My Shows
News on your favorite shows, specials & more!

SHE PERSISTED, THE MUSICAL, Inspired By Chelsea Clinton's Book, Opens Next Month In Berkeley

By:

SHE PERSISTED, THE MUSICAL, Inspired By Chelsea Clinton's Book, Opens Next Month In Berkeley  Image

Have you ever wondered how heroines conquer their fears, overcome obstacles and achieve their dreams?

Well, so does Naomi, the fourth grader whom we meet in the world premiere of She Persisted, the Musical, created by Bay Area Children's Theatre (BACT), based on the New York Times #1 best-seller, She Persisted: 13 American Women Who Changed the World, written by Chelsea Clinton and illustrated by Alexandra Boiger.

She Persisted, the Musical, opens Saturday, February 2, at BACT's Berkeley Theatre Center, 2055 Center Street, Berkeley, CA 94704, and plays weekends through Sunday, March 3. After its Berkeley run, the production moves to San Francisco and Sunnyvale (date, times and venues, below).

Naomi is excited to be visiting the National Museum of Women in History with her class until their teacher drops a bombshell-they'll have to write essays describing their experience. An essay? Not that! She'd messed up on her last paper. What to do? Suddenly, Time, er, a rather young, inexperienced (but funny) version of Time, materializes before her and, bahboom, whisks her away to enter the lives of some of the women being honored. A six-year-old Sonia Sotomayor, tells her, "If one thing doesn't work, you just find ... ANOTHER SOLUTION!" Harriet Tubman takes her along as she leads slaves to freedom in Canada. And others - scientists, an athlete, reformers-describe how and why they persevere in pursuit of their goals.

"We hope that this production will not only celebrate the achievements of the courageous women who have carved new paths for others but will also inspire our audiences to persevere in whatever paths they choose to take," said BACT executive artistic director Nina Meehan. "We've used the magic of time travel so that the children in the audience can experience the excitement of meeting these heroines as they face pivotal moments in their lives."

She Persisted, the Musical, is directed by Khalia Davis, who helmed Judy Moody & Stink: The Mad, Mad, Mad, Mad Treasure Hunt last season for BACT. Television writer and screenwriter Adam Tobin, who teaches at Stanford University, became enchanted with Clinton's book when he read it with his daughter and has adapted it for the stage. The production features thoroughly engaging music and lyrics by award-winning composer Deborah Wicks La Puma (ELEPHANT AND PIGGIES' WE ARE IN A PLAY!) and Tobin.

Recommended For Ages 5 - 12. Tickets: $17 - $28. Box Office: Www.bactheatre.org Or Call (510) 296-4433

Theater Fans' Choice Awards
2026 Theater Fans' Choice Awards - Live Stats
Best Revival of a Musical - Top 3
1. Ragtime
37.9% of votes
2. CATS: The Jellicle Ball
23% of votes
3. Chess
21.2% of votes

Need more San Francisco / Bay Area Theatre News in your life?
Sign up for all the news on the Spring season, discounts & more...


Videos


Anastasia the Musical in San Francisco / Bay Area Anastasia the Musical
Douglas Morrisson Theatre (5/22-5/31)
The Play That Goes Wrong in San Francisco / Bay Area The Play That Goes Wrong
Hillbarn Theatre (4/23-5/17) PHOTOS
TILT: Midnight Sun in San Francisco / Bay Area TILT: Midnight Sun
Grace Cathedral (6/20-6/20)
“El Tiempo Latine” in San Francisco / Bay Area “El Tiempo Latine”
Center for New Music, 55 Taylor St (5/16-5/16)
Oakland Greek Festival in San Francisco / Bay Area Oakland Greek Festival
Greek Orthodox Cathedral of the Ascension (5/15-5/17)
Comedy Oakland at Quinn's Lighthouse Sun May 31 7pm in San Francisco / Bay Area Comedy Oakland at Quinn's Lighthouse Sun May 31 7pm
Quinn's Lighthouse (5/31-5/31)
Iphigenia in Splott in San Francisco / Bay Area Iphigenia in Splott
Shotgun Players Ashby Stage (7/25-8/30)
Ride the Cyclone in San Francisco / Bay Area Ride the Cyclone
City Lights Theater Company (7/16-8/23)
Comedy Oakland Late Show at Quinn's Lighthouse Sat May 30 9pm in San Francisco / Bay Area Comedy Oakland Late Show at Quinn's Lighthouse Sat May 30 9pm
Quinn's Lighthouse (5/30-5/30)
3GT Presents: ...and Cotton by Maria Jenson in San Francisco / Bay Area 3GT Presents: ...and Cotton by Maria Jenson
iMPACt Center for Art & Dance (5/31-5/31)