By David John Chávez

Tuesday night curtain. Seated for #Home at ZSpace in #SanFrancisco, on the job for @kqedarts.bsky.social #hellatheatre

The other day, a woman from Fargo ND told me her kids do original 1-act plays at their high school. This year, all the shows in the fest had the premise “What if the internet went out for 3 days?”

Massive props to whoever came up with that, a brilliant idea to get teens writing good plays in 2025.

Murphy the friggin' dog.

Power, position, and place are three different things, and before the year 2030, Imma need everybody in the American theater to understand that.

Could that ever be on a t-shirt?

Could not be happier about this. And I am in the house for Friday's game in SD. Loved him for showing that kind of love for Oakland that day.

South Bay playwright, director find ‘really cool starting off point’ for collaboration Shared creative roots in East San Jose help shape ‘malcriados’ for TheatreWorks’ New Works Festival.

I'm thinking @theycallmejlo.bsky.social is the league leader in people I've interviewed the most. Was also great to speak with playwright Christopher Oscar Peña about a big homecoming reading at TheatreWorks. I spoke to both for the @mercurynews.com. #hellatheatre www.mercurynews.com/2025/07/27/p...

New Play Billie Jean Celebrates the Prowess of Billie Jean King—On and Off the Court Lauren Gunderson pens the play which is now running at Chicago Shakespeare Theater.

"Billie Jean," a biographical play by Lauren Gunderson playing at @chicagoshakes.bsky.social, highlights many of Billie Jean King’s achievements as a public figure and her private journey toward living as her authentic self and finding love. My feature for @playbill.com:
playbill.com/article/new-...

"That's real starvation stuff." The absolute worst.

Second of two today, ready for Shakespeare's film noir #RichardIII at Silicon Valley Shakes. Always a beautiful environment to catch The Bard. #hellatheatre

Two show day, all-female cast edition. First up - the good folks at Oakland Theater Project, with Lorraine Hansberry's #LesBlancs, closing today. #hellatheatre

Go for it Sarah. UBA all day. 🎨👨‍🎨

Critical reporting.

Summer musical time at City Lights! On the job for the @mercurynews.com #hellatheatre

The Inconvenient Faith of Stephen Colbert The core of why Trump World hates him.

"It’s statements like these from Mr. Colbert that have rankled many rightwing fundamentalists over the years because they can’t simply claim he’s being inaccurate or even particularly judgy."

New York Times Culture Desk Shake-Up: Critics Margaret Lyons, Jon Pareles, Jesse Green, Zach Woolfe Reassigned to ‘New Roles’ Four New York Times critics -- Margaret Lyons, Jon Pareles, Jesse Green and Zach Woolfe -- will be assigned 'new roles' as the paper changes up its culture desk coverage.

A big announcement that veteran journalists are being moved out of their jobs and into unspecified new roles and that they will be replaced by TBD feels extremely ominous. variety.com/2025/tv/news...

How Can We Save Bay Area Theater From Collapse? 11 Local Experts Weigh In | KQED Amid dire circumstances for local theater companies, 11 directors, playwrights and actors offer a remedy.

For @kqedarts.bsky.social, I spoke with 11 of the region's leading theater makers, asking about a path forward to ensure the long-term viability of Bay Area theater. Thank you so much to those creatives who gave some terrific insights into how theater here has a shot for a long life. #hellatheatre

2025 Fellow Feature: Valeria Fernández Quill, a magazine by the Society of Professional Journalists

It's easy nowadays to get down about journalism. Will this estate hold in this chaotic administration outwardly hostile to questions and accountability? Fortunately, for #QuillMagazine, I got to interview the amazing @valeriafernandez.bsky.social, and she gave some great insights. So. Much. Wisdom.

This has become 1 of the signature prizes for BIPOC theater scribes. Past winners include Brittani Samuel, Gloria Oladipo and Dr. Christian Lewis. So proud of what this prize has become in only year 4, so worthy of Ed's amazing legacy and all he did for the @theatrecritics.bsky.social organization.

Congress is proposing $75 million in cuts to the National Endowment for the Arts. This will not only leave nonprofits with debt but it will also eliminate the programs arts orgs provide for kids, elders, veterans, and other vulnerable communities. The arts are America's public safety plan.

Constellations at The Pear! #hellatheatre

Incredible work per usual, what a story. Your kickers are always gut punches.

Nice to be back at The Magic. Seated for Luis Alfaro's #Aztlan #hellatheatre

I miss my Oakland A's. But this was wild and fun.

Stings. Absolutely stings.

Sunday night Shakes in Livermore! Ready for John Falstaff and the Merry Wives at SPARC, Darcie Kent Winery. #hellatheatre

Print is still very cool. @mercurynews.com #&Juliet

Ready for the third time. Seated for #&Juliet at the Orpheum. ##hellatheatre #SanFrancisco #BroadwaySF

How ‘& Juliet’ brings the Bard to Britney Spears Hit Broadway musical matches songs from superstar pop music writer Max Martin to revisionist Shakespeare story.

For the @mercurynews.com, I spoke with #TealWicks and #DavidWestRead about @andjulietbway.bsky.social, coming through #BroadwaySF, running until 7/27. The same production returns to #BroadwaySanJose this October. It's an absolute blast of a show, ready to see it for the 3rd time. #hellatheatre

Review: Here’s how TheatreWorks made a classic story even better With terrific new songs, ‘5 & Dime’ plays at Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts through July 13.

The new musical over at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley is a doozy, monologues replaced by singing soliloquies. The world premiere of "Come Back to the 5 and Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean" is terrific. My review for the @mercurynews.com, through 7/27. #hellatheatre www.mercurynews.com/2025/06/27/5...