Pirates, princesses, brothels and shipwrecks — “Pericles” has all the drama of a soap opera with the poetry of Shakespeare, and Santa Cruz Shakespeare gives this wild ride heart and humor. Think “Shakespearean road trip” with emotional payoff and a superb cast.
Jana Marcus
A native Santa Cruzan, Jana Marcus has deep roots in the local theatre and arts scene. Daughter of renowned theatre director Wilma Marcus Chandler and famed poet and film critic Morton Marcus, Jana has carved her own creative path as a multi award-winning photographer. She was the premiere South Bay area theatre photographer for over 20 years as well as an award-winning documentary and portrait photographer. Jana has also had a stellar career as an arts marketer, creating acclaimed campaigns and content for Cabrillo College, Cabrillo Stage, Santa Cruz Shakespeare, Tandy Beal and Company, Actors’ Theatre, Santa Cruz Ballet Theatre and more. Jana is the author of three books and the host of the true crime podcast, Line of Blood.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Moonlight and mischief in Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s delightful ‘A Midsummer Night’s Dream’
Santa Cruz Shakespeare’s “A Midsummer Night’s Dream” is a hilarious, crowd-pleasing comedy full of playful magic. This moonlit romp through love and mischief is a midsummer treat.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Santa Cruz Shakespeare goes ‘Into the Woods’ — and strikes gold
Santa Cruz Shakespeare goes musical — and nails it, Lookout theater critic Jana Marcus writes. “Into the Woods” at the outdoor Audrey Stanley Grove is bold, funny and pure summer magic.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Revenge served cold: Cabrillo Stage’s ‘Sweeney Todd’ cuts to the bone with powerful performances
Cabrillo Stage’s “Sweeney Todd” is sharp and strikingly relevant, delivering powerhouse performances and Stephen Sondheim’s brilliance, even if the gore stays on the back burner.
Posted inArts & Entertainment
Strong lead performance grounds MCT’s ‘The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time’
In Mountain Community Theater’s “The Curious Incident of the Dog in the Night-Time,” Wyatt Troxell delivers a masterful portrayal of a neurodivergent teen detective, though the production’s minimal staging fails to match his nuanced performance.