Rod Gnapp and Zoe Winters in Mauritius at Magic Theatre. PHOTO BY DAVID ALLEN

With well over 300  theatre and dance companies in the SF Bay Area, there were more than a thousand productions during the year 2009.  And the SF Bay Times reviewers covered as many of them as possible.  Each writer sees 50-150 shows annually and reviews most of them.  And once a year, it’s a real pleasure for them to pick their favorite ten (or five) productions. 

Looking over their selections this year, it’s clear that the Magic Theatre’s production of Mauritius wins, hands down, the highest ranking.  Next up is Off Broadway West Theatre Company’s The Homecoming.  And very close behind are The Marsh’s Loveland, SF Playhouse’s One Flew Over the Cuckoo’s Nest, and Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s In the Next Room (or the vibrator play). 

Regarding the diversity and excellence of the many theatre and dance companies, we at the SF Bay Times say BRAVO!

—Tom W. Kelly, Arts Editor

ERYKA M. FRACZEK PICKS 10

By Eryka M. Fraczek

Honorable Mentions: Tennessee in the Summer by local gay playwright Joe Besecker at New Conservatory Theatre Center. Rabbi Sam by local writer/performer Charlie Varon and Tings Dey Happen, written and performed by Dan Hoyle, both at The Marsh.

10. Private Lives by Noel Coward produced by California Shakespeare Theatre (aka CalShakes), directed by Mark Rucker. Coward’s work was delightfully presented, and CalShakes perfectly captured the essence of Coward’s humor in its period. Memorable. CST in residence at Bruns Amphitheatre, 100 Gateway Blvd., Orinda. Call (510) 548-9666. Website: calshakes.org

9. Wishful Drinking written and performed by Carrie Fisher at Berkeley Repertory Theatre’s Roda Theatre, directed by Tony Taccone. Bracing, bright, ascerbic, and resilient humor. BRT, 2025 Addison St., Berkeley. Call (510) 647-2949 or (888) 427-8849. Website: berkeleyrep.org

8. Betrayal by Harold Pinter at Actors Theatre of San Francisco, brilliantly directed by Keith Phillips and James Baldock. Excellent performances by Frank Willey and Aaron Murphy. ATSF, 855 Bush St., SF. Call (415) 345-1287. Website: actorstheatresf.org

7. Legs and All by Summer Shapiro (in collaboration with Peter Musante, Brandi Brandes and Jeremy Shapiro) at 2009 SF Fringe Festival, produced by EXIT Theatre. Clever, ingenious and engaging mime about the details of conversant life between a man and a woman. SF Fringe Festivals offer a pot luck of 60-minutes-or-less theatre productions from near and far. Call (415) 931-1094. Website: sffringe.org

6. The Santaland Diaries by David Sedaris, produced by Combined Artform and Beck-n-Call at Stage 205, Off-Market Theaters. Actors David Sinaiko is exquisite and incredible as all of the various characters in this depiction of life as a Christmas-time elf at Macy’s in Manhattan. OMT, 965 Mission St., SF. Call (415) 336-0513. Website: cafearts.com

5. The First Day of School by Billy Aronson at SF Playhouse, directed by Chris Smith. Hysterical romp with the parents when the kids return to school. Outstanding ensemble acting. SFP, 533 Sutter St., SF. Call (415) 677-9596. Website: sfplayhouse.org

4. Who’s Afraid of Virginia Wolf by Edward Albee at Actors Theatre of San Francisco, directed by Keith Phillips. Outstanding portrayals by all four actors. Phillips’ deft directions bring a new dimension to this classic. ATSF, 855 Bush St., SF. Call (415) 345-1287. Website: actorstheatresf.org

3. The Homecoming by Harold Pinter, produced by Off Broadway West Theatre Company, directed by Joyce Henderson. A breathtaking production of Pinter’s absurd story. Outstanding performances by all. Off Broadway West presents only a few shows per year, and they are consistently excellent. At Phoenix Theatre, 414 Mason St., SF. Call (510) 835-4205. Website: offbroadwaywest.org

2. A View from the Bridge by Arthur Miller, produced by Off Broadway West Theatre Company, directed by Joyce Henderson. Outstanding, palpably real performances. Richard Harder’s Eddie Carbone was amazing. At Phoenix Theatre, 414 Mason St., SF. Call (510) 835-4205. Website: offbroadwaywest.org

1. Mauritius by Theresa Rebeck at Magic Theatre, directed by Loretta Greco. It has everything. Outstanding performances across the board. Magic Theatre, Fort Mason Center, Bldg. D, SF. Call (415) 441-8822. Website: magictheatre.org

LINDA AYRES-FREDERICK  PICKS 10

By Linda Ayres-Frederick

10. Samuel Beckett’s one-person play Krapp’s Last Tape featuring Paul Gerrior, produced by Cutting Ball Theater. Cutting Ball develops productions of experimental new plays and re-visions classics with an emphasis on language and images. CBT in residence at EXIT on Taylor, 277 Taylor St., SF. Call (415) 419-3584. Website: cuttingball.com

9. Albert’s Fear featuring solo performer actor/creator Vojta Svejda in the International Czech Theater Festival at The Marsh. Svejda has a sharp eye for human behavior with acting skills that cross international boundaries with humor and compassion. The Marsh, a breeding ground for new performance, 1062 Valencia St., SF. Call (415) 826-5750. Website: themarsh.org

8. Extraordinary monologuist Josh Kornbluth’s one-man show, Andy Warhol: Good for the Jews? at the Contemporary Jewish Museum. Fascinating, humanistic and often mind-tickling insight on American Pop artist Warhol. The Contemporary Jewish Museum (founded in 1984) engages audiences through dynamic exhibitions and programs that explore contemporary perspectives on Jewish culture, history, art, and ideas. CJM at 736 Mission St., SF. Call (415) 655-7882. Website: thecjm.org

7. In the Next Room (or the vibrator play) by Sarah Ruhl at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. An elegant Victorian-Age comedy lit by unexpected sparks from the approaching era of electricity, equality, science and sexuality. BRT has a national reputation for nurturing writers and developing new works. BRT, 2025 Addison St., Berkeley. Call (510) 647-2949 or (888) 427-8849. Website: berkeleyrep.org

6. Merola Opera Grand Finale at SF War Memorial Opera House. The Merola Opera Program is the cornerstone of SF Opera’s training and performance programs. Affordable evening of Opera that is consistently thrilling and a chance to hear the Opera greats of tomorrow today. Call (415) 864-3330. Website: merola.org

5. Monty Python’s Spamalot, a Best of Broadway SHNSF Production. This farcical tale of King Arthur and the Knights of the Round Table on their wild and wonderful quest includes the fabulously silly Fisch Shlapping (Shlapp Shticky) number. Shorenstein Hays-Nederlander delivers the ultimate Broadway experience to SF, fosters new works, and spearheads world-class productions as a major force on the national theater stage. Website: shnsf.com

4. Joe Goode’s Traveling Light: A Performance Installation at San Francisco’s Old Mint Building. A visceral experience that again demonstrates Goode’s sensitive and brilliant artistry with an ear to the pulse of our nation’s current financial and spiritually bereft dilemma. The Joe Goode Performance Group promotes understanding, compassion and tolerance among people through the innovative use of dance and theater, as interpreted by the artistic vision and work of Joe Goode. Call (415) 561-6565. Website: joegoode.org

3. American Conservatory Theater and London’s Kneehigh Theatre production of Noel Coward’s Brief Encounter. Brilliantly directed and adapted for the stage by Emma Rice, this show to-write-home-about combines stage, film and vaudeville, seamlessly contrasting “high” and “low” romance. American Conservatory Theatre celebrates on Jan. 9 its historic theatre’s 100th anniversary! ACT, 415 Geary St., SF. Call (415) 749-2228. Website: act-sf.org

2. My Name is Asher Lev, Aaron Posner’s play adaptation of Chaim Potok’s novel, the subtle and passionate journey of a conflicted young Jewish painter. A stunner on every level for its sensitive direction and simple staging by Hal Brooks, its excellent acting (featuring Peter Stadlen as Asher with Danielle Levin and Patrick McNulty), and its writing. Marin Theatre Company, 397 Miller Ave., Mill Valley. Call (415) 388-5208. Website: marintheatre.org

1. Loveland written and performed by solo artist and comic genius extraordinaire Ann Randolph at The Marsh, directed by Matt Roth. Facing the greatest loss of her life while flying from LA to Ohio surrounded by strangers, Franny stumbles from awkward confusion through the mystery, tragedy and beauty that unite us all. Irreverent, hilarious, brilliantly funny and deeply human. Returns to The Marsh, Jan. 9-Feb. 21. The Marsh, 1062 Valencia St., SF. Tickets, call (800) 838-3006. Info, call (415) 826-5750. Website: themarsh.org

ALBERT GOODWYN  PICKS 10

By Albert Goodwyn

10. South Pacific, the touring Broadway production brought by Shorenstein Nederlander Hayes to the Golden Gate Theatre was refreshingly unadulterated. Website: shnsf.com

9. Shocktoberfest. Master Guignologist Russell Blackwood and the Thrillpeddlers never fail to present the most eerie and ghastly shows for the fabled SF Halloween season. Thrillpeddlers at The Hypnodrome, 575 Tenth St., SF. Call (415) 377-4202. Website: thrillpeddlers.com 

8. The Creature by Trevor Allen, produced by Black Box Theatre. In the past year, stunningly versatile Bay Area actor James Carpenter has sawn off bloody limbs on stage and faced ghosts as Ebenezer Scrooge, but nowhere did his talents shine so much as in his portrayal of the Frankenstein monster at Thick House. Website: blackboxtheatre.com 

7. Happy Days by Samuel Beckett. California Shakespeare Theater dared and succeeded in making the story of a woman buried up to her head in sand interesting and even humorous. CST in residence at Bruns Amphitheatre, 100 Gateway Blvd., Orinda. Call (510) 548-9666. Website: calshakes.org

6. The Woman in Black by Stephen Mallatratt. Second Wind Productions produced this eerie chiller at the Phoenix Theatre. Call (415) 508-5614. Website: secondwind.8m.com

5. Souvenir by Stephen Temperly. The American Conservatory Theater production of this heartfelt chestnut brought out the comedic warmth and patience of the teacher — and the audience — without being mawkish. . ACT, 415 Geary St., SF. Call (415) 749-2228. Website: act-sf.org
4. The Heidi Chronicles by Wendy Wasserstein. In their new venue, The Next Stage, the Custom Made Theatre dramatized the development of Heidi’s sexual yearnings. CMT in residence at The Next Stage, 1620 Gough St,, SF. Website: custommade.org

3. The Homecoming by Harold Pinter. Off Broadway West daringly and successfully mounted this very difficult and complex play from the ‘50s at the Phoenix Theatre. Call: (510) 835-4205. Website: offbroadwaywest.org 

2. Krapp’s Last Tape by Samuel Beckett. Cutting Ball Theater’s eerie mounting of Beckett’s indecipherable drama brought new depth to the story of a man and his banana under Rob Melrose’s direction. CBT in residence at EXIT on Taylor, 277 Taylor St., SF. Call (415) 419-3584. Website: cuttingball.com

1. One Flew over the Cuckoo’s Nest by Dale Wasserman. The inspired casting of this ‘60s chestnut by SF Playhouse made an engrossing play. They found the ghetto nature of novelist Ken Kesey’s character Randle P. McMurphy (portrayed by Hansford Prince). SFP, 533 Sutter St., SF. Call (415) 677-9596. Website: sfplayhouse.org

FLORA LYNN ISAACSON PICKS 5

By Flora Lynn Isaacson

5. Brief Encounter by Noel Coward produced by American Conservatory Theatre and Kneehigh Theatre. Emma Rice’s theatrical send-off of director David Lean’s and Noel Coward’s classic film of same title. Includes songs by Coward and a carnival of vaudevillian performances. ACT’s fare is absolutely, unabashedly theatrical. ACT, 415 Geary St., SF. Call (415) 749-2228. Website: act-sf.org

4. Fat Pig by Neil LaBute at the Aurora Theatre. LaBute’s savage take on America’s obsession with a Hollywood concept of beauty. Aurora Theatre is a coming together of your heart and mind. Aurora Theatre, 2081 Addison St., Berkeley. Call (510) 843-4822. Website: auroratheatre.org

3. Private Fears in Public Places by Alan Ayckbourn at Ross Valley Players. Ayckbourn’s brilliant play about the way our lives are linked. Created in 1930, The Ross Valley Players is the oldest continually-operating community theatre on the West Coast. In residence at the Barn Theatre, Marin Art and Garden Center, 30 Sir Francis Drake Blvd., Ross. Call (415) 465-9555. Website: rossvalley players.com

2. Mauritius by Theresa Rebeck at the Magic Theatre. Rebeck’s crisp, multi-layered, high-stakes con game. Magic Theatre takes risks and is highly experimental. Magic Theatre, Fort Mason Center, Bldg. D (3rd floor), SF. Call (415) 441-8822. Website: magictheatre.org

1. In the Next Room (or the vibrator play) by Sarah Ruhl at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Ruhl’s elegant comedy was brilliantly directed by Les Waters and is now a hit on Broadway. BRT has sent multiple plays to Broadway in the past few years. BRT, 2025 Addison St., Berkeley. Call (510) 647-2949. Website: berkeleyrep.org

LILY JANIAK PICKS 5

By Lily Janiak

5. Aurélia’s Oratorio at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. The theatrical and the mundane are treated with equal awe by performer Aurélia Thierrée. In her whirlwind display of acrobatics and illusion, every costume is a prop and every prop is a puppet. A deft twist on usual holiday offerings by BRT, whose willingness to deconstruct the theatrical and the language of the body has deservedly catapulted it to national prominence. BRT, 2025 Addison St., Berkeley. Call (510) 647-2949. Website: berkeleyrep.org

4. Lydia by Octavio Solis at Marin Theatre Company. Director (and MTC Artistic Director) Jasson Minadakis adeptly evokes the isolation and desolation of life on Solis’s frontera, where tragedy is of such magnitude that it can exist only on its own planet, with no one else in the world. With MTC’s consistently high quality productions, whether classics or world premieres, the trek to Marin is becoming more worth it for patrons of the arts. MTC, 397 Miller Ave., Mill Valley. Call (415) 388-5208. Website: marintheatre.org

3. Legs and All by Summer Shapiro at the 2009 SF Fringe Festival, produced by the EXIT Theatre. A romp in pantomime by the spellbinding and hysterical Shapiro; with luck, this creative choreographer will become not only a Fringe regular but also a vital presence in broader Bay Area theatre. In addition to sponsoring the Fringe Festival, which gives all proceeds to the artists themselves, the EXIT Theatre is notable for its commitment to young and emerging performers. EXIT Theatre, 156 Eddy St., SF. Call (415) 931-1094. Website: theexit.org

2. Jack Goes Boating by Bob Glaudini at the Aurora Theatre. This fun variation on boy meets girl—meets Reggae—personifies agitation, with a cast remarkably well-attuned to each other’s highs and lows. The ideal specimen of the clever but safe fare characteristic of the Aurora Theatre. Aurora Theatre,e, 2081 Addison St., Berkeley. Call (510) 843-4822. Website: AuroraTheatre.org

1. Mauritius by Theresa Rebeck at the Magic Theatre. Standout performances by Zoe Winters and Rod Gnapp bring Rebeck’s taut script to electric life. Under the artistic direction of Loretta Greco, the Magic’s commitment to new works is becoming more sophisticated and thoughtful. Magic Theatre, Fort Mason Center, Bldg. D (third floor), SF. Call (415) 441-8822. Website: MagicTheatre.org