Fans meet team, coaches at reception

 

Alex Eschmeyer at practice. (Stanford photo)

About 165 donors had a chance to dine, meet and mingle with SWBB players, coaches and staff at a reception Oct. 14 in the Hall of Champions.

They also heard head coach Kate Paye’s views of the upcoming season.

She praised the team’s “energy, enthusiasm and positivity” despite having only 12 players, with one of them, freshman Jordyn Wheeler, out for the season while rehabbing from ACL surgery.

Between the graduation of three players and the transfer of seven more, the team has only five returning players. They have been augmented by four freshmen (including Jordyn) and three transfers, but there are no seniors.

Therefore, Stanford has “one of the youngest teams in the country,” Kate said. But “we are young; we are hungry.”

TV announcer Mary Murphy served as emcee as the program opened. She singled out retired head coach Tara VanDerveer and retired associate head coach Amy Tucker, who were there.

She also named some of the team’s great alums before being joined by the players, who introduced themselves, their hometowns and majors.

The team has an international flavor with Jordyn from Canada and the two junior  transfers -- Inés Sotelo Míguez from Spain and Ilse de Vries from The Netherlands. Sophomore Charlotte Tuhy is the other transfer.

“We hit the jackpot in the (transfer) portal,” Kate said, adding that these three would make an immediate impact.

“Our theme this year is Together,” Kate said.

Returning players have helped to develop that team togetherness. For the first time in team history, they organized a player-only retreat, spending a weekend in Muir Woods.

They also arranged themselves into four pods to encourage one another, junior Shay Ijiwoye said. Shay and sophomore Nora Ezike played for Nigeria team during international competition in the summer.

As each player talked about herself, sophomore Hailee Swain interrupted classmate Alex Eschmeyer to say that Alex can dunk.

Kate’s coaching staff includes a new assistant coach, Steven Key. Returning assistant coach Jeanette Pohlen got married in Italy during the summer, but she wasn’t at the reception.

The team was to have closed scrimmage against Sac State on Oct. 17 before its exhibition games against Pacific at 2 p.m. Oct. 24 and against UC Santa Barbara at 8 p.m. Oct. 28, both in Maples.

Season play begins at 10:30 a.m. Nov. 2 against Arizona in Las Vegas. The home opener is at 7 p.m. Nov. 4 against Saint Mary’s.

 

 

 

Bloody good time in TheatreWorks' 'Dracula)

 

 Harker (Nima Rakhshanifar, left) dines with Count Dracula (Scott Coopwood) in Transylvania. (Photo by Kevin Berne)

Just as the lights go down, loud bangs foreshadow what’s to come in TheatreWorks’ production of Steven Dietz’s stage adaptation of Bram Stoker’s 1897 “Dracula.”

What follows is an intriguing story as well as lots of chills and of course – blood.

It’s 1897 in London where young Lucy (Emily Newsome) seems to be coming weaker. Her best friend, Mina (Maria Marquis) notices the changes, which came  after Lucy started wandering at night.

Mina summons Lucy’s fiancé, Jonathan Harker (Nima Rakhshanifar), but Lucy has focused her affections on John Seward (Vincent Randazzo), a psychologist.

Concerned about Lucy’s condition, especially after seeing marks on her neck, Seward asks Abraham Van Helsing (Adrian Roberts), his former professor. Van Helsing teaches philosophy and researches unexplainable and supernatural illnesses.

More complications ensue, especially when Count Dracula (Scott Coopwood) of Transylvania shows up.

Another principal character is a raving madman, Renfield (Max Tachis), who is confined to an insane asylum.

Director Giovanni Sardelli, TheatreWorks’ artistic director, keeps the action and thrills coming on thanks to a fine cast and production team, especially sound designer James Ard, who fills the theater with chilling howls and other effects.

Illusions consultant Jim Steinmeyer adds to the scary ambience, as does the lighting designed by Kurt Landisman.

Running just under two hours with a 15-minute intermission, “Dracula” will continue scaring its audiences through Nov. 1, the day after Halloween, in the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St.

For tickets and more information, call (877) 662-8978 or visit www.TheatreWorks.org.

 

 

A deadly quest in 'A Gentleman's Guide to Love and Murder'

 

Andrew Cope is Monty Navarro, while Chesney Evert is Phoebe D’Ysquith. (Photo by Scott Lasky)

 

A young Englishman is handsome, charming and smart but virtually penniless. When he learns that he’s eighth in line for an earldom, he sets about eliminating the people ahead of him.

Such is the premise of “A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder,” the musical comedy being presented by Palo Alto Players.

The man in question is Monty Navarro (Andrew Cope). His competitors are all members of the D’Ysquith family. One of the fun parts of this show is that they’re all played by the same versatile actor, Brandon Savage. Costumes by Halbert M. DuBiel facilitate and delineate each of Savage’s characters.

Another fun part of this Tony-winning show is the varied way that each person meets his or her demise along with the way that Monty looks so innocent and angelic each time one of them dies.

And of course there are love interests with both Sibella Hallward (Brenna Silva) and Phoebe D’Ysquith (Chesney Evert) attracted to him.

Lee Ann Payne has expertly directed and choreographed this clever show, which features a book and lyrics by Robert L. Freedman and music and lyrics by Steven Lutvak based on a novel by Roy Horniman.

Excellent acting, singing and dancing add to the enjoyment, as does Tony Gaitan’s music and vocal direction along with the old-timey stage set by Patrick Klein and sound by Chris Beer.

The only caveat is that the English accents can be hard to understand, but everything else is done well.

“A Gentleman’s Guide to Love and Murder” continues through Sept. 27 at the Lucie Stern Theater, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto.

For tickets and information, call (650) 329-0891 or visit www.paplayers.org.

 

 

 

'Pickleball' launches Hillbarn's 86th season

 

From left: Sheldon (Chris Reber). Spike (Will Livingston), Larry (Erin Gould) and Billie (Rebecca Schweitzer) exchange words before playing. (Tracy Martin photo)

Hillbarn Theatre & Conservatory is opening its 86^th season with Jeff Daniels’ “Pickleball,” inspired by the sport that’s growing in popularity.

For example, when Hillbarn artistic director Stephen Muterspaugh spoke to the sold-out audience at Aug. 22’s opening night, he asked how many people were there for the first time. Dozens raised their hands.

When he then asked how many people there played pickleball, almost as many raised their hands. One can only assume that the play’s title brought them there.

Despite its popularity, pickleball has caused controversy. Tennis players don’t like yielding court space and time to it. Neighbors complain about the noise caused by plastic balls propelled by paddles.

The noise aspect opens the play as an offstage woman complains about it, saying she’s trying to get her toddler to bed.

However, neither controversy is explored any farther.

Instead, four of its principal players enter the court with their paddles, ready to play.

Well, one of the friends isn’t playing. Sheldon (Chris Reber) hurt his back in a game and can barely walk.

The other three are Spike (Will Livingston), Sheldon’s pickleball partner; and pickleball partners Larry (Erin Gould) and Billie (Rebecca Schweitzer).

Larry is the kind of man who, when meeting a woman, asks if she’s single. Billie is mourning the death of her wife.

They’re occasionally joined by the strutting, enigmatic Perfect (Imri M. Tate), who runs a business aimed at improving players’ skills.

Even though pickleball is meant to be fun, at least in this play it can also be deadly, as alluded to by some of the characters.

As directed by Marissa Keltie, this production sports fine acting by everyone along with noteworthy designs: the set by Muterspaugh, lighting by Pamila Gray, costumes by Lisa Claybaugh and sound by Jeff Mockus.

The credits don’t mention a choreographer or movement director, but there are some stylized movement and dancing. The latter is set to a rap routine, which comes soon after the actors inexplicably burst into the “Hallelujah Chorus” from Handel’s “Messiah.”

Nor is there any actual pickleball playing.

And while there is a lot of dialogue, the play doesn’t seem to have plot or through-line per se. Thus one is left to wonder what impression the first-time Hillbarn audience members/pickleball players might get.

Running about 80 minutes without intermission, “Pickleball” will continue through Sept. 13 at Hillbarn Theatre, 1285 E. Hillsdale Blvd., Foster City.

For tickets and information, call (650) 349-6411 or visit www.hillbarntheatre.org.

 

 

Palo Alto Players stages laugh-filled farce, 'The Cottage'

From left: Steve Allhoff as Beau, Brandon Silberstein as Clarke, Michelle Skinner as Marjorie and Kate McGrath as Sylvia. (Scott Lasky photo)

Infidelity and sibling rivalry are just two of the issues arising in Sandy Rustin’s “The Cottage,” presented by Palo Alto Players.

This laugh-filled farce takes place in an English countryside cottage in 1923. As it opens, Sylvia (Kate McGrath) and Beau (Steve Allhoff), both of them married to other people, are preparing for their once-a-year tryst.

However, complications pile up with each sharp knocking at the door.

Marjorie (Michelle Skinner), Beau’s pregnant wife, arrives with her lover, Clarke (Brandon Silberstein), who is Beau’s brother and Sylvia’s husband.

Not much later, Diedre (Natalie To), Beau’s other girlfriend, shows up. She’s recently divorced from Richard (Lysander Abadia) and fears he wants to kill her. His menacing arrival, gun in hand, closes Act 1.

Things get even more complicated in Act 2, especially with that gun, and not everyone is who he or she purports to be.

Director Katie O’Bryan Champlin deftly directs this talented ensemble cast and keeps the mounting silliness from going overboard.

Kevin Davies has designed the cottage’s inviting living room and its props. Thus he adds to the humor with subtle touches such as (smokeless) cigarettes secreted in unlikely places.

The stylish ’20s costumes were designed by Jenny Garcia, complemented by Karen Althoff’s hair and makeup designs.

Lighting by Samantha Schroeter and sound by David Hobbs contribute to the enjoyment.

The English accents are sometimes difficult to understand, but the actors and director get the meaning across nonetheless.

Because of the adult themes, Palo Alto Players says that the play is recommended only for people 13 or older.

Running about two hours and 20 minutes with one intermission, “The Cottage” will continue through June 28 at the Lucie Stern Theater, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto.

For tickets and information, call (650) 329-0891 or visit www.paplayers.org.

Palo Alto Players' 'Frozen' has treats for all ages

 

Anna (Lauren Berling in red) reunites with  her sister, Elsa (Astraea Brown), to the delight of (from left) Kristoff (Sadat Hoosain), reindeer Sven (Peter Bullen) and Olaf (Ralph Shehayed). (Photo by Scott Lasky) 

Palo Alto Players’ production of “Frozen” seemingly has something for everyone, especially the younger set.

The sold-out audience at the April 26 matinee on opening weekend included dozens of excited little girls outfitted like princesses and clearly delighted at what they were seeing and hearing.

Their outfits emulated the two principal characters, Anna (Lauren Berling) and Elsa (Astraea Brown), sisters who were princesses in the mythical kingdom of Arendelle.

Elsa, the older sister, had magical powers to create ice and snow that her parents tried to keep in check. However, after they died and she became queen, she accidentally revealed her powers and plunged Arendelle into endless winter, forcing her to flee.

Therefore, Anna set off to find her and try to melt the ice and snow. She was aided by an ice courier, Kristoff (Sadat Hossain), and his reindeer, Sven (Peter Bullen), along with a snowman, Olaf (Ralph Shehayed).

Based on the 2013 popular animated Disney film, “Frozen” is full of songs with music and lyrics by Kristen Anderson-Lopez and Robert Lopez with a book by Jennifer Lee.

Under the direction of Janie Scott, the 25 members of the Palo Alto Players’ production imbue it with fine singing, acting and dancing sure to delight people of all ages.

Many of the actors play multiple roles defined by the colorful costumes designed by Patricia Tyler.

Patrick Klein, PAP’s artistic director, is credited as creative director, working with Tyler as well set designer Kevin Davies, lighting designer Edward Hunter, sound designer Jeff Grafton and projections designer Alanna Bardell. Richard Hall is the musical director and orchestra conductor.

The lively choreography is by Karen Law and Stacy Reed.

Together these designers as well as the actors conjure up theatrical magic sure to enchant people of all ages.

Running about two hours and 40 minutes with one intermission, “Frozen” will continue through May 10 at the Lucie Stern Theatre, 1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto.

For information and tickets, call (650) 329-0891 or visit www.paplayers.org.                  

 

'Come From Away' focuses on human aftermath of 9/11

 

The cast of "Come From Away" joins together in song. (Kevin Berne photo)

Much changed on Sept. 11, 2001, when terrorists hijacked four passenger planes and crashed into the twin towers of the World Trade Center in New York, the Pentagon in Washington and a field in Pennsylvania, killing thousands of people.

In the immediate aftermath, air traffic was halted in the United States and Canada, forcing 38 transatlantic planes with some 7,000 people aboard to land at the airport in the small island town of Gander, Newfoundland, which had fewer than 10,000 residents.

“Come From Away,” a musical presented by TheatreWorks Silicon Valley, focuses on people who must adapt to the situation.

The versatile six women and six men in the cast portray both the passengers and townspeople.

When the play opens, the townspeople are preparing for an ordinary day as news of the attacks begins to surface. They soon learn that they’ll have to accommodate all the people from the diverted planes.

Therefore they muster up all available resources and welcome their unexpected visitors. Despite some initial wariness and cultural differences, the hosts and visitors warm to each other.

By the time the planes are allowed to leave after several days, friendships and a romance have blossomed, but another relationship has ended under the strain.

As directed by Robert Kelley, TheatreWorks’ retired founder and artistic director, the talented ensemble cast smoothly switches characters as the story unfolds. The result is a heartwarming, uplifting salute to humanity rising above the evil and tragedy of 9/11.

The music, lyrics and book by Irene Sankoff and David Hein distill the events into about an hour and 40 minutes without intermission. Therefore, some of the information is delivered so quickly that it’s hard to absorb everything.

However, the essential spirit comes through thanks to the cast, Kelley, musical director William Liberatore, choreographer/assistant director Alex Perez, set designer Wilson Chin, costume designer B. Modern, lighting designer Pamila Z. Gray and sound designer Cliff Caruthers.

This outstanding production of “Come From Away” continues through May 10 at the Mountain View Center for the Performing Arts, 500 Castro St., Mountain View.

For tickets and information, call (877) 662-8978 or visit www.theatreworks.org.