Celia from Shakespeare’s “As You Like It” has a very appropriate line for Cal Shakes’ current production running through Sunday at the Bruns Amphitheater in Orinda: “I like this place and willingly could waste my time in it.”
As could I!
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Set designer Nina Ball’s Forest of Arden with its enormous leaves and colorful shapes festooned in Russell H. Champa’s colorful lighting design adds to the wonder.
Director Elizabeth Carter leans heavily on the power of nature to heal and the ideal of a much more gender expansive world and it works beautifully.
Carter cast Catherine Castellanos in the duo role of Duke Frederick as well as his older sibling Duke Senior. The casting of one actor in both these parts is the norm, except Carter has transformed Duke Senior into a mother rather than father to Rosalind.
The superb cast includes Sofia Ahmad (Celia), Sam Jackson (Rosalind), Leontyne Mbele-Mbong (Oliver/Corin), Alicia M.P. Nelson (Phebe/Lord/Forest Lord), Jed Parsario (Silvius/Charles), Jessica Powell (Adam/Hymen/Sir Oliver), Stacy Ross (Jaques/Denis) Nic A. Sommerfeld (Amiens/Audrey/LeBeau), Chris Steele (Touchstone) and Wiley Naman Strasser (Orlando).
Sam Jackson (Rosalind) in the background with Chris Steele (Touchstone), left, and Sofia Ahmad (Celia) in a scene from Cal Shakes production of “As You Like It,” playing through Sept. 29 at the Bruns Amphitheater in Orinda. Photo by BlueGoo Photography / Cal Shakes
So many wonderful performances, but I’d be remiss if I didn’t mention Steele’s finely tuned Touchstone, who commands the stage whenever they appear, especially in his sparkling pink creation by costumer Maggie Whitaker. Also, Ross as Jaques delivers the most compelling “Seven Ages of Man” speech I’ve ever heard. While portraying Jaques’ cynicism and egotism, she creates a richer character full of thoughtful, intelligent remarks.
For tickets to this delightful show, call 510-548-9666 or go to calshakes.org/asyoulikeit.
Danville: Eugene O’Neill’s dark drama about the cursed Mannon family performs through Sunday at Tao House. If you have tickets, be sure and bring warm clothing as the night temperatures can be chilling.
“Mourning Becomes Electra” takes place at the end of the Civil War when Ezra Mannon (Josiah Polhemus) and his son Orin (Hans Probst) return home. Each has been affected deeply by the war with Ezra attempting to be a more open, loving spouse to his wife Christine (Cynthia Lagodzinski) instead of the cold, dispassionate man he had been. Orin, on the other hand, has lost his innocence and gentleness.
Ezra’s endeavor to be a better husband comes too late as Christine has fallen in love with Adam Brant (Woody Harper), a dashing ship’s captain. Brant, of course, has his own agenda, as does Ezra’s daughter Lavinia (Adrian Deane). Attempting to calm passions are Orin’s love interest Hazel (Heather Kellogg Baumann) and Lavinia’s suitor Peter (Brad Satterwhite).
The complicated story unwinds over three acts and approximately 3 1/2 hours with a body count that rivals the final scene of “Hamlet.”
Costumer Jeffry Hamby created gorgeous Victorian hoop skirts and director Eric Fraisher Hayes added welcome musical interludes from the townspeople (John Mannion, Megan Soledad and Marsha van Broek), who play multiple roles.
While all the performers do well, David Boyll, as family servant Seth, is especially effective.
“Mourning Becomes Electra” is part of the Eugene O’Neill Festival 2024. Some of the events continue through Oct. 16. Go to eugeneoneill.org for information.
Walnut Creek: Center Rep’s Artistic Director Matt Morrow kicked off his inaugural season with — in his words — a “Looney Tunes” version of “Arsenic and Old Lace.” He noted in the program that a queer interpretation of Joseph Kesselring’s 80-year-old comedy would give a new slant to the classic play. While this may be true, Morrow’s over-the-top production undermines his intentions.
He laudably cast two wonderful comedic actors — Michael Patrick Gaffney and Danny Scheie — as the two aunts who believe they are helping lonely, old men by poisoning them.
Unfortunately, Scheie as Abby shouts his lines most of the time. When he lowers his voice, his performance is much more successful, with Gaffney’s lower-key approach as Martha more effective.
The crazy comedy plays out against Yi-Chien Lee’s gorgeous Victoria set with Brooke Kesler’s colorful costumes adding to the fun.
“Arsenic and Old Lace” continues through Sunday at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center, 601 Civic Drive. Call 925-943-7469 or go to lesherartscenter.org.
S.F.: As we move towards the anniversary of the Jan. 6, 2021 storming of the U.S. Capitol, director Marilyn Langbehn once again presents “Running for My Life: 23 Women in Congress Recall the Capitol Riot.”
Conceived by Langbehn, the script features interviews with 23 Congresswomen published by “The 19th,” a nonprofit news organization, as they recall the horrors of that day when an angry mob smashed windows and ransacked offices in Washington, D.C.
Previously done via Zoom, this year’s live performance takes place Oct. 6 at 7 p.m. at Bayfront Theatre, 2 Marina Blvd., Bldg. B, Fort Mason, San Francisco.
I’ve been privileged to do the show each year playing Betty McCollum (D-MN).
Tickets are free with a suggested donation of $20 benefiting Rock the Vote. Go to eventbrite.com/e/running-for-my-life-registration-955987984797?aff=oddtdtcreator.
Reach Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com, and read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.