News and Upcoming Projects
Current (and archived) theatrical happenings in my world
Autumn 2024
FALLEN ANGELS
By NO´EL COWARD
THE AURORA THEATRE, BERKELEY
Directed by TOM ROSS
photo by Kevin Berne
What a fun romp to play Saunders in this wonderful Noél Coward piece with all these funny, talented people!
Datebook/SF Chronicle /L. Janiak: "priceless"
Talkin' Broadway/Patrick Thomas- "But the star of the show–both in terms of the character's place in the play, and the actress's performance–may be Cindy Goldfield as Fred and Julia's new maid, Saunders. While the upper-class types indulge in their pleasures with the simple-minded narcissism that often comes with money and privilege, Saunders is supremely confident and comfortable in her role. She seems to be more expert in every subject than any of her "superiors." She's a better pianist, always has the right sort of answer, and even schools Fred on which golf clubs he'll need at the course he plans to play. Goldfield carries it all off with great aplomb."
Theatrius- "consummate Cindy Goldfield is marvelous as the wise and witty maid, sauntering in and solving every problem and question with ease."
May/June 2024
tick, tick...BOOM!
Book, Music and Lyrics by Jonathan Larson
New Conservatory Theater, San Francisco
Direction and Choreography by Cindy Goldfield, Musical Direction by Ben Prince
Looking forward to finally getting to work on this piece, which was originally scheduled for 2023, but was thwarted by the "grand deluge" of NYE 2022/23. Very happy to be back at NCTC, where I worked years ago doing THE TEXAS CHAINSAW MANICURIST, and lots of 42nd Street Moon shows.
“Superb directorial work…a delight to watch” – Talkin’ Broadway
“A pocketful of sunshine…sweet stopped-clock timelessness.
Director/choreographer Cindy Goldfield brings a deceptively casual elegance to her blocking, reconfiguring her talented trio of actors throughout 90 intermission-less minutes, making what could be an awkwardly intimate, bare-bones show feel bigger than life and bursting with energy".- Bay Area Reporter
”beautifully directed”- Broadway World
April 2024
Named Iterim ARTISTIC DIRECTOR for 42nd Street Moon
42nd Street Moon, San Francisco
UPDATE: After 5 months, it became obvious that the company needed to do some fundamental reorganizing, so I stepped down from the Interim position. I wish the best to the board in their endeavors to revive the company that I felt so connected to, and hope that Moon will shine again in some forrm someday.
After spending the last 30+ years in the glow of
42nd Street Moon, I am thrilled to be asked to step into the position of Interim Artistic Director. 42nd Street Moon has been an artistic home for me since their first 93-94 season, and my early growth as an artist was very much influenced by the company that Greg MacKellan and Stephanie Rhoads created. The shows and music they championed opened my eyes to the grand history of American Musical Theatre, and my artistic journey was forever changed. I am honored to be entrusted by the Moon Board of Directors to nurture this next Moon phase, and to lead this company into being an ever-vital part of the Bay Area theater community. I wish outgoing Executive Artistic Director Daniel Thomas all the best in his next venture and am so grateful for all his guidance and stewardship over the past several years. I look forward to welcoming you all back to the theater soon!
April 4th, 2024
42nd Street Moon Fundraising Gala Show
42nd Street Moon, San Francisco CA
Directed by Cindy Goldfield, Musical Direction by Dave Dobrusky
Once again, I will be directing the Gala Show for the 42nd Street Moon Fundraising Gala. 20+ performers.
February 2024
FALSETTOS
Music and Lyrics by William Finn, book by William Finn and James Lapine
42nd Street Moon, San Francisco
Directed by Dennis Lickteig, Musical Direction by Dave Dobrusky, Choreography by Leslie Waggoner
Such a great experience working with Dennis and the amazing cast of FALSETTOS. It's a heartbreaking and funny contemporary musical about family, relationships, Bar Mitzvahs, baseball and AIDS. Great, complicated music, with tight harmonies, and wonderfully intricate lyrics.
December 2023
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
adaptation by Carey Perloff and Paul Walsh
American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco
Directed by C.Perloff/D. Lozano/P. Kup
A.C.T.'s current production of A Christmas Carol played its final performance on December 24th, ending a 17 year run, and marking 18 years of Christmas seasons for me at ACT. It has been a remarkable experience to be with a show for that long... the hundreds of kids and MFA students that have gone through the show, the deep lasting friendships with the other "regulars", the mentorships, the feeling of coming home for the holidays. I am sad to see it go, but very grateful for all the wonderful memories and all the incredible people that I have gotten to work with during those 18 years. Pictured with me here is the inimitable Howard Swain, my compatriot for many, many of those years!
November 2023
MAME
by Jerry Herman, Herone Lawrence and Robert Edwin Lee
42nd Street Moon, San Francisco
Directed by Becky Potter, Musical Direction by Tim Fletcher
What a thrill to get to play this icon of musical theatre ladies! This production was especially sweet to me because of the long-time association (but first time working together on a show in over 25 years) with Becky Potter, and because of the joy of knowing the two littlest Potter girls, to whom I like to fancy myslef their own nutty "Aunty Mame".
VMedia-"...as soon as she enters for her first scene floating down a staircase, you know you're watching a classic diva. Incredibly charming."
February 2023
IN EVERY GENERATION
by Ali Viterbi
TheatreWorks, Palo Alto
Directed by Michael Barakiva
I had such a great experience working with this fabulous cast, the remarkable Michael Barakiva, and the always lovely, and fiercely intelligent Ali Viterbi. The show centers around the multi-generational, multi-cultural Levi-Katz faily as they celbrate Passover through several generations, as they wrestle with questions of race and religion that have yet to be resolved. The play is densely packed with old wounds, jealousy, laughter, relationships, old secrets and great love.
I had a wonderful time working with Lusia Sermol, Michael Champion, Olivia Hoffman and Sarah Lo on this personally transformative piece.
December 2022
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
adaptation by Carey Perloff and Paul Walsh
American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco
Directed by Peter Kuo
Celebrated my 17th year performing with A Christmas Carol at ACT. It was a very tough year as it was the first Carol after the death of my dear friend and mentor, Ken Ruta. ACT hosted a huge memorial for him during the second week of our run, at which I sang, and my catering company provided food. The morning after the memorial, I got called in to go on for a role that I cover (in addtion to my regular track). I get a feeling that Ken was just keeping me on my toes. Here is a shot of that morning, with me filling in for Catherine Castellanos as The Ghost of Christmas Present. (Also shown: Emily Newsome, Amanda Le Nguyen, John Chukwudelunzu, and the back of Jimmy Carpenter!)
Summer 2022
FOLLIES
by James Goldman and Stephen Sondheim
San Francisco Playhouse, San Francisco
Directed by Bill English, Musical Direction by Dave Dobrusky, Choreography by Nicole Helfer
Bucketlist show, unlocked! Felt very honored to get to sing "I'm Still Here" every night all summer long. Especially after having the show postponed by Covid for two years, getting to finally belt out thoselyrics was incredibly cathartic. Even having my first bout of Covid (along with more than a dozen of my cast/crew mates) and having our initial opening night postponed couldn't diminish the joy of getting to do that show, and get to work with all the lovely folks invovled for such a nice long run!
Talkin Broadway/Patrick Thomas- "Goldfield, one of the Bay Area's greatest talents, does that rare thing: takes a song that's been done by some of Broadway's biggest stars (Carol Burnett, Elaine Page, Elaine Stritch, Christine Baranski and Betty Buckley) and gives us her own personal take on the tune."
Spring 2022
FEFU AND HER FRIENDS
by MARIA IRENE FORNES
American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco
Directed by Pam Mackinnon
What an incredible experience to be back at The Strand, getting to be a part of the reopening of the theatre after the lock-down, and such a joy to get to work with this amazing group of women: Stacy Ross, Lisa Ann Porter, Catherine Castellanos, Margo Gomez, Sarita Ocon, Jennifer Ikeda, and Leontyne Mbele-Mbong. Not to mention getting the opportunity to channel my best "fervent feminist theatrical passion."
Talkin Broadway/Patrick Thomas- "Cindy Goldfield (as Emma) who does some of the best work here, especially in the final scene when she rehearses her part in a presentation the women are planning for a charity they support, and delivers her monologue accompanied by delightfully mannered physical movements that had the audience roaring with laughter.
TheatreStorm- "Perhaps the best of the best is presented by Cindy Goldfield as Emma, whose rendition of a speech in the style of a Vaudeville elocutionist is madly funny, yet a total artistic success."
Mercury News- "Radiant"
photo by Kevin Berne
November 2021
A LITTLE NIGHT MUSIC
Music/Lyrics by Stephen Sondheim
Book by Hugh Wheeler
42nd Street Moon, San Francisco
Directed by Brandon Jackson
First show back after the pandemic shut-down. A very profound feeling to apreciate all of what theatre has meant to me over the years.
I got brought in at the last minute when the woman originally cast as Madame Armfeldt dropped due to an injury. Slightly humbling to now be able to play an octangenarian, but also a nice way to ease back into performing... no blocking to remember as I was pushed around in each scene, minimal scenes, one song. I felt very grateful to be working, grateful to have Moon be the first show back, and grateful to have made it through the shut-down without losing my ever-loving mind.
photo by Ben Krantz
March 2020- November 2021
MARTHA AVENUE HOMECOOKED MEALS
Covid-Pivot business with collaborator and partner Chef Willi Nordby
Our Home, San Francisco
The insanity of the pandemic shut-down was met with my usual need to create SOMETHING. Two weeks into the shut-down, I insisted that my partner Willi and I needed to do something to keep us afloat, and me from losing my mind. MARTHA AVENUE HomeCooked Meals was born. More info and lots of blog posts are available on our website: www.marthaavenuefood.com
More info on Chef Willi Nordby can be found on his site: www.chefnordby.com
photo by Jamye Divila
December 2019
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
adaptation by Carey Perloff and Paul Walsh
Directed by Peter Kuo
American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco
Directed by Peter Kup
photo by Kevin Berne
June 2019
ONCE
Music and Lyrics by Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglova. Book by Edna Walsh
42nd Street Moon, San Francisco
Direction and Chorepgraphy by Cindy Goldfield
Musical Direction by Eryn Allan
Winner of TBA awards for Outstanding Direction for a Musical, and Overall Best Musical
Broadway World- "Cindy Goldfield has crafted a lovely, delicately beautiful universal experience of heartbreak, artistic passions and the courage to move through life's low points."
photo by Kevin Berne
December 2018
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
adaptation by Carey Perloff and Paul Walsh
American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco
Directed by Domenique Lozano
photo by Kevin Berne
June 2018
Disney's FREAKY FRIDAY
Music/Lyrics by Tom Kitt and Brian Yorkey, Book by Bridget Carpenter
CenterRep, The Lesher Center, Walnut Creek
Directed by Jeff Colliser and Choreographed by Jennifer Perry
photo by Kevin Berne
April 2018
TROG! LIVE!
written by Michael Phillis and Mathew Martin
Oasis/D'Arcy Drollinger, San Francisco
Directed by Cindy Goldfield
Winner of TBA Awared for Outstanding Direction of a Play
SF Examiner, Jean Schiffman- "Director Cindy Goldfield mines every possible nuance, every sight gag, every line of the witty script, for comic effect. Highly recommended to cure all ills."
photo by Gooch
December 2017
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
adaptation by Carey Perloff and Paul Walsh
American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco
Directed by Domenique Lozano
photo by Kevin Berne
Spring 2017
NO, NO, NANETTE
Music by Vincent Youmans, Lyrics by Irving Caesar & Otto Harback. Book by Otto Harback/FRank Mandel and Burt Shevelove
42nd Street Moon, San Francisco
Directed by Cindy Goldfield, Choreography by Nicole Helfer, Musical Direction by Dave Dobrusky
photo by Ben Krantz Studios
December 2016
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
adaptation by Carey Perloff and Paul Walsh
American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco
Directed by Domenique Lozano
So fun to step out of my usual track (Charitibles/Fezzi dancer/Fruit wrangler) to get to play one of the ghosts! It was a treat to get to watch my fellow actors work as I floated through the 'Present' scenes, guiding Scrooge on his journey.
photo by Kevin Berne
October 2016
BAKER STREET
Book by Jerome Coopersmith
Music/Lyrics by Marian Grudeff & Raymond Jessel
Adapted from stories by Sir Arthur Conan Doyle
42nd Street Moon, San Francisco
Directed and Choreographed by Cindy Goldifeld
photo by Ben Krantz Studios
September 2016
IT SHOUDA BEEN YOU
Book and Lyrics by Brian Hargrove
Music by Barbara Anslemi
CenterRep/Lesher Center, Walnut Creek
Directed by Marc Jacobs, Choreography by Gia Solari
Music Direction by Brandon Adams
East Bay Times- "Cindy Goldfield is hilarious as the constantly nitpicking mother Judy, who can never contain herself from saying exactly what’s on her mind, and Brian Herndon makes a perfect match for her as her good-humored husband, Murray, who knows to just stay out of her way."
photo by Ben Krantz Studios
Spring 2016
MOST HAPPY FELLA
Book, Music & Lyrics by Frank Loesser
42nd Street Moon, San Francisco
Direction and Choreography by Cindy Goldfield
Music Direction by Dave Dobrusky
TheatreEddys- "Directed and choreographed by Cindy Goldfield, the entire cast responds to her creativity and ingenuity with aplomb.
I dare anyone to walk out of this 42nd Street Moon triumph, The Most Happy Fella, without a smile as wide as the Cheshire Cat’s. It is just not possible when a director, cast, and production team excels to this extent."
photo by Ben Krantz Studios
Spring 2016
MOST HAPPY FELLA
Book, Music & Lyrics by Frank Loesser
42nd Street Moon, San Francisco
Direction and Choreography by Cindy Goldfield
Music Direction by Dave Dobrusky
TheatreEddys- "Directed and choreographed by Cindy Goldfield, the entire cast responds to her creativity and ingenuity with aplomb.
I dare anyone to walk out of this 42nd Street Moon triumph, The Most Happy Fella, without a smile as wide as the Cheshire Cat’s. It is just not possible when a director, cast, and production team excels to this extent."
photo by Ben Krantz Studios
December 2015
A CHRISTMAS CAROL
adaptation by Carey Perloff and Paul Walsh
American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco
Directed by Domenique Lozano
photo by Kevin Berne
Summer 2015
LOVE AND INFORMATION
By Caryl Churchill
American Conservatory Theatre, San Francisco
Directed by Casey Stangl
photo by Kevin Berne
Resumes
Actor. Director. Producer. Creative Cultivator. Performance, Speech and Authenticity Coach.Problem-solver.
Actor.
Authentic. Heart-led.
Verstile. Original.
Director. Choreographer.
Intentional. Collaborative. Intimate. Confident. Intuitive.
Producer. Creative.
Detail Oriented. Expansive Thinking.
Anything is Possible.
Voice Over.
Live Talking Girl. Vox Populaire.
Coach.
Audition and Performance Coaching
Testimonials
To be in a rehearsal hall with Cindy Goldfield is a true theatrical gift. She leads with love and compassion and always seems to be asking the question,"why are we here?" A master storyteller!
~ Michael Patrick Gaffney, Actor
Cindy is one of the best directors I've worked with in the Bay Area. I admire how insightful she is as a creative person. She is always asking questions about what something means "under the surface". So much of theater is not just about how something looks but what it means and how it will affect the audience on a deeper level. She excels in that. She's also super kind, resourceful and fun! Any theater or institution would be lucky to have her.
-Sophia Alawi - Actor, Writer, Singer-Songwriter.
If I had a choice to just choose one person to work with in the Bay Area, as a director, actor, or all around artist, it would be Cindy a million times over.
- Noel Anthony, Actor
I've worked with a LOT of amazing directors, all over the country, Tony award-winning creative geniuses, as well as profoundly successful Artistic Directors and my experience working with her under her direction in Once was one of the best of my life. Working with her once again in Falsettos reminded me of this calm eye, steady leadership, and warm spirit - she was the de facto leader - I couldn't imagine a better more collaborative, creative, knowledgeable, fix it all person.
- Ariela Morgenstern, Singer, Actor, Executive Performance Coach
Woman/Human
Living an Authentic, Aligned, Creative Life
Small-town girl who has lived in the city for 30 years. Still cherish my small-town roots and work to create a home and community that feels small-town and intimate and welcoming. Feminist. Mother. Working for the good of humans and animals and the planet. Committed to equality, gender-equity, trans-rights, child-led learning and empowerment. Believer in good laughs, daily meditation, intuition and earth-based spirituality.
