Hey, you! Yes, you! Have you been left feeling hollow and drained by the total inanity of social media? Have the pressures of modern life left you wishing for more connected, interpersonal forms of entertainment? Have you just been begging for the opportunity to watch people dressed as trolls sing to you live? If you answered yes to any of these questions, don’t touch that dial! Allow me to introduce live theater (insert raucous applause and cheering here)!
Ahem, sorry about that. Don’t know what came over me. While everyone knows Berkeley as a safe haven for progressive politics and innovative art, I believe no arena is better suited for both than live theater. Even though theater’s ability to explore complex topics in an approachable way remains unmatched, I feel that it’s slowly choked out by the priorities of modern life. It’s almost as if the allure of sitting in a poorly ventilated room with a hundred strangers just to watch some guy in makeup recite his lines on stage is somehow being lost in today’s age. Hopefully I’ll be able to convince you why theater matters, and why we should do what we can to support local theater in Berkeley.
Places, everyone! We’re running it from the top
Theater companies have been performing in Berkeley since 1957, and along the way they’ve explored everything from race, religion and the human experience to Charlie Brown, the history of the vibrator and “Urinetown, the Musical.” Prominent theater companies such as Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Shotgun Players and Berkeley Playhouse have kept the fire alive ever since, running parallel alongside the prestigious UC Berkeley theater, dance, and performance studies program and countless other local collectives. So many prominent actors and directors have gotten their starts here in Berkeley, with critically acclaimed Broadway shows such as American Idiot debuting here as well. All this to say: Berkeley theater is indispensable!
A big reason why many won’t interact with theater is the prohibitive cost. If you haven’t noticed, the price of living has increased a bit recently (who knows why), which makes it difficult to justify shelling out 30 dollars or more just to see a play. Thankfully, there are some programs in place that help provide cheap tickets to younger people, UC Berkeley students and more! Cal Performances offers 50% off single tickets to UC Berkeley students, alongside other great deals. Berkeley Rep Theatre offers half-price tickets for anyone under 35 for most shows, with other discounts for educators, Blue Star military members and UC Berkeley faculty and staff. Berkeley Playhouse offers a great deal for college students available at the door beginning 1 hour before a performance’s start time and Shotgun Players occasionally offers pay-what-you-can previews and package deals for those 25 and under. Careful weaponization of these deals is key for sustainable theater enjoyment in today’s economy.
That’s fine and all, but why should you care? After all, you already have access to infinite entertainment at a moment’s notice. Why should you go out of your way to see a play when it’s infinitely less convenient? Truth is, theater offers a lot that digital entertainment cannot replicate. By virtue of being in person and sharing the same physical space as performers, theater can foster an environment of empathy, emotional intelligence, reflection and transformation through real-world, human connections. This physicality allows the viewers to see through the character’s eyes in a deeply personal way, helping them understand the piece more intrinsically. Plus, having one more good reason to go out into the world and interact with others in person never hurts.
For the sake of argument, let’s say I just managed to somehow spark a newfound interest in you regarding theater and the performing arts. Now what? Well, you should find a show to watch! Sounds easy, but where to start? You must be so upset that there isn’t a nicely curated list that details local performances between now and December! If only I had thought of writing that out below, that would’ve been smart.
‘The Fall Show’ — Shotgun Players
“The Fall Show,” which runs from Sept. 25 through Nov. 1, is more of a surrealist experience than a play, exploring human relations told through movement and music. The experimental form gives it access to a wide variety of storytelling tools, including “music, visual imagery, theatrical stunts, humor, and pathos,” according to music critic Joshua Kosman. The show may be much more than its simple title implies, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely unapproachable; just make sure to adjust your expectations going in. As Lily Janiak writes for the San Francisco Chronicle, “If most plays are prose, ‘The Fall Show’ is a poem.”
Why you should care
First of all, this show is brand new! It’s always exciting to see a new show during its first run, and if this becomes the new hotness, you’ll be able to say you saw it before it was cool. “The Fall Show” exemplifies a specific flavor of Berkeley theater: it’s dense, striking, emotional and downright weird in the best way possible. This is the kind of entertainment that thrives live, so I hope you’ll prioritize seeing it while you can. By supporting experimental works such as “The Fall Show,” we can build momentum which will give more opportunities for other local Bay Area creative projects to be greenlit. Don’t forget that Thursdays and Sundays after the show, Shotgun Players hosts an organized conversation! Sometimes it’s fun to talk about a show you just watched, and this is a great opportunity to do that, even if you’re going alone. If you’re in the market for a fun fall-focused activity with a bit of a highbrow twist for something such as a date, perhaps, you won’t find much better than this!
‘Liberation’ — Berkeley Rep Theatre
Coming fresh off its acclaimed Broadway run, “Liberation” is a memory play exploring second-wave feminism, recollection and how social change ripples across generations. Running from Oct. 23 through Nov. 29, this play explores what the birthplace of a social revolution looks like and how the next generation will react to the messy, unresolved questions. “Liberation” provides a detailed view into such an environment, focusing on inheritance, social progress and a fight for understanding while tackling the central question: What does it mean for a woman to be free?
Why you should care
In today’s world, the option to watch a large-scale production focused on second-wave feminism and the women’s rights movement is a privilege that we shouldn’t take for granted. Stories such as this one will always be vital, but it’s especially important here and now. It’s up to us to show that the demand for important, nuanced stories such as “Liberation” is not diminishing. Even from a strictly theatrical perspective, there’s a lot to be impressed by. This show has some real star power, with powerhouse actresses such as Katie Lowes (from ABC’s “Scandal,” Netflix’s “Inventing Anna” and Broadway’s “Waitress”) and Mary Gordon Murray (who has starred in 10 Broadway productions including “Grease,” “Into the Woods,” and “Footloose,” culminating in a Tony nomination for her performance in “Little Me”). Whether you’re coming for the powerful social commentary or staying for the star acting talent, I promise you won’t be disappointed by “Liberation”!
‘Covenant’ — Berkeley Rep Theatre
Would you ever consider selling your soul? No? Are you sure? Well, let me know if you ever change your mind. “Covenant,” a Southern Gothic play running from Nov. 6 through Dec. 13, is all about a struggling musician who allegedly sells their soul in exchange for incredible musical talent. With supernatural elements and a slight horror focus, “Covenant” draws heavily from the real-life story of Robert Johnson, a famous blues musician accused of trading his soul to the devil to obtain his exemplary musical prowess. Working off this modern myth, “Covenant” shows how this demonic deal inevitably leads to secrets and gossip, which culminates in community pressure so severe it corrupts a family from the inside out.
Why you should care
This story has such a spooky vibe; it’s just perfect for Halloween! Why didn’t I think of this sooner? It’s got it all! Demons, insidious undertones, creeping distrust, the works! Not to mention, the scariest part of all is that it doesn’t open until six days after Halloween is already over! Spooky! In all seriousness, “Covenant” is far from a rudimentary horror show. Instead, it focuses on how a single occult event can warp a community in perpetuity while exploring the human desire to trade interpersonal relationships for fame and power. After all, maybe the scariest possibility is getting exactly what you want. This is a relatively new show being put through its paces on its way to becoming a classic, so I encourage you to check it out during its West Coast premiere. Keep in mind that while the theater does accept credit, debit and cash for the price of admission, it unfortunately isn’t accepting souls at this time.
Disney’s Frozen — Berkeley Playhouse
Based on the animated Disney movie of the same name, “Disney’s Frozen” is a midwinter musical running from Nov. 13 through Dec. 23. If you’re somehow unfamiliar with “Frozen,” then you’re in for a treat! This adventure follows a pair of sisters as they face magical powers, royal pressures, themselves and each other. Along the way, they’ll meet a talking snowman, a reindeer sidekick and those singing trolls I promised earlier. If you’re looking to attend a show with a younger theater enthusiast, then this is the one for you!
Why you should care
This show may not be as serious as the ones detailed above, but it’s equally important for one key reason: accessibility! If your experience of theater is limited to the movie variety, this show will function as a great bridge between the two. Even though “Disney’s Frozen” is more geared toward a fun, casual environment, I assure you it’s no less refined than the shows above. Not to mention, it’s a musical! Bonus points if you know the songs going in; just be careful not to sing out loud at the show. This show in particular is best experienced with others, so bring a friend! Or if you have a snow-cursed sister, bring her too! Make an event out of it. Bring somebody. Bring my sister, I don’t care.
Berkeley theater has always been important, but it’s up to us to keep it important. I want to encourage everyone to see a show this season because I believe they do a great job of conveying difficult topics and elevating important voices. It’s also a severely underrated fall and winter activity that could help you get out of the house during the colder months, and it’s made even better when you share it with the people you love! If you have any further questions, feel free to catch me awkwardly standing next to the concession stand after the show. Flowers are appreciated, but not required. Break a leg!