Berkeley Repertory Theatre

Nice establishment and they validate parking for a very close and safe parking garage. The cookies were delicious but I did have a hair in my chocolate chip cookie. All good, it happens. The show was excellent. Very talented cast. We saw The Thing About Jellyfish. Great show. I would recommend it for everyone.

Excellent show in a well located theater in Berkeley! Saw W. Kamau Bell and loved spending an evening listening to an educated, thoughtful political social critic.

Went to see 'Here there are Blueberries' and a year ago, 'Galileo' . Both productions were exceptional and really liked that they had discussion group afterwards. The theater is comfortable and they have a nice courtyard to sip a tasty beverage- highly recommend.

They often have really great shows. Some of the best theater I've seen has been here. Sometimes there are misses, but even so, the production value is always to die for.

Always puts on a fantastic and thought-provoking show. A true pillar of the Bay Area theater scene with world-class productions

Cute little theater with great ambiance. The play was really well done and I was impressed by the effects as well as use of different media (props, lights, etc), especially for such a small stage! I saw the Far Country and it reminded me of my college trip to Angel Island and the history there. I don't want to go into too many details, but it was really intense, in a great way! I hope everyone comes away with a different viewpoint. I could smell the coffee a soon as I walked in! The snack bar was small and the courtyard had headrests and benches with space to walk around.

The facility is fantastic and the performance and production values are top notch. But the current production of "Swept Away" features a paper-thin plot devoid of drama or emotion, which is especially perplexing since it is loosely based on a true story that is filled with more than its share of drama and twists and turns. It is still quite enjoyable in a 'listening to an Avett Brothers cover band' type of way but could/ should have been so much more.

This event was amazing! The play was great! All the singing was top notch. My Mother’s Day gift ⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️⭐️

Always puts on a fantastic and thought-provoking show. A true pillar of the Bay Area theater scene with world-class productions

World Class theater right here in the East Bay. I am a former theater PR guy and have seen many hundreds of plays. I've long held the Rep in very high regard, and since retiring have been an avid subscriber and supporter. Amazing plays, brilliant acting, impressively staged. Can I give them ten stars???

REVIEW: "Galileo: A Rock Musical" at the Roda Theatre on June 8, 2024. Until this past weekend, I didn't realize I had not been to Berkeley Rep in nearly twenty years when I saw Rita Moreno's stirring turn as Amanda Wingfield in "The Glass Menagerie". It's still a really well constructed facility, especially the 600-seat Roda Theatre. This time I was motivated to see the brand new musical about Galileo because it stars one of my favorite Broadway performers, Raul Esparza. In my opinion, he was the definitive Bobby in the 2006 Broadway revival of Sondheim's "Company" (review: https://yelp.to/ks7d5rzNC3), so I was thrilled to read that he was playing the title role. I convinced Jamie W. to come with me this past Saturday, and happily, Esparza was in top form playing Galileo as an obstreperous visionary. His powerful voice has not diminished over the years, and he inhabited the character with passionate brio. Although visually arresting, the Broadway-bound musical itself still needs a bit of work. The book by Danny Strong worked well in tracing the challenges Galileo faced in presenting his scientific findings against the omnipotence of the Catholic Church in the early 17th century. The "rock" music, however, often felt asynchronous with the setting as it sounded like a mash-up of "Rent" and a rap-free "Hamilton". The power ballad-heavy score by Michael Weiner and Zoe Sarna presented a few genuine highs like "Heaven's Changing" when Galileo discovered the telescope, but there were songs that should be jettisoned like the showy rocker "Two Sides". The repetitive chorus "Louder and Louder" really got on my nerves. There wasn't really a standout number in the entire show because it felt more like an opera than a musical. Beyond Esparza, there were a couple of vocal standouts. Jeremy Kushnier carried the show's biggest character arc as Galileo's initial ally, Bishop Barbarini, who becomes Pope in record time. The other was Madalynn Mathews as Galileo's feisty daughter Virginia who becomes a nun. Both deliver powerful numbers. Less impressive was the often clunky choreography and the uncertain ending with no big finish. I should mention this was the first time we took advantage of the seating in the bar lounge before the show. Cocktails were not overly pricy though most of the choices came prepackaged in cans. By the way, similar to most theatres, there were never enough restrooms, especially during intermission. Jamie discovered the second restroom beyond the terrace but a little too late. Second row orchestra seats cost $93. RELATED - Exploring Berkeley? Here's my collection of places I've patronized and reviewed: https://bit.ly/2CbVh8u

Today Nina treated me to "The Thing About Jellyfish". It was my Chanukah present and I loved it, as did she. It was marvelous, almost two hours w/o intermission; I was never bored or restless. In some ways it reminded me of "Arcadia", by Tom Stoppard, in that it was intellectually stimulating while also being emotionally engaging. I love plays like that! The staging was absolutely magical, w/ changing projections, etc. I won't give you any plot details because I don't want to spoil any surprises. I encourage you to see it and let the play unfold for you. The cast was wonderful and everything worked well together. II was incredibly magical and imaginative. If you love theatre you will love this.

They always have high quality plays. I personally appreciate they still have certain days that are"mask" days. The attendants are always helpful, professionals. Only area of concern... they are pricey. I'm a past season ticket holder and always found their play selections entertaining and insightful. Has to start being more selective because the prices are just too high.

The prices are reasonable for most tickets. The shows are great and there is a variety of shows over the season. It's difficult to get around if you can't do stairs easily. While the bathrooms are non gender specific, there is only the one set and intermission isn't quite long enough to get everyone from upstairs into the bathroom and out because of all of the stairs and only a small elevator on the opposite side of the building from the bathrooms. People with walkers were having the most trouble.

This was my first time at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre, and I'm new to theater and Broadway. My boyfriend loves musicals, so I've been going to more shows and discovering new theaters. I've visited larger venues like the Orpheum Theatre, but Berkeley Rep felt different--warm and inviting, like a cozy family gathering where you feel close to the play. I highly recommend it! Plus, the show we saw, *Mexodus*, was amazing!

We just saw Galileo there and it was as good as any Broadway production! Don't miss this one!

Really nice venue, with lots of restrooms. I like the size of the venue. We had row M seats on the first level and felt like we had a really good view of the performance. We attended last night's performance of Galileo and were really impressed with the caliber of talent they were able to get to perform and direct the show. We will definitely be checking out other shows. It is also really convenient that it is a few minutes walk to the Downtown Berkeley BART station, which makes it much easier for us coming from the Peninsula.

Unfortunately we had a very unpleasant incident tonight. We got tickets through a third party that didn't disclose that masks were required for tonight's performance. We were a party of 6 , and one of the patrons couldn't wear a mask for health reasons ( asthma and allergies during spring time ), albeit trying to comply, but not without expressing his dissatisfaction. We were asked to leave despite wearing masks, as the management " couldn't trust that patron would keep it on during the performance. Even after he left, The whole party were sadly KICKED out of the play, promising a reimbursement but not delivering at the time, including the 3 who are healthcare workers and had no objections to wearing a mask. ( did it for 4 years , what's another night ) Waiting to hear if they will refund us or worst case, offer to rebook for another date when masks aren't required. Disappointing customer service that leave me not want to come back to the venue.

Wednesday matinees are my go-to for this theatre. I love that there is not a bad seat in the house. I usually am able to score a close range seating so I find it an enjoyable experience.

The best theater in the Bay Area in my opinion! I've seen everything from their season thus-far and each play has been well written, acted, directed and designed. I am always excited to see what they will do next and make a point not to miss a show. Even if you're not a regular theater patron, I highly recommend seeing something here. Some of the most entertaining and enriching theater I've seen.

Amazing play @ Roda Theatre of Berkeley Rep- The thing About Jellyfish- saw last night. SPECTACULAR!!! GO. JUST GO!! It's beyond any performance we've seen in awhile. Just AWESOME

This is mainly a review of the Cambodian Rock Band. My cousin told me about his friend seeing this show a week prior and how they recommended it to us. We impromptu bought the tickets ($30 under 30 years old and $60 for those over) a couple of days before the show for ourselves and my dad, a Khmer Rouge survivor, and it was well worth it. Initially, I was under the impression this was only a concert. Instead, it was a heartfelt, entertaining play that puts you on a roller-coaster of emotions. The story is set in 2008 Cambodia as you follow a 26-year-old Cambodian American's journey and her relation to Comrade Duch. You are immersed in energetic music, tragic history, and outstanding storytelling. Masks- They do require masks and provide any if you didn't bring them. I saw that they required vaccination proof but didn't check when we arrived. Parking- The parking structure is conveniently located across the street. You can pay at the pay station or on your way out. It was $9 for a weekday night.

I really enjoyed my experience at this theater. The play was done so well and I loved the sets. My husband and I thought the actors were so great. I really want to see more plays here and explore the local area more. I will absolutely return.

I saw Octet (Friends of Saul) here Friday and it exceeded every expectation. The Peets theatre is midsized and comfortable with top notch audio and visuals. The production was so good with such a powerful message that I was saddened that it wasn't a full house. The cast of eight (obviously) were all phenomenal. I almost never feel that. They complemented each other's voices and characters perfectly. As we were entering the theatre there was an optional "secret" entrance which of course I was all over. I'm really glad I did! If you get the chance, take the risk. I'm actually considering going back to take others. If it works, you'll come away reconsidering your relationship with screens and other people in this modern world. We're all in there to some extent... I highly recommend this play and theater!

Finishing off the draft reviews Yelp is nagging me about, I like Berkeley Rep and have seen many plays here over the years. I've found the quality of the productions uneven and haven't gone lately. Parking is terrible, of course. There are many pre and post theatre dining opportunities.

I've seen a great show here and a not-so-great show. They have two theaters. The larger one has comfortable seating with good legroom. The smaller one is cramped with the seats way too close together. I had to sit forward in my seat to not smash into the people next to me. I left a hoodie there and emailed the next day with no response. I traveled back to LA and called them. The box office said they had the hoodie. She said that they wouldn't arrange for it to be sent back. I offered to pay for shipping and she referred me to the main office. And they never called me to discuss it. That's piss poor customer service. Do better Berkeley.

I will be reviewing my experience at the venue, not the show. I have been to this theater 3 times. 2 times before Covid and 1 time just recently to watch Clyde. I love the location and the general set up of this theater and the performances are well funded. Let me start with this, time of writing this, it is march of 2023. It's been 3 years since the first lock down due to Covid. It's been over 2 years since it was lifted. There is evidence of Covid still around, but movie theaters and pretty much everywhere else does not require masks anymore, they are optional. If you are high risk and immune deficient it is suggested you stay home and/or limit your exposure. This theater masks are mandatory inside and during the play though 95% of people took them off when immediately outside and in very close proximity. If you were actually concerned for the health of your patrons why was the drink area self serve? Seems very counterintuitive. Appeared to be lazy and zero effort from staff working it. In that same area, other staff were power tripping and rude regarding masks like it was April of 2020 as if everyone was at risk. Due to this, I will not be coming to shows until these strict Covid guidelines are lifted, many others seemed conflicted as well. This is a great theater but those running it love the dystopian control that everyone else is trying to move on from... Move on people, this is not a sustainable life instilling fear. Allow recordings of the plays for those that are high risk, don't force all other patrons to wear a mask if they do not want/need it.

Beautiful theater, I just wished that there were more options... it is a repertory house after all. I hope there is more music and a variety of play sin the coming years... I watched so many amazing shows here. They need to book more great talent! Looking forward.

The shows here are broadway quality, I've enjoyed every show I've seen here so far. Angels in America and goddess. The box office staff are professional and friendly. Great theater all around

Berkeley Rep is unhelpful and unaccommodating. My friend got sick the morning of a show, so we asked the ticket office if we could exchange the tickets for another day (there was plenty of availability). They said that they could only do that for subscribers. I don't see why being a subscriber has anything to do with being able to make an exchange. I suppose if you're not a subscriber, they'd prefer that you either (1) have the ticket go to waste, or (2) attend the show and risk infecting other members of the audience (including the subscribers for whom they would make this accommodation). Disappointing because we were really looking forward to this show, and Berkeley Rep expressed that they're able to help but are unwilling.

Watched Willy Wonka with baby nephew on NYE here! They served up yummy bites and healthy snacks. Drinks were offered on the side as well as wine and beer! Yes! Great and entertaining performance as well as dancing right after the show! Good deal! I got "won"luntold on winning additional tickets with baby night! It was raffle tickets draw and a surprise! I think I owe it to these Harry Potter Chosen socks that I wore to the event that night! Lucky, magical socks that suits the magical evening! I had a wonderful time here and look forward for more happening events at this theatre in the near future!

Great experience seeing CAMBODIAN ROCK BAND! A special shout out to the house manager for the 2/26 matinee. She did a great job making sure everyone had a great theatre experience.

My first time here recently with a group of friends to see "Ain't too Proud" which is excellent! Loved the show, love the theatre! When you purchase tickets, you have the option of buying parking for $5 (3 hours before the show and 1 hour after show is included) at the Allston Way Garage! It really saved time and not have to look for parking when you know you have a parking spot. We parked at the garage and went to restaurant nearby for dinner before the show. The Berkeley Rep is beautiful and it is an intimate theatre and the only con is that the rows are no middle aisles so in order for you to get your seat, you have to climb over everyone unless you are on the sides. Last night was an extremely warm and humid night so we were thankful that the theatre is air-conditioned! During the intermission, we went over to the bar to have some liquid refreshments and the prices for drinks and snacks are reasonable. We each had a ginger ale and it was refreshing. There's a seating area in the bar and it was very comfortable and the restrooms are close by.

Show was great! But, we're visiting, not local, so traffic, UBER driver who wasn't exactly sure of where to go, etc, we arrived 5 minutes late- understood that we lost our premium seats and had seats way in back - but staff comments like "Next time don't be late" was unnecessary and kind of made the whole, expensive evening less than perfect.

Not sure if this is the correct place to leave reviews for the acting classes, but I'll give it a go! This fall (Sept-Nov 2023) I took Beginning Acting with Bobby August, Jr. I cannot recommend it highly enough. I've been in acting and improvisation as a hobby on/off for ~20 years. Easily, the success of these classes rises and falls 98% on the quality of the teaching, and Bobby was terrific -- the perfect combination of supportive, challenging, educational, and fun. Thank you!

What an adorable theatre!! Charming, modern, and the perfect venue for a show. My family and I recently watched Monsoon Wedding here and it was a wonderful experience. The staff were welcoming, the space is modern and easy to navigate and parking is just down the street (3 blocks away-- they may give you a lower rate on slower days, we only paid a flat rate of $8). Within the theatre there's a Peet's Coffee with plenty of beer, wine, and cocktails... in addition to coffee! I opted to combine the two and I had the Peet's Coffee with Bailey's, yum! They also have snacks (cheese platters etc) that you can pre-order for intermission. There were a couple other small beer/wine vendors on the other side of the theatre and upstairs ensuring that the lines wouldn't get too long. Speaking of lines, I will say the will-call was quite long-- there are two windows for the beginning and end of the alphabet. For some reason, the end of the alphabet line was much longer than the other... but the lines did move relatively quickly. There was also quite a rush and line for the bathrooms at intermission. There were two shows going on-- and probably due to poor planning, both shows had intermission at the same exact time!! Well this was the perfect storm for extremely long lines for the bathroom and food/drink. Just know, there are TWO bathrooms, so I'd try both out and see which has the shorter line during your intermission. The theatre itself it intimate, yet moderate in size. It seems like almost all seats would have a great view of the stage! It was an enjoyable experience and the temperature in the theatre is comfortable, maybe just bring a light sweater or jacket. I do definitely want to mention there were a couple subtle yet memorable touches around the theatre that added to the charm and atmosphere-- to start, there were marigold flowers everywhere (on theme for Monsoon Wedding), the bathroom stalls had information about Indian wedding traditions, and there even was a photo booth (for free!) where we could take photos with fun props and the photo was sent to our email. Overall, both the show AND the theatre were great in my opinion!! Definitely a cute, fun venue to check out the next best show visiting Berkeley!

This theater has some of the most progressive, moving, and innovative shows I have ever seen. I am lucky and happy to say I have been here several times and have enjoyed most of the shows. I first attended the Berkeley Rep at least 10 years ago for Greenday's musical American Idiot's debut. I was so impressed by the set design and production. Great sound system, and even though I was in the nosebleed section, it was easy to see everything and have a great experience. The 2nd time, I was very excited to see Frances Macdormand play lady Macbeth in Shakespeare's Macbeth. So... I've discovered I'm not the biggest fan of Shakespeare's dramas... love his romantic comedies, but I could just not grasp all of his elaborate language, or we were just so far I couldn't see enough of their facial expressions to keep me engaged... I don't know, but this wasn't the best experience here. But, this was just a matter of personal preference. My 3rd time here was more recent. As an elite Yelper, I got to see Paradise Square in amazing seats. It was such a great experience. Wonderful actors and lively music and dancing. The dancing was amazing! The fourth time I recently say John Leguizamo's Kiss My Aztec opening night with John Leguizamo there, and I got to meet him after! I'm pretty good at spotting people based on looks, face, and/or voice. I immediately spotted him in the audience as the show started, then tracked him down after the show to share my thoughts! Thanks to Yelp, we again had amazing seats and a wonderful pre-show experience with the choreographers.

Quick take: Live theater! We were lucky enough to attend the world VIP premiere night for Paradise Square at the Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Thank you to Yelp and Berkeley Represent for a wonderful night at the theatre! The cast and crew came out to our pre-show reception and said a few words. This production took six years to put together. Such a treat to be here on premiere night. The acting, costumes, dancing, music and singing were phenomenal. There is nothing like live theater. Great story line. Really appreciated the art and interpretation of the Civil War era in Manhattan, New York. Our seats were located in the orchestra section right in the middle. Lighting and music were so well prepared. This did not seem like the very first show at all. Very well choreographed and the performance was really good. We had a great date night! Also, the Berkeley Repertory Theatre is on the same block as the Downtown Berkeley BART station. AC transit is a block away. There is also a parking garage across the street. Great location. I signed up for e-mails regarding future shows.

Amazing venue. Very clean with adequate, helpful staff. Saw the incredible musical Swept Away here, and hope to be back. There is a parking garage across the street that's relatively close.

What a wonderful organization! My daughter started to get shy and self conscious during covid so I enrolled her in a theater class from home and she went from hiding from the camera at the beginning to confidently saying her lines at the end. Theater class at home was worth every penny, we are looking forward to winter classes!

Berkeley REP has a well stated Covid Policy. Everyone must show proof of vaccine and boosters, and everyone must wear a mask in the theater. It's a great policy, but not enforced. Last night we went to see a fabulous show, but while waiting in line to get our vaccination status checked, a woman in front of us had not brought her proof, even though it is stated clearly that she would not be allowed in without it. The checker, however, said she could come in without proof, since the friend with her could "vouch" for her. How many others came in this way? Was I exposed because the policy was not followed? When we complained to one of the gatekeepers, she said "This is my last night here. What do you want me to do?" Do we wonder why Covid is not going away?

Went to see POTUS, worst play I've ever seen, complete trash. Sophomoric crude jokes, pandering to the audience for empty laughs, no worthwhile message of any kind. Some of the acting was good, but the script and production was worse than the silliest stupidest TV sitcom. Have enjoyed shows in the past at Berkeley Rep, but won't be going back for quite a while. Tickets outrageously expensive given the quality of the show, left at intermission to no longer be subjected to the drivel.

I thought the venue was great. The seats are close to the stage... Doesn't look like there is a bad seat in the house. I love thy you can bring wine and beer into the theater. How civilized. The courtyard is nice and pleasant and they serve love at first bite cupcakes! We saw American idiot. It was fantastic! The acoustics were awesome. I will definitely go back.

Berkeley Repertory Theater is the Bay Area's best kept theater secret! We just went and spent an unforgettable day-long event seeing Angels in America. 8 Hours.... It was fantastic! But, hey, it saved us all that airfare to NYC this time. This is the second time that we have gone to a renowned and traditional Broadway show that was modernized and greatly enhanced with technical and digital effects! No less than amazing. These special effects were so well integrated into the story that they took nothing away from the traditional aspects of the show. This includes the Shakespearian shows, too. As for the venue, it is like one of the older-world New York Broadway theaters, in that it is large enough to give everyone a chance to get a seat to see the show, and intimate enough for everyone to be able to actually see the show, and all the facial expressions therein. This building is modern and comfortable, yet charming. We love the courtyard for intermission. Now, I don't want much more competition for good seats, so I'm telling you.... but keep it under your hat. This place is great! Go see something, support their program. Experience their venue. And dine nearby. San Francisco's Broadway theaters are in the tenderloin, this is soooo much nicer, and far less effort. This is professional level theater, at local prices. When you buy tickets ... get the parking deal! The trick is to get there early, and leave after some of the post-show traffic thins out of the garage. It's right across the street. In the meantime, get some dinner up on the avenue. Lotsa great choices!

Paradise Square! We were lucky enough to be invited by Yelp to view the premiere of this new musical, and it was amazing! A must see for sure! I love the art direction, it was beautiful with the revolving set. I also enjoy their choreography. They wanted to make a musical that make you feel what the characters would feel during the historical moment and you really feel for them, their joy and their struggle and their dilemmas. Paradise Square is about a historical neighborhood called Five Points in NYC, set in 1863. It's about a moment in history where there was a interracial neighborhood and whether or not their relationship will last with the Civil Draft? I think my favorite character is the Aunt, Gentle Annie O'Brien, Madeline Trumble was great, she was funny and I felt her love for her nephew, her husband and how much she cares. I find the character of the historical musician Stephen Foster very interesting. What would you have done in his situation? I like that the play makes you think and care and consider how it must have been. Overall, a great play, and Berkeley Rep is always a great place to go to see plays, I'm glad Paradise Square chose it. I would recommend it to anyone who enjoys plays.

I love Berkeley Rep and have been a subscriber for many years. This is a review of DANA H.--which I saw recently. I can only hope viewers will read my unusual take on this dramatization of a 'real life' story--****but only if they have already seen it***please read no further until you see it!!--then return to this review after doing so. Firstly, there is an important clue when the actress begins her lip-synching of a recording of this 'true incident' that occurred some 15 years prior. Dana tells us her memory is sketchy, that memory has been 'a problem'. For a moment, I thought she had early onset Alzheimer's. But she goes forward and tells her harrowing tale...toward the end there's an interesting scene switch to a 'maid' taking care of the motel room of which Dana tells her tale...(and Dana is now offstage) during that scene there's an interplay of account recordings, flashing lights, changing colors...light switches going on and off, this was no minor detail to me--it was a sign--at least to me-that 'reality' itself is in question.That perhaps, Dana is not all there--despite her sincerity in the telling of the tale--the 'true tale' of her experience. We then get back to Dana completing her story and then talking about how she worked on a construction site for two years before she was able to continue her hospice work as a spiritual counselor, Fine. But I left the theater not exactly falling for the blow by blow--'truth telling' of this tale. In fact, I was left with much ambiguity--which makes for great theater. Is the dramatist and son, Lucas Hnath, pulling our collective proverbial leg? I believe so. And so did some others I spoke with when the play was over. Here's the catch: Dana believes it all happened. Does not make it so. If you are set to see this remarkable work, pay very close attention.Years from now, I see Mr Hnath coming clean and telling the real truth of this 'real life' drama. Probably once his aging mother has passed.

Always a joy to attend a unique performance at Berkeley Rep. Thanks for having great refreshment, reservations for intermission snacks and lots of restroom stalls, not to mention a wonderful patio to hang out in.

With the exception of Goddess, which was great, the shows this seaon have felt like ordeals. Not confident about subscribing next season.

POTUS. unfortunately a bad sound system, rapid fire unintelligible dialog and this particular play was a waste of time.

First rate theater in a medium-sized venue in the heart of Berkeley. We've created an account because we plan to be back many times. Good seats, can't image a bad seat in the house. Ashland, New York, London, Berkeley Rep. - all in that top tier of quality productions, excellent actors, thoughtful and progressive material. You will be glad to went.

I loved my experience here watching "What the Constitution Means to Me." It's sort of this one woman show where she walks the audience through the four generation of women in her family and the impact of the Constitution on her venue is great and spacious with ample seating. It was tremendously thought-provoking, which is what theater should strive to be. I am grateful that this theater put on this show, and I could tell they're a very high-quality theater. Great seating, good venue, and you can get drinks and snacks right before the show at their bar! Quite a wide liquor selection :)

Ranging from Molière's comedy "A Doctor in Spite of Himself" - which I count as 1 of my top-faves, to the dark comedy "Wild Bride" - which counts as 1 of my top non-faves, to all the dramas & musicals in between, Berkeley Rep has been a source of experimental & professional theater alike & for that reason, I'm happy to now count myself among the Season Ticket Subscribers Most recently we had the absolute grand fortune of seeing Patrick Stewart & Ian McKellen in Harold Pinter's "NO MAN'S LAND" This was another pre-Broadway production & the Bay Area was lucky enough to house their staging process. I'm thinking this Play is either about a man w/ Alzheimer's who is being taken advantage of by these 2 "caretakers" Or it's about a drunk man (Patrick) who gets totally incoherent & doesn't recognize Ian's character - another drunk who was once a school chum of Patrick's but who's also fallen on hard times. Or maybe Ian is just a con artist who pretends to be a well-known friend so insinuate himself into Patrick's life. Just as confusing as the last time I saw it in London, the intriguing, perplexing & mesmerizing No Man's Land was another night of theatrical awesomeness & Berkeley Rep was the perfect powerhouse of a theatre to host this monumental event

Attended the Yelp Event for the opening of the Docu-Drama play X's and O's a Football Love Story on Thursday night. This was my first Elite Yelp event. The appetizers were catered by Eureka Restaurant and Drinks were provided by Drakes Brewing. The beers were good, and the Corn Battered Sausage skewers were good. The Chipotle Ribletts were meh. The Play was excellent and the seats we were give were the best in the house. It's a six actor show and very entertaining even for the non sports fan. The play is based on the football and the traumatic brain injuries suffered by the players. If you a sports fan / football fan it is very intriguing, but for the non sports fan its amusing how the actors relate the issues to the audience. Parking is always easy in and out in the parking structure across the street for $5. Only downer is a the gauntlet of panhandlers from the parking structure to and from the theater. Berkeley may be worst then Broadway in NYC.

Did you know that if you're under 30, there's a young adult discount at this theatre? (In fact, I've been noticing that a lot of places discount you if you're under the age of thirty...and I think I should really start taking advantage of that while I still can!) I came here the first Thursday of October to watch Amelie. I was truly blown away by the adaptation from screen to set as its always worrisome to see one of your favorite foreign films turn into a musical...in English. The cast was a very talented handful of people, the tech crew did an amazing job with the lighting/help with props...and the design of the entire set! And everyone from the people who were distributing the tickets at will-call, to the ushers, to the ladies involved with the photo booth for this particular production made my experience as a theater-goer one of a kind! Only a few paces from BART and a couple blocks from several parking garages, you shouldn't have any problems getting to the theater on time! I think they also have a cool deal with the parking garages so their customers could reserve spaces! Talk about keeping everyone's convenience in mind. The only tip I could really give you is unless you're into being extremely close to the stage, I would opt to buy tickets for seats anywhere but row AA. I loved being front row, but my neck started to cramp up probably halfway into the show! Aside from that minor issue, sitting in this row proved to be a blessing also. You are up close and personal with all of the cast. And you might see things people in other areas of the theater would miss. It's all personal preference I suppose!

I was close enough to touch Sir Patrick Stewart's toe hairs at the production of No Man's Land this weekend . . . Not that I would, of course. I love the Berkeley Rep - I've seen many a play over the years and I think they've just gotten better. The delightfully inventive Wild Bride was a highlight and so was the opportunity to catch a preview of the Captain Picard and Gandalf Broadway-bound play. While the play itself was obscure, it was still riveting to watch distinguished actors in action (they could be reading the classifieds and you'd still be captivated). There doesn't seem to be a bad seat* in the house, no matter the stage layout of the production. Due to the Rep's size, you always feel you're in an intimate setting.** There's an outdoor patio if you need some air during intermissions and sometimes extra post-show events in the lobby. I've always been able to get tickets for the shows I've wanted and ticket prices for the most part are quite reasonable. Transportation to/fro the Rep is easy, as BART is only a block away. Lucky to have such a great local playhouse in my backyard! *just be sure you get there on time, or you'll have to watch the show in the lobby like you're in detention. They don't do late seating and will make you wait until intermission to get into your seat. **because of # of bodies in small space, it might take a bit of time to navigate around during intermissions and after the shows.

Great spot for a date night. I haven't seen anything here I haven't enjoyed. I suggest you come early for a show, 30 minutes is good to pickup any will call tickets, grab a drink (which you can take into the theater) and check out any art on exhibition. The bar sells snacks, but I prefer to plan my night with a meal from the many places nearby before or after the show. Tip, use the restroom before the show because if your show has an intermission it will be packed. Discounted rates for patrons 35 and under. Sign up on their website to stay informed about their shows and deals.

THE REP IS RED!!!! AND THE RED IS RIFE....with layers of subtext, social commentary, philosophy, and art. Red: the color of passion, anger, love, blood (pain), and shame (or is that crimson?! =o) Tostoy once wrote "What is Art"; I kept on thinking about parts of it when watching a play that possessed amazing acting, timing, rhythm, cadence, and flow. It's a furious 90+ mins of dialogue, only between the artist and his apprentice. An emotional roller coaster. Put on your seat belts: Enter the world of eccentric, irascible Rothko. But I was definitely more tickled with the challenge to what Neil Postman calls a society in which we've anesthetized and "Amused Ourselves to Death". Character playing Rothko challenges viewer to emote (as he does1), feel, ask, challenge, and be authentic. Ironically, it's his apprentice that is the one not hiding from anything, and speaks from a place of vulnerability and pain---a place that clearly causes discomfort in the eccentric artist. Backdrop: He is commissioned to paint the Seagram building in NYC, and is promised a load of cash to do so. But Rothko mocks the superficiality of it all, and grabs his apprentice to both abuse as well as serve as sounding board. I also loved the pulled passage from Daniel 5, OT: Belshazzar's an imminent goner when that hand scrawls: MENE MENE TEKEL (nerdy me owns a book with this as its title)--we have all been weighed and left wanting... or, our days are numbered---the writing on the wall, etc. Rothko actually confesses to seeing the color black this way. Cud to chew on. Practically every notion of truth and meaning is challenged and brought to bear with the brilliant writing of award-winning Waters.And we in the audience are swept up in the dynamics and emotions and also left asking ourselves in which manner we choose to live life. In the end, Rothko makes a choice that reclaims the self, having been swayed and affected by the 2 year relationship with his apprentice. It is the young man's constant challenge to Rothko to examine himself in the light, to accede to his real motives, this brave boy who doesn't let Rothko bully him into a cowered stance, and who struggles the whole play to take a stand and be heard. Count the cost Performance was inside the Thrust Theatre, a small enough venue such that any seat in the house affords one an intimate connection with the scene before him. PS So very, very grateful to Yelp for the opportunity to also enjoy Red Letter night in the idyllic little courtyard that felt like a lean-to in some little villa. Was really royal being wined and dined with quality. Am an absolute fan of Raymond Vineyards in Napa, and my Sauvignon Blanc was spot-on crisp and refreshing. The Semifreddi's cookies were scrumptious, and those truffles?! Decadent! Thank you. PPS In my youth, a simpler and less complicated time, I once had to memorize close to 70 pages of piano music, in preparation for competition. But how on EARTH did these two actors memorize that much dialogue, without fumbling or breaking character? Amazed. PPPS How many calories did they lose in the scene whereby they painted that mongo canvas in red, in under 3 minutes?!!! =) So cool that Berk Rep has a ticket donation/voucher process for those orgs that fundraise (which I am currently doing!)!