Strange but encouraging bedfellows

In Bay Area theater in 2019, look for your favorite artists and companies in new, thrilling combinations: Megan Cohen and Cutting Ball. The Kilbanes and SF Shakes. A whopping number of commissions funded by Hewlett Foundation. And we’re still seeing what our newest artistic directors have up their sleeves as well as awaiting the announcement of some new ones. Hewlett 50: The Hewlett Foundation just announced it was commissioning 10 theater projects from some of the most fascinating companies — big and small — in the region, and while we might not see the fruits of that investment for many years, we overzealous types can already start monitoring their development in 2019. Taylor Mac and Magic Theatre are collaborating on “Calamity Joy,” about the founder of Christian Science; Rafael Casal and YBCA are teaming up for “The Limp,” about toxic masculinity; and Teatro Visión is partnering with Mexico City’s Salomón Santiago for “Alas y Raices (Wings and Roots): Amphibious Theater About Human Migration,” a nonverbal work for all ages and linguistic backgrounds.

Megan Cohen at Cutting Ball: In the sui generis mind of theater artist Megan Cohen, silliness intermingles with oh-no-shedidn’t moxie; searing smarts blend seamlessly with surreal reverie and a bottomless capacity for feeling. Cutting Ball Theater has commissioned her to write a companion piece to August Strindberg’s “Miss Julie,” with the goal of excising what Artistic Director Ariel Craft calls the script’s “misogynistic and imperialistic” elements, while preserving its masterful craftsmanship.

The Kilbanes rise again: All of us who got to see married indie rock duo the Kilbanes (also known as Kate Kilbane and Dan Moses) perform “Weightless” at Z Space or the San Francisco Fringe Festival