Berkeley Rep to Celebrate MONSOON WEDDING World Premiere Musical at Spring Gala

On Saturday, April 1 Berkeley Repertory Theatre invites guests to OVATION: Berkeley Rep Celebrates Monsoon Wedding, a signature event leading up to the highly anticipated world premiere of the musical adaptation of the 2001 film Monsoon Wedding. Performances of Monsoon Wedding begin Friday, May 5 in Berkeley Rep's Roda Theatre.

The event forecast calls for laughter, spectacle, color, and a whole lot of rain as Bay Area theatre lovers partake in a gourmet dinner, exciting silent and live auctions, and loads of entertainment - all in support of Berkeley Rep's artistic and educational programming. Mira Nair, who directed the award-winning film and helms the new musical, is the guest of honor. She will be joined by the talented cast of Monsoon Wedding to provide guests with an exclusive preview of the wedding of the year.

"We are thrilled to honor Mira Nair at this year's Ovation celebration," says Auction Co-chair Jean Strunsky. "This event will be a sneak peek at the world premiere of Monsoon Wedding and a glorious and beautiful evening to raise funds for arts education and support Berkeley Rep's program to produce innovative new works, like this one."

There is still time to reserve a ticket - or an entire table - for OVATION: Berkeley Rep Celebrates Monsoon Wedding. Craft cocktails and fine wines flow all night long as guests savor piquant hors d'oeuvres followed by a sumptuous wedding feast prepared by Fairmont Hotel. Unique treasures and one-of-a-kind adventures await guests in Berkeley Rep's "Marigold Market" (silent auction) and thrilling live auction led by "Gavel Girl" DawnMarie Kotsonis. Spectacular auction items include a 13-day private yacht adventure through Spain, France, and Italy on the World.

OVATION: Berkeley Rep Celebrates Monsoon Wedding features exquisite wines and beer from Hafner Vineyard, Ramsay Winery, Narsai David, Boisset Family Estates, Quady Winery, and Domaine Carneros by Taittinger, and Kingfisher Brewing Company.

OVATION: Berkeley Rep Celebrates Monsoon Wedding is made possible by the generosity of lead sponsors Fossil Group, Bruce Golden & Michelle Mercer, Hotel Shattuck Plaza, and The Roda Group. The planning committee for the event includes Ashvini Bhave, Rich Edwards, Robin Edwards, Lisa Finer, David Fleishhacker, Jill Fugaro, Scott Haber, Sherry Haber, Jon Logan, Sandra McCandless, Stewart Owen, Sudha Pennathur, Renuka Pullat, Laura Severino, Audrey Sockolov, Jean Strunsky, Deborah Taylor, and Gail Wagner.

Tickets for OVATION: Berkeley Rep Celebrates Monsoon Wedding begin at $750. Tables are available for several different sponsorship tiers - $7,500 (Emerald), $12,500 (Ruby), $18,000 (Pearl), and $25,000 (Diamond). All proceeds from the event support the nonprofit Berkeley Repertory Theatre and the organization's education and outreach programs. For more information, contact Julie Cervetto at (510) 647-2909 or jcervetto@berkeleyrep.org.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre has grown from a storefront stage to an international leader in innovative theatre. Known for its core values of imagination and excellence, as well as its educated and adventurous audience, the nonprofit has provided a welcoming home for emerging and established artists since 1968. In four decades, four million people have enjoyed nearly 400 shows at Berkeley Rep. These shows have gone on to win five Tony Awards, seven Obie Awards, nine Drama Desk Awards, one Grammy Award, and many other honors. In recognition of its place on the national stage, Berkeley Rep received the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre in 1997. Its bustling facilities - which include the 400-seat Peet's Theatre, the 600-seat Roda Theatre, the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre, the Osher Studio, and a spacious new campus in West Berkeley - are helping revitalize a renowned city. Learn more at berkeleyrep.org.

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