Addison News

Crime and Punishment: A gripping adaptation of the novel staged by Obie Award-winning director Sharon Ott at Berkeley Repertory Theatre Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison Street @ Shattuck, Downtown Berkeley Written by Fyodor Dostoevsky Adapted by Marilyn Campbell and Curt Columbus Directed by Sharon Ott

The Flea Theater presents the World Premiere of KASPAR HAUSER: a foundling's opera, a music-theater piece by Tony-nominee and Obie-winner Elizabeth Swados and Erin Courtney of 13P. Commissioned by The Flea in 2006, the piece marks Swados return to The Flea, where she previously wrote, composed and directed the long-running hit JABU. Performances of KASPAR HAUSER begin previews on February 13th, with opening night set for February 28th.

In her 13 years as artistic director of Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Sharon Ott led the company to new artistic heights, national prestige, and a well-deserved Tony Award. Now, after a 12-year absence, she returns with a gripping production of Fyodor Dostoevsky's classic Crime and Punishment. The scene of this Crime is Berkeley Rep's intimate Thrust Stage, where Ott earned her reputation as a dazzling director. The show begins previews on February 27, opens March 4, and closes March 29. Its executive producers are John and Helen Meyer and Richard H. Rubin and H. Marcia Smolens, with production sponsorship from the Bernard Osher Foundation. BART and Wells Fargo are the season sponsors for Berkeley Rep's 41st year of fearless theatre.

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT written by Fyodor Dostoevsky and adapted by Marilyn Campbell and Curt Columbus, directed by Sharon Ott. A gripping adaptation of the novel staged by Obie Award-winning director Sharon Ott. Designed by Christopher Barreca (sets), Lydia Tanji (costumes), Stephen Strawbridge (lights), and Cliff Caruthers (sound) Starring J.R. Horne, Delia MacDougall, and Tyler Pierce

As Berkeley Repertory Theatre celebrates the success of its 50th world premiere, teens at its School of Theatre are preparing two premieres of their own. Today the School announced the winning scripts in its annual Target ? Teen One Acts Festival, which will be produced this spring by a team of 17 local teens. The winning scripts are El Centro Basco by 16-year-old Scott R. White of Berkeley and To All the Ideas I?ve Loved Before, Pt 1, by 18-year-old Roxie Perkins of Albany.

As Berkeley Repertory Theatre celebrates the success of its 50th world premiere, teens at its School of Theatre are preparing two premieres of their own. Today the School announced the winning scripts in its annual Target ? Teen One Acts Festival, which will be produced this spring by a team of 17 local teens. The winning scripts are El Centro Basco by 16-year-old Scott R. White of Berkeley and To All the Ideas I've Loved Before, Pt 1, by 18-year-old Roxie Perkins of Albany.

In her 13 years as artistic director of Berkeley Repertory Theatre, Sharon Ott led the company to new artistic heights, national prestige, and a well-deserved Tony Award. Now, after a 12-year absence, she returns with a gripping production of Fyodor Dostoevsky's classic Crime and Punishment. The scene of this Crime is Berkeley Rep's intimate Thrust Stage, where Ott earned her reputation as a dazzling director. The show begins previews on February 27, opens March 4, and closes March 29. Its executive producers are John and Helen Meyer and Richard H. Rubin and H. Marcia Smolens, with production sponsorship from the Bernard Osher Foundation. BART and Wells Fargo are the season sponsors for Berkeley Rep's 41st year of fearless theatre.

500 Clown Theater,, founded in 2000 and made a non-profit in 2007, presents '500 Clown Madame Barker's Cabaret,' a celebration of Chicago talent hosted by Molly Brennan as Madame Barker of '500 Clown and the Elephant Deal,' as a lead-up to the full production opening at Steppenwolf in June. Guests include 500 Clown, John Fournier (piano/vocals), Dennis Watkins (magic), Happenstance (DC vaudeville), Jessica Hudson (burlesque), Cliff Chamberlain (guitar/voice), Tim Simeone (clown solo), Marika Mashburn (torch song), Pam Chermansky (original music), Galaxie Girls (dance), and Joseph Schupbach (as JonBenet Ramsey).

TAKE WING AND SOAR PRODUCTIONS proudly presents Shakespeare's KING LEAR, at the National Black Theatre, from February 20th - March 1st. Directed by Shakespearean actor & director TIMOTHY D. STICKNEY, KING LEAR stars Tony Award winning actress TREZANA BEVERLEY. KING LEAR tells a poignant tale of tragedy, murder, greed, power, madness & ungrateful children! Can a man of power, give away that which makes him powerful & still rule? Join the TWAS Classical Actors of Color as they share the stage with Tony Award winning actress Trezana Beverley* as she takes on the role of a King gone mad, in one of the greatest plays in world drama. Joining Ms. Beverley in starring roles are Leon Addison Brown*, Jim DeMonic* & Bryan Webster*.

Rover Dramawerks presents the World Premiere adventure comedy Around the World in 80 Days by award-winning playwright Carol M. Rice of Plano at the Courtyard Theater, 1509 H Avenue in Plano (next to the Cox Building Playhouse). Performances are March 5-21, 2009, with shows on Thursdays, Fridays, and Saturdays at 8:00 p.m., with an additional matinee performance on Saturday, March 14 at 2:00 p.m.

The Flea Theater presents the World Premiere of KASPAR HAUSER: a foundling's opera, a music-theater piece by Tony-nominee and Obie-winner Elizabeth Swados and Erin Courtney of 13P. Commissioned by The Flea in 2006, the piece marks Swados return to The Flea, where she previously wrote, composed and directed the long-running hit JABU. Performances of KASPAR HAUSER begin previews on February 13th, with opening night set for February 28th.

CRIME AND PUNISHMENT written by Fyodor Dostoevsky and adapted by Marilyn Campbell and Curt Columbus, directed by Sharon Ott. A gripping adaptation of the novel staged by Obie Award-winning director Sharon Ott. Designed by Christopher Barreca (sets), Lydia Tanji (costumes), Stephen Strawbridge (lights), and Cliff Caruthers (sound) Starring J.R. Horne, Delia MacDougall, and Tyler Pierce

Private Practice star Taye Diggs real-life wife, Tony winner Idina Menzel, will guest-star on the ABC series later this season, TVGuide.com is exclusively reporting. TVGuide reports that in a multiple episode story arc, Menzel will play the mother of a patient tended to by Pete (Tim Daly). To hear one source tell it, Pete's special brand of 'bedside manner' might bring about an attraction between him and Menzel's character. At this early stage, it's unclear if Menzel and Diggs will share many scenes reveals the television publication.

Due to overwhelming popular demand, Berkeley's Aurora Theatre Company announces that it has extended its critically acclaimed West Coast Premiere of BETRAYED, winner of the 2008 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Play. Filled with dignity, humor, and outrage, this provocative theatrical adaptation of journalist George Packer's eye-opening 2007 essay in The New Yorker follows three Iraqi translators who risk their lives to aid the American war effort. Robin Stanton (Permanent Collection, The Busy World is Hushed) helms this thought-provoking production, featuring Bobak Cyrus Bakhtiari, Keith Burkland, Denmo Ibrahim, Alex Moggridge, Amir Sharafeh, Khalid Shayota, and James Wagner. BETRAYED plays now through March 8, with added performances March 4-8, at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets ($40-42) and information the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre greets the new year by proudly presenting its 50th world premiere, a new comedy about marriage, intimacy, and electricity from the creators of Eurydice. Celebrated playwright Sarah Ruhl and Obie Award-winning director Les Waters come together again for the debut of In the Next Room (or the vibrator play). Commissioned by Berkeley Rep and staged in the state-of-the-art Roda Theatre, this hotly anticipated play begins previews on January 30, opens February 4, and closes March 15. BART and Wells Fargo serve as season sponsors for Berkeley Rep's 41st year of fearless theatre, and the executive producer for this show is the Strauch Kulhanjian Family.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre greets the new year by proudly presenting its 50th world premiere, a new comedy about marriage, intimacy, and electricity from the creators of Eurydice. Celebrated playwright Sarah Ruhl and Obie Award-winning director Les Waters come together again for the debut of In the Next Room (or the vibrator play). Commissioned by Berkeley Rep and staged in the state-of-the-art Roda Theatre, this hotly anticipated play begins previews on January 30, opens February 4, and closes March 15. BART and Wells Fargo serve as season sponsors for Berkeley Rep's 41st year of fearless theatre, and the executive producer for this show is the Strauch Kulhanjian Family.

Berkeley's acclaimed Aurora Theatre Company concludes its American trilogy with the West Coast Premiere of BETRAYED, winner of the 2008 Lucille Lortel Award for Outstanding Play. Filled with dignity, humor, and defiance, this provocative theatrical adaptation of journalist George Packer's eye-opening 2007 essay in The New Yorker follows three Iraqi translators who risk their lives to aid the American war effort. BETRAYED plays at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley January 23 through March 1. Robin Stanton (Permanent Collection, The Busy World is Hushed) helms this astonishing play, featuring Bobak Cyrus Bakhtiari, Keith Burkland, Denmo Ibrahim, Alex Moggridge, Amir Sharafeh, Khalid Shayota, and James Wagner. For tickets and information ($28-50) the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.

Drama Desk-nominated Alexander Gemignani will join the previously-announced James Naughton, Renee Elise Goldsberry, and Leslie Kritzer at the Manhattan Theatre Club's annual Winter Benefit: An Intimate Night, on Monday, 26, 2009 at the Rainbow Room (30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th Floor). Hosted by Naughton, this cabaret-style show features the talents of three of the most talented fresh faces on Broadway. Gemignani was last seen on Broadway in the Sunday in the Park with George revival. Prior to that, he was in Les Miserables and Sweeney Todd, where he was nominated for a Drama Desk for his role as 'Beadle Bamford.' He recently played the starring role of 'Addison Mizner' in the Sondheim-Weidman musical Road Show at the Public Theatre.

Drama Desk-nominated Alexander Gemignani will join the previously-announced James Naughton, Renee Elise Goldsberry, and Leslie Kritzer at the Manhattan Theatre Club's annual Winter Benefit: An Intimate Night, on Monday, 26, 2009 at the Rainbow Room (30 Rockefeller Plaza, 65th Floor). Hosted by Naughton, this cabaret-style show features the talents of three of the most talented fresh faces on Broadway. Gemignani was last seen on Broadway in the Sunday in the Park with George revival. Prior to that, he was in Les Miserables and Sweeney Todd, where he was nominated for a Drama Desk for his role as 'Beadle Bamford.' He recently played the starring role of 'Addison Mizner' in the Sondheim-Weidman musical Road Show at the Public Theatre.

The BET Honors took place at the Warner Theater in Washington DC on January 17th. The star of the big version of CHICAGO and HAIRSPRAY Queen Latifah was among the many stars that showed up to pay tribute to the lives and accomplishments of 'African American luminaries'. The event hosted by Gabrielle Union honored the likes of Mary J. Blige, Tyler Perry and Magic Johnson. Anita Baker performed thrilling versions of 'One' and 'Caught Up In The Rapture' while Monica sang 'Not Gon Cry' during a tribute to Mary J. Blige.