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
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.
I'll be arriving in New York tomorrow morning in a much different post-election situation than when I arrived last year the day after an election.
November 5, 2025 at 5:41 AM
I'll be arriving in New York tomorrow morning in a much different post-election situation than when I arrived last year the day after an election.
It was great to revisit the terrific touring production of "Stereophonic" and how the Bay Area is a central figure in the story. Easter eggs galore for those who embrace this region. My review of the show for @kqedarts.bsky.social, runs through 11/23 at the Curran. #hellatheatre
Review: ‘Stereophonic’ Finally Returns to Its Spiritual Home in the Bay Area | KQED
Set in Sausalito, the play about a band’s fraught recording session in the 1970s has Bay Area vibes galore.
www.kqed.org
November 3, 2025 at 7:13 AM
It was great to revisit the terrific touring production of "Stereophonic" and how the Bay Area is a central figure in the story. Easter eggs galore for those who embrace this region. My review of the show for @kqedarts.bsky.social, runs through 11/23 at the Curran. #hellatheatre
Hmmm...
If you are able to see Bat Boy at City Center, do yourself a favor and see it. A gorgeous production of one of my all-time favorite musicals.
November 3, 2025 at 5:31 AM
Hmmm...
New theater space debut. On the job for the @mercurynews.com. world premiere at TheatreWorks. #hellatheatre
November 2, 2025 at 10:05 PM
New theater space debut. On the job for the @mercurynews.com. world premiere at TheatreWorks. #hellatheatre
Loved the Broadway production of #Stereophonic - the tour in SF, fitting our region like a glove, is outstanding. I was fortunate to speak w/ Arcade Fire's Will Butler and Benicia native Cornelius McMoyler for the @mercurynews.com about the tour at the Curran, thru 9/23. #hellatheatre (gift article)
A rock band implodes under expectations in ‘Stereophonic’
Tony-winning play examines the impact of pressure on artistic creation
www.mercurynews.com
November 1, 2025 at 3:48 PM
Loved the Broadway production of #Stereophonic - the tour in SF, fitting our region like a glove, is outstanding. I was fortunate to speak w/ Arcade Fire's Will Butler and Benicia native Cornelius McMoyler for the @mercurynews.com about the tour at the Curran, thru 9/23. #hellatheatre (gift article)
Every once in a while, there are shows you just need. One of those I will see next week. But last week, I saw the phenomenal #Suffs in #SanFrancisco. My review of the show for the @mercurynews.com, which spends another week in the Bay, through 11/9. #hellatheatre www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/28/r...
Review: ‘Suffs’ serves up a tuneful tribute to fight for equality
Award-winning Broadway hit musical plays at San Francisco’s Orpheum Theatre through Nov. 9.
www.mercurynews.com
November 1, 2025 at 3:38 PM
Every once in a while, there are shows you just need. One of those I will see next week. But last week, I saw the phenomenal #Suffs in #SanFrancisco. My review of the show for the @mercurynews.com, which spends another week in the Bay, through 11/9. #hellatheatre www.mercurynews.com/2025/10/28/r...
Thrilled to revisit this one, loved it in NY. On the job for @kqedarts.bsky.social #hellatheatre
October 31, 2025 at 2:01 AM
Thrilled to revisit this one, loved it in NY. On the job for @kqedarts.bsky.social #hellatheatre
Soooo hyped. Hey @amandafinn.bsky.social, you ready for Next Friday night????!!! #Liberation
Those who loved JOHN PROCTOR IS THE VILLAIN or EUREKA DAY should buy a ticket to LIBERATION. If you love great playwriting that is cathartic, speaks deeply to the present moment and our collective unease, but also doesn’t pretend to have answers….support LIBERATION and great storytelling
October 28, 2025 at 10:28 PM
Soooo hyped. Hey @amandafinn.bsky.social, you ready for Next Friday night????!!! #Liberation
Yeah, we kinda need this one right now, though I would have preferred to see this when I was in NYC in Nov of '25, the day after a certain election 😭😭😭. On the job for the @mercurynews.com. #hellatheatre
October 24, 2025 at 3:39 AM
Yeah, we kinda need this one right now, though I would have preferred to see this when I was in NYC in Nov of '25, the day after a certain election 😭😭😭. On the job for the @mercurynews.com. #hellatheatre
Reposted by By David John Chávez
A year later, RAGTIME does not hit nearly as hard. But my god, those voices! www.theatrely.com/post/a-glori...
A Glorious RAGTIME Is Finally Back On Broadway — Review
Theatrely's Broadway review of Ragtime at Lincoln Center Theatre in New York City.
www.theatrely.com
October 17, 2025 at 4:42 PM
A year later, RAGTIME does not hit nearly as hard. But my god, those voices! www.theatrely.com/post/a-glori...