{"id":250400,"date":"2026-04-03T18:38:09","date_gmt":"2026-04-03T18:38:09","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/250400\/"},"modified":"2026-04-03T18:38:09","modified_gmt":"2026-04-03T18:38:09","slug":"the-monsters-at-berkeley-rep","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/www.newsbeep.com\/us-ca\/250400\/","title":{"rendered":"THE MONSTERS at Berkeley Rep"},"content":{"rendered":"

\ud83c\udfad NEW! San Francisco Theatre Newsletter<\/p>\n

\n Get all the top news & discounts for San Francisco & beyond.\n <\/p>\n

Berkely Rep\u2019s co-production with La Jolla Playhouse of Ngozi Anywanu\u2019s The Monsters is a joyous, heartwarming story of the bond between sister and brother that will want to make you hug your sibling. Both emotionally devastating and rewarding, The Monsters is brilliantly written, superbly acted by Anyanwu and Bay Area\u2013born actor Sullivan Jones<\/a> (HBO\u2019s The Gilded Age, Slave Play on Broadway), and beautifully staged by Director Tamilla Woodard<\/a> and her technical crew.<\/p>\n

\ud83c\udfad NEW! San Francisco Theatre Newsletter<\/p>\n

\n Get all the top news & discounts for San Francisco & beyond.\n <\/p>\n

\"Review:
\nSullivan Jones<\/a> (Big). <\/p>\n

Big is an aging MMA fighter, a proud champion harboring deep resentments over his role as a monster, foisted on him since childhood where he had to fight off his alcoholic father and the many challengers of youthful braggadocio. Years ago, he abandoned his sister Lil, needing to find himself. Through his MMA career he became the monster, isolated and troubled.<\/p>\n

\"Review:
\nSulivan Jones (Big) and Ngozi Anyanwu<\/a> (Lil). <\/p>\n

Lil reappears, having watched her brother from the shadows. Now struggling herself with meager jobs and horrible living conditions, she desperately needs to connect. At first tentative, the siblings grow closer with Big finally training Lil to become a fighter herself. Through a series of flashbacks, Anyanwu\u2019s beautiful script lovingly portrays their deep bond. Born of the same violent father and different mothers, the half siblings live through the traumas of abandonment, domestic abuse, and the demons of childhood abuse.<\/p>\n

\"Review:
\nNgozi Anyanwu<\/a> (Lil). <\/p>\n

Woodard and Anyanwu use the fighting cage as a vehicle for reconnection, survival, and bonding. Both Big and Lil are \u201cstarving for everything.\u201d Her star is ascending, his ending. In a searing speech, Big decries being a monster- he\u2019s tired of carrying the mantle. Lil tells him she needed his monster when she was growing up and will now become a monster herself. He will have a new life of possibilities and so will Lil. It\u2019s a redemption story to melt the heart.<\/p>\n

\"Review:
\nSulivan Jones (Big) and Ngozi Anyanwu<\/a> (Lil). <\/p>\n

Anyanwu and Jones are put through a physical routine here that will blow your mind. Award-winning scenic designer Nina Ball, choreographer Adesola Osakalumi<\/a> and Mixed Martial Arts Consultant Sijara Eubanks provide the realism required of this piece. Blending humor with the drama, The Monsters is a winner in every sense.<\/p>\n

The Monsters continues through May 3rd. Tickets available at berkeleyrep.org<\/a> or by calling the box office at 510 647-2949.<\/p>\n

Photo credit: Kevin Berne<\/p>\n

Reader Reviews<\/p>\n

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