The summer doldrums have settled upon live theater in Marin County as most companies gear up for the September openings of their new seasons.
Then there’s the Marin Shakespeare Company.
Summertime is when they’re at their most active. Their season began in July with a well-received mounting of Much Ado About Nothing and continues in August with two interesting productions.
Usually situated at the Forest Meadows Amphitheatre at Dominican University, MSC will be presenting their first indoor summer production. The Untime, an original piece conceived by artistic director Jon Tracy and Nick Musleh, will play at their downtown San Rafael venue at 514 Fourth St. starting on Aug. 2. The show contains echoes of Macbeth with its tale of a king, his generals, a wedding and conflict.
For folks seeking a more traditional Shakespeare show, The Comedy of Errors will play at the Forest Meadows Amphitheatre starting Aug. 17. Director Michael Gene Sullivan’s adaptation of the play presents the show in period but as if it’s being performed by a rogue women’s acting troupe. marinshakespeare.org
Speaking of Michael Gene Sullivan and acting troupes, the Tony Award-winning San Francisco Mime Troupe, now in their 65th season, brings its rabble-rousing ways to Marin County with a stop in Mill Valley for a performance of their latest poke-in-the-establishment’s-eye, American Dreams–A New Musical–Was Democracy Just a Dream?
For those not expecting to hear much from a mime troupe, be aware that they use the term mime in its classical and original definition, “The exaggeration of daily life in story and song.”
Written by Sullivan (with music and lyrics by Daniel Savio and directed by Velina Brown), the show features Sullivan as Gabriel Pearse, a Black man tired of failed liberal promises and ready to give up, or worse, vote conservative.
Other subjects addressed by the troupe in this 80-minute intermission-less show include the latest on the Palestinian situation and its accompanying campus unrest, and what the future might hold for us all as AI becomes more prevalent.
One person’s dream is another person’s nightmare. And yes, there’s a mad robot and a cow puppet.
The show also features Andre Amarotico, Lizzie Calogero and Mikki Johnson playing multiple roles. Music is provided via a three-person band, with Savio on keyboards, Caroline Chung on bass and musical director Dred Scott on percussion and keyboards.
The troupe is traveling throughout Northern California with their show. Mill Valley’s Community Center will host the show on Saturday, Aug. 21 on their back lawn. There’ll be pre-show music at 6:30pm, followed by the 7pm performance. Admission is free, but donations are graciously accepted. sfmt.org
