While “9 to 5” doesn’t exactly define a typical work day anymore, it still refers to a very funny musical running at Clayton Theatre Oct. 18-27.
You may have seen the 1980 movie “9 to 5” starring Dolly Parton. That same story was reborn when Parton developed a musical version in 2008. She wrote all the music and lyrics herself with dialog adapted by Patricia Resnick. The musical was a hit garnering 15 Drama Desk awards and four Tony nominations.
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This story of friendship and revenge in the office place follows three women — an overworked office manager, a jilted wife and an objectified secretary. The three have finally had it with their sexist boss and plot their revenge. They kidnap him and make major changes at the office while he’s gone. But an unexpected visit from the company CEO threatens to bring their schemes crashing down.
Directed by Roxanne Pardi with choreography by La Tonya Watts and music direction by Jess Reyes, the large cast features James Bradley, Jr. as the boss Franklin Hart, Jr., plus Jeffrie Givens (Violet), Victoria Gregory (Judy Bernly) and Hillary Rogers (Doralee) as the trio of office workers determined to make him pay.
Get your tickets early for this rousing musical by calling 925-334-0880 or go to claytontheatrecompany.com. The show performs at Endeavor Hall, 6008 Center St., Clayton.
Berkeley: Traditional hymns, African American spirituals and more explode off the stage in Shotgun Players’ powerful production of “Choir Boy,” extended through Oct. 26.
Written by Tarell Alvin McCraney, the play with music brings to life the hopes, dreams and struggles of a group of young Black high school students living at Charles R. Drew Prep School for Boys.
Pharus is the slightly arrogant lead singer of the school’s renowned choir. He is also openly queer, something that goes against the school’s “don’t ask, don’t tell” policy. Pharus’ sexual identity also causes problems with other students, primarily the headmaster’s nephew Bobby.
McCraney weaves a complicated tale of young men dealing with family problems, school anxieties, Christian beliefs and their own ambitions and burgeoning sexuality as they move toward graduation.
“Choir Boy” features the fine acting talents and powerful a capella voices of Wesley Barker (AJ), Chachi Delgado (Junior), Brandon DiPaola (Ensemble), Miles Meckling (Bobby), Fred Pitts (Headmaster), Malcolm B. Rodgers (Mr. Pendleton), William Schmidt (fabulous voice as Pharus) and Omar Stewart (David).
Chachi Delgado (Junior), left, and Miles Meckling (Bobby) perform in the coming-of-age play with music “Choir Boy,” extended through Oct. 26 at Shotgun Players. Photo by Robbie Sweeny / Shotgun Players
Tightly directed by Darryl V. Jones, who also wrote one of the songs, the 1-hour, 50-minute (no intermission) show moves quickly with wonderfully rhythmically songs by music director Daniel Alley and robust choreography by Aejay Antonis Marquis.
Deanna L. Zibello designed a versatile set highlighted with arched columns and set pieces that move easily in and out of the space. The shower set is particularly well done.
For tickets, call 510-841-6500 ext. 303 or go to shotgunplayers.org.
Also in Berkeley: It’s the aging master against the arrogant upstart as Michelangelo and Leonardo da Vinci compete in an artistic rivalry arranged by Niccolo Machiavelli. Such is the vibrant competition presented by Center Works’ newest play “The Contest” running Oct. 19 through Nov. 17 at Berkeley City Club, 2315 Durant Ave.
Inspired by an actual event, the play unfolds at the height of the Italian Renaissance as each artist is assigned to paint a battle scene on one of two opposing walls in the Great Hall of the Republic with the people of Florence deciding which is the best.
Written and directed by Gary Graves, the show features Nathaniel Andalis, Alan Coyne and Christopher Herold.
“The rivalry between these two extraordinary artists represents something of a debate about the nature of art itself,” said Graves. “Machiavelli’s motive for engineering this singular contest is part of a larger story we’ve been working on at Central Works for many years. ‘The Contest’ is actually part three in a five-part cycle of plays under the larger title of ‘The Prince.’ We hope to present all five parts together at some point in the future.”
For tickets to “The Contest,” call 510-558-1381 or go to centralworks.org.
Alameda: Brian Copeland’s “The Great American Sh*t Show” plays for one night only — Saturday at 7 p.m. — at Altarena Theatre, 1409 High St. With strong political themes, the show runs for 90 minutes with no intermission.
Next up at the Altarena is Larissa FastHorse’s “The Thanksgiving Play.” The comedy cleverly shows how good intentions can go wrong when a troupe of misguided teaching artists tries to write and direct a socially responsible first Thanksgiving play without consulting Native Americans. The show runs Oct. 25-Nov. 24.
For tickets to either show, call 510-523-1553 or go to altarena.org.
Reach Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com, and read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.