The Orinda Starlight Village Players present their 43rd season this summer. Not a small feat given the number of theaters who have closed due to higher costs and almost non-existent grants.
The Starlight team of Jill Gelster, David Dierks and Matt Cardigan-Smith, however, have kept the community theater a bright light on the local theatrical landscape.
“We have been working to upgrade and improve nearly every aspect of the group,” said Cardigan-Smith. “We had a great season last year with innovative set design, stunning costumes and great performances, but this year will be even better.”
Keeping with their tradition of starting the season with a work by Agatha Christie, Starlight presents “The Murder of Roger Ackroyd” June 5 through July 3. Set in an English Village in 1926, the local gossips have lots of rumors to spread when the village’s most prominent resident is found murdered.
If you love trivia, come early June 13 and 27 at 8 p.m. for a trivia game hosted by two cast members that will test your knowledge of Agatha Christie.
Next up is Noel Coward’s “Present Laughter,” running July 24 through Aug. 15, followed by Malcolm Cowler’s adaptation of Bram Stoker’s classic horror novel “Dracula” Sept. 4-26.
Performances take place at Orinda Community Center Park’s amphitheater on 28 Orinda Way with evening performances at 8:30 p.m. and selected Sunday performances at 4 p.m. There is also one Thursday performance at 8 p.m. for each show.
A bonus this year is the holiday production of “A Christmas Carol: A One-Man Show” featuring Cardigan-Smith on Dec. 16-20 in Pleasant Hill.
For more information, go to orsvp.org.
Point Richmond: Two young classics professors discover a long-lost manuscript by Euripides that ensures their careers and fame throughout the world. That is until they lose it. In desperation, they call upon the gods of ancient Greece to help them find it and, surprise, the gods actually show up! Havoc reigns as the two screwball deities encounter college coeds, campus capers and much more.
Such is the premise of Ken Ludwig’s “The Gods of Comedy,” playing April 24 through May 17 at Masquers Playhouse on 105 Park Ave. in Point Richmond.
Ronnie Anderson directs with a cast featuring Melody Payne Alonzo, Jeffrey Biddle, Paul Bisesi, Liddy Freeman, Lisa Wang, Anna Wesner, Paul J. White and Jean-Paul Zuhur.
For tickets, call 510-232-4031 or go to masquers.org.
Berkeley: As part of its Champagne Staged Reading Series, Shotgun Players presents “Electra Becomes” April 20-22 at 8 p.m. The reading features Erin Mei-Ling Stuart (currently doing a fantastic job in “The Goat”) and Pangea. Chris Steele and Lana Richards direct. A $20 ticket includes a glass of champagne.
Go to shotgunplayers.org.
Also in Berkeley: Experience the talented vocals in “Korsa Unplugged,” a musical review that spans the breadth of the musical theater cannon. No set, no costumes, no distractions — just youthful voices singing in an intimate setting.
Performances run April 30, May 1-2 at 7:30 p.m. with a 2 p.m. concert also on May 2 at Live Oak Theater on 1301 Shattuck Ave. in Berkeley. For tickets, go to korsamt.org.
Pittburg and Martinez: Pittsburg Theatre Company’s production of “Driving Miss Daisy” continues at Steeltown Coffee & Tea through Sunday before moving to the Martinez Campbell Theater on May 28-30.
Set in the American South between 1948 and 1973, Alfred Uhry’s Pulitzer Prize-winning play tells of the fiercely independent Daisy (Sandy Wright), her dignified African American chauffeur Hoke (Kirk Waller) and her son Boolie (Michael Wilson).
Over the course of time a reluctant Daisy gradually warms toward Hoke as the two develop a strong friendship.
Dianna Schepers directs. For tickets to either location, go to pittsburgcommunitytheatre.org.
The group continues its season with “The Importance of Being Earnest” May 1-10 at the California Theatre on 351 Railroad Ave. in Pittsburg.
Antioch: The beautiful El Campanil Theatre on 602 W. 2nd St. begins its first spring residency with Grammy Award-winning violinist Mads Tolling.
Grammy Award-winning violinist Mads Tolling, left, and internationally celebrated Italian guitarist will appear at Antioch’s El Campanil Theatre May 3. (Photo courtesy of Mads Tolling)
Originally from Copenhagen, Tolling is now based in the Bay Area. With his innovative approach to the violin, Tolling has earned two Grammy Awards as his distinctive playing style creates layers of sound into orchestral experiences.
The violinist begins the residency Sunday at 3 p.m. with vocalist Nick Crossen, an American Idol alum, for a unique pairing of strings and songs.
The residency continues May 3 at 3 p.m. with internationally celebrated Italian guitarist Peppino D’Agostino joining Tolling on stage. The concert includes original compositions as well as interpretations of artists ranging from Django Reinhardt and Astor Piazzolla to The Beatles and Stevie Wonder. The concert also includes the local group Antioch Strolling Strings 2.0.
The June 7 concert features Tolling and Delta Blues guitarist Frankie G as they blend blues, jazz and contemporary influences into a night to remember.
For tickets, call 925-757-9500 or go to elcampaniltheatre.com.
Reach Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com, and read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.