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Green Room On Air with Ray Renati

A weekly podcast that explores the exciting world of theatre, musical theatre, film, opera, and other performing arts. Based in the San Francisco Bay Area, your host, Ray Renati, explores local Bay Area theatre as well as theatre and live entertainment from New York City to London, to Paris. Drop by every week to hear a new episode.

Recent Episodes

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July 14, 2026

Wreckage: Laughing Through the Ruins — SF Mime Troupe’s Bold New Musical with Lisa Hori-Garcia

Hey — Lisa Horry-Garcia takes us behind the scenes of the San Francisco Mime Troupe’s 2026 summer show, Wreckage, a sharp, funny, and surprisingly hopeful musical about our messy moment — from AI and misinformation to community and civic power. It’s free in the parks (opening Dolores Park on July 4th), full of live music, satire, and heart. Bring a blanket, get there early for the band, and check sfmt.org for dates — come for the laughs, stay for the conversation. Click Here for the Schedule
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June 10, 2026

From Christine to Madame Giry: Lisa Vroman’s Phantom Homecoming

Hey friend — come sit with us for a warm chat with Lisa Vroman, the beloved soprano who went from playing Christine thousands of times to stepping into Madame Giry on the Phantom tour. She talks about touring, teaching, the magic of costumes and tech, and those moments when fans tell her she changed their lives. It’s funny, nostalgic, and full of heart — a peek at what keeps a performer passionate after decades on stage. If you love theater, this one feels like a backstage letter from an old
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June 8, 2026

Aha! Circus Bella’s Laugh-Out-Loud Summer Spectacle with Abigail Munn

Hey — want to catch something joyful and totally free this summer? Circus Bella’s new show, “AHA,” leans into laughter, fresh clowning, and a real community vibe (plus a 10-year-old co‑ringmaster who steals the spotlight). It’s playful, heartfelt, and full of surprises. Check the schedule at circusbella.org, grab a picnic, and come laugh with us — you’ll leave smiling, I promise. ___________________________________________ Abigail Munn - Director & Ringmaster Since its inception, Abigail has b
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May 1, 2026

Sundays at Spreckels: Inside the Golden Gate Park Band's 144th Season with Dr. German Gonzalez

Hey friend — come with me for a quick peek behind the scenes of the Golden Gate Park Band. Hermann Gonzalez shares how 60-minute rehearsals turn into 90-minute concerts at the beautiful Spreckels Temple of Music, why the shows stay free, and how the band blends tradition, culture, and surprise for every Sunday performance. Whether it’s foggy or sunlit, there’s something special about their community of musicians, guest artists, and regulars — plus the little tricks (a touch of PA magic, a trust
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March 13, 2026

After Happy: Pirates, Pipelines & Punchlines at Central Works - a Talk with the Playwright - Patricia Milton

Hey — come hang with me and Patricia Milton as we dig into After Happy, a sharp, hilarious play about pirate festivals, oil execs, and the messy, laughable world of greenwashing. It’s funny, warm, and exactly the kind of comic medicine we need right now. Runs through March 29 at Central Works in Berkeley — intimate theater, three brilliant women on stage, and big laughs. Snag your tickets at centralworks.org and bring a friend. Tickets: CentralWorks.org “Central Works once again strikes it ri
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Feb. 19, 2026

Sultry Nights & Broadway Lights: Leanne Borghesi Live

Tickets: https://www.reaf-sf.org/ono-with-the-notebook.html If This is Love Monday, FEBRUARY 23, 2026 7:30pm MARINES' MEMORIAL THEATER 609 Sutter Street, 2nd Floor San Francisco BENEFITING': REAF Small Emergency Grants Program and Brodaway Cares/Equity Fights AIDS $49, performance only balcony or side orchestra $69: performance only side/rear orchestra $100, VIP - performance and after party with the cast. Tickets are now on sale for REAF's first benefit of 2026 on February 23, 7:30pm at th

Recent Blog Posts

Feb. 19, 2026

Sultry Nights & Broadway Lights: Leanne Borghese Live

Hello, friends and neighbors, you have reached Green Room on Air. I'm so glad you're here today. Ah, I was in Yosemite last week, beautiful Yosemite, and I had my second concussion in two months. So this video is a little late. I had wanted it to be…
July 3, 2024

Trancscript of my Discussion with Velina Brown of the San Francisco Mime Troupe

WEBVTT 100:00:02.400 --> 00:00:03.879Ray: All right. There we go. 200:00:04.860 --> 00:00:09.540Ray: Oh, good afternoon, Valina, not morning. Good afternoon. How are you doing. 300:00:09.680 --> 00:00:11.220Ms. Brown (She, Her, Hers): I'm doing w…
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