By David John Chávez
@davidjchavez.bsky.social
Brown drama guy. Bay Area theater critic/reporter @ SJ Mercury News, SF Chronicle, KQED, American Theatre Mag + others. Chair: American Theatre Critics/Journalists Association, 2X Pulitzer Drama Juror ('22-'23) GO SJ Sharks! IG: @davidjchavez #hellatheatre
Pinned
There's lots that goes into building the world of Jane Austen. TheatreWorks Silicon Valley has made the holidays about the Pemberley series adapted by Lauren Gunderson & Margot Melcon. I spoke w/ 3 creatives responsible for that world for the @mercurynews.com. Thru 12/28 #hellatheatre (gift article)
Nuance counts for a lot in TheatreWorks play based on Jane Austen’s works
Etiquette consultant helps ‘Christmas at Pemberley’ stay true to time period
www.mercurynews.com
December 2, 2025 at 7:00 PM
There's lots that goes into building the world of Jane Austen. TheatreWorks Silicon Valley has made the holidays about the Pemberley series adapted by Lauren Gunderson & Margot Melcon. I spoke w/ 3 creatives responsible for that world for the @mercurynews.com. Thru 12/28 #hellatheatre (gift article)
Sunday afternoon matinee time, nice crowd on hand. City Lights Theatre, on the job for the @mercurynews.com. #hellatheatre
November 30, 2025 at 9:58 PM
Sunday afternoon matinee time, nice crowd on hand. City Lights Theatre, on the job for the @mercurynews.com. #hellatheatre
Million Dollar Quartet at San Jose Stage. On the job for the @mercurynews.com. #hellatheatre
November 27, 2025 at 2:57 AM
Million Dollar Quartet at San Jose Stage. On the job for the @mercurynews.com. #hellatheatre
Reposted by By David John Chávez
Holiday arts 2025: Catch these 11 Bay Area stage shows trib.al/JDdIC6D
Holiday arts 2025: Catch these 11 Bay Area stage shows
From a new ‘Carol’ to ‘Christmas at Pemberley,’ there is something for everyone.
trib.al
November 25, 2025 at 11:52 PM
Holiday arts 2025: Catch these 11 Bay Area stage shows trib.al/JDdIC6D
You don't have to look far to find lots of traditional Christmas fare in the Bay Area. But if you're looking for other kinds of theater shows, here are 11 terrific ones throughout the Bay, even a great tradition in San Benito County. My winter picks for @mercurynews.com #hellatheatre (gift article)
Holiday arts 2025: Catch these 11 Bay Area stage shows
From a new ‘Carol’ to ‘Christmas at Pemberley,’ there is something for everyone.
www.mercurynews.com
November 26, 2025 at 9:22 PM
You don't have to look far to find lots of traditional Christmas fare in the Bay Area. But if you're looking for other kinds of theater shows, here are 11 terrific ones throughout the Bay, even a great tradition in San Benito County. My winter picks for @mercurynews.com #hellatheatre (gift article)
World premiere in Berkeley. #hellatheatre
November 20, 2025 at 4:10 AM
World premiere in Berkeley. #hellatheatre
Reposted by By David John Chávez
Factoring in cultural specificity is why you need Asian/AANHPI singers in a variety of mediums so that tropes stop repeating
I enjoy writing about opera when I can, so it was great to speak with soprano Emily Michiko Jensen and director Michelle Cuizon about #MadamaButterfly at Opera San Jose for the @mercurynews.com. They shared how they infused the opera with cultural competence, historically not always the case.
Opera San Jose’s ‘Butterfly’ sings her director’s praises
Two women navigate cultural appropriation issues in Puccini’s work.
www.mercurynews.com
November 17, 2025 at 1:43 PM
Factoring in cultural specificity is why you need Asian/AANHPI singers in a variety of mediums so that tropes stop repeating
Gift article: www.mercurynews.com/2025/11/16/o...
November 17, 2025 at 4:59 AM
Gift article: www.mercurynews.com/2025/11/16/o...
An afternoon at the opera - opening day. Seated for #MadamaButterfly at the historic CaliforniaTheatre #SanJose
November 16, 2025 at 10:04 PM
An afternoon at the opera - opening day. Seated for #MadamaButterfly at the historic CaliforniaTheatre #SanJose
I enjoy writing about opera when I can, so it was great to speak with soprano Emily Michiko Jensen and director Michelle Cuizon about #MadamaButterfly at Opera San Jose for the @mercurynews.com. They shared how they infused the opera with cultural competence, historically not always the case.
Opera San Jose’s ‘Butterfly’ sings her director’s praises
Two women navigate cultural appropriation issues in Puccini’s work.
www.mercurynews.com
November 16, 2025 at 5:21 PM
I enjoy writing about opera when I can, so it was great to speak with soprano Emily Michiko Jensen and director Michelle Cuizon about #MadamaButterfly at Opera San Jose for the @mercurynews.com. They shared how they infused the opera with cultural competence, historically not always the case.
Waiting on this one for a while. #hellatheatre
November 13, 2025 at 8:01 AM
Waiting on this one for a while. #hellatheatre
"A Driving Beat" at TheatreWorks does good things, but still needs more development, and must address a highly problematic scene that undercuts the story's arc. Nice to also see the company utilize a new space in their Mountain View home. My review for the @mercurynews.com, thru 11/23 #hellatheatre
Review: ‘Driving Beat’ at TheatreWorks resonates on many levels
TheatreWorks Silicon Valley’s moving, hip-hop fueled world premiere almost always rings true.
www.mercurynews.com
November 12, 2025 at 4:13 PM
"A Driving Beat" at TheatreWorks does good things, but still needs more development, and must address a highly problematic scene that undercuts the story's arc. Nice to also see the company utilize a new space in their Mountain View home. My review for the @mercurynews.com, thru 11/23 #hellatheatre
The Hills of California @ Berkeley Rep has thrilled audiences in Broadway and London. This is only the 3rd production, this one coming from Boston. It's also a homecoming for Loretta Greco (Magic Theatre) and lead Allison Jean White (Menlo Park/ACT). My feature for the @mercurynews.com #hellatheatre
Powerful family dynamics fuel ‘Hills of California’ at Berkeley Rep
‘Hills of California’ latest work from award-winning playwright who created ‘Jerusalem.’
www.mercurynews.com
November 11, 2025 at 8:15 PM
The Hills of California @ Berkeley Rep has thrilled audiences in Broadway and London. This is only the 3rd production, this one coming from Boston. It's also a homecoming for Loretta Greco (Magic Theatre) and lead Allison Jean White (Menlo Park/ACT). My feature for the @mercurynews.com #hellatheatre
Sixth and final show on the trip. Two straight days at the Public.
November 9, 2025 at 6:29 PM
Sixth and final show on the trip. Two straight days at the Public.
Show #4 - taking in some Jordan E. Cooper magic. My goodness, this pre-show playlist is just 🔥🔥🔥.
November 8, 2025 at 5:54 PM
Show #4 - taking in some Jordan E. Cooper magic. My goodness, this pre-show playlist is just 🔥🔥🔥.
"The only places you have to leave your home to have a true experience are hospitals and theaters." Great words by @brittanidsamuel.bsky.social, in conversation with NY critic Linda Armstrong. #ATCANY2025
November 8, 2025 at 5:34 PM
"The only places you have to leave your home to have a true experience are hospitals and theaters." Great words by @brittanidsamuel.bsky.social, in conversation with NY critic Linda Armstrong. #ATCANY2025
Medina Prize presentation with @christianlewis.bsky.social and Citlali Pizarro. Wonderful morning with some phenomenal artists.
November 8, 2025 at 4:51 PM
Medina Prize presentation with @christianlewis.bsky.social and Citlali Pizarro. Wonderful morning with some phenomenal artists.
Jordan E. Cooper and Kelundra Smith chatting at the Public in lower Manhattan for @americantheatre.org Offscript Podcast.
November 8, 2025 at 2:44 PM
Jordan E. Cooper and Kelundra Smith chatting at the Public in lower Manhattan for @americantheatre.org Offscript Podcast.
Great quote by director Whitney White - "There is New York, and there are your plans. And New York doesn't care about your plans."
November 7, 2025 at 6:17 PM
Great quote by director Whitney White - "There is New York, and there are your plans. And New York doesn't care about your plans."
"We got a hunch you'll love the Baseball Bunch."
November 6, 2025 at 5:09 AM
"We got a hunch you'll love the Baseball Bunch."
A little technical difficulty at Chess tonight.
November 6, 2025 at 2:05 AM
A little technical difficulty at Chess tonight.
