A writer’s support group that does more talking than writing forms the premise for Alan Ayckbourn’s comedy “Improbable Fiction,” which runs through March 1 at Masquers Playhouse in Point Richmond.
The idea came to Ayckbourn after attending such a group. Luckily for audiences around the globe, Ayckbourn didn’t just talk about writing, as he went on to became one of the most prolific playwrights with 92 full-length plays as of December 2025.
Masquers does more than justice to Ayckbourn’s “Improbable Fiction” thanks to the talents of Director Angela Mason, an Ayckbourn fan, and seven versatile performers.
While Act 1 would be improved with a faster pace, Act II is delightful, organized chaos as the writers’ unfinished stories come to life.
C. Conrad Cady skillfully portrays the stoic Arnold, who hosts the group, as he finds himself wandering through the writers’ imaginations which include a historical romance, a 1930s detective story and a sci-fi conspiracy.
The writers Lori Mrochinski (Jess), Alicia von Kugelgen (Grace), Anna Kosiarek (Vivvi), Tyler Null (Clem), Simon Patton (Brevis) and Atessa McAleenan-Morrell as the young woman who cares for Arnold’s aged mother all tackle their various characters with flare, especially von Kugelgen, who is a riot as a sci-fi detective hunting aliens and equally effective as the timid Grace.
Costumer Ava Byrd and her team — Tammara Norleen and Shay Oglesby-Smith — deserve the highest praise for creating present-day as well as period romance, 1930s attire and flashy silver sci-fi wardrobes. Kudos also to the backstage crew — Le’Asia Locks and Kim West — who helped the cast through one fast change after another.
For tickets to this light-hearted comedy, call 510-232-3888 or go to masquers.org.
Berkeley: Arthur Miller’s seminal work “All My Sons” comes to the Berkeley Rep stage Friday through March 29.
Miller’s powerful indictment of moral compromise features Jimmy Smits (L.A. Law, NYPD Blue, The West Wing, to name just a few) and much-admired actress Wanda De Jesús (CSI: Miami, NYPD Blue, plus many film and stage credits).
Partners in real life, Smits and De Jesús bring an added intimacy to Miller’s tale about a successful American family forever changed by a father’s fateful decision.
Berkeley Rep Associate Artistic Director David Mendizábal sharpens Miller’s themes of justice and inequity.
“It is a rare and thrilling opportunity to work with artists of this caliber,” said Mendizábal. “Jimmy Smits and Wanda De Jesús bring an extraordinary depth, history, and authenticity to ‘All My Sons.’ Their real-life connection infuses every moment with an intimacy that amplifies the play’s emotional stakes. The doors that they have opened for Latino artists in the field have paved the way for me to be able to bring my vision of Miller’s incredible play to the stage, and it’s such an honor to have them leading this production. I can’t wait for audiences to witness the electricity they create together on stage.”
For tickets, call 510-647-2949 or go to berkeleyrep.org.
S.F.: The phrase “love is blind” has led to many traumatic relationships but none more so than playwright David Henry Hwang’s “M. Butterfly,” running through March 14 at SF Playhouse.
Inspired by the relationship of a real-life French diplomat and a Beijing Opera singer, Hwang’s work tells of Rene Gallimard’s obsession with the exotic Song Liling. It begins with Gallimard in jail for treason as he recalls his 20-year liaison with Liling. Gallimard refuses to acknowledge Liling is a man merely disguised as a woman to elicit state secrets from him. Evidently, the heart wants what the heart wants regardless of reality.
But Hwang does much more than write about a doomed love affair. He poetically levels an attack on the Western world’s fantasies about the East, especially the subservient nature of Asian women. As is obvious in many news headlines today, we are still struggling to understand China, not to mention the question of gender, making Hwang’s work feel more relevant today than when it first appeared in 1988.
SF Playhouse’s striking production features Randy Wong-Westbrooke’s Asian inspired, multi-layered set with intricate gold designs and sliding panels.
Director/choreographer Bridgette Loriaux takes full advantage of her extensive movement and dance background to skillfully move her talented 11-member cast from one locale to another and adding an almost hypnotic gracefulness to Liling (Edric Young).
Aided by Keiko Carreiro’s stunning costumes, Young floats about the stage capturing the vulnerability and sensuousness of Liling. The difficult role demands the actor be a convincing female and, during the transition scene, revert to a rather hip young man. Young physically does both beautifully. His deeper voice as Liling, however, jars at first.
Dean Linnard deftly handles his complicated role as Gallimard transitioning from a lackluster diplomat to a confident man in love.
“M. Butterfly” runs through March 14 at 450 Post St. in San Francisco. For tickets, call 415-677-9596 or go to sfplayhouse.org.
Reach Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com, and read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.