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THEATRE NEWS FOR SAN FRANCISCO BAY

Posted by:	Richard Connema 01:09 pm EDT 10/19/14

Tony and Oscar-Nominated Actress Kathleen Turner Makes Berkeley Rep Debut inRed Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins Turner stars in one-woman show about beloved journalist and satirist Molly Ivins – This November, Berkeley Repertory Theatre rolls out the red carpet for two-time Tony and Oscar nominee Kathleen Turner for her Berkeley Rep debut in Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins. The brassy, sharp-witted political journalist and best-selling author of Bushwacked, Ivins was celebrated for her folksy yet barbed humor. She was the rowdy raconteur stirring up trouble in the old boy’s club and ridiculing those she deemed too big for their britches — earning her a widely read syndicated column and a seat next to Mark Twain as one of America’s beloved satirists. Turner is all smarts and sass as the redheaded firebrand, recounting her political rants and personal reflections with a liberal dose of piss and vinegar. Written by twin sisters Margaret Engel and Allison Engel and directed by Obie Award winner David Esbjornson, this acclaimed production captures the red-headed reporter’s indomitable character by weaving personal anecdotes with her colorful take on national politics. Red Hot Patriot begins previews Friday, November 21, opens on Tuesday, November 25, and runs through Sunday, January 4. Press night for Red Hot Patriot will be held on Tuesday, November 25, 2014. Individual tickets start at $29 and can be purchased by phone at (510) 647-2949 or online at berkeleyrep.org. “We’re thrilled to welcome world-renowned actress Kathleen Turner to Berkeley Rep,” says Tony Taccone, Berkeley Rep’s Michael Leibert Artistic Director. “Ms. Turner applies her phenomenal talent to create a portrait of the unconquerable Molly Ivins, whose fiery wit and political wisdom served as a tonic for our times. It’s going to be a very exciting and winning evening for our audience.” “I truly love playing Molly Ivins. I’ve been a fan for as long as I can remember,” adds Turner. “She had a great sense of politics and what our responsibilities as citizens should be. Her commitment to her country and her knowledge and political savvy were just extraordinary. I know that Berkeley Rep’s audience will embrace her as much as I have.” Red Hot Patriot: The Kick-Ass Wit of Molly Ivins had its world premiere at the Philadelphia Theatre Company, where Turner originated the role. Turner’s performances as Molly Ivins have earned laudatory reviews. Los Angeles Weekly raves, “Turner handles the demands of the work beautifully with tremendous stamina, and even a little well placed in-character ad lib banter to realize Ivins with empathic care and a perfected execution.” Adds the Huffington Post, “The show is absolutely wonderful, entertaining and illuminating... and fiercely topical to today's helter-skelter events. ” ############################## Celebrate the holidays at Cinnabar with family shows and seasonal songs – Celebrate the holidays with Sonoma County’s beloved professional theater. From Thanksgiving to New Year’s Eve, and all the way into 2015, Cinnabar offers uplifting activities for local families: The Wizard of Oz: November 28 – December 14 Follow the yellow brick road with Dorothy, Toto, the Tin Man, the Scarecrow, and the Cowardly Lion. Come over the rainbow with Cinnabar’s Young Rep to enjoy this classic musical live on stage... starring your favorite munchkins! Tickets are $10 for youth and $15 for adults. The Jewelry Box, A Genuine Christmas Story: Sunday, November 30 at 7:30 PM Renowned solo performer Brian Copeland returns with a hilarious and heartwarming holiday show. In this prequel to his blockbuster hit, Not A Genuine Black Man, Copeland applies his wit and wisdom to the time he tried to earn $11.97 to get his mom a Christmas gift. Tickets are $15 for youth, $20 for adults, and $5 more at the door. Holiday concert with the Cinnabar Singers: Sunday, December 14 at 2 PM Welcome the winter season with this beautiful concert from our community choir. Enjoy cheerful harmonies and seasonal selections such as Britten’s Ceremony of Carols and Vivaldi’s Gloria. The Cinnabar Singers perform at the United Church of Christ in Petaluma. Tickets are $10 for youth and $15 for adults. New Year’s Eve Under Paris Skies: Wednesday, December 31 at 9:30 PM Ring in 2015 with a romantic cabaret celebrating the passionate and profound music of Edith Piaf. Enjoy delectable desserts before the show, with party favors and champagne at midnight. Tickets are $56 for youth and $66 for adults. Cinnabar’s Fresh Crab Feed: Tuesday, January 13 at 5:30 PM Is there someone crabby on your shopping list? Invite them to Cinnabar’s upcoming feast at Lagunitas Brewing Company, where they can get their claws on unlimited fresh crab. All tickets are $55, which includes Dungeness crab, cole slaw, pasta salad, bread, and dessert. Holiday giving Get a gift certificate to Cinnabar for the arts lover on your holiday list – and, in this season of giving, please consider a tax-deductible contribution to Petaluma’s nonprofit theater. Its youth programs and professional shows depend on donors like you. Call 707-763-8920 for details. Every year, Cinnabar Theater produces a thrilling mix of plays, musicals, operas, and concerts in a remarkable range of genres. Cinnabar’s Young Rep offers extensive activities for local youth, and the Cinnabar Singers welcome anyone who wants to be part of a choir. All these events take place in the iconic red schoolhouse perched atop a grassy hill on the outskirts of Petaluma. Cinnabar Theater is located at 3333 Petaluma Boulevard North, just off Highway 101 and only minutes from historic downtown Petaluma. There’s ample parking up on the hill… and a friendly herd of goats grazing in the neighboring field. For more information, or to purchase tickets, call 707-763-8920 or visit cinnabartheater.org. ######################################## Paul Dresher Ensemble & Fort Mason Center Presents Announce the Creative Team and Dates for the new musical MAX UNDERSTOOD Book by Nancy Carlin, Music by Michael Rasbury Lyrics by Nancy Carlin & Michael Rasbury Directed by David Schweizer April 15th - April 26th Opening Thursday April 16, 2015 8 PM San Francisco's Cowell Theater The Paul Dresher Ensemble is pleased to announce the creative team and dates for the world premiere of the new musical MAX UNDERSTOOD created by Nancy Carlin and Michael Rasbury, and directed by celebrated opera and theater director David Schweizer. This innovative musical theater production will have a two week run April 15th through 26th at San Francisco's Cowell Theater, with an Opening Night on Thursday, April 16, 2015. MAX UNDERSTOOD is an invitation into the life of a seven-year-old boy with autism as he embarks on a transformative odyssey beyond the confines of his parents’ apartment to explore the beauty and mysteries of the world around him. This “gorgeous and heartrending” musical drama features a book by Nancy Carlin, music by Michael Rasbury with lyrics by Nancy Carlin and Michael Rasbury and direction by David Schweizer (Rinde Eckert, And God Created Great Whales, Richard Rodney Bennett's The Mines of Sulphur for NYC Opera). Alexander V. Nichols will design the set, lighting and projections, and Beaver Bauer, the costumes. This World Premiere of MAX UNDERSTOOD follows two workshop productions; the most recent Off-Broadway for the New York Musical Theatre Festival (2009), also directed by David Schweizer. In 2008 the production was selected for development in a staged reading workshop by the Eugene O’Neill National Music Theatre Conference. MAX UNDERSTOOD is co-produced by the Paul Dresher Ensemble, Fort Mason Center Presents, and Behavioral Interventions for Autism. Casting for the production will be announced in the coming weeks. For more information about MAX UNDERSTOOD visit http://www.maxunderstood.com/ ######################################## Lucky Penny adapts to Napa quake with season realignment Lucky Penny Productions has announced a realignment of their 2014-15 season of shows, which will begin with the classic musical “Oliver!” now set for a January 2015 opening. “The earthquake in August shook up the schedule to get the new Community Arts Center open,” said Taylor Bartolucci, Lucky Penny co-founder. “We talked with our cast and crew and decided to stage the show after the holidays.” The new performance dates for “Oliver!” will be January 23-February 1, 2015. Most of the 2014-15 season remains as scheduled, with the monthly “Lucky Penny Presents” series at the Napa Valley Opera House, "Bonnie & Clyde" set for Feb 20-Mar 15 in Santa Rosa and Mar 26-Apr 4 in Napa, "Cowgirls: The Musical" June 12-28, and the youth production of “Charlie and the Chocolate Factory” July 23-August 9. New dates for the "8 x 10 Festival of 10 Minute Plays" and a staged reading of "The Drunken City" will be announced soon. The Community Arts Center at 1758 Industrial Way in Napa will provide a place for training, rehearsal and performance space available to a spectrum of local artists, and serve as the home venue for Lucky Penny Productions. Fundraising for renovations continues. For more information on how to get involved visit www.luckypennynapa.com or email info@luckypennynapa.com. Find us on Facebook www.facebook.com/luckypennynapa and follow on Twitter @luckypennynapa. ############################## SMUIN BALLET APPOINTS DEB GLAZER NEW DIRECTOR OF DEVELOPMENT –Smuin Ballet has announced that Deb Glazer has joined the company as Development Director. Glazer will be responsible for all areas of the Development Department for Smuin Ballet, which recently completed its 20th anniversary season, and will build on the existing development program to ensure the organization realizes key institutional and programmatic goals. “We are thrilled to welcome someone with Deb’s background and expertise to our team as we look forward to the next twenty years," said Smuin Ballet Managing Director Rhonda Grossman. Deb Glazer most recently worked as the Development Director at Seven Tepees in San Francisco, a youth development and college access program, where she was responsible for raising $1.1m annually from foundations, individuals, corporations and other funding streams as well as creating and managing corporate partnerships and volunteer programs with companies including Google, DPR Construction, AirBnB, Kaiser, PricewaterhouseCoopers, and Salesforce. Prior to that, Ms. Glazer was the Director of Development and Strategic Partnerships at Springboard Forward, where she designed and managed every aspect of individual donor strategy and implementation. Ms. Glazer holds a Bachelor’s Degree in Sociology from the University of Pennsylvania and completed a Master of Education in Risk Prevention from Harvard University. Debuting in San Francisco in March 1994, Smuin Ballet immediately established itself as one of the Bay Area’s most eagerly watched performing arts companies, as “one of this country’s most entertaining, original ballet troupes” (Dance Magazine), and as a dance company of international acclaim, performing to sold-out houses on European tours. Michael Smuin’s singular philosophy to create pieces which merge the diverse vocabularies of classical ballet and contemporary dance has served as the company’s touchstone since its beginning. Now at the helm of Smuin Ballet is Artistic Director Celia Fushille and Managing Director Rhonda Grossman. The company’s vision includes maintaining and increasing the its reputation for presenting accessible and innovative repertoire, attracting new audiences of all ages to the medium. While the company has continued to highlight works created by Smuin, both for his own and for other ballet companies, Fushille enriches its impressive repertoire with newer choreographic voices, bringing the Bay Area first looks at works by exciting choreographers from around the world, as well as developing world premieres by company members. The company will launch its 21st season in the fall of 2014, with programs touring to San Francisco, Mountain View, Walnut Creek, and Carmel. For information, visit SmuinBallet.org. ############################# The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival presents Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s Lisa Wolpe in her solo show “Shakespeare and the Alchemy of Gender” Performance: Saturday, October 25, 7:00 pm / Master Class: Sunday, October 26, 6:00 pm Both at the Presidio Officers’ Club in San Francisco San Francisco, CA – The San Francisco Shakespeare Festival presents acclaimed Shakespearean actor and Los Angeles Women’s Shakespeare Company Artistic Director Lisa Wolpe, in her solo performance of Shakespeare and the Alchemy of Gender. The show takes place in the beautiful Moraga Room at the newly restored Presidio Officers’ Club, 50 Moraga Avenue, San Francisco CA 94129, on Saturday, October 25 at 7:00 pm. The public is also invited to attend her exploration of the alchemy of gender in a Master Class setting the following day. Audience members will watch her work with resident artists from the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival on Sunday, October 26 at 6:00 pm, also at the Presidio Officers’ Club. Both events are appropriate for adults and older teens. Admission to these events is complimentary but an RSVP to sfshakes@sfshakes.org is required. Finding celebration and solace in the words and enchanting power of Shakespeare, this visionary theatre artist (who has probably played more of Shakespeare’s male leading roles than any woman in history) explores the courageous, often tragic, always fascinating history of her troubled family--weaving personal photos, video and glorious passages from Hamlet, The Merchant of Venice, Twelﬂh Night, Richard III and Romeo and Juliet. Her challenges to gender-rigid casting, and demonstrations of the physical and mental techniques of cross-gender performance, offers keen insight into the magic and mystery of the Bards’ timeless writing. This powerful and resilient tale of celebration and personal liberation from the box of gender expectations is not to be missed! Shakespeare and the Alchemy of Gender - Performance (appropriate for adults and older teens), Saturday, October 25, 7:00 pm at the Presidio Officers’ Club, 50 Moraga Avenue, San Francisco CA 94129. Admission is free; RSVP required: sfshakes@sfshakes.org - Master Class (appropriate for adults and older teens), Sunday, October 26, 6:00 pm at the Presidio Officers’ Club, 50 Moraga Avenue, San Francisco CA 94129. Admission is free; RSVP required: sfshakes@sfshakes.org. For more information, call the San Francisco Shakespeare Festival at (415) 558-0888 or visit www.sfshakes.org # # # # ######################### OREGON SHAKESPEARE NEWS OSF launches 44th School Visit Program Long-standing outreach program takes OSF actors directly to students in California, Washington, Oregon and Kansas — This autumn marks the 44th tour of the Oregon Shakespeare Festival’s School Visit Program (SVP), which sends OSF actors directly to schools throughout the Western United States. Over 80 schools will host actors this fall. In November and December, teams of actors will tour schools throughout Oregon, Washington, California and Kansas, engaging students from diverse backgrounds through live performances and active workshops. OSF founder Angus Bowmer created the School Visit Program in 1971 as a way to reach a wider audience and over the past 43 years, OSF has reached over 2 million students in over 7,000 schools in 12 western states. In addition 12 schools from Oregon are part of the School Visit Partnership Program, which provides teachers with professional development and classroom lessons. Actors are also in residence at Partnership schools for two to five days depending on the size of the school. “Behind the School Visit Program lies the belief that actors, great literature and the imagination of the audience are all the ingredients needed to make captivating theatre,” said Joan Langley, OSF Director of Education. “An essential goal of the program is to provide active and personal involvement in great literature that will excite, inspire and even change the lives of students.” OSF teaching artist Laura Montes said, “I love it when students who had always thought of Shakespeare as incomprehensible and archaic have the realization that it can actually be clear, engaging and remarkably relevant to their lives.” Montes will be joined by Joe Wegner in touring Oregon schools this fall. Four other actor teams will tour the Western United States: Keith Leroyal and Eduardo Placer, Michael Gabriel Goodfriend and Juan Parada, Omoze Idehenre and Jeremy Thompson, and Erin O’Connor and Jason Sanford. In addition to performing Shakespeare, the teams also offer a literature program. Three teams are taking out American Night High! The Ballad of an Immigrant Student Dreaming in the USA by Richard Montoya as their literature offering. This 35-minute play for student audiences is inspired by American Night: The Ballad of Juan José by Richard Montoya and Culture Clash. The play premiered at OSF in 2010 and was commissioned as part of the American Revolutions: The United States History Cycle, a 10-year program commissioning up to 37 new plays sprung from moments of change in U.S. history. The 2014 School Visit Program and School Visit Partnership Program are funded by generous grants from The Bowmer Society, the Joseph R. Parker Foundation, Starseed Foundation, The Lamb-Baldwin Foundation, the Helen Clay Frick Foundation and also the Oregon Arts Commission. OSF offers many programs for students, including: classes and workshops which introduce and explore the plays for visiting school groups; the Summer Seminar for High School Juniors, a two-week intensive theatre camp for students between their junior and senior year; the Bowmer Project for Student Playgoers, providing support for local teachers through teacher training and curriculum support and free tickets for participating students to designated performances throughout the year. For more information about OSF educational programs, contact Jay Shepherd at 541-482-2111, ext. 414, or jays@osfashland.org. To inquire about bringing SVP actors to your school in 2015, contact Katherine Gosnell at 541-482-2111, ext. 244, or kathg@osfashland.org. #########################

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