Known for his poetic writing in the film “The Color Purple” and such stage plays as “black odyssey” and “The House That Will Not Stand,” Marcus Gardley doesn’t disappoint in his latest endeavor “A Thousand Ships.” Gardley, an Oakland native, even named his characters after Oakland streets and neighborhoods.
Although a bit long and, at times, tricky to follow, Gardley’s newest work fills the Oakland Theater Project’s intimate space with lyrical words and rhythmic chanting, supported by a superb cast and director. Bassist Peter Barshay and pianist Molly Holm also enhance the production.
The story journeys from Oakland, on the eve of President Obama’s first election win in 2008, back in time to memories of 1944, 1945 and 1979.
Under the creative direction of OTP’s Co-Artistic Director Michael Socrates Moran, the nonlinear story follows the friendship of two Black women, Adeline (Halili Knox) and Laney (Dawn L. Troupe), who forge a friendship while working at the Oakland shipyards. In the present time of 2008, they struggle to hold on to ownership of their cherished beauty salon. Their generous donation to Laney’s son Mac (William Hartfield) for his nonprofit work with at-risk kids has depleted their savings. Now, the FBI wants a word with Mac and the friends may lose their salon.
Other characters include First Lady Bella Vista Montclair (Rolanda D. Bell), Laney’s police officer daughter Laurel (Sam Jackson), the First Lady’s very pregnant assistant Dimond (Jasmine Milan Williams) and Father of Water/Cypress Lake (Adrian Roberts). Acting as a spiritual guide/narrator, Roberts also plays Laney’s husband, Frick Shipley.
Water plays a central part in Randy Wong West’s set design and Gardley’s story. A large pond of sand with water in the middle and a wooden chair dominates the space with three beauty salon chairs surrounding the stage. The action comes right to the audience in this intimate space.
The water not only cleanses hair but also souls and serves as a reminder of the sea Africans crossed on their journey to slavery. The sand, which barefoot actors continually walk through, can be seen as representing lost African heritage in this often-mystical work.
Full of humor and poignancy, “A Thousand Ships” continues through Jan. 5 at FLAX art & design on 1501 Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Oakland. For tickets, call 510-646-1126 or go to oaklandtheaterproject.org.
Berkeley: Here’s a chance to hear about one man’s journey through the ins and outs of a theatrical and film career. Robert Townsend challenged Hollywood stereotypes with his satirical “The Hollywood Shuffle” in 1987, which launched his storied career and paved the way for Black cinema. He followed it with “Get Out” and “Black Panther.”
Now he brings his one-man show “Living the Shuffle” to The Marsh Berkeley on 2120 Allston Way, with performances Jan. 3 through Feb. 2.
Townsend takes the audience on a showbiz rollercoaster ride through his journey as an actor, writer, director and filmmaker — including landing a co-starring role opposite Denzel Washington in “A Soldier’s Story.”
For tickets to this edgy yet hilarious show, go to themarsh.org.
Also in Berkeley: Congratulations to Aurora Theatre Company. “Eureka Day,” developed in its new play program and premiered in Berkeley in 2018 has just opened on Broadway.
“We had commissioned Jonathan Spector to write a play about vaccinations and about the challenges of finding consensus in Berkeley,” wrote Aurora Artistic Director Josh Costello. “Six years later, it’s on Broadway and moving a national conversation forward with a story about our unique community.”
Back in Berkeley, Aurora’s 2025 shows feature Lloyd Suh’s “The Heart Sellers,” Lynn Nottage’s “Crumbs from the Table of Joy” and Jane Wagner’s “The Search for Signs of Intelligent Life in the Universe.” For more information, go to auroratheatre.org.
Danville: The Eugene O’Neill Foundation gives O’Neill lovers a chance to see his very first one-act play and his last one-act on the same stage Jan. 10-12 at the Museum of the San Ramon Valley on 205 Railroad Ave. in Danville.
Radically reimagined and directed by Eric Fraisher Hayes, O’Neill’s first one-act “A Wife for a Life” now includes the relationship between the burgeoning young playwright and his famous actor father James O’Neill. Sporting the title, “A Wife for a Life: A Backstage Story,” it imagines a dressing room argument over the nature of life and art and the need for truth and illusion between the father and son.
The cast includes Willem Long, John Mannion and Kyle Goldman.
O’Neill’s last play “Hughie,” directed by Cynthia Lagodzinski, will be presented as written. It features David Ghilardi and Kyle Goldman.
For tickets, go to eugeneoneill.org.
Lafayette: Follow the yellow brick road to Town Hall Theatre as it presents “Not That Gworl: A Trans Tale” Jan 4 at 8 p.m. An intimate exploration of B Noel’s journey as a Trans woman is told through the musicals “Wicked” and “The Wiz.”
For more information go to townhalltheatre.com/not-that-gworl.
Reach Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com, and read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.