Anyone who has been a part of the bay area theatre community in the last 20 years knows Jeffrey Lo – veteran playwright and director, who has worked with San Jose Stage, TheatreWorks, SF Playhouse and so many more companies. We had him on back in June of 2020 during the COVID pandemic, and we bring him back on, where he talks about A Driving Beat, a show he’s directing at TheatreWorks.
You can find out more about Jeffrey and his expansive career via his website: http://www.jeffreywritesaplay.com/
You can contact Jeffrey directly via Instagram: @theycallmejlo
Kehinde Koyejo (Episodes 214 and 262) has been a friend of mine since 2005, when I stage managed her for the Ray of Light musical, Bat Boy. She’s an amazing actress, model and creative artist. She’s also an incredible entrepreneur – and I want to introduce you to her business, Kalm Korner. Kalm Korner is an online boutique that specializes in aromatherapy gifts – love rubs, moisturizers, sprays, tea blends and candles. Kalm Korner also sells Choc’late Mama cookies – she brought some over the last time we interviewed her and it was fantastic. Let’s support a black female-owned business, a local business and make your first order by going to this website: https://kalmkorner.com/
SHOWS:
A Driving Beat (TheatreWorks Silicon Valley)
Oct 29 – Nov 23
Jeffrey Lo is directing the show
https://theatreworks.org/mainstage/a-driving-beat-2/
Pilgrimage (Golden Thread Productions)
Oct 24 – Nov 9
Jeunee Simon (Episode 297) is in the play
Bridgette Dutta-Portman (Episode 75) is a co-playwright
https://goldenthread.org/productions/pilgrimage/
The Break-Up – A Latina Queer Torch Song (Theatre Rhinoceros)
Nov 6 – Nov 23
Tina D’elia (Episode 268) wrote and is in the show
https://www.therhino.org
Timon Of Athens (ACT)
Nov 6 – Nov 22
Radhika Rao (Episodes 21, 131 and 268) is in the show
Evan Held (Episode 226) is in the show
https://www.act-sf.org/community/for-students/a-c-t-out-tour/timon-of-athens/
Mother of Exiles (Berkeley Rep)
Nov 14 – Dec 21
Cassidy Jamahl Brown (Episode 59) is in the show
https://www.berkeleyrep.org/shows/mother-of-exiles-sb2l
Sunday in the Park with George (Shotgun Players)
Nov 15 – Dec 30
Marah Sotelo (Episode 124) is in the play
Elizabeth Curtis (Episode 194) is in the play
David Moschler (Episodes 137 and 254) is the musical director
https://shotgunplayers.org
Dada Teen Musical: The Play (Central Works)
Oct 18 – Nov 23
Alan Coyne (Episode 29) is in the show
Zoe Chien (Episode 285) is in the show
Gary Graves (Episodes 24 & 277) is directing the show
https://centralworks.org/dada-teen-musical-the-play/#showtab=details
Cabaret (Oakland Theatre Project)
Nov 21 – Dec 14
Sharon Shao (Episode 176) is in the show
James Mercer II (Episode 326) is in the show
Dr. Stephanie Johnson (Episode 177) is the lighting designer
David Maier (Episode 301) is the fight coordinator
https://oaklandtheaterproject.org/cabaret
Sally & Tom (Marin Theatre Company)
Oct 30 – Nov 23
Adam KuveNiemann (Episode 274) is in the show
https://purchase.marintheatre.org/EventAvailability?EventId=50001
Into The Woods (SF Playhouse)
Nov 20 – January 17, 2026
Eiko Moon-Yamamoto (Episode 120 & 225) is in the show
https://www.sfplayhouse.org/sfph/2025-2026-season/into-the-woods/
The Wisdom of Eve (Altarena Playhouse)
Oct 24 – Nov 23
Kimberly Ridgeway (Episodes 155 and 251) directs the play
https://www.altarena.org/2025-season-announcement/the-wisdom-of-eve-2025/
Ruthless (New Conservatory Theatre Center)
Dec 5 – Jan 11, 2026
Melissa Momboisse (Episode 140) is in the show
https://nctcsf.org/event/ruthless-the-musical/
Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky (TheYayPodcast)
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Anyone who has been a part of the bay area theatre community in the last 20 years knows Jeffrey Lo – veteran playwright and director, who has worked with San Jose Stage, TheatreWorks, SF Playhouse and so many more companies. We had him on back in June of 2020 during the COVID pandemic, and we bring him back on, where he talks about A Driving Beat, a show he’s directing at TheatreWorks.
You can find out more about Jeffrey and his expansive career via his website: http://www.jeffreywritesaplay.com/
You can contact Jeffrey directly via Instagram: @theycallmejlo
Kehinde Koyejo (Episodes 214 and 262) has been a friend of mine since 2005, when I stage managed her for the Ray of Light musical, Bat Boy. She’s an amazing actress, model and creative artist. She’s also an incredible entrepreneur – and I want to introduce you to her business, Kalm Korner. Kalm Korner is an online boutique that specializes in aromatherapy gifts – love rubs, moisturizers, sprays, tea blends and candles. Kalm Korner also sells Choc’late Mama cookies – she brought some over the last time we interviewed her and it was fantastic. Let’s support a black female-owned business, a local business and make your first order by going to this website: https://kalmkorner.com/
SHOWS:
A Driving Beat (TheatreWorks Silicon Valley)
Oct 29 – Nov 23
Jeffrey Lo is directing the show
https://theatreworks.org/mainstage/a-driving-beat-2/
Pilgrimage (Golden Thread Productions)
Oct 24 – Nov 9
Jeunee Simon (Episode 297) is in the play
Bridgette Dutta-Portman (Episode 75) is a co-playwright
https://goldenthread.org/productions/pilgrimage/
The Break-Up – A Latina Queer Torch Song (Theatre Rhinoceros)
Nov 6 – Nov 23
Tina D’elia (Episode 268) wrote and is in the show
https://www.therhino.org
Timon Of Athens (ACT)
Nov 6 – Nov 22
Radhika Rao (Episodes 21, 131 and 268) is in the show
Evan Held (Episode 226) is in the show
https://www.act-sf.org/community/for-students/a-c-t-out-tour/timon-of-athens/
Mother of Exiles (Berkeley Rep)
Nov 14 – Dec 21
Cassidy Jamahl Brown (Episode 59) is in the show
https://www.berkeleyrep.org/shows/mother-of-exiles-sb2l
Sunday in the Park with George (Shotgun Players)
Nov 15 – Dec 30
Marah Sotelo (Episode 124) is in the play
Elizabeth Curtis (Episode 194) is in the play
David Moschler (Episodes 137 and 254) is the musical director
https://shotgunplayers.org
Dada Teen Musical: The Play (Central Works)
Oct 18 – Nov 23
Alan Coyne (Episode 29) is in the show
Zoe Chien (Episode 285) is in the show
Gary Graves (Episodes 24 & 277) is directing the show
https://centralworks.org/dada-teen-musical-the-play/#showtab=details
Cabaret (Oakland Theatre Project)
Nov 21 – Dec 14
Sharon Shao (Episode 176) is in the show
James Mercer II (Episode 326) is in the show
Dr. Stephanie Johnson (Episode 177) is the lighting designer
David Maier (Episode 301) is the fight coordinator
https://oaklandtheaterproject.org/cabaret
Sally & Tom (Marin Theatre Company)
Oct 30 – Nov 23
Adam KuveNiemann (Episode 274) is in the show
https://purchase.marintheatre.org/EventAvailability?EventId=50001
Into The Woods (SF Playhouse)
Nov 20 – January 17, 2026
Eiko Moon-Yamamoto (Episode 120 & 225) is in the show
https://www.sfplayhouse.org/sfph/2025-2026-season/into-the-woods/
The Wisdom of Eve (Altarena Playhouse)
Oct 24 – Nov 23
Kimberly Ridgeway (Episodes 155 and 251) directs the play
https://www.altarena.org/2025-season-announcement/the-wisdom-of-eve-2025/
Ruthless (New Conservatory Theatre Center)
Dec 5 – Jan 11, 2026
Melissa Momboisse (Episode 140) is in the show
https://nctcsf.org/event/ruthless-the-musical/
Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky (TheYayPodcast)
Tirumari Jothi is an actor and playwright who’s play, The Future That Liberals Want or; Résumé-Building in the Apocalypse, just finished up at the Eclectic Box SF. Jake and I talk to him about his background, what future projects he’s working on and his views of bay area theatre.
You can see Tirumari perform every Saturday at 8pm at Critical Hit! Live Stand Up Comedy, located at It’s Your Move Games – 4920 Telegraph Avenue in Oakland. Check out a link to buy a ticket: https://www.eventbrite.com/e/critical-hit-live-stand-up-comedy-tickets-160863008589
Jameelah Rose has her own business selling healthy drinks - MelanA☥D is a black owned business that specializes in alkaline elixirs used to heal the mind and body. It's currently being sold at the Mandela Shopping Mart and you can find more info on MelanA☥D on this Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/melanaid
We also want to thank Charles Blades Barbershop for sponsoring The Yay! Charles Blades Barbershop is located at 180 Second Street in downtown Oakland. It’s a very cool, relaxing place where you can get your cuts and they’ll even serve you a complimentary drink.
Book an appointment online here: https://www.charlesblades.com
Erin Merritt (Episode 191) is a gifted actress and director – creator of Women’s Will, the all-female Shakespeare group that ran from 1998-2009, who is suffering from ALS. She has been a blessing to the bay area theatre community and this is an opportunity to be a blessing for her. Her GoFundMe page link is below – please consider giving to help with her medical needs. Even a little bit counts.
Erin Merritt’s Go Fund Me site: https://gofund.me/e85e9f04
SHOWS:
Oriental or 1001 Ways to Tie Yourself in Knots (Golden Thread)
June 7 & 8 reading
Elizabeth Carter (Episode 159) is directing the reading
Torange Yeghiazarian (Episodes 167 & 286) is the dramaturg
https://goldenthread.org
Sweet Charity (San Jose Stage)
June 4 – 29
Terrance Smith (Episode 102) and Nick Mandracchia (Episode 43) is in the show
https://www.thestage.org/sweet-charity
A Midsummer Night’s Dream (Marin Shakespeare Company)
June 13 – July 13
Adrian Deane (Episodes 82 & 266) is in the show
https://www.marinshakespeare.org/midsummer/
The Book of Will (Ross Valley Players)
May 9 – June 8
Fred Pitts (Episode 256) and Marty Pistone (Episode 261) are in the show
https://www.rossvalleyplayers.com/the-book-of-will/
Yellow Face (Shotgun Players)
May 10 – June 8
Alan Coyne (Episodes 29, 233) and Joey Alvarado (Episode 312) is in the show
https://shotgunplayers.org/show/YELLOW-FACE/
Pacific Overtures (Kunoichi Productions at Brava Theatre)
May 30 – June 15
Eiko Moon Yamamoto (Episodes 120 & 225 is in the show)
https://www.kunoichiproductions.org/pacific-overtures
Lifeline (being performed at the Castillos Winery)
June 27
Miranda Liu (Episode 300) wrote and is acting in the show
https://castilloswinery.com/index.html
Seeds of Time Festival (Marin Shakes)
July 15 – August 3
Ae’Jay Antonis Marquis (Episode 165) is the festival curator
Torange Yeghiazarian has written “Leili and Magnun” to be performed July 26 & 27
Julius Rea (Episodes 227 & 319) has written “Othello.exe” to be performed Aug 2 & 3
https://www.marinshakespeare.org/seeds/
The Day The Sky Turned Orange (SF BATCO)
Sept 5 – Oct 5
Julius Rea is a part of the writing team
https://www.sfbatco.org/orange?_gl=1*hw20cb*_gcl_au*MTM3MjExODcyMi4xNzQ2ODkxNzQ0*_ga*MTQ1MDQyNzIxNS4xNzQ2ODkxNzQ0*_ga_J4D8M8TLG0*czE3NDY4OTE3NDQkbzEkZzAkdDE3NDY4OTE3NDQkajYwJGwwJGgw
Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky (TheYayPodcast)
The Yay - A Bay Area Theatre Podcast
Anyone who has been a part of the bay area theatre community in the last 20 years knows Jeffrey Lo – veteran playwright and director, who has worked with San Jose Stage, TheatreWorks, SF Playhouse and so many more companies. We had him on back in June of 2020 during the COVID pandemic, and we bring him back on, where he talks about A Driving Beat, a show he’s directing at TheatreWorks.
You can find out more about Jeffrey and his expansive career via his website: http://www.jeffreywritesaplay.com/
You can contact Jeffrey directly via Instagram: @theycallmejlo
Kehinde Koyejo (Episodes 214 and 262) has been a friend of mine since 2005, when I stage managed her for the Ray of Light musical, Bat Boy. She’s an amazing actress, model and creative artist. She’s also an incredible entrepreneur – and I want to introduce you to her business, Kalm Korner. Kalm Korner is an online boutique that specializes in aromatherapy gifts – love rubs, moisturizers, sprays, tea blends and candles. Kalm Korner also sells Choc’late Mama cookies – she brought some over the last time we interviewed her and it was fantastic. Let’s support a black female-owned business, a local business and make your first order by going to this website: https://kalmkorner.com/
SHOWS:
A Driving Beat (TheatreWorks Silicon Valley)
Oct 29 – Nov 23
Jeffrey Lo is directing the show
https://theatreworks.org/mainstage/a-driving-beat-2/
Pilgrimage (Golden Thread Productions)
Oct 24 – Nov 9
Jeunee Simon (Episode 297) is in the play
Bridgette Dutta-Portman (Episode 75) is a co-playwright
https://goldenthread.org/productions/pilgrimage/
The Break-Up – A Latina Queer Torch Song (Theatre Rhinoceros)
Nov 6 – Nov 23
Tina D’elia (Episode 268) wrote and is in the show
https://www.therhino.org
Timon Of Athens (ACT)
Nov 6 – Nov 22
Radhika Rao (Episodes 21, 131 and 268) is in the show
Evan Held (Episode 226) is in the show
https://www.act-sf.org/community/for-students/a-c-t-out-tour/timon-of-athens/
Mother of Exiles (Berkeley Rep)
Nov 14 – Dec 21
Cassidy Jamahl Brown (Episode 59) is in the show
https://www.berkeleyrep.org/shows/mother-of-exiles-sb2l
Sunday in the Park with George (Shotgun Players)
Nov 15 – Dec 30
Marah Sotelo (Episode 124) is in the play
Elizabeth Curtis (Episode 194) is in the play
David Moschler (Episodes 137 and 254) is the musical director
https://shotgunplayers.org
Dada Teen Musical: The Play (Central Works)
Oct 18 – Nov 23
Alan Coyne (Episode 29) is in the show
Zoe Chien (Episode 285) is in the show
Gary Graves (Episodes 24 & 277) is directing the show
https://centralworks.org/dada-teen-musical-the-play/#showtab=details
Cabaret (Oakland Theatre Project)
Nov 21 – Dec 14
Sharon Shao (Episode 176) is in the show
James Mercer II (Episode 326) is in the show
Dr. Stephanie Johnson (Episode 177) is the lighting designer
David Maier (Episode 301) is the fight coordinator
https://oaklandtheaterproject.org/cabaret
Sally & Tom (Marin Theatre Company)
Oct 30 – Nov 23
Adam KuveNiemann (Episode 274) is in the show
https://purchase.marintheatre.org/EventAvailability?EventId=50001
Into The Woods (SF Playhouse)
Nov 20 – January 17, 2026
Eiko Moon-Yamamoto (Episode 120 & 225) is in the show
https://www.sfplayhouse.org/sfph/2025-2026-season/into-the-woods/
The Wisdom of Eve (Altarena Playhouse)
Oct 24 – Nov 23
Kimberly Ridgeway (Episodes 155 and 251) directs the play
https://www.altarena.org/2025-season-announcement/the-wisdom-of-eve-2025/
Ruthless (New Conservatory Theatre Center)
Dec 5 – Jan 11, 2026
Melissa Momboisse (Episode 140) is in the show
https://nctcsf.org/event/ruthless-the-musical/
Follow us on Facebook and Bluesky (TheYayPodcast)