Berkeley Rep Blog
"The Wild Bride" opens tonight
posted by Karen McKevitt on Wed, Dec 7, 2011
in Our shows
The Berkeley Rep staff is all giddy with anticipation about tonight’s official opening night of Kneehigh’s The Wild Bride -- seriously, it’s like we all have major crushes on these talented artists from Cornwall. The show’s been in previews all weekend and earning some awesome word of mouth, and sales are picking up fast. (By the way, y’all know to reserve your seats early to get the best ones at the best prices, right?)
Here’s a fabulous extra:
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Get your fashion on: British edition
posted by Amy Bobeda on Mon, Dec 5, 2011
in Costume shop , Our shows
Today marks the one week-iversary of the British Invasion at Berkeley Rep. After only six days spent with our friends from across the pond, I have begun to understand Paul Revere’s panic. Why, you might ask? Because we were vastly unprepared for their impeccable, edgy sense of fashion, and of course their ridiculously confusing costume vocabulary.
So, today, let’s play catch-up and learn to dress for the queen.
To dress like a character of The Wild Bride, one will require:
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Meet "The Wild Bride"
posted by Karen McKevitt on Fri, Dec 2, 2011
in Our shows
Earlier this week, Kneehigh Theatre -- the same group of insanely creative artists responsible for the Broadway hit Brief Encounter -- touched down in the Bay Area with The Wild Bride in tow. We're pretty stoked to have them here at Berkeley Rep, and to present the American premiere of the show that's earned raves across England. The first performance is tonight, and the show officially opens next Wednesday!
Learn a little more about the show and its creator Emma Rice in the interview published in the SF Chronicle yesterday. And if you haven't seen the video trailer yet, check it out. Right now tickets start at $29, but prices are based on availability, so your best bet is to buy early. Hope to see you at the Theatre!
Éva Magyar in The Wild Bride. Photo by Steve Tanner.
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New Yorker cartoonist by night
posted by Karen McKevitt on Thu, Dec 1, 2011
in At the theatre
Hey, there's a famous cartoonist lurking in the depths of Berkeley Rep's box office! And another one of his works is featured in this week's issue of the New Yorker. (Yeah, the magazine's published like eight of his cartoons.) Check it!
Plus, he has two more in the magazine's Cartoons of the Year 2011. Congratulations, Tom!
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Happiness is...
posted by Kyle Sircus on Wed, Nov 30, 2011
in At the theatre , General theatre talk , Our shows
We've been vindicated! What we who work in the theatre have always known to be true is finally being supported with actual evidence. A new study from the UK charts, via smart phone responses, when people are at their happiest. No surprise to Berkeley Rep fans: theatre comes in third place (only after sex and exercising).
When are you at your happiest?
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Murder mystery & live band at Berkeley Rep!
posted by School of Theatre on Wed, Nov 30, 2011
in Teen Council
By Shari McDonald, education fellow
Teen Council’s fall Masquerade Murder Mystery turned Berkeley Rep School of Theatre into a melting pot of theatre lovers and local band groupies. Eighty teens gathered to take part in an interactive play followed by a live band performance from the group Local Hero, comprised of Berkeley High and College Prep teens. Students from all across the Bay Area showed up for this theatrical fest of murder, delectable treats, and rocking tunes!
Teen Council members dress to impress.
Audience members take themed pictures before entering the Masquerade Murder Mystery party.
Accusations fly as the audience attempts to solve the murder.
High school band Local Hero performs.
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Saying goodbye to one of our own
posted by Kyle Sircus on Tue, Nov 29, 2011
in At the theatre , General theatre talk , News
After a successful and vibrant eight years at Berkeley Rep as associate artistic director, it's time to bid farewell to a local favorite. Today, Actors Theatre of Lousiville named Les Waters as their new artistic director.
In Les' words, “For a director such as myself, whose career has focused on fostering new work, it has been a delight to be part of the team at Berkeley Rep. It is an extraordinary theatre staffed by extraordinary people dedicated to the highest quality of craftsmanship...It is difficult to leave Berkeley -- yet it is an honor and a privilege to take up the reins at Actors Theatre of Louisville...I am committed to making theatre there that is passionate and intelligent, funny and heartfelt, and look forward to leading Actors Theatre to new artistic endeavors.”
Check out the Actors Theatre press conference video. Les speaks about 8 minutes in.
All of us at Berkeley Rep wish Les all the best as he begins his new Kentucky adventure (where he'll certainly make a mark, just as he has on Addison Street)! We'll miss his charm, wit, and sweaters, but we're not ready to bid him farewell just yet. Les will be back in Berkeley to direct Red, which plays the Thrust Stage from March 16 - April 29, 2012. And we'll certainly have a few more blog posts before he departs.
What was your favorite Les Waters production at Berkeley Rep? Please share your thoughts with us below.
Photo of Les Waters by Rebecca Martinez
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Get your fashion on: The Cain family
posted by Amy Bobeda on Fri, Nov 18, 2011
in Costume shop
Now that you’ve been moved to tears and choked your way through fits of laughter with the Cain family’s submission to the Bible in Bill Cain’s How to Write A New Book For the Bible, it's time to get hip and get some Cain family attire of your own. Whether you’re a peachy pastel man like Pete Cain, sport comfy robes like Mary, stark serious duds like teacher Paul, or a man of the cloth like our hero, Bill, your resident costume shop is here to help you dress like the most “functional” family in town.
Clearly, the most important gear you likely don’t have on hand is your alb and stole. For those unhip with the clerical lingo, the alb is the white robe with the large collar worn when (SPOILER ALERT) Bill speaks at his father’s funeral, while the stole is worn around his neck over the robe.
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Adding a little more gold to Rita's shelf
posted by Kyle Sircus on Tue, Nov 15, 2011
in At the theatre , Events , General theatre talk
Rita's already won the Oscar, Grammy, Emmy, and Tony awards. This weekend, she's gearing up to put the last Midas touch on her extended run of Rita Moreno: Life Without Makeup. What more could our favorite leading lady want right now? A golden anniversary may just be the answer.
This Tuesday, November 15 is the 50th anniversary of the film version of West Side Story in which Rita earned her Academy Award. George Chakiris (Bernardo to Rita's Anita) showed up at the show on November 6; dancer Ray Garcia snapped this photo backstage after Rita brought her former co-star onto the Roda stage for a bow.
Rita Moreno, Ray Garcia, George Chakiris, and Salvatore Vassallo backstage after a performance of Rita Moreno: Life Without Makeup at Berkeley Rep.
Movie theatres around the country have been showing the film for fans all month. Symphony orchestras have added the score to their repertoire this season to play live alongside the film. There was even this flash mob that happened in Times Square today to commemorate the movie's big birthday:
After the show closes this Sunday (and if you haven't seen this stellar show yet, get your tickets before they're gone), Rita is heading down to Los Angeles to celebrate at a reunion of some of the film's stars.
Who knows what Rita will touch next that will turn itself to gold?
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Rita on the big screen
posted by Karen McKevitt on Wed, Nov 2, 2011
in Our shows
You've seen Rita Moreno: Life Without Makeup (wait, you haven't? then click here), now see her on the big screen! It's the 50th anniversary of West Side Story, and to celebrate, TCM presents the Academy Award-winning musical film in theatres around the country on November 9. See a list of participating Bay Area movie theatres, then enjoy Rita's Oscar-winning performance!