Alan Stern and Greg Smith co-host this podcast featuring reviews of current theater productions -- mostly in the San Francisco Bay Area, with occasional forays to New York and London -- and interviews with performers and other theater professionals.
Alan and Greg review ACT's production of "North by Northwest" and the SF Playhouse's production of "Peter Pan Goes Wrong"
Photo credits:
North by Northwest: Steve Tanner, Rich Soublet II
Peter Pen Goes Wrong: Jessica Palopoli
Alan and Greg review the San Francisco Playhouse's production of "Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really" and the Berkeley Rep's new musical version of "The Lunchbox." They also talk about the upcoming seasons for the Berkeley Rep and ACT in San Francisco. Then New York correspondent Thom Wise drops by to discuss the Tony Award nominations.
Theme music by Suno AI
23 Apr 2026
Curtain Up! Episode 4: Jane Fonda/"Come from Away"/NY Musicals
Greg and Alan discuss a surprising encounter with the Academy Award winning actress, and review TheatreWorks' production of "Come from Away". Then NY critic Thom Wise joins the team to discuss several shows that have opened on Broadway this season.
Theme music created with Suno AI
21 Feb 2026
"M. Butterfly"/"The Lehman Trilogy"
Alan and Greg discuss the SF Playhouse's new production of David Henry Hwang's "M. Butterfly". Alan gives a mini-review of San Jose Stage's production of "The Lehman Trilogy" Photo Credits: Jennifer Palopoli ("M. Butterfly"), Dave Lepori ("Lehman Trilogy")
23 Jan 2026
Hershey Felder/Joe Iconis
Alan and Greg interview pianist/actor/writer Hershey Felder, currently appearing in "The Piano and Me," a new show about his unusual and prolific career. They also interview New York composer/lyricist/performer Joe Iconis, who will be performing at Feinstein's at the Nikko at a future date.
Photos: David Lipori
1 Dec 2025
Spencer Day/"Into the Woods"
Alan and Greg interview jazz singer/songwriter Spencer Day and review the San Francisco Playhouse's new production of Stephen Sondheim's "Into the Woods".
"Into the Woods" thumbnail by Jessica Polopoli
(c) 2025 Alan Stern and Greg Smith
26 Nov 2025
The Reservoir/Little Women
Alan and Greg review the Berkeley Rep's production of Jake Brasch's comedy "The Reservoir" and interview director Giovanna Sardelli about her new production of "Little Women" at TheaterWorks. They also discuss their recent theater trip to London.
This episode was originally aired on KMVT in September 2025.
(Thumbnail photo by Kevin Berne. "Curtain Up!" theme created with Suno AI.)
26 Nov 2025
Liberace & Liza/My Fair Lady
Alan and Greg interview David Saffert and Gillian Snow, the hilarious duo who play Liberace and Liza Minelli in their cabaret act. They also review the San Francisco Playhouse's new production of "My Fair Lady."
This episode was originally aired on KMVT in July 2025.
("Curtain Up!" theme created with Suno AI.)
26 Nov 2025
Come Back to the 5 & Dime, Jimmy Dean, Jimmy Dean
Alan and Greg review TheatreWorks' new musical adaptation of Ed Graczyk's 1976 play about a group of women in rural Texas who were forever changed when the Hollywood production of "Giant" filmed in their small town.
This episode was originally aired on KMVT in June 2025.
(Thumbnail art courtesy of TheatreWorks Silicon Valley. "Curtain Up!" theme created with Suno AI.)
26 Nov 2025
Joan Crawford Superstar
Alan and Greg review the San Francisco production of "Joan Crawford Superstar," a play about the legendary film star and icon.
This episode was originally aired on KMVT in May 2025.
(Thumbnail art courtesy of Intentional Theatrics. "Curtain Up!" theme created with Suno AI.)
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