Berkeley Playhouse immerses its audience in a world of music and engaging musicians with its current production of “Once,” playing through March 15 at 2640 College Ave.
Prior to the show, musicians treat attendees to lively tunes on the front porch while inside small groups of musicians surround the audience with lively sounds. Some take a break from playing to belly up to set designer Matt Owens’ enticing bar. Here, liquor bottles are not only behind the bar but hang from the ceiling, adding additional luminance thanks to lighting designer Pam Gray’s clever adaptation.
As show time draws near, the talented musicians join their counterparts on stage, playing all the while as the lights slowly dim and the love story of Guy and Girl begins.
The semi-autobiographical work by Enda Walsh (book), Glen Hansard and Markéta Irglová (music and lyrics) tells of a Dublin street musician and a Czech immigrant who connect through their shared love of music. It evolves into a bittersweet romance grounded by the achingly beautiful music.
Director Josh Marx found a superb group of musicians who, in addition to playing a plethora of instruments, can also act, sing and dance as they perform Erin Rose Solorio’s clever choreography.
Jake Gale (Guy) brings his incredible voice and stellar guitar skills to the role matched beautifully with Gillian Sickenberger’s (Girl) singing and piano talents. Together, you can practically see the electric sparks between them.
Kudos to the rest of the 13-member cast who make the audience feel so welcome and at home, especially Cassidy Hill (Eamon), Dyan McBride (Girl’s mother) and Michael Barrett Austin (the crazy music store owner).
In this very special show, audience members feel more like friends invited over for drinks and music than as spectators.
For tickets to this very special musical, call 510-845-8542 x351 or go to berkeleyplayhouse.org.
Also in Berkeley: Most everyone has a secret or two they would prefer no one knew about, but Shotgun Players exposes a secret in its next show that challenges the boundaries of intimacy and morality. Edward Albee’s Tony Award-winning tragedy “The Goat or, who is Sylvia?” is Shotgun’s 34th season opener.
From left, Erin Mei Ling Stuart, William Giammona and Joel Ochoa in Edward Albee’s “The Goat, or who is Sylvia?” beginning March 21 at Shotgun Players in Berkeley. (Photo courtesy of Ben Krantz Studio)
Beginning March 21, the provocative masterpiece introduces Martin, a successful architect with a loving wife and a son. He has a secret, however, that threatens what’s permissible in modern society. He is very much in love with Sylvia, who just happens to be a goat. Literally, the four-legged variety.
“This play tests the limits of permissiveness,” said Director Kevin Clarke. “It doesn’t tell you (what’s) good or bad, but you have to take the characters at face value and believe them when they tell you they’re in love.”
According to Clarke, Albee’s clever dialogue and comedic timing turn Martin’s confession into a moral inquiry and forces him to see his affair through the eyes of his jolted family.
William Giammona plays Martin with Erin Mei Ling Stuart as his wife, Joel Ochoa as his son and Kevin Singer as the family friend.
For tickets to “The Goat,” which runs through April 19 at 1901 Ashby Ave. in Berkeley, call 510-841-6500, ext. 303 or go to shotgunplayers.org.
Martinez: B8 Theatre Company goes back in time to the 1885 Serbo-Bulgarian War for its production of George Bernard Shaw’s “Arms and the Man.” One of his satiric best, Shaw explores the hypocrisies of life, love and war.
Running Friday through March 22, the comedy features the Petkoff family. The young Bulgarian Raina Petkoff finds a fleeing Swiss mercenary hiding in her room much to the chagrin of her patriotic parents and her fiancé.
Directed by Becky Potter, the show features Jason Berner, Avery Burnap, Helen Kim, Addam Ledamyen, Kayla McConnell, John Mosa’ait, Samira Sheahan and Mitchel VanLadingham.
Shows take place at the Campbell Theater on 636 Ward St. in Martinez For tickets go to campbelltheater.com/arms-and-the-man.
And in Berkeley: Here’s a catchy title that arouses interest — “Pass the Nails and Shame the Devil,” an autobiographical play written and performed by Pearl Louise.
Running through April 18 at The Marsh Berkeley on 2061 Allston Way, the one-person show chronicles a young woman’s eye-opening journey from a Louisiana Bayou to an Oakland neighborhood in the heart of the crack epidemic.
Directed by David Ford and set in the 1980s, the play explores how a Black family forged stability and belonging in a new area strained by often violent pressures. Although set in such a troubled neighborhood, the piece shows how labor, humor and humanity can reveal the power of community and collective resilience.
For tickets, go to themarsh.org.
Reach Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com, and read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.