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Jim Munson - Page 2

Jim Munson

Jim has been hooked on theater ever since being dazzled by a high school production of “Damn Yankees” in Wilmington, Delaware way back in 1972 featuring his older brother in a cameo role. Fortunately, his horizons have expanded just a bit since then. A longtime San Francisco resident, Jim is an avid theater- and dance-goer throughout the Bay Area. He has also followed the theater scene across the country and loves nothing more than the 3-show days that can occasionally be scheduled in New York City. For the record, he holds a BA in Theater Arts from SUNY Buffalo, but happily learned long ago that his skills as a discerning audience member far exceed his skills as an actor.




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First Show:

Raisin

Favorite Show:

"Falsettoland" at the Lucille Lortel in 1990. Even though I'd seen and loved "March of the Falsettos," I somehow went in having no idea what this sequel of sorts was about. I was absolutely gutted. Living in that time of the worst of the HIV pandemic, it felt like having my community as they actually were reflected right back at me from the stage. Faith Prince was a sublime Trina (the best I've ever seen). Her "Holding to the Ground" haunted me for weeks afterwards. Lonny Price had stepped in as Mendel and gave that character so much gravitas it was heartbreaking. And, of course, Michael Rupert and Stephen Bogardus were unparalleled as Marvin and Whizzer. I don't know if I've ever laughed and cried so hard at a performance. Afterwards, I remember taking a long, silent walk down along the Hudson River with my husband just because we weren't yet ready to be back in the real world, the emotions the show had brought to the surface were still too raw. I've been fortunate to see the full two-act "Falsettos" many times since then, on Broadway, on tour, in regional theaters, but nothing can top that first exposure to "Falsettoland."

Favorite Stories:

  • Interview: Laura Benanti at the Lesher Center for the Arts is a Golden-Age Star for Our Times - Laura was so approachable, direct, honest and generous with her time that it felt like talking to an old friend. Among other things, we took a deep dive into her conception of the character of Eliza Doolittle. I learned so much from her and yet it was like two theater geeks just shooting the breeze. Easiest interview I've ever done, and after it was published her husband told her it was the best interview she'd ever given.


Interview: Hershey Felder of HERSHEY FELDER AS GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE & HERSHEY FELDER'S GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK SING-ALONG at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley
Interview: Hershey Felder of HERSHEY FELDER AS GEORGE GERSHWIN ALONE & HERSHEY FELDER'S GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK SING-ALONG at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley
February 1, 2024

BroadwayWorld chats with virtuoso actor/pianist/filmmaker Hershey Felder about his return to TheatreWorks Silicon Valley in his popular 'George Gershwin Alone' & 'Great American Songbook Sing-Along' shows February 7th thru 12th.

Review: MERE MORTALS at San Francisco Ballet
Review: MERE MORTALS at San Francisco Ballet
January 30, 2024

What did our critic think of MERE MORTALS at San Francisco Ballet? BroadwayWorld reviews the world premiere of 'Mere Mortals' at San Francisco Ballet, a wildly ambitious collaboration between much in-demand choreographer Aszure Barton and composer Sam Shepherd.

Interview: Tim Bond of HOW I LEARNED WHAT I LEARNED at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Relishes the Opportunity to Spend Time with August Wilson Once Again
Interview: Tim Bond of HOW I LEARNED WHAT I LEARNED at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Relishes the Opportunity to Spend Time with August Wilson Once Again
January 16, 2024

BroadwayWorld chats with director Tim Bond about his production of August Wilson's theatrical memoir 'How I Learned What I Learned' starring Steven Anthony Jones at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley January 17 to February 3. Bond was a friend and colleague of the master playwright, and relishes the opportunity to bring him back to life.

Interview: Andrea Gordon of MIRIAM AND ESTHER GO TO THE DIAMOND DISTRICT at Magic Theatre Excavates Her Own Family History to Create a Music-Filled Tale of Forgiveness
Interview: Andrea Gordon of MIRIAM AND ESTHER GO TO THE DIAMOND DISTRICT at Magic Theatre Excavates Her Own Family History to Create a Music-Filled Tale of Forgiveness
January 12, 2024

BroadwayWorld talks to director/playwright/producer Andrea Gordon about her new play 'Miriam and Esther Go to the Diamond District' running at San Francisco's Magic Theatre January 18-28. The play tells a story of 2 sisters (daughters of an opera singer & concert pianist) meeting to go through their mother's belongings 45 years after she's died.

Review: NUTCRACKER at San Francisco Ballet Casts an Enchanting Spell for the Holidays
Review: NUTCRACKER at San Francisco Ballet Casts an Enchanting Spell for the Holidays
December 18, 2023

What did our critic think of NUTCRACKER at San Francisco Ballet? BroadwayWorld reviews San Francisco Ballet's magical production of the Tchaikovsky perennial running through December 30th at the War Memorial Opera House

Feature: James Monroe Iglehart Attends Opening Night of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley
Feature: James Monroe Iglehart Attends Opening Night of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley
December 13, 2023

Tony-winner James Monroe Iglehart gets a brief respite from starring as King Arthur in 'Spamalot' on Broadway to attend opening night of TheatreWorks Silicon Valley's 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee.'

Review: THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Is a Real Winner
Review: THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Is a Real Winner
December 6, 2023

What did our critic think of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley? BroadwayWorld reviews TheatreWorks Silicon Valley's winning new production of William Finn and Rachel Sheinkin's funny and touching musical running through December 24th in Palo Alto.

Interview: James Monroe Iglehart of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Injects Some Holiday Cheer into the Heartwarming Musical
Interview: James Monroe Iglehart of THE 25TH ANNUAL PUTNAM COUNTY SPELLING BEE at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Injects Some Holiday Cheer into the Heartwarming Musical
November 27, 2023

BroadwayWorld chats with Tony-winner James Monroe Iglehart about his vision for TheatreWorks Silicon Valley's holiday production of 'The 25th Annual Putnam County Spelling Bee' running in Palo Alto Nov. 29 to Dec. 24 for which he's serving as Creative Producer.

Interview: Melissa WolfKlain of GUYS AND DOLLS at San Francisco Playhouse Shines as Adelaide, Capping Off a Remarkable Year for the Triple Threat Performer
Interview: Melissa WolfKlain of GUYS AND DOLLS at San Francisco Playhouse Shines as Adelaide, Capping Off a Remarkable Year for the Triple Threat Performer
November 17, 2023

BroadwayWorld catches up with Melissa WolfKlain who is playing Adelaide in San Francisco Playhouse's production of 'Guys and Dolls' through January 13th. The role caps off an amazing year for WolfKlain, coming right after her Baker's Wife in 'Into the Woods' and Val in 'A Chorus Line.'

Review: THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE at Center Repertory Company Dishes Up Some Serious Drag
Review: THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE at Center Repertory Company Dishes Up Some Serious Drag
November 10, 2023

What did our critic think of THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE at Center Repertory Company? BroadwayWorld reviews Center Repertory Company's 'The Legend of Georgia McBride,' Matthew López' delightful and heartwarming romp playing at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek through November 26th.

Review: BULRUSHER at Berkeley Rep Is a Lyrical Coming-of-Age Tale in a Small Northern California Town
Review: BULRUSHER at Berkeley Rep Is a Lyrical Coming-of-Age Tale in a Small Northern California Town
November 7, 2023

What did our critic think of BULRUSHER at Berkeley Rep? BroadwayWorld reviews the captivating production of Eisa Davis' 'Bulrusher.' The 2007 Pulitzer Prize nominated play runs through December 3rd.

Interview: Elizabeth Carter of THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE at Center Repertory Company Explores How the Drag World Can Teach Us to Live Our Lives with Authenticity
Interview: Elizabeth Carter of THE LEGEND OF GEORGIA MCBRIDE at Center Repertory Company Explores How the Drag World Can Teach Us to Live Our Lives with Authenticity
November 1, 2023

BroadwayWorld chats with the much in-demand director Elizabeth Carter about her production of Matthew Lopez' heart-warming celebration of chosen families 'The Legend of Georgia McBride' running at the Lesher Center for the Arts in Walnut Creek November 4 to 26.

Interview: Dan Hoyle of BORDER PEOPLE at The Marsh Challenges Us to Consider the Ways in Which We Do or Don't Cross Geographic and Cultural Borders
Interview: Dan Hoyle of BORDER PEOPLE at The Marsh Challenges Us to Consider the Ways in Which We Do or Don't Cross Geographic and Cultural Borders
October 20, 2023

BroadwayWorld talks to actor-playwright Dan Hoyle about 'Border People' his funny and trenchant exploration of people who cross borders of all kinds, running at The Marsh San Francisco through November 18th.

Interview: Giovanna Sardelli Steps up to Lead TheatreWorks Silicon Valley at a Challenging Juncture and Directs MRS. CHRISTIE to Open Their 2023/24 Season
Interview: Giovanna Sardelli Steps up to Lead TheatreWorks Silicon Valley at a Challenging Juncture and Directs MRS. CHRISTIE to Open Their 2023/24 Season
October 18, 2023

BroadwayWorld checks in with Giovanna Sardelli, TheatreWorks Silicon Valley's recently appointed Artistic Director, as she directs 'Mrs. Christie,' the madcap mystery that kicks off their 2023/24 season. The West Coast premiere of Heidi Armbruster's fresh take on Agatha Christie runs through October 29th in Mountain View, CA.

Interview: Hershey Felder of HERSHEY FELDER'S GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK SING-ALONG: A ONE-NIGHT ONLY BENEFIT FOR THEATREWORKS at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley
Interview: Hershey Felder of HERSHEY FELDER'S GREAT AMERICAN SONGBOOK SING-ALONG: A ONE-NIGHT ONLY BENEFIT FOR THEATREWORKS at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley
October 5, 2023

BroadwayWorld chats with the perennially popular performer Hershey Felder about the Great American Songbook Sing-Along benefit he's doing for TheatreWorks Silicon Valley on October 11th in Mountain View California to raise funds for their Save TheatreWorks Now campaign.

Interview: Heidi Armbruster of MRS. CHRISTIE at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Creates a Delightful Contemporary Mystery from the Disappearance of the Famed Author in 1926
Interview: Heidi Armbruster of MRS. CHRISTIE at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Creates a Delightful Contemporary Mystery from the Disappearance of the Famed Author in 1926
September 28, 2023

BroadwayWorld chats with playwright Heidi Armbruster about 'Mrs. Christie' her madcap mystery making its West Coast premiere at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley October 4 to 29. Her play is an imaginative and speculative romp that connects the famed mystery writer's 11-day disappearance in 1926 with the story of a present-day woman struggling to find herself.

Interview: Margo Hall of NOLLYWOOD DREAMS at San Francisco Playhouse Thinks We Could All Use a Good Laugh These Days
Interview: Margo Hall of NOLLYWOOD DREAMS at San Francisco Playhouse Thinks We Could All Use a Good Laugh These Days
September 25, 2023

BroadwayWorld talks to Bay Area theater veteran Margo Hall about directing 'Nollywood Dreams,' red-hot playwright Jocelyn Bioh's rollicking Nigeria-set comedy running at San Francisco Playhouse September 28th to November 4th

Interview: Jessica Dickey of SISTERING: THE ART OF HOLDING CLOSE AND LETTING GO Explores the Joys and Sorrows of a Sibling Bond That Sustains Her Life in the Theater
Interview: Jessica Dickey of SISTERING: THE ART OF HOLDING CLOSE AND LETTING GO Explores the Joys and Sorrows of a Sibling Bond That Sustains Her Life in the Theater
September 21, 2023

Broadway World talks to playwright & actor Jessica Dickey about her captivating new book 'Sistering' written with her sister Danielle Neff, a United Church of Christ pastor, about maintaining their unusually close bond while following very different paths in life.

Interview: Maria-Christina Oliveras of HADESTOWN at The Orpheum Theatre & San Jose Center For The Performing Arts Is Thrilled to Return to the Bay Area
Interview: Maria-Christina Oliveras of HADESTOWN at The Orpheum Theatre & San Jose Center For The Performing Arts Is Thrilled to Return to the Bay Area
September 8, 2023

BroadwayWorld checks in with Maria-Christina Oliveras who is playing Persephone in the national tour of Tony-Award winning Best Musical 'Hadestown' in San Francisco Sept 12-17 and San Jose September 26 - October 1.

Feature: BEFORE THE INK DRIES at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Presented a Delightfully Candid Conversation with David Henry Hwang & Rajiv Joseph
Feature: BEFORE THE INK DRIES at TheatreWorks Silicon Valley Presented a Delightfully Candid Conversation with David Henry Hwang & Rajiv Joseph
August 24, 2023

BroadwayWorld reports on 'Before the Ink Dries,' a delightful evening with playwrights David Henry Hwang & Rajiv Joseph that kicked off TheatreWorks Silicon Valley's 20th Anniversary New Works Festival.






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