Robert Sicular News

Veteran Bay Area actor Soren Oliver has seen - and played in - countless productions of Shakespeare, including numerous versions of what is arguably the most popular of the Bard's comedies, 'A Midsummer Night's Dream.'   Midsummer has every device in Shakespeare's bag of tricks, many of which he filched from Greek comedy.  Soren Oliver has created a follow-up play that highlights the best of complex plotting, mixed-up lovers and mind-bending shtick, and peopled it with a cast of experienced Shakespearean actors and a director who really love and understand farce.

Veteran Bay Area actor Soren Oliver has seen - and played in - countless productions of Shakespeare, including numerous versions of what is arguably the most popular of the Bard's comedies, "A Midsummer Night's Dream."   Midsummer has every device in Shakespeare's bag of tricks, many of which he filched from Greek comedy.  Soren Oliver has created a follow-up play that highlights the best of complex plotting, mixed-up lovers and mind-bending shtick, and peopled it with a cast of experienced Shakespearean actors and a director who really love and understand farce.

Due to an enthusiastic reception from critics and audiences alike, Berkeley Rep is proud to announce that the madcap comedy One Man, Two Guvnors, a sassy update of Carlo Goldoni's The Servant of Two Masters, will extend for one week, closing on June 28, 2015.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre will conclude its 48th season with Richard Bean's internationally acclaimed One Man, Two Guvnors, a sassy update of Carlo Goldoni's classic knee-slapper, The Servant of Two Masters. Set in 1963 Brighton, England, One Man, Two Guvnors is a brilliantly delicious mash-up of splendid comedy, British pantomime, and music-hall revues. The uproarious plot features a disarming and doltish Francis Henshall who finds himself trapped by farce into working for two bosses - who are connected in wildly improbable ways. He just has to keep them from discovering each other. Inspired insanity, high-low antics, and nimble wordplay ensue - all backed by live musicians paying homage to rockabilly and a certain Fab Four. Directed by David Ivers - artistic director of the Utah Shakespeare Festival - and with songs by Grant Olding, One Man, Two Guvnors is a riotous blast complete with a colorful cast of characters in a topsy-turvy world of love triangles and mistaken identities. It previews today May 8, 2015, opens today, May 15, 2015, and plays through Sunday June 21, 2015. Press night for One Man, Two Guvnors will be held today, May 15, 2015. Individual tickets start at $29 and can be purchased by phone at (510) 647-2949 or online at berkeleyrep.org.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre will conclude its 48th season with Richard Bean's internationally acclaimed One Man, Two Guvnors, a sassy update of Carlo Goldoni's classic knee-slapper, The Servant of Two Masters. Set in 1963 Brighton, England, One Man, Two Guvnors is a brilliantly delicious mash-up of splendid comedy, British pantomime, and music-hall revues. The uproarious plot features a disarming and doltish Francis Henshall who finds himself trapped by farce into working for two bosses - who are connected in wildly improbable ways. He just has to keep them from discovering each other. Inspired insanity, high-low antics, and nimble wordplay ensue - all backed by live musicians paying homage to rockabilly and a certain Fab Four. Directed by David Ivers - artistic director of the Utah Shakespeare Festival - and with songs by Grant Olding, One Man, Two Guvnors is a riotous blast complete with a colorful cast of characters in a topsy-turvy world of love triangles and mistaken identities. It previews on Friday May 8, 2015, opens on Friday, May 15, 2015, and plays through Sunday June 21, 2015. Press night for One Man, Two Guvnors will be held on Friday, May 15, 2015. Individual tickets start at $29 and can be purchased by phone at (510) 647-2949 or online at berkeleyrep.org.

Round House Theatre's FETCH CLAY, MAKE MAN illuminates a thrilling piece of history: a little known friendship between two monumental men - Muhammad Ali, a monument in the boxing ring, and Stepin Fetchit, a monument in Hollywood.

Round House Theatre continues its 2014/15 season with the area premiere of Fetch Clay, Make Man by Will Power. Directed by Derrick Sanders ('The Raisin Cycle' at CenterStage), Fetch Clay, Make Man is based on the true story of the improbable friendship that formed between Muhammad Ali and Stepin Fetchit. A co-production with Marin Theatre Company, Fetch Clay, Make Man runs at Round House Theatre from today, October 10 thru November 2, 2014. Opening night is Monday, October 13, 2014.

Round House Theatre continues its 2014/15 season with the area premiere of Fetch Clay, Make Man by Will Power. Directed by Derrick Sanders ("The Raisin Cycle" at CenterStage), Fetch Clay, Make Man is based on the true story of the improbable friendship that formed between Muhammad Ali and Stepin Fetchit. A co-production with Marin Theatre Company, Fetch Clay, Make Man runs at Round House Theatre from October 10 thru November 2, 2014. Opening night is Monday, October 13, 2014.

Marin Theatre Company, in a bi-coastal co-production with Maryland's Round House Theatre, will open its 48th Season with the West Coast premiere of Fetch Clay, Make Man, an historical drama that draws its inspiration from a peculiar event from the Civil Rights Era: a press conference at which heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, ne Cassius Clay, introduced his 'secret strategy man' - the former Hollywood comedic actor Stepin Fetchit, ne Lincoln Theodore Monroe Andrew Perry.

Marin Theatre Company, in a bi-coastal co-production with Maryland's Round House Theatre, will open its 48th Season with the West Coast premiere of Fetch Clay, Make Man, an historical drama that draws its inspiration from a peculiar event from the Civil Rights Era: a press conference at which heavyweight boxing champion Muhammad Ali, ne Cassius Clay, introduced his "secret strategy man" - the former Hollywood comedic actor Stepin Fetchit, ne Lincoln Theodore Monroe Andrew Perry.

WALLENSTEIN deserves to be considered a regular visitor to classical theatres throughout the world. Robert Pinsky's free adaptation of an 18th century epic is one more fabulous rediscovery of a near-forgotten classic to the company's production. The play is anchored by Steve Pickering's performance in the title role.

Shakespeare Theatre Company's new production of Coriolanus offers a no-nonsense approach to the text and memorable performances that go a long way to make a case for audiences to discover this difficult play.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company, recipient of the 2012 Regional Theatre Tony Award, probes the burdens of leadership and the price of power in its Hero/Traitor Repertory of Coriolanus and Wallenstein. In the hands of The Studio Theatre's Artistic Director David Muse and STC's Artistic Director Michael Kahn, this pairing of Shakespearean and German epics challenges the concept of control among military and government institutions. Coriolanus and Wallenstein play at Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW) from tonight, March 28-June 2, 2013.

The Shakespeare Theatre Company, recipient of the 2012 Regional Theatre Tony Award, probes the burdens of leadership and the price of power in its Hero/Traitor Repertory of Coriolanus and Wallenstein. In the hands of The Studio Theatre's Artistic Director David Muse and STC's Artistic Director Michael Kahn, this pairing of Shakespearean and German epics challenges the concept of control among military and government institutions. Coriolanus and Wallenstein play at Sidney Harman Hall (610 F Street NW) from March 28-June 2, 2013.

A talented cast energizes the critically acclaimed play, Bill W. and Dr. Bob, by Samuel Shem and Janet Surrey, to close the highly successful 2011-2012 season for San Jose Rep. Directed by Richard Seer, the work is a quick-witted and honest docu-drama following two dynamic and dedicated men who, in the midst of their battle with acute and debilitating alcoholism, formed a formidable and historic alliance to help each other and others combat the same addiction.

A talented cast energizes the critically acclaimed play, Bill W. and Dr. Bob, by Samuel Shem and Janet Surrey, to close the highly successful 2011-2012 season for San Jose Rep. Directed by Richard Seer, the work is a quick-witted and honest docu-drama following two dynamic and dedicated men who, in the midst of their battle with acute and debilitating alcoholism, formed a formidable and historic alliance to help each other and others combat the same addiction.

This show is so witty, so odd, so... Shaw!