Editor’s Picks September 3, 2008 - A New Theatre Season | Listen & Be Heard Network Arts News

Editor’s Picks September 3, 2008 - A New Theatre Season

September 3rd, 2008 by martha cinader mims · No Comments

EPICUREANS ENJOY FREE GOURMET TASTINGS AT BERKELEY REP
Culinary artisans offer the audience free samples of champagne, cognac, sushi, and more

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(l to r) Lance Gardner and Shoresh Alaudini star in the world premiere of Itamar Moses’ Yellowjackets at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Photo courtesy of kevinberne.com

These events are only appetizers for a seven-course banquet of shows. The 2008/09 Season brings brilliant artists back to Berkeley Rep’s stage and provides proof of the Theatre’s commitment to commission 50 new plays by 2013. The season takes flight when Artistic Director Tony Taccone directs the world premiere of Yellowjackets, an incisive new play penned by Berkeley native Itamar Moses. The next five shows: Delroy Lindo stages August Wilson’s Joe Turner’s Come and Gone; Mary Zimmerman presents an adaptation of The Arabian Nights; Associate Artistic Director Les Waters reunites with Sarah Ruhl for the world premiere of In the Next Room (or the vibrator play); former Artistic Director Sharon Ott returns to direct Fyodor Dostoevsky’s Crime and Punishment; and Waters tackles Martin McDonagh again with The Lieutenant of Inishmore. The season concludes with a second show from Ott: the world premiere of You, Nero by Amy Freed.

Tastings are free with a ticket to that evening’s performance. Seats start at $27, and discounts are available for seniors, students, and anyone under 30 years of age. Berkeley Rep is located on Addison Street in downtown Berkeley. To attend a show, contact the box office at 510.647.2949, 888-4-BRT-tix (toll-free), or berkeleyrep.org.

QUILOMBO COUNTRY
New Documentary about Black Rebel Villages of Brazil,
In Debut Run at the Pioneer Theater in NYC, September 19-25, 2008
– Narrated by Public Enemy’s Chuck D
a still from the movie quilombo
Children on way to school. Varre Vento, Trombetas.

“Quilombo Country,” the award-winning documentary about Brazilian villages founded by escaped and rebel slaves, will have its premiere theatrical run at the Two Boots Pioneer Theater from Friday, September 19th to Thursday,September 25th every evening at 7 pm. The film is narrated by Chuck D, poet, media commentator and leader of the hip hop band Public Enemy. The Pioneer Theater is located in the heart of New York City’s East Village at 155 East 3rd Street near Avenue A. The film’s creator, writer-director Leonard Abrams, will take questions after the Friday and Saturday screenings. Seating is limited. Go to http://www.twoboots.com/pioneer. Student discounts apply.

If you can’t make it to New York, find out how to see the film at http://www.quilombocountry.com. Journalists and
educators may write to leonard AT quilombofilm DOT com or call 212-260-7540 to receive a copy for review for publication or possible institutional purchase.

The Little Dog Laughed

Patrick Alparone and Kurt Johnson in The Little Dog Laughed

Nominated for a Tony Award for best play of 2007, The Little Dog Laughed centers around an actor Mitchell, his acerbic agent Diane and a hustler named Alex. Diane steps in control when she realizes her client is in the closet and tries to preserve his image in the public’s eye to protect his career and her paycheck.

B Street Theatre’s “B3 Series”
Tuesdays - Fridays @ 7pm, Saturdays @ 8pm, Matinees: Sundays @ 1pm (8/31 and 9/7 only), Thursdays @ 2pm (9/4, 9/18 and 9/25 only.)

B Street Theatre Box Office 2711 B Street Sacramento, CA 95816 (916) 443-5300

New Play Festival
New Play Festival in Greenville S.C.
The Centre Stage New Play Festival receives hundreds of scripts throughout the year submitted by playwrights from around the country and abroad. Four finalists have been chosen to be presented in readers’ theater format during this year’s festival. The 2008 NPF Playwright-in-Residence will be Arlene Hutton. Her newest work, Letters to Sala, will be read (featuring Shirley Sarlin.) Talkback sessions for the four festival finalists will take place immediately following the readings, making the festival a rare opportunity for playgoers to participate in the creative process that will culminate in a full production of the play chosen as festival winner.