How Berkeley’s ‘Big 3’ theaters are getting creative during the lockdown
We spoke with Berkeley’s three largest, full-season theaters to find out how they are continuing to connect with their audiences and what their plans are for an altered future.
Shotgun Players
The Sit List: Five things to do while cloistered inside
Welcome to the second edition of the Sit List — great activities you can do while sitting on your couch, or even moving around, but all the while maintaining social distancing, naturally.
1
Berkeley businesses hit hard by the economics of social distancing
Theaters are selling fewer tickets, museums are seeing fewer visitors, and restaurants are seeing a significant drop in business.
Recent Stories
Local theaters ask: How can we be more welcoming and inclusive?
At a recent town hall convened by Aurora Theatre Company, the conversation touched on ways in which theater patrons have been victims of micro-aggressions and the best way to address those insults.
Bay Area Women’s Theatre Festival highlights gender parity, diversity, inclusion
Forty theater companies around the Bay Area are presenting works written and directed by women. Half of the performers are women or identify as women or are non-binary.
Provocative ‘Vinegar Tom’ in Berkeley is a must-see
Who but the audacious Shotgun Players would choose to produce Caryl Churchill’s musical play about 17th-century English witches as its end-of-year holiday spectacular? And what an outstanding choice it turned out to be.
‘Elevada’ — a romantic semi-sweet confection by Shotgun Players
A romantic comedy may be the perfect respite from today’s dismal news. And who better than playwright Sheila Callaghan to create this bright, upbeat, contemporary entertainment?
Shotgun Players’ brilliant ‘The Flick’ observes life in a movie theater
Three movie house employees bond as they reveal their innermost fears, insecurities, and hopes for what appear to be uncertain futures.
Formidable and intense: ‘Kill Move Paradise’ by the Shotgun Players
‘Kill Move Paradise,’ written by award-winning playwright and actor James Ijames, is a moving, emotional, must-see experience.
Money and politics in Washington is savagely assessed in ‘Kings’ by Shotgun Players
Sarah Burgess’ intelligent and tightly written dark comedy censures our all-American political fundraising process.
‘Far, Far Better Things’ in Berkeley is heartfelt and honest
Geetha Reddy’s new drama is the tale of two women of different socioeconomic strata whose lives interweave in a manner loosely inspired by Charles Dickens’ ‘A Tale of Two Cities.’
Imaginative ‘Kill the Debbie Downers’ by Shotgun Players explores Chekhov’s ‘3 Sisters’
Kill the Debbie Downers! is creatively set, the acting is first-rate, and the music is entertaining. Overall, however, the ideas behind the play don’t hold together cohesively.
