A new musical adaptation of Ritesh Batra’s internationally acclaimed film “The Lunchbox” runs through June 28 at Berkeley Rep on 2025 Addison St.
Set in bustling Mumbai, a lunchbox delivery meant for one man finds its way to another, beginning an unlikely bond between a widower and a young wife.
The tale of love, yearning and new beginnings is directed by Tony Award-winner Rachel Chavkin with a sweeping score by Daniel and Patrick Lazour.
“I am so deeply moved by this show, which has a delicacy and depth of humanity I’ve almost never experienced in a musical,” said Chavkin. “And Ritesh Batra has somehow managed to amplify his already glorious film, maintaining its intimacy while opening it to even more emotionality and contemporary resonances.”
For tickets, call 510-647-2949 or go to berkeleyrep.org.
The Altarena Playhouse features Kelly Rinehart (Jessie), left, and Billie J. Simmons (Thelma) in Marsha Norman’s intense two-person play “‘nght, Mother,” running Friday through June 28 in Alameda. (Photo courtesy of Grizzly DeHaro)
Alameda: Marsha Norman spins a difficult tale in “’night, Mother” as she chronicles the complex relationship between mother and daughter.
Winner of the 1983 Pulitzer Prize for Drama as well as the Tony Award for Best Play, Norman’s two-person play tells of Thelma, a mother and widow, who lives with her daughter, Jessie.
Jessie begins the play by telling her mother she is going to take her life that night. While Thelma attempts to change her daughter’s mind, Jessie goes about putting everything in order so her mother can live in the house alone.
ShawnJ West directs the intense drama for the Altarena Playhouse featuring Billie J. Simmons as Thelma and Kelly Rinehart as Jessie.
The show runs Friday through June 28 at 1409 High St. in Alameda. For tickets, call 510-523-1553 or go to altarena.org.
Also: The Altarena will hold auditions for James Goldman’s “The Lion in Winter” on Saturday (1-4 p.m.) and Sunday (6-9 p.m.). The show performs Oct. 23 through Nov. 22.
Parts include King Henry II (50-55); French Princess Alais (20-25), Henry’s youngest son John (16-20), his middle son Geoffrey and oldest son Richard Lionheart (25-35) and Philip, King of France (20-25). The role of Eleanor of Aquitaine, Henry’s wife, has been cast.
For more information, go to altarena.org and click on “About.”
Walnut Creek: Center Rep raises the late spring temperature with Alanis Morrissette’s “Jagged Little Pill: The Musical” from Sunday through June 28. Inspired by one of the best-selling albums of all time, the Tony Award-winning musical charts the lives of Mary Jane Healy (Molly Bell) and her seemingly picture-perfect American family.
“I loved this album as a young adult in the ’90s, and I love it even more now that it has evolved into a big juicy musical that speaks so sensitively to our current moment,” said Center Rep Artistic Director Matt Morrow, who also directs this show. “I’m especially excited for the cross generational conversation this musical inspires between parents, grandparents and their kids. There is no better bonding agent than live theater.”
For tickets, call 925-943-7469 or go to lesherartscenter.org.
S.F.: With tongue firmly planted in cheek, as opposed to teeth in neck, SF Playhouse opened “Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really” at 450 Post St. in San Francisco.
Written by Kate Hamill in 2020, the play features a female Van Helsing who fights toe to toe with a male Dracula. The biting storyline unfortunately includes dated feminist dialogue that either needs to be updated or taken further into melodrama.
Yes, women did lose their independence and many rights when they married. I personally experienced much on that score during the late ’60s and early ’70s, but it doesn’t necessarily make for thrilling theater.
Between Hamill’s narrative and Bill English’s direction, this revenge fantasy never hit its potential as either hilarious farce or biting satire. The opening night audience, many dressed in Vampire attire, was ready to boo and cheer but found only a few opportunities to do so.
While Johnny Moreno’s Dracula brings the requisite charm and comedic timing, Susi Damilano as the cowboy-hat wearing and duster-attired Van Helsing needs a stronger presence. Although I must admit, her tip of the hat to the audience at the end is perfect.
Sharon Shao (Mina), Josh Schell (Dr. Seward) and James Aaron Oh (Jonathan) deftly maneuver between terror and comedy, with Stacy Ross (Renfield) stealing every scene she appears in — even the ones where she has no dialogue.
Production-wise the show totally delivers with Movement Director Bridgette Loriaux’s sensual moves and Fight Director Dave Maier’s beautifully choreographed and well executed action scenes. Jacquelyn Scott’s artfully designed set, Michael Palumbo’s excellent lighting, Kathleeen Qiu’s fun costumes and James Ard’s sound elements added greatly to the overall effect.
And, of course, what’s a Dracula play without a blood specialist? Kudos to Jacquelyn Scott for her ample coverage of vampires feasting on the sought-after liquid.
“Dracula: A Feminist Revenge Fantasy, Really” continues through June 27. Call 415-677-9596 or go to sfplayhouse.org.
Reach Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com, and read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.