Berkeley Playhouse

Cast of “Planet Z” Lands at Julia Morgan Center on August 13

Berkeley Playhouse Admin — Thu, 29 Jul 2010 15:15:18 +0000

Planet Z is an original rock musical, conceived and penned by award-winning writer and director Jon Tracy. Reminiscent of Rocky Horror Picture Show, this Sci-Fi musical comedy has a soundtrack that is pure 80′s. The members of the Berkeley Playhouse Teen Company – our top educational, pre-professional training program – will “land” on the stage of the Julia Morgan Center for the Arts, beginning Friday night, August 13. Choreography by Kimberly Dooley; Music Direction by Phil Gorman. Performances are as follows:

Friday, August 13 / 7:37pm
Saturday, August 14 / 7:37pm
Sunday, August 15 / 1:07pm

Click here to get your tickets now!

Register for Fall/Winter Youth Auditions

Berkeley Playhouse Admin — Thu, 22 Jul 2010 19:19:55 +0000

New Planet Z mp3s for Download

Berkeley Playhouse Admin — Mon, 19 Jul 2010 19:32:24 +0000

Greetings, exceptionally eclectic cast!

Click below to download the new Planet Z music:

Rock You Like A Hurricane

Maneater

YouthStage presents Guys and Dolls Jr. – Don’t Miss It July 31 & Aug 1!

Berkeley Playhouse Admin — Sat, 17 Jul 2010 00:17:12 +0000

Berkeley Playhouse Conservatory’s YouthStage Program will present two productions of the Frank Loesser classic, Guys & Dolls. This fully produced musical will be the culmination of a five-week, full-day summer camp led by professional directors, choreographers, music directors and teaching artists. Students in the program, grades 4-6, receive instruction in acting, singing and dancing, and play all lead and supporting roles.

Tickets are available by clicking here.

The first cast “Broadway” – grades 6-7 – performed last weekend to sold-out houses and rave audience reviews. The “West End” cast, consisting of students grades 4-6, will perform Saturday, July 31 at 2:00 pm and 6:00 pm, and Sunday, August 1 at 1:00 pm at the Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby Avenue, Berkeley. The show is directed and choreographed by Dane Andres, with musical direction by Phil Gorman. Click here for the cast list.

Tickets are available by clicking here.

About the show: Guys and Dolls is considered by many to be the perfect musical comedy – and a perfect introduction to the American musical. Exuberant, irreverent and lighthearted, it tells the story of an unlikely romance between a slick, high-rolling gambler and an uptight, upright missionary in the context of a mythical New York City in the late 1940′s. When Sky Masterson needs an underground location in which to conduct his infamous floating crap game and Sarah Brown needs souls to fill her mission, neither could imagine the twists and turns the story will take to have this guy and doll falling in love! Guys and Dolls introduces us to some of the most colorful characters in the musical canon including Sky’s fellow gambler Nathan Detroit and his ever-suffering fiancee of 14 years, night-club singer, Adelaide. It features many favorite musical numbers: “Luck be a Lady”, “I Love you a Bushel and a Peck”, “Sit Down, You’re Rocking the Boat” and “If I were a Bell.”

Tickets are available by clicking here.

Aladdin Tickets – 15% off until July 15!

michelle — Fri, 09 Jul 2010 23:48:31 +0000

Welcome friends, to Agrabah – City of Enchantment, where every beggar has a story and every camel has a tail! You’ve made a wise choice to be an early-bird ticket buyer – early purchasers get the best seats at the West Coast premiere of Disney’s Aladdin as well as the best discount! (Don’t forget, you can save more than 25% on every show and get the best seats for all shows in season if you become a subscriber – click here to check out our season and subscription packages)

HERE’S HOW TO GET YOUR 15% DISCOUNT ON TICKETS TO DISNEY’S ALADDIN (Only 5 more days! Offer valid until 7/15/10)

G0 to BOX OFFICE on the menu and select PURCHASE/REDEEM TICKETS
Go to Disney’s Aladdin, click CHECK DATES and choose any Friday, Saturday or Sunday evening performance* – note our new family-friendly evening times!
Select your seats (any seat you want – great seats are available now for early birds)
Select your ticket type, and proceed to checkout
On the final payment page, type JASMINE in the pass code box and click ACCEPT
Swoosh! You’ve saved $2.25- $4.95 per ticket. Get ready to go off on a magic carpet ride!

* Not valid for Pay What You Can Performances

15% off Early-bird offer for fans of Berkeley Playhouse and Studio 12 Flys

michelle — Thu, 08 Jul 2010 00:24:08 +0000

Welcome my friends to Agrabah – City of Enchantment where every beggar has a story and every camel has a tail! You’ve made a wise choice to be an early bird ticket buyer – early purchasers get the best seats at the West Coast premiere of Disney’s Aladdin as well as the best discount! (Don’t forget, you can save more than 25% and get the best seats for all shows in season if you become a subscriber – to check out our season and subscription packages, click here!)

HERE’S HOW TO GET YOUR 15% DISCOUNT ON TICKETS TO DISNEY’S ALADDIN (Offer valid until 7/15/10)

Go to BOX-OFFICE on our menu and choose PURCHASE/REDEEM tickets.
Scroll down to Aladdin and click BUY TICKETS
Select any Friday, Saturday or Sunday evening show - checkout our new family-friendly evening show-times!
Choose your seats (fantastic seats available right now for early birds)
Select your ticket types and proceed to checkout
When you get to the payment page, type in the code RUBIES in the pass code box, click ACCEPT
Swoosh! You’ve just saved $2.25-$4.95 a ticket. No magic lamp necessary!

Offer must end 7/15/10

Disney’s Aladdin brings all your favorite movie moments and songs to life on stage in a Bollywood pageant of color!xTo read more about Aladdin and see who is in the cast list, click here.

Fall/Winter Grades K-2

Alexis Papedo — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 19:34:00 +0000

Perform in our Professional Mainstage Production of Cinderella, Enchanted!

AUDITIONS FOR ALL GRADES K-2: MONDAY, AUGUST 2 from 3:15pm-4:00pm, Studio D at Julia Morgan Center.

* * * * * * * * *

DESCRIPTION: Kids who will be in grades K-5 in the Fall may want to participate in the educational program of our Fall professional show, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Enchanted, as members of the “CinderKids” group – a group that will portray mystical forest animals. A multi-cultural cast, led by Grammy-nominated Frenchie Davis as the fairy godmother, will perform weekend shows November 5 thru December 6, 2010. The CinderKids will be double-cast, so the performance commitment will be ½ of the 24 public performances. See our website for more info on performance dates. Show is directed by Artistic Director Elizabeth McKoy.

START DATE: September 15, 2010
REHEARSALS: CinderKids meet every Wednesday, 3:45-5:45pm and every Sunday, 12-2pm, with some Saturday rehearsals and extended Sunday rehearsals, as follows:

Sunday, Sept. 26, 4-6:30pm: 1^st read-through (not the usual 12-2pm this day)
Saturday, October 16 and 23, 12-2pm
Sunday, October 24, 12-4pm
Saturday, October 30, 12-5pm
Sunday, October 31, 12-4pm

Tech Week rehearsals (Tues-Fri, Nov 2-5, 6pm-9pm)

TUITION: $100 downpayment due upon admission to hold spot; 2 additional payments of $150 each, due on September 15 and October 15 (Total for this 3-month program is $400)

* * * * * * *

C LICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE K-2 “TRY-ON” SESSION – LET US KNOW YOU’RE COMING ON AUGUST 2

Fall/Winter Grades 6-8

Alexis Papedo — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 19:30:44 +0000

It’s the Return of the Hit Pop/Rock Middle School Musical, Bravado!

AUDITIONS FOR ALL GRADES 6-8: MONDAY, AUGUST 2 from 5:30pm-6:45pm, Studio D at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts

* * * * * * * * *

DESCRIPTION: This middle school pop/rock musical will be an incredible experience for students going into grades 6, 7 & 8 next year. Bravado was the first big success of Berkeley Playhouse’s youth company a few years ago. The original creative team (Elizabeth McKoy, Kimberly Dooley & Phil Gorman) has been reassembled to bring it to BP’s new home, the Julia Morgan Center.

ABOUT THE SHOW: A group of talented school friends are trying to get into a prestigious performing arts school, but as the audition process reveals, it’s not only a test of talent and skill, but also of the friendships around you.

START DATE: September 16, 2010
REHEARSALS: The cast meets for training and rehearsal as follows:

Sept 16 thru Nov 4, Thursdays only – 4pm-6:30pm
Starting Nov 8, Mondays & Thursdays – 4pm-6:30pm
No rehearsal Thanksgiving Week
Winter Vacation Begins December 17
Starting Jan 3, increase to 4 days per week: Mon, 4-6:30pm / Thurs, 4-6:30pm / Sat, 10am-3pm / Sun, 10am-3pm
Tech Week: Tues-Fri, Jan 25-28, 4pm-8:30pm

PERFORMANCES: Sat, Jan, 29, 2pm & 7pm / Sun, Jan 30, 12pm & 5pm

TUITION: $100 downpayment due upon admission to hold spot; 3 additional payment of $250, due September 15, October 15 & November 15. (Total for this 4.5-month program is $850, approximately $8.50 per instructional hour)

* * * * * * *

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE 6-8 AUDITION – LET US KNOW YOU’RE COMING ON AUGUST 2

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SHEET MUSIC OF SONG TO PREPARE FOR AUDITION
Please learn verse 1 of the song; Print out and bring with you to audition.

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD LIVE PERFORMANCE (2008) OF BODY IMAGE BLUES
MP3 for reference; Use this recording to help you learn the song

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD AND LISTEN TO A WINDOW OPENS
Get comfortable with the style and the song for auditions

Fall/Winter Grades 3-5

Alexis Papedo — Fri, 02 Jul 2010 19:23:56 +0000

Two Exciting Options: Cinderella, Enchanted and/or Disney’s The AristoCats!

AUDITIONS FOR ALL GRADE 3-5: MONDAY, AUGUST 2 from 4:00pm-5:15pm, Studio D at Julia Morgan Center for the Arts.

* * * * * * * * *

CINDERELLA DESCRIPTION: Kids who will be in grades K-5 in the Fall may want to participate in the educational program of our Fall professional show, Rodgers & Hammerstein’s Cinderella, Enchanted, as members of the “CinderKids” group – a group that will portray mystical forest animals. A multi-cultural cast, led by Grammy-nominated Frenchie Davis as the fairy godmother, will perform weekend shows November 5 thru December 6, 2010. The CinderKids will be double-cast, so the performance commitment will be ½ of the 24 public performances. See our website for more info on performance dates. Show is directed by Artistic Director Elizabeth McKoy.

START DATE: September 15, 2010
REHEARSALS: CinderKids meet every Wednesday, 3:45-5:45pm and every Sunday, 12-2pm, with some Saturday rehearsals and extended Sunday rehearsals, as follows:

Sunday, Sept. 26, 4-6:30pm: 1^st read-through (not the usual 12-2pm this day)
Saturday, October 16 and 23, 12-2pm
Sunday, October 24, 12-4pm
Saturday, October 30, 12-5pm
Sunday, October 31, 12-4pm

Tech Week rehearsals (Tues-Fri, Nov 2-5, 6pm-9pm)

TUITION: $100 downpayment due upon admission to hold spot; 2 additional payments of $150 each, due on September 15 and October 15 (Total for this 3-month program is $400)

* * * * * * * * *

ARISTOCATS DESCRIPTION: The AristoCats is a 16-week performance program that culminates in a fully-produced production of the Disney classic, with our young performers in the lead and supporting roles. Directed by Executive Director Jerry R. Foust, an award-winning music teacher & musical theatre director.

THE SHOW: Madame’s jealous butler Edgar catnaps Duchess and her kittens and abandons them in the Parisian countryside. Luckily, Thomas O’Malley and his rag-tag bunch of Alley Cats come to their rescue! This feline adventure is sure to have your tapping your feet to its hip, jazzy score, which includes the Disney favorites “Scales and Arpeggios” and “Ev’rybody Wants to Be a Cat.”

START DATE FOR ARISTOCATS: September 14, 2010
REHEARSALS: Cast meets Tuesdays & Thursdays 4-6pm, thru December 17 (with Thanksgiving Week off). After the winter vacation, there is a more concentrated schedule, as follows:

Tuesday & Thursday, Jan. 4 & 6, 4pm-6pm
Saturday, Jan 8, 12:30pm-5:30pm
Sunday, Jan. 9, 12:30pm-5:30pm
Tues, Wed, Thurs, Fri, Jan. 11-14, 4pm-8pm

PERFORMANCES: 6 shows / Sat, Jan.15, 2pm & 7pm / Sun, Jan. 16, 12pm & 5pm / Mon, Jan. 17 (holiday), 12pm & 5pm

TUITION: $100 downpayment due upon admission to hold spot; 3 additional payment of $250, due September 15, October 15 & November 15. (Total for this 4-month program is $850, approximately $11 per instructional hour)

* * * * * * *

CLICK HERE TO REGISTER FOR THE 3-5 AUDITION – LET US KNOW YOU’RE COMING ON AUGUST 2

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD & PREPARE THE SCENE FOR READING
Prepare both parts, please / This excerpt is for both AristoCats & Cinderella

CLICK HERE TO DOWNLOAD SONG – EVERYBODY WANTS TO BE (66 to END)
Prepare measure #66 to the end (4 pages) / This song is for both AristoCats & Cinderella
Note: This song is THREE pages – make sure you get all three!

CLICK HERE TO LISTEN TO THE mp3 OF THE SONG
This sample will be helpful in preparing the music. The excerpt for the audition begins at 1:56.

Rainbow Receptions for LGBT Families & Allies Begin August 8

Berkeley Playhouse Admin — Thu, 01 Jul 2010 16:03:01 +0000

Berkeley Playhouse has announced its new Rainbow Reception series for LGBT and non-traditional families and their allies, to be held on the first Sunday of each 2010-2011 professional season production, 90 minutes before the evening performance. These kid-friendly events are intended to build community and give families a place to meet each other, share resources and build a network. Berkeley Playhouse’s Conservatory and Youth Company have long been home to many same-sex parents and non-traditional families. Executive Director Jerry R. Foust said, “The Rainbow Receptions will give our Gay and Lesbian families another place to come together, building their community of support and sharing resources. And of course, it’s an opportunity to share in the magical and important experience of live theatre together.”

The inaugural reception will be held Sunday, August 8 prior to the evening performance of Disney’s “Aladdin,” the Playhouse’s season opener. The reception will begin at 3:30pm in Studio One, lower level of the Julia Morgan Center for the Arts (2640 College Avenue, Berkeley). Included in the kid-friendly event will be punch and cookies, “sneak peak” entertainment by some of the “Aladdin” performers, and a meet & greet with the Berkeley Playhouse staff and show design team. There are performances of Aladdin on August 8 at 12noon and 5:00pm.

Foust added, “The welcome mat is out. We want all families to know they have a home at Berkeley Playhouse!”

For more information, visit the Berkeley Playhouse website: www.berkeleyplayhouse.org