"Left Field" ★ ★ ★

There are amazing moments in John Fisher's "Left Field." Frenetic, subversive, ridiculous, meaningful, impossible but maybe not THAT impossible -- Fisher's ultra-cynical view of our political and social systems, as seen from left field -- which in this case just means anything that isn't center-field --  hits home more than it probably should.

Elana Swartz as Emerald and Gene Mocsy as Kebie are quite convincing in their supporting roles but this is a John Fisher show. His Delson Stammer is obnoxious but approachable. He is also different than every other politician, because the other candidates refuse to take unpopular stands. Stammer becomes Mayor of Provincetown, then Supervisor in San Francisco, even though he has opinions about everything, few of which make any sense in the real word but all of which are heartfelt. This sets him apart from everyone else.

Stammer somehow runs for Vice-President and then President. We're not sure whether he wins or loses but it doesn't really matter. Fisher's point is that it COULD happen.

The show runs long, particularly in one very long set piece in which Fisher scales every internal wall in the building to illustrate he is climbing a mountain in Alaska. This successful summit leads to name recognition and, therefore, a shot at the presidency.

I mean, this could never happen, right?

Of course, John Fisher shows are always funny. "Fascism is a temporary turn towards capitalism."

"Yale is an expensive whore with gonorhhea." 

We love what they do with the lighting in the shark scene. A hallmark of the Rhino is to do a great deal with very little in a tiny space. This company puts everything it has into every second. This is why we love shows here. John Fisher ends up doing sit-ups as the show ends. Why? Because he can. 

RATINGS ★★★

The San Francisco Theater Blog grants THREE STARS to "Left Field." John Fisher is a uniquely talented guy. His company always bites off more than anyone can chew, but we always leave the theatre amazed that, sure enough, they pulled it off again. The run for "Left Field" is over, but the melody lingers on. 

"Left Field"

Rhinocerous Theatre

4229 18th St., San Francisco

RUN IS OVER: SHOW CLOSED.

"Primary Trust" ★ ★ ★ ★

First things first: We loved this show. It is rare that a drama grabs us from the beginning and holds us to the end. "Primary Trust" is that show.

Two reasons jump out: the script by Eboni Booth and our main character Kenny, played by William Thomas Hodgson. We know something is up with Kenny, a young man who spends every night in a tiki bar drinking 2-for-1 mai-tais with his best friend Bert. Slowly we figure out that Bert exists only in Kenny's mind and Kenny is drinking both of those 2-for-1s. Ms. Booth dangles the reason in front of us but it is never spelled out until the very end.

To bring us with him, Hodgson must make us believe having a $18k/year job as a bank teller at Primary Trust, in a nondescript small town in upstate New York -- matters. And it does matter. We feel ourselves being drawn into the quiet lives of every character. 

Kenny Scott brings a lot of empathy to the unreal Bert and Dan Hiatt is his always wonderful self playing several characters, including Kenny's boss at Primary Trust. Rolanda D. Bell plays an uncountable number of servers at Wally's. Eventually, her friendship becomes the key for Kenny to loosen himself from his painful past. 

This is an award-winning performance for William Thomas Hodgson. Kudos to the entire cast. 

RATINGS ★ ★ ★ ★

The San Francisco Theater Blog grants "Primary Trust" FOUR STARS. Writing, directing (spot-on, by Jeffrey Lo), acting and sets earn one star each. We like the illuminated stars. We like the cool map. We like the whole danged thing. 

"Primary Trust"

Lucie Stern Theatre

1305 Middlefield Road, Palo Alto

Through Mar. 29, 2026

$34-$115

"After Happy" ★ ★

It îs always a pleasure to see a show in the Berkeley City Club, the Julia Morgan-designed venerable space in the heart of Berkeley. Such a small venue gives us an opportunity to feel as if we are inside the production itself. Patricia Milton's new "After Happy," the 79th World Premiere from Central Works, does not disappoint. 

But it doesn't make us yell Yo Ho Ho either. The problem with "After Happy" does not lie with the humorous subplot of the Pirate Festival, and especially not with the actors, but with the story itself. Lauren Dunagan, as Katherine, the young eco-terrorist bent on taking over her aunt's family oil business, tries her best to get us to believe Aunt Brenda (a jolly but not naive Jan Zvaifler) would go along with Katherine's idea to allow her to destroy the company, but those attempts are undone by Katherine's co-conspirator Steph (Rezan Asfaw), who is so angry and heartless that it is difficult to feel satisfied with the rather slapstick comedy conclusion.

We liked all three actors. We want to laugh with them. But Auntie is no dope. The idea that she wouldn't see through the two younger women's charade, or that she would let these scheming charlatans convince her of her own complicity in destroying the planet -- it's all a bit hard to digest.

There are some good jokes (has anyone ever seen a dober-doodle?) and funny bits. Perhaps Director Gary Graves could lighten up on Steph's non-stop meanness, or, conversely, make Aunt Brenda less sharp, so we could laugh a little harder and believe this plot is even remotely possible.

Aunt Brenda going to Madagascar to save the lemurs? Really?

RATINGS: ★ ★ 

The San Francisco Theater Blog Awards Division grants "After Happy" Two Stars. The actors are very good. The jokes are clever. And we love how real pirates join the story at the end. Central Works is an excellent company. The show is new and will get sharper and more focused as the run continues.

"After Happy"

The Berkeley City Club

2315 Durant Avenue, Berkeley

Fri-Sun, through March 29, 2026

$35-$45