Berkeley Rep Blog
Billie Joe hits the boards -- again
posted by Karen McKevitt on Thu, Jan 13, 2011
in News , Shows on tour
Did y'all catch Charles Isherwood's C1 article in the New York Times this week about Billie Jo Armstrong reprising his role as St. Jimmy in American Idiot? Fun read -- but if you only have access to the online version and not the hard copy, you'll miss the lively interview with BJA at the end. Here's our favorite question and answer:
Q. Did you do any special training in preparation for your current run?
A. No. I remember I texted Theo [Stockman, an ensemble member], and all I wrote was, "By the way, how do you act?" And the response I got was, "Ha, Ha, Ha." He goes: "Just be yourself. Just be honest."...
Well, just being BJA must be pretty freakin' rad.
Photo of Green Day by Phil Mucci.
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The Last Cargo Cult opens tonight
posted by Karen McKevitt on Wed, Jan 12, 2011
in Our shows
Mike Daisey’s critically acclaimed monologue, The Last Cargo Cult, opens tonight! By the way, do y’all know what a cargo cult is? No, it’s not the worship of a certain type of pants -- but that’s almost close. Cargo cults had been around for a while, but increased during World War II, when tribes in the South Pacific witnessed cargo arriving to Japanese and American military bases. The shipment of goods ended with the war, but tribal members engaged in ritualistic practices in hopes of attracting more deliveries.
In The Last Cargo Cult, Mike visits a remote island in the South Pacific whose inhabitants worship America and its goods at the base of an erupting volcano. He witnesses their rituals as the world’s financial system collapses, spurring a soul-searching assessment of what money means and who is paying the price.
Here’s an enthusiastic response from Deborah Dashow Ruth, who attended Tuesday night’s preview:
“We didn't realize that tonight was Mike Daisey's first performance of The Last Cargo Cult -- and it was spectacular! An amazing tour de force. Totally unexpected, outrageous, and brilliant. He has the most amazing repertoire of facial expressions and an incredible range of voice tones. He just sits there, at that table, bringing an entirely different world to life from his chair.
As soon as the lights went down, I leaped to my feet for a standing ovation -- but at least 2/3 of the audience did so as well.
We're going to get tickets for The Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs, so we'll get to spend another two hours in the presence of this storytelling genius.”
Great seats for this week’s performances are still available. Buy yours now!
Mike has performed The Last Cargo Cult all over the country. Here's more praise:
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Who's this Mike Daisey guy, anyway? Find out!
posted by Karen McKevitt on Mon, Jan 10, 2011
in Our shows
Want to read Mike Daisey's backstory? Check out this feature. Here's a snippet:
"His stories meander beautifully through one thing or another, mesmerizing his audience into believing they are on a quiet Sunday drive through a remarkable mind, when they suddenly find themselves on a wild roller coaster trip leading quite powerfully to the point Daisey wants to make."
The Last Cargo Cult starts previews on Tuesday and opens on Wednesday! Ready to join the cult?
Buy tickets now!
Photo of Mike Daisey by Kristopher Skinner.
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Mike Daisey in dialogue
posted by Karen McKevitt on Sun, Jan 9, 2011
in Our shows
The monologist...in dialogue! Mike Daisey brings his critically acclaimed monologue The Last Cargo Cult and the much-anticipated Agony and the Ecstasy of Steve Jobs to Berkeley Rep. Performances of Cargo Cult start on Tuesday. For a preview of his tremendous tale-spinning talent, check out his interview with dramaturg Madeleine Oldham. Here's a gem:
"We’re very used to criticizing how much we love our shit, but one of the reasons we love it is that it is awesome. And that’s a legitimate thing — we love it because it’s awesome. That’s why we want it so much, and why, in fact, every culture that is introduced to our awesome shit loves it as well."
Read the whole interview...and then buy tickets!
Photo of Mike Daisey by Stan Barouh.
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New year, new you
posted by School of Theatre on Thu, Jan 6, 2011
in School of Theatre
By Allison Whorton
Education Fellow
Happy New Year! Like many of my friends, family, and co-workers, I decide upon a few New Year’s resolutions for myself each year. One of my resolutions for 2011 is to become a better cook. Some friends have resolved to eat healthier food and get more sleep. Candice, the other fellow at the School of Theatre, has decided to try something new every month in the year 2011. This month, she got her hair cut shorter than she’s ever had it before! If Candice’s resolution sounds familiar, then why not learn something novel and fun at the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre?
This Sunday, January 9 from 1-3pm, we are offering a FREE (yes, free!) workshop for youth, teens, adults, and families. Our Sunday Sampler will give everyone a taste of the exciting classes we have in store for our winter session, which begins next week. There are new experiences to be had by everyone: youth can pretend to be superheroes, teenagers can learn stage combat, and adults can explore the world of acting.
Who knows, maybe you or a loved one will discover a love for theatre and for engaging creativity. The New Year is an occasion for trying new things and becoming a better you; why not do so by surprising yourself at the School of Theatre? And, in the meantime, there are a few recipes I need to try out…
For more information about this weekend’s Sunday Sampler (January 9 from 1-3 pm), email [email protected].
For more information about our winter classes for youth, teens, and, adults of all ages and experience levels, click http://berkeleyrep.org/school.
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Cookies for check-ins
posted by Cari Turley on Thu, Dec 30, 2010
in At the theatre , News
Do you use Foursquare? It's a fun little app for your phone that lets you "check in" at various locations, which is handy for finding nearby friends and sharing helpful tips about your favorite places. And, even better, sometimes you can unlock special prizes for checking in at certain places. Pretty cool, right?
We here at Berkeley Rep sure do love prizes. And we also love you, our patrons. So starting today, when you come to one of our shows, just check in on Foursquare and we'll let you pick out something from our concessions counter for free! It's really that simple. Check in, show the concessionaire the special offer that pops up on your phone, and grab yourself a beer. Or a cupcake. Or a Diet Coke. Whatever you want! The hardest part is going to be picking just one.
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We're making the lists...
posted by Karen McKevitt on Wed, Dec 29, 2010
in At the theatre , News , Our shows
…the year-end lists, that is! We’re stoked that several of our shows appeared on theatre journalists’ best of 2010 lists.
Compulsion appeared in the Chronicle’s “Best of Bay Area Theater” top 10 list. Says theatre critic Robert Hurwitt, “Virtuosic, compelling performances from Mandy Patinkin and Hannah Cabell drove Oskar Eustis’ sleek, multifaceted staging of the semifictional tale of a Jewish writer’s obsession with safeguarding what he sees as the real story of Anne Frank’s diary.”
The Real Americans by Dan Hoyle, which played here as part of the Fireworks Festival last summer and has had extended runs at The Marsh, also made Robert’s list.
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Amy Potozkin celebrates 20 years with Berkeley Rep
posted by Karen McKevitt on Wed, Dec 22, 2010
in News
Congratulations to our casting director, Amy Potozkin, who celebrates 20 years with Berkeley Rep. Check out the cool front-page feature that appeared in the December 16 Berkeley Voice. Here's a quote:
"The experience of going to theater for me as a child was transportive," Potozkin said. "It took me to a place that was magical. Through some periods of time in my childhood that were difficult, being taken to the theater was my absolutely favorite thing to do. Drama was my favorite activity. I loved the whole world."
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The Composer lives on!
posted by Karen McKevitt on Tue, Dec 21, 2010
in At the theatre , Our shows
The Composer lives on! Berkeley Rep’s irreverent holiday show -- Lemony Snicket’s The Composer is Dead -- has proven so popular that we've added performances in January. Now this deliciously silly new show will continue entertaining local audiences through January 16. Families in particular have embraced The Composer, so Berkeley Rep has added matinees on the final weekend: tickets are now on sale for 2pm performances on January 15 and 16. See what the fuss is about!
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The Composer is...loved!
posted by Karen McKevitt on Thu, Dec 16, 2010
in At the theatre , Our shows
Lemony Snicket’s The Composer is Dead garnered some terrific reviews from critics, but we thought we’d shine the spotlight on our audience’s comments as well. So, check out the comments, and then buy your seats before they’re gone.
This first comment was from Mary Ellen, who posted it to her East Bay neighborhood Yahoo list. What's more, her post was forwarded and forwarded until it ended up with one of our board members who lives on the Peninsula. Way to start the viral marketing, Mary Ellen!
Dear Neighbors,
Last evening Miles and I were in the audience at Berkeley Rep’s holiday production, Lemony Snicket’s The Composer is Dead, and I want to urge all of you, especially those with youngish kids or grandchildren, to make it part of your holiday fun. It’s amazingly creative, inventive, funny, even educational, and it will appeal to adults as well as children. Our own Geoff Hoyle is the only live human on a stage filled with astonishing marionettes, and there’s even a movie! Do yourselves a favor and go see it! (Am I on the staff of Berkeley Rep? No.) --Mary Ellen
Awesome! Thanks so much for sending your comment to us. Here are some more that came from our post-show survey: