Does the older generation have something to teach the younger one? The answer according to playwright Bill C. Davis in his play “Mass Appeal” is a definite yes with the caveat that it is a two-way street.
With its premiere in 1980 since updated in 2021, “Mass Appeal” follows Father Tim Farley, pastor of a prosperous Catholic parish. It seems the good father’s love of all things enjoyable has led him to flatter and entertain his parishioners, telling them what they want to hear rather than what they need to hear.
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All that changes with the arrival of young seminarian Mark Dolson. Lacking diplomacy and tact, Dolson’s energetic attack on many church policies causes friction between Farley and his conservative bishop. Ultimately, however, Dolson’s enthusiastic blunders remind Farley of his own youthful mistakes. Together they both grow in wisdom as they deal with the challenges of their congregation’s spiritual needs.
Farley and Dolson are multifaceted characters in need of talented performers to bring out all their nuances. Fortunately, Plotline Theatre’s Randy Anger found the perfect combination in Jerry Motta (Father Tim Farley) and Jess Rodgers (Mark Dolson).
Under Anger’s astute direction, Motta and Rodgers discover the fragilities and strengths of their characters as their relationship grows, gaining insights into themselves along the way.
“Mass Appeal” continues through May 19 at the Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St., Martinez. Call 925-350-9770 or go to campbelltheater.com.
Studio retreat: The Eugene O’Neill Foundation at Tao House is taking registration for its 10-day studio retreat. Taking place June 19-30 at O’Neill’s former home in the Las Trampas hills above Danville, the retreat features a master class in acting and playwriting taught by theater professionals.
For more information, go to eugeneoneill.org.
Summer camp: Clayton Theatre Company is currently taking registrations for its Summer Stage 2024. The two-week camp for students 7 to 16 years of age focuses on musical theater training and preparation of excerpts from Disney and Broadway shows.
This year’s camp takes place July 8-19 and features “Snow White, a very modern tale” by Nicole Dial. Go to claytontheatrecompany.com/summer-stage for more information.
Oakland: There are still a couple of performances of Youth Musical Theater Company’s production of “Fun Home” available. Running through Sunday, the musical about a young girl coming to terms with her sexuality plays at The Malonga Casquelourd Center for the Arts, 1428 Alice St., Oakland.
Told by an adult Alison as she looks back on her life, the cast features Rachel Clausen as adult Alison, AC Campbell as medium Alison and Ozzie Schaffer as small Alison. Benjamin Russell and Jordan Best portray her parents.
Go to ymtcbayarea.org.
Berkeley: The challenging and not often seen “Cymbeline” is the current endeavor for Berkeley Shakespeare Company, with shows running Friday through May 26 at Live Oak Theater, 1301 Shattuck Ave., Berkeley.
Director Stuart Bousel promises a production as eccentric and compelling as the play itself.
Dubbing the show “Celtic romano punk drag,” Bousel said: “It has a rather haphazard story, an overabundance of ideas. Every production of the show must thus wrestle with whose story is being told, the tone in which to present it, and how to keep the audience engaged plot twist after plot twist.”
For tickets and more information, go to berkeleyshakes.org.
Also in Berkeley: Joyful Raven’s “Breed or Bust” continues through June 8 at The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way. The timely, thought-provoking solo show, written and performed by Raven, takes audiences on a subversive yet hilarious journey through female reproductive options.
Raven blends honest storytelling, stand-up comedy and dark humor as her character deals with her own “ticking clock.” The show has been described as a roller coaster of emotions as Raven’s magnetic stage presence takes audiences through a personal look at the pressures of making choices at various stages of a woman’s life.
Critically acclaimed at the Edinburgh Fringe Festival, “Breed or Bust” also received a Producer’s Encore Award at the Hollywood Fringe Festival.
Jael Weisman directs. For tickets, go to themarsh.org.
Oakland Hills: Woodminster Summer Musicals promises an entertaining season at its beautiful amphitheater in Joaquin Miller Park. Shows include “Guys and Dolls” (June 14-23), “Jersey Boys” (July 12-21) and “Sister Act” (Aug. 9-18).
For more information and tickets, call 510-531-9597 or go to woodminster.com.
S.F.: Philip Kan Gotanda’s “After the War Blues” plays Friday through Sunday at Z Space, 450 Florida St., San Francisco.
Known for bringing Asian American-themed work to the stage, Gotanda set “After the War Blues” in San Francisco’s Fillmore District in 1948. Here newly arrived African Americans and recently interned Japanese Americans vie for space in boarding houses and unemployment lines. The sounds of jazz and swing music set the backdrop for Gotanda’s post-war blues.
Directed by Patricia Miller, the performers are all students at City College of San Francisco’s Theatre Arts Department. Tickets are available at zspace.org/ccsf.
Reach Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com, and read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.