Berkley Rep Announces Extension of 'No Child...' One Week

Today, as a result of glowing reviews and stellar ticket sales, Berkeley Repertory Theatre announced a one-week extension for its production of No Child.... Although it only began its Berkeley run on Sunday, this uplifting off-Broadway show is already attracting enthusiastic local fans - just as it did in Boston, Chicago, Los Angeles, New York, and Washington, DC. Performed by Nilaja Sun and directed by Hal Brooks, No Child... shines a light on the struggles - and miracles - of America's public schools. This superb one-woman show is now playing through June 8 on Berkeley Rep's intimate Thrust Stage, which regularly welcomes top solo artists such as Mike Daisey, Danny Hoch, and Sarah Jones.

"Teachers, students, parents, concerned citizens - anyone who cares about the children of our country and the future of our democracy will be moved by this remarkable play," says Tony Taccone, artistic director of Berkeley Rep. "Nilaja gets inside the minds, lives, and emotions of a classroom of characters with great insight and compassion."

No Child... proves one passionate person can make a difference. In a stunning solo show, Sun plays an entire classroom of children, their teachers, their parents, the principal, the janitor, and even a security guard with a metal detector at the school's front door. She takes on 17 roles in 70 minutes, transforming her nine-year adventure as a teaching artist into a master class on heartbreak, humor, and hope. Critics give the show straight A's, audiences cheer, and Sun has won every award you can name. It's a class act, so don't leave No Child... behind.

As the toast of the New York theatre season, No Child... graduated with top honors:

*       2007 Obie Award for Distinguished Performance
*       2007 Lucille Lortel Award for Best Solo Production
*       2007 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding New American Play
*       2007 Outer Critics Circle Award for Outstanding Solo Performance
*       2007 U.S. Comedy Arts Festival Award for Best One-Person Show
*       2007 Theater World Award for Best Debut Performance

Wherever the show goes, it garners rave reviews. Entertainment Weekly asserts, "Sarah Jones burst onto the off-Broadway scene with Bridge & Tunnel and raised the proverbial bar for solo shows. Now, with the sensational No Child..., Nilaja Sun has pretty much obliterated it." Newsday agrees: "Sun doesn't just shine, she blazes... If you're seeking a follow-up to Sarah Jones' brilliant Bridge & Tunnel, this is it. Here's another multicharacter solo show that shines a warm, welcome light on the city's margins." Variety proclaims it "theatrically riveting...It's enough to make the angels weep to watch this caring, committed performance artist recreate her experiences at notoriously bad-news schools... Every kid deserves a teacher like Nilaja Sun." And the New York Times says simply, "A marvelous performance."

Tickets to No Child... start as low as $33, thanks to exciting new prices that let more people experience the best theatre in the Bay Area. Additional savings are available for groups, seniors, students, and anyone under 30 years of age. Berkeley Rep's Thrust Stage is located at 2025 Addison Street, one block from Berkeley's downtown BART station and close to bus lines and bike routes. For tickets or information, call 510.647.2949 or toll-free at 888-4-BRT-Tix - or simply click berkeleyrep.org <http://www.berkeleyrep.org/> . Teachers will want to check out the special website with ideas for educators at www.berkeleyrep.org/nochild.

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