AURORA THEATRE IN THE NEWS

Satellites

“Most of Son's exploration of racial, social and marital issues is sharp and compelling. As depicted by these actors, Son's satellite-people circle the planet of their lives to crisply entertaining and moving effect.”
- Robert Hurwitt, San Francisco Chronicle (read complete review)

“There is a barely contained rage throughout the play that fuels the captivating characters and makes the story play at the sort of high-stakes intensity that commands attention from the audience. And, at its very base, Son's script tells a riveting story that feels, at the same time, like serious social commentary and championship level eavesdropping.”
- Pat Craig, Contra Costa Times (read complete review)

“No matter where you're sitting, the 150-seat performance space puts you within a few yards of the six-person cast, all of whom give strong, emotionally credible performances that are deftly directed by Kent Nicholson.”
- Terry Teachout, The Wall Street Journal (read complete review)

“Satellites is a stirring play that will leave you asking questions about how you view friends and family. ”
- Laura Davy, WCities (read complete review)

“The striking beauty of this play lies in the interactions of diverse characters.”
- Albert Goodwyn, SF Bay Times (read complete review)

“A most unusual slice of life performed by an excellent cast of six. There is plenty of good humor...it's a well-told story of today's real-world conditions.”
- Jerry Friedman, KGO Radio (read complete review)

“Diana Son’s new play, Satellites, in a well-acted, well-directed production at the Aurora, brings up a lot of issues—what “race” has morphed into, the welter of contradictions a young professional couple (and new parents) find themselves in, the sometimes hidden anguish of the locals trying to swing with gentrification.”
- Ken Bullock, Berkeley Daily Planet (read complete review)

“Her characters come to life with individual traits and under Kent Nicholson's tight direction plus an experienced cast, much of the evening is memorable.”
- Kedar K. Adour, TheatreWorld Magazine (read complete review)

Feature Articles

“ The broken window unleashes a wide range of problems for the family, where everything from tradition to sexual boundaries are in continuous change.”
- Pat Craig, Contra Costa Times (read complete article)

“Performing at the Aurora for the first time presented another challenge. The design, called three-quarter thrust, places the audience on three sides of the stage with the front rows at stage level and the rest of the rows higher than the stage. The people in the front rows could actually reach out and touch the actors if they wanted to.”
- J.K. Yamamoto, Hokubei News (read complete article)