Curtain Calls: Berkeley run for ‘Great Comet’ extended through Feb. 5
Due to continuing overwhelming demand for tickets, Berkeley’s Shotgun Players has once again extended their fabulous production of Dave Malloy’s “Natasha, Pierre & the Great Comet of 1812.”
This high-energy musical now is running through Feb. 5 on the company’s Ashby Stage at 1901 Ashby Ave. in Berkeley. For tickets, call 510-841-6500. Shotgun Players is also looking for a new wardrobe assistant and front-of-house staff members with strong customer service skills. For job descriptions and more, visit shotgunplayers.org online.
S.F.: An utterly delightful production of the new musical “As You Like It” is playing now through Jan. 14 at the San Francisco Playhouse. If you’re looking for a holiday treat or an upbeat way to welcome in the new year, this exuberant production fits the bill.
Based on Shakespeare’s work, playwrights Shaina Taub and Laurie Woolery have adapted the Bard’s romantic comedy into an imaginative and highly entertaining musical. Taub’s variety of music and clever lyrics (often using lines and phrases from Shakespeare’s comedy) bring an even more lighthearted feel to happenings in the Forest of Arden and a more sinister one to Duke Frederick’s castle. From romantic ballads to rap to country-and-western, Taub seamlessly incorporates the music into Shakespeare’s story.
While the words are Shakespeare’s, Taub and Woolery add their own modern touches such as the fool Touchstone (Nicholas Yenson) trudging through the forest with Rosaline (River Navaille) and Cecilia (Abigail Esfira Campbell) and lamenting how he can’t get a signal on his cell phone.
This rollicking musical, skillfully directed by Bill English, opens with the melancholy Jaques (a perfectly understated Deanalis Arocho Resto) singing Shakespeare’s opening monologue, “All the World’s a Stage,” surrounded by denizens of the Forest of Arden. The lyrics may not all be Shakespeare’s, but they certainly set the “stage” for a rollicking good time.
The large cast is superb, with so many standouts including Nikita Burshteyn as Orlando and Navaille as Rosalind. I’ve enjoyed Burshteyn’s melodic voice before, but here his dancing and martial arts-like movements also impress. Navaille proves a good match with equally notable acting and vocal talents. As always, Michael Gene Sullivan brings a regal presence as Duke Senior.
Then there’s the dancing. Choreographer Nicole Helfer has outdone herself, incorporating a variety of dancing styles, gestures and humor into the cast’s movements. The forest dwellers move in more encompassing circular patterns, with the citizens of the Duke having more sharp, staccato movements. Kudos also to fight choreographer Cynthia Bogolub for an exceptional wrestling sequence.
Bill English and Heather Kenyon’s set design adds beauty and humor to the musical as various projections play off the back wall and gorgeous, gigantic stained-glass flowers come in from the sides for Arden Forest, all beautifully lit by David Robertson.
My favorite part, however, was when the rapid scene change was about over and there was a slight pause followed by a row of shrubbery popping up across the back wall. I’m not sure if this was a mistake on opening night or a planned effect. Either way, those shrubs had excellent comic timing.
Kathleen Qiu adds her own level of artistry with a myriad of colorful costumes for the forest and military uniforms for the castle. The incomparable Dave Dobrusky applies his innumerable talents as music director/pianist with the help of Ken Brill (keyboard), Stephen Danska (guitar), Kirk Duplantis (drums) and Jeff Patterson (bass).
This production is a pleasure from start to finish with an intricate Maypole dance bringing this fun performance to an end. For tickets, call 415-677-9596 or go to sfplayhouse.org.
Clayton: Auditions for Agatha Christie’s iconic murder mystery “The Mousetrap” will take place Jan. 8 from 4 to 7 p.m. and Jan. 10 from 7 to 10 p.m. at Clayton Theatre Company, 6008 Center St. in Clayton.
The longest-running show in the history of British theater, “The Mousetrap” tells of a group of people gathered in a country house cut off by a snowstorm. Of course, they discover a murderer in their midst. In fact, murder lurks around every corner in Christie’s intricate plot.
Rehearsals will begin Feb. 6 with performances March 17 through April 1. Interested performers can download the audition form at claytontheatrecompany.com. Proof of vaccination will be required.
San Jose: Two staged readings of Elizabeth Horab’s pro-choice documentary play “When She Became Me,” benefiting the Oakland-based nonprofit Access Reproduction Justice, will take place next month in San Jose right before the 50th anniversary on Jan. 22 of the Supreme Court’s Roe v. Wade decision.
The updated play uses real stories to share experiences of pregnancy termination and to offer the wide range of reasons and reactions from people who have experienced it. Although the readings are free to the public, donations are welcomed at these readings; donations can also be made online at gofundme.com/f/when-she-became-me-reading-and-fundraiser.
The first reading will be held Jan. 13 at the San Jose Women’s Club, and the second will be Jan. 20 at San Jose’s Urban Sanctuary. For more information, call 347-272-0875.
Sally Hogarty can be reached at sallyhogarty@gmail.com. Read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.