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Holiday centerpiece salutes "21 Guns"

posted by Chad Jones on Tue, Dec 22, 2009
in Backstage buzz , School of Theatre

There's an annual holiday tradition around here, and, perhaps not surprisingly, it involves creativity.

In the weeks leading up to the Berkeley Rep staff holiday party, each department is charged with creating one of the festive centerpieces that adorn the tables. Some departments take this charge very seriously and begin thinking about it months before. Others are more inspired by the creative push of a deadline and throw something together before heading into the party.

The one rule is that the design must have something to do with a Berkeley Rep show, past or present.

An impartial panel of judges at the party (their identities are known only to Company Manager Megan
Wygant) covertly assesses the creations and a prize is awarded to the winner.

Now that this year's party is behind us, we can share with you the winning entry. Designed by School of Theatre administrator Emika Abe and fellow Lizz Guzman and constructed by the SoT staff, the centerpiece paid homage to the Green Day song "21 Guns" featured in American Idiot. A Christmas tree shape is decorated with toy guns and pictures of guns (21 in all, very clever) and topped with a plush heart grenade. There's also an accompanying note to the big man in red. Taking its cue from Johnny's letters in the show, the missive reads: "Santa, take a f@#*ing shower."

Members of the SoT design team each won a $50 Whole Foods gift card for their efforts.

And speaking of "21 Guns," the fantastic version Green Day recorded with the American Idiot cast is available for download at all the usual outlets including iTunes and Amazon.

Happy Holidays from all of us at Berkeley Rep!