs. Kind of amazing how many channels exist on an antenna, and HD quality.

I always set up the Super Bowl on an antenna. Good contraptions with remotes and HDMI cables exist, which makes it pretty easy. It's crazy how much further ahead it is.

Powerful family dynamics fuel ‘Hills of California’ at Berkeley Rep ‘Hills of California’ latest work from award-winning playwright who created ‘Jerusalem.’

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

The girl at JFK told me to go through twice very tersely as if she hated me, and I didn't blame her one ounce. All this is shameful, feel awful for these folks.

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