Amy Freed News

Aurora Theatre Company presents the Bay Area Premiere of Pulitzer Prize finalist (Freedomland) Amy Freed's THE MONSTER-BUILDER. Art Manke, who directed the World Premiere of THE MONSTER-BUILDER at Portland's Artists Repertory Theatre in 2014, makes his Aurora directing debut with this viciously funny comedy featuring Danny Scheie (The Mystery of Irma Vep), Rod Knapp (The Elaborate Entrance of Chad Deity), Nancy Carlin (Hysteria), Thomas Gorrebeeck (The Eccentricities of a Nightingale), Tracy Hazas, and Sierra Jolene. THE MONSTER-BUILDER plays November 6 through December 6 at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets ($32-60) and information the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.

Critics and audiences agree -MUD BLUE SKY soars! Aurora Theatre Company announces that it will add an additional 5 performances of the Bay Area Premiere of the company's season opener, Marisa Wegrzyn's (Hickorydickory, The Butcher of Baraboo) MUD BLUE SKY. Aurora Artistic Director Tom Ross (Fifth of July, A Bright New Boise, This Is How It Goes, Edward Albee's A Delicate Balance) helms this profoundly compassionate, fiercely witty new play, featuring Jamie Jones (Gidion's Knot, Edward Albee's A Delicate Balance), Rebecca Dines (The Homecoming, Widower's Houses), Laura Jane Bailey, and Devin O'Brien. MUD BLUE SKY plays now through October 3 (added performances: Tuesday, September 29, 7pm; Wednesday, September 30, 8pm; Thursday, October 1, 8pm; Friday, October 2, 8pm; Today, October 3, 8pm) at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets ($32-50) and information the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.

The Oregon Shakespeare Festival announced today the launch of a 39-play, three-year commissioning project, Play on! 36 playwrights translate Shakespeare.

Aurora Theatre Company presents THE SUBMARINE SHOW, a two-person theatrical adventure featuring Slater Penny and Jaron Hollander. This special fall presentation plays for 10 performances only October 14 through 25 at Harry's UpStage, located in the Nell and Jules Dashow Wing at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets (General $28; VIP reserved seating $32; subscribers receive a $2 discount) and information the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.

Critics and audiences agree -MUD BLUE SKY soars! Aurora Theatre Company announces that it will add an additional 5 performances of the Bay Area Premiere of the company's season opener, Marisa Wegrzyn's (Hickorydickory, The Butcher of Baraboo) MUD BLUE SKY. Aurora Artistic Director Tom Ross (Fifth of July, A Bright New Boise, This Is How It Goes, Edward Albee's A Delicate Balance) helms this profoundly compassionate, fiercely witty new play, featuring Jamie Jones (Gidion's Knot, Edward Albee's A Delicate Balance), Rebecca Dines (The Homecoming, Widower's Houses), Laura Jane Bailey, and Devin O'Brien. MUD BLUE SKY plays now through October 3 (added performances: Tuesday, September 29, 7pm; Wednesday, September 30, 8pm; Thursday, October 1, 8pm; Friday, October 2, 8pm; Saturday, October 3, 8pm) at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets ($32-50) and information the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.

Aurora Theatre Company opens its 24th season with the Bay Area Premiere of award-winning playwright Marisa Wegrzyn's (Hickorydickory, The Butcher of Baraboo) MUD BLUE SKY.

Aurora Theatre Company opens its 24th season with the Bay Area Premiere of award-winning playwright Marisa Wegrzyn's (Hickorydickory, The Butcher of Baraboo) MUD BLUE SKY.

Pear Theatre Artistic Director Diane Tasca has announced details of the company's line-up for its 2015-16 season, the first in its new state-of-the-art theatre located at 1110 La Avenida, Mountain View. The ambitious season launches with a world premiere romantic comedy, and includes works by Tracy Letts, Amy Freed, Chekhov, Katori Hall, and Nina Raine. For subscriptions ($100-$212) and more information the public may visit www.thepear.org or call 650-254-1148.

Critics and audiences agree - DETROIT is smashing! Aurora Theatre Company announces that it will add an additional six performances of the Bay Area Premiere of Lisa D'Amour's (Anna Bella Eema, Airline Highway) wicked Obie-winning satire.

Last night the home of Artistic Director and founder Diane Tasca buzzed with excited supporters and theatre enthusiasts as Pear Avenue Theatre announced the details of its new home, new name, and 2015-16 season. The Pear's highly anticipated new state-of-the-art theatre, designed by San Jose architect John Duquette, more than doubles the company's square footage from its current 1500 to more than 4,000 sf, and will be located at 1110 La Avenida, Mountain View. With its new home, the company will take on a new name, Pear Theatre, as a continuing nod to its original location on Pear Avenue in Mountain View. The Pear will move into the space at La Avenida this fall in time for its upcoming season.

Aurora Theatre Company closes its 23rd season with the Bay Area Premiere of Lisa D'Amour's (Anna Bella Eema, Airline Highway) wicked Obie-winning satire about our uncertain economic times, DETROIT. Josh Costello (Wittenberg) directs this explosive dark comedy, featuring Amy Resnick (Body Awareness, Collapse), Jeff Garrett, Luisa Frasconi, and Patrick Kelly Jones (Metamorphosis), that brilliantly captures our current economic moment. DETROIT plays tonight, June 19 through July 19 at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley.

Due to popular pre-sale demand, a year in advance, Aurora Theatre Company announces that it will extend West Coast Premiere of Sarah Treem's (Netflix's House of Cards, HBO's In Treatment) thought-provoking THE HOW AND THE WHY, the third fully staged production to be performed in the company's second stage performance space, Harry's UpStage. The company will add an additional two weeks of performances to the original run dates. Acclaimed Bay Area actress and director Joy Carlin (Talley's Folly, After the Revolution, Body Awareness, Jack Goes Boating, Awake and Sing!) helms this intimate and keenly perceptive play about which the Washington Post said, "brims with ideas and emotional colors that eddy and refract like rivulets in a lively, plunging stream."

The Flea Theater has announced the New York premiere of The Theatre @ Boston Court's production of HAPPY DAYS by Samuel Beckett, directed by Andrei Belgrader. After critically acclaimed runs in Boston and LA, The Flea welcomes theater veterans Brooke Adams and Tony Award nominee Tony Shalhoub to Tribeca.  Previews begin June 20 with opening night slated for June 29.

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.

The Theatre @ Boston Court announces two critically acclaimed Main Stage productions to receive New York premieres in June, 2015.

Aurora Theatre Company closes its 23rd season with the Bay Area Premiere of Lisa D'Amour's (Anna Bella Eema, Airline Highway) wicked Obie-winning satire about our uncertain economic times, DETROIT. Josh Costello (Wittenberg) directs this explosive dark comedy, featuring Amy Resnick (Body Awareness, Collapse), Jeff Garrett, Luisa Frasconi, and Patrick Kelly Jones (Metamorphosis), that brilliantly captures our current economic moment. DETROIT plays June 19 through July 19 at the Aurora Theatre in Berkeley. For tickets ($32-60) and information the public can call (510) 843-4822 or visit auroratheatre.org.

In Rosencrantz and Guildenstern are Dead, which will mark the Wilma's 11th production of a work by Tom Stoppard, minor characters take center stage as they journey on a boat taking Prince Hamlet to England with players from the royal court. As these characters unknowingly sail to a fate Shakespeare has already scripted for them, arguments of free will and determinism abound, all set to the constant travel game of flipping coins. In this battle of wits, Stoppard's characteristic wordplay and case of mistaken identities create a spectacle that's philosophical, clownish, and complete with a pirate-ambush.

The Flea will present the New York Premiere of THE OLD MASTERS. After a run at the First Look Repertory of New Work at Steppenwolf Theatre in Chicago, Sam Marks' dark examination of marriage comes to The Flea. It will be directed by Resident Director Brandon Stock. Previews begin May 27 with opening night set for June 7.

San Francisco playwright Lauren Gunderson's dark and delightful revenge comedy Exit, Pursued by a Bear comes to the South Bay for the first time this spring, opening at City Lights in May.