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Shotgun Players opened its 2024 season with an exuberant production of “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.” Running through April 21 on the Ashby Stage in Berkeley, the high-energy, romantic comedy incorporates all the entanglements and fairy antics you’ve come to expect in this Shakespearean favorite with director William Thomas Hodgson challenging traditional perceptions of some characters and offering fresh, new alternatives.
For instance, Hermia’s stressed-out parent, Egeus, is no longer a father but a widow desperately trying to control her free-thinking daughter, while Titania’s love interest Oberon is also a woman. Starveling, the tailor, won’t be found in this production — but have no fear, his fellow “players” pick up the slack and keep the comedy in high gear.
Erika Oba adds to this imaginative production with her original music, especially pleasing in the capable hands of the multi-talented players — Susannah Martin (Peter Quince), Kevin Rebultan (Flute), Matt Standley (Snug) and Oscar Woodrow Harper III (Bottom). Jamin Jollo as Puck adds his own musical abilities as well as physical dexterity to the production with effortless leaps from one steep platform to another.
The talented cast, most of whom play multiple roles, continues with Rolanda D. Bell (Helena), Devin A. Cunningham (who took over the role of Lysander a week before opening), Celeste Kamiya (Hermia), Fenner Merlick (Demitrius), Radhika Rao (Titania) and Veronica Renner (Oberon).
Madeline Berger created the colorful costumes with Sarah Phykitt designing the multi-level wooded glen festooned with colorful draperies and evocative lighting by Stephanie Anne Johnson.
For tickets, call 510-841-6500 or go to shotgunplayers.org.
Oakland: The world premiere of Amelio Garcia’s “Red Red Red,” playing April 26-May 19, continues a fascinating season for Oakland Theater Project.
According to Greek myth, Geryon is a triple-bodied, red-winged monster slayed by Hercules. In Garcia’s modern reimagining, Geryon is a young, broken-hearted boy known as Red, whose wings and appearance match his namesake.
“I’m really excited to work with Amelio Garcia. They are a premier playwright in America, and their body of work is really exciting to me,” said Director and OTP Co-Artistic Director William Hodgson. “I’m excited to continue a lineage that Anne Carson started with this translation of an antiquated queer story set in her reality and then reframing it for our reality in Oakland in 2024.”
Titled “Ghosts of Past, Present and Future,” OTP’s 2024 season hopes to find works that echo from the past into the present and illuminate the future. The company follows “Red Red Red” with “The Ghost of King” (June 6-23), “Angels in America, Parts I and II” (Sept. 27-Oct. 27), “Ghost Quartet” (Nov. 1-24) and a yet-to-be-announced production by Marcus Gardley (Dec. 6-22).
For more information, call 510-646-1126 or go to oaklandtheaterproject.org.
Martinez: There’s lots going on at the Campbell Theater these days, from drama to comedy to music and more.
If you’re up for murder, blackmail, jewel heists and kidnapping, join Spontaneous Mind improv for its latest episode of “Partners in Crime.” This one takes place Sunday at 2:30 p.m. at 636 Ward St. in Martinez.
Follow the exploits of two partners who rely on audience suggestions to help create their evolving characters and decide where the next investigation will lead them. As always, the “partners” will include a guest performer to help solve the crime or, at the very least, add to the confusion!
If music is your thing, try “The Lowell Ensemble & The Cecilia Ensemble” playing April 14 at 3 p.m. The combined group will play classical, folk and pop with proceeds going to the Food Bank of Contra Costa and Solano.
Writer, actress, stand-up comedian and voice-over talent Stacey Andrade brings her one-woman show “The Stacey Show” to the Campbell on April 20 at 4 p.m.
Plotline Theatre Company also returns to Martinez on May 3 with a production of Bill Davis’ “Mass Appeal.” Blending comedy with compassion, Davis explores the conflict between an older priest and an impassioned young seminarian who challenges everything.
For tickets to any of the above events, go to campbelltheater.com.
Richmond: The Masquers Playhouse has completely embraced all that is spring-like as it readies for its production of “Spring Awakening.” Based on an 1891 scandalous German play, the story of sexual awakening was turned into an alt-rock musical with a folk-infused rock score by Duncan Sheik (music) and Steven Sater (book and lyrics).
“Spring Awakening” runs April 12-May 5 at Masquers Playhouse, 105 Park Place, Pt. Richmond. Call 510-232-3888 or go to masquers.org.
Auditions: Calling all actors. Clayton Theatre Company auditions for its fall musical “9 to 5” at the end of this month. (April 29-30 from 7-10 p.m.) No appointment necessary. Bring a headshot and resume. Also prepare a two-minute monologue and 32 bars of a Broadway song. Rehearsals begin Aug. 26 with the show running Oct. 18-27.
Download the audition form and character breakdowns at claytontheatrecompany.com.
Reach Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com, and read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.