James Mercer II is our next guest on The Yay – James is a veteran actor, who has worked with ACT, Berkeley Rep, African-American Shakespeare Company, Irish Rep, and Arden Theatre Company. Jake and I talk about James’ Philly roots, his work in the bay area and where he sees himself in the future.
James can be reached directly via email: jwdlmercer2@gmail.com.
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
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 Midsummer Night’s Dream (Marin Shakespeare Company)
LAST SHOW TOMORROW!
Adrian Deane (Episodes 82 & 266) is in the show
https://www.marinshakespeare.org/midsummer/
Man of Tomorrow (part of Free Play Festival)
August 2 (6pm), August 3 (8pm)
August 15 (6pm), August 17 (8pm)
Zoe Chien (Episode 285), Jake & Jessica Fong (Episode 289), Tom Reilly (Episode 40), Tony Daniel (Episode 240), Sylvia Kratins (Episode 141) are in the show
Reg Clay wrote and directed the show; Neil Harkins (Episode 222) is the assistant director
https://playground-sf.org/freeplay/
La Cucaracha (part of Free Play Festival)
August 1 (6pm); August 2 (2pm); August 3 (2pm)
Richard Perez (Episode 314) is directing the show
https://playground-sf.org/freeplay/
Disruption: A Musical Farce (San Francisco Mime Troupe)
July 4 – August 3
Jed Parsario (Episodes 63 & 186) is in the show
https://www.sfmt.org/
The Last Goat (Central Works)
June 28 – July 27
Gary Graves (Episodes 24 & 227) wrote and directed the play
Jan Zvaifler (Episode 170) is in the show
https://centralworks.org/the-last-goat/
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
Dracula: a Comedy of Terror (City Lights Theatre)
Sept 25 – Oct 19
Nick Mandracchia (Episode 43) is in the show
https://cltc.org/event/dracula/
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/
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