It’s big guitar solos and even bigger hair as Tri-Valley Theatre Company starts 2025 with “Rock of Ages.”
Set towards the end of the 1980s, the musical comedy features the hits of such bands as Night Ranger, REO Speedwagon, Pat Benatar, Twisted Sister and more.
Clubs along the fabled Sunset Strip are full of groupies and would-be rock stars as the musical begins. But the rock ’n’ roll fairy tale may be about to end as German developers sweep into town with plans to turn the fabled strip into just another strip mall. Sherrie, fresh off the bus from Kansas, and aspiring rock star Drew, along with others, try to save the strip.
Produced by Tri-Valley Theatre Company (formerly Tri-Valley Repertory Theatre), the musical runs Saturday though Jan. 26 at the Bankhead Theater on 2400 First St. in Livermore.
Directed by Ryan Lee with choreography by Jenny Hudson, the musical features Liam Cody (Stacee Jaxx), Kinsey Erin (Sherrie), Hayley Finetti (Regina), Robert Lopez (Dennis Dupree), Paul Plain (Hertz), Roberto Ruiz, Jr. (Franz) and Ben Stevens (Drew).
For tickets, call 925-373-6800 or go to livermorearts.org.
Oakley: Come to the cabaret my friends as Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble presents the provocative musical “Cabaret” Jan. 24 through Feb. 2 at Freedom High School Performing Arts Theater on 1050 Neroly Road.
Set in 1929-1930, John Kander and Fred Ebb’s musical chronicles the twilight of the Jazz Age in Berlin as the Nazis rise to power. The hedonistic nightlife at the seedy Kit Kat Klub becomes more and more desperate as everyone refuses to believe the atrocities occurring to the Jews.
The desperate characters give the impending war a personal touch in this powerful and insightful drama.
Mason Homer plays the American writer Clifford Bradshaw who falls in love with the mesmerizing cabaret singer Sally Bowles played by Meghan Hornbacher. The challenging role of the Emcee features Isaac Oleole with Heuin Coren as Herr Schultz and Martie Muldoon as the boarding house owner Fraulein Schneider.
For tickets, go to ghostlightte.org/cabaret.
Berkeley: The coming-of-age tale “The Thing About Jellyfish” kicks off the new year for Berkeley Repertory Theatre. The world premiere runs Jan. 31 through March 9 at Berkeley Rep’s Roda Theatre on 2025 Addison St.
Based on the novel by Ali Benjamin and adapted for stage by Keith Bunin, “The Thing About Jellyfish” follows 12-year-old Suzy during the final week of summer vacation. The young girl is struggling to deal with the tragic death of her best friend Franny.
Escaping to her imagination, Suzy journeys around the globe, seeks the ocean’s deepest realms and ponders distant, collapsed stars.
“Ali Benjamin’s astonishing novel is a story about the most essential of human experiences — love, loss and how to embrace the greatest mysteries of the universe,” said Director Tyne Rafaeli. “Through the eyes of the singular Suzy Swanson, we are taken on a journey that allows us all to reflect on the extraordinary gift of being alive. The material invites visual storytelling rarely seen in plays that takes the audience from the depth of the ocean to the far reaches of space and many places in between including the wild and treacherous terrain of middle school.”
“The Thing About Jellyfish” features Matilda Lawler (HBO’s “Station Eleven” and “The Gilded Age” as well as “The Ferryman” on Broadway) in the role of Suzy.
For tickets, call 510-647-2949 or go to berkeleyrep.org.
Oakland: Aretha Franklin fans have a treat in store as Living Jazz in partnership with SFJazz presents the 21st annual “In the Name of Love: MLK Tribute.”
The celebration of MLK’s legacy takes place Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. at Oakland’s historic Paramount Theatre on 2025 Broadway. With the concert scheduled for the same weekend as the Presidential Inauguration, organizers hope the concert delivers a message of unity through the iconic music of Aretha Franklin.
The evening features a diverse display of talent from America’s Got Talent to Alonzo King Lines Ballet to several Emmy- and ASCAP-winning artists, as well as Oakland Interfaith Gospel Choir and the SFJAZZ High School All-Stars. For a complete listing of the diverse talent appearing at the concert and for tickets, go to livingjazz.org/mlk-tribute.
Castro Valley: Plethos Productions invites you to a night of celebration with plenty of games, prizes and karaoke as it hosts its 8th Annual Season Announcement Soiree and Fammy Awards ceremony. It all takes place Jan. 18 at 7 p.m. at JP’s Restaurant and Bar on 3600 Castro Valley Blvd.
Attendees will be the first to hear about Plethos’ 2025 lineup from mainstage and comedy shows to special events, auditions and more, plus an exclusive offer on season subscriptions.
And then there are the Fammy Awards, given to five standout cast and crew members from the 2024 season. These accolades bring their own theatrical drama complete with teary acceptance speeches. Seating is limited, so don’t delay. Go to plethos.org.
Reach Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com, and read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.