Berkeley Playhouse

Is Pirates of Penzance right for my child?

michelle — Sat, 04 Feb 2012 01:17:27 +0000

The Pirates of Penzance is a comic opera in two acts, with music by Arthur Sullivan and libretto by W. S. Gilbert. The story concerns Frederic, who, having completed his 21st year, is released from his apprenticeship to a band of tender-hearted pirates. He meets Mabel, the daughter of Major-General Stanley, and the two young people fall instantly in love. Frederic finds out, however, that he was born on 29 February, and so, technically, he only has a birthday each leap year. His apprenticeship indentures state that he remains apprenticed to the pirates until his 21st birthday, and so he must serve for another 63 years. Bound by his own sense of duty, Frederic’s only solace is that Mabel agrees to wait for him faithfully. Pirates was the fifth Gilbert and Sullivan collaboration and introduced the much-parodied major-General’s Song.

I am the very model of a modern Major-General,
I’ve information vegetable, animal, and mineral,
I know the kings of England, and I quote the fights historical,
From Marathon to Waterloo, in order categorical;
I’m very well acquainted too with matters mathematical,
I understand equations, both the simple and quadratical,
About binomial theorem I’m teeming with a lot o’ news—
With many cheerful facts about the square of the hypotenuse.

ETC. with the hilarity.

Here is what you should know about the Berkeley Playhouse production of The Pirates of Penzance:

Since this is an “operetta,” most of the story is told through lyrics and song. There is very little dialogue. Children should be encouraged to listen to the lyrics of the song to understand the action in the story. Very young children might find the story hard to follow or understand.
Music Director, Jonathan Fadner has added punk, ska and rock to the original music. The music and choreography will be fun (a cross between “American Idiot” and “Glee”), but there may be times when sensitive children find the songs loud.
Fight Choreographer, Dave Maier, has choreographed exciting stage combat scenes with authentic looking weaponry (which both young and old brandish). Sensitive children may find these scenes loud and intense. There are a lot of “groin shots” which most children find funny.
Director, Jon Tracy (well-known in the area for adapting or re-vamping classic works such as Animal Farm or The Tempest) has a unique vision for the show. The scenery and costumes in this production of Pirates of Penzance are unexpected and different from other productions. This might bother POP purists.

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS

Berkeley Playhouse Presents The Pirates of Penzance. Moon Fans save 20%, Fri & Sat pm

michelle — Thu, 02 Feb 2012 18:22:15 +0000

A WARM WELCOME TO 42ND STREET MOON FANS!

Experience the Gilbert & Sullivan comic opera in a way you’ve never seen before – as a rock opera with a touch of post-atomic punk! Director Jon Tracy casts the Victorian elements askew to give us a Pirate King who is female, a Major General who is the poster child for the 1%, and willful punk-strong women who woo duck-tailed teddy-boy pirates. It’s a post atomic world that is bolder, fiercer, and dare we say, more funny. “American Idiot” meets “Glee” as rock riffs punctuate the famous lyrics and melodies. Parkour and pole acrobatics punch up the fight scenes. Gilbert and Sullivan were famous for lampooning Victorian society’s norms and values and director, Jon Tracy, continues the tradition with fresh and inventive focus – tossing many a scabbard and dagger (actually, chainsaw and wrench) at the scoundrels, we mean leaders, in politics today!

Berkeley Playhouse is thrilled to offer Moon fans 20% off tickets for any Friday or Saturday night with the code MOON. Offer ends midnight February 24. Simply go Purchase Tickets under the box-office on the menu, select your preferred Friday or Saturday 7pm performance for Pirates, purchase your seats, and enter the code MOON on the final purchase page. Or CLICK HERE.

February 25- April 1/JULIA MORGAN CENTER FOR THE ARTS / 2640 College Ave. Show-times: Fridays and Saturdays at 7pm, Saturdays at 2pm, Sundays at 12pm and 5pm. Tix: Adult $35/ Senior $33/ Youth $25/ Tot $17

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Feb Audition for Summer

michelle — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:11:03 +0000

Feb Pirates Headline 3

michelle — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:10:37 +0000

Feb Pirates Headline 2

michelle — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:09:34 +0000

Feb Pirates Headline 1

michelle — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 18:03:34 +0000

Summer of Wonka 2012 Camps Now Enrolling!

Berkeley Playhouse Admin — Wed, 01 Feb 2012 16:00:26 +0000

With Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory on our mainstage, our summer camps promise to be choc-full of musical theatre delights! We have one to four week camps throughout the summer with grades ranging from pre-school through rising 6th graders. The Summer Term runs from June 18 to August 26, 2012. Inspired by our mainstage production of Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, students have the opportunity to delve deeper into their love for theatre, and build skills in acting, singing, movement and performance. See below for class offerings, descriptions, dates, times, and the link to enroll online. Don’t miss out on a sweet summer – enroll today!

Click here to learn more about summer camps or to enroll now!

Headline – Audition for Summer

michelle — Mon, 23 Jan 2012 19:00:23 +0000

“Grease” On Stage this Weekend! (Jan 27-29) Cast List and Roles

michelle — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 16:02:42 +0000

Join us in a gum-snapping, hip-shaking, hot-rockin’ musical about love and friendship in the 50’s!

School’s back from summer and the senior class is gathering for their final year at Rydell High. As head “greaser” Danny Zuko and new (good) girl Sandy Dumbrowski relive the romance of their “Summer Nights” it becomes clear that both need to change their perspective! Sassy, funny – evocative and provocative, this infectious musical showcases all that was fantastic about the fifties: rock n’ roll numbers that recall the music of Buddy Holly, Little Richard and Elvis Presley – plus hot-roddin, ducktailed ‘burger palace boys” and bobby-soxed, pink-jacket ladies!

Book, Music and Lyrics by Jim Jacobs and Warren Casey / Directed by Kimberly Dooley & Marissa Wolf / Music Direction by Nicholas Adams. Choreography by Kimberly Dooley.

SHOW TIMES: Fri, Jan 27 @ 7pm / Sat, Jan 28, 2pm and 7pm / and Sun, Jan 29 @ 2pm

PARENTAL ADVISORY: Mature content. This production is just as raunchy as you remember it.

CLICK HERE TO BUY TICKETS

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CAST LIST

(In First Name Alphabetical order))

Ensemble

Adi Martin-Ruben

Ensemble

Ariel Fry Demetria

Rizzo

Aubri Kahalekulu

Cha-Cha, Ensemble

Bori Kozek

Ensemble

Brett Altshuler

Peggy Lee, Ensemble

Chloe Killebrew-Bruehl

Doody

Emily Bush

Frenchy

Felicia Payomo

Ensemble

Isabella Schwartz

Roger

Jack Petersen

Sonny

Jackie Grigsby

Dwayne

Jeremy Friedman

Jan

Jet Harper

Teen Angel

Kyle Choate

Marty

Maddie Pomaro

Ensemble

Maddy Leibovitch

Kenickie

Matteo Schwartz

Rhonda, Ensemble

Melanie Lamar

Danny

Miguel Gamalinda

Patty Simcox, Ensemble

Miko Butler

Eugene, Ensemble

Molly Werthan

Ensemble

Olivia Eggers

Eugene, Ensemble

Rachael Cornejo

Miss Lynch, Ensemble

Rachel Kamil

Ensemble

Rene Warren

Ensemble

Sarah Giles

Vince Fontaine, Ensemble

Sarah Marlin

Sandy

Sonya Balsara

Ensemble

Teala Volkamer

Johnny Casino, Ensemble

Tess Rubenzahl

Radio Performer, Ensemble

Wanlin Shue

Planet Z – Student and Parent Information

Berkeley Playhouse Admin — Tue, 17 Jan 2012 20:13:19 +0000

Welcome Parents and Students of Return to Planet Z!

Here you will find important information from your teacher and Berkeley Playhouse such as the latest schedule, parent volunteer opportunities and publicity tools. For now, we have very preliminary information, so please check back as we continue to work on this show together.

If you have been offered a spot in Planet Z and need to enroll or make a tuition payment, click here.

Schedule:

Rehearsals: February 29 – April 29
Wednesdays and Fridays, 4:30-7:00pm, Some Weekend days
Tech: April 23-26 and April 30 – May 2, 4-9pm
Shows: Friday, May 4 at 4pm & 7pm
Saturday, May 5 at 2pm
Sunday, May 6 at 4pm and 7pm

Download the Full Calendar Here