Betty Schafer News

Performances of the West Coast premiere of Emma Rice's critically acclaimed Wuthering Heights—a reimagined version of Emily Brontë's gothic masterpiece with live music, dance, passion, hope, and a dash of impish irreverence, creating an intoxicating revenge tragedy for today—begin this Friday, November 18 at Berkeley Repertory Theater's Roda Theatre (2015 Addison St., Berkeley).

Berkeley Repertory Theatre has announced two upcoming limited-engagement special events—Emmy Award-winning comedian Jerrod Carmichael's latest show, Ari told me I lack focus; and The Laboratory for Global Performance and Politics production of Remember This: The Lesson of Jan Karski, by Clark Young and Derek Goldman, directed by Derek Goldman, and featuring Emmy Award winner and Academy Award nominee David Strathairn.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre's new artist housing will be named after longtime Managing Director, Susie Medak. The ambitious new artist housing project at 2009 Addison Street is located directly next door to its two theatres: the Roda and the Peet’s.

Today Berkeley Repertory Theatre has announces a new selection of plays for the upcoming 2022/23 season. The six-play subscription series is comprised of an array of highly accomplished artists including Lynn Nottage, Emma Rice, Ari’el Stachel, Jack Thorne, Sanaz Toossi, and more

This past Friday evening, April 29, Bay Area arts supporters gathered at The Presidio Theatre in San Francisco to celebrate Berkeley Rep’s return to live theatre. The celebration raised $500,000 for the Theatre’s artistic and educational programming.

Special to the evening will be the San Francisco debut performance of critically acclaimed opera singer and finalist on NBC television’s hit show The Voice, countertenor John Holiday, in a spectacular musical program spanning opera to pop, including the artist’s heartfelt interpretation of Harold Arlen’s immortal “Over the Rainbow.” Kevin Korth will be Holiday’s musical collaborator.

This past Saturday evening, June 5, Bay Area arts supporters gathered for a live stream event to celebrate Berkeley Repertory Theatre's plan to reopen this fall and to honor the 20th anniversary of its School of Theatre. Berkeley Rep's OVATION: Imagine was attended by over 500 people, tuning in from home and in private catered gatherings around the Bay Area.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre today announced that PigPen Theatre Co's The Tale of Despereaux: A New Musical, will begin previews on Thursday, November 21, 2019. Coming off a successful run at The Old Globe in San Diego, where it had its world premiere, The Tale of Despereaux, written and directed by PigPen Theatre Co. and co-directed by Marc Bruni, will run through Sunday, January 5, 2020. Press night will be on Monday, November 25, 2019. Tickets are on sale now and can be purchased at www.berkeleyrep.org or 510.647.2949.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre today announced the five award-winning artists who will lead the creative team for the world premiere of Swept Away.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre today announced that The Tale of Despereaux, a new musical, will join the 2019-20 season as its second special presentation solidifying the previously announced seven-show subscription season. Coming off a successful run at The Old Globe in San Diego, where it had its world premiere, The Tale of Despereaux, written and directed by PigPen Theatre Co. and co-directed by Marc Bruni, will begin previews at Berkeley Rep on Thursday, November 21, 2019 and run through Sunday, January 5, 2020. Tickets will go on sale in early August exclusively to Berkeley Rep's 2019-20 season subscribers before being made available to the general public.

Due to demand, Berkeley Rep has announced that the world premiere musical of Kiss My Aztec! will extend for an additional week of performances. The high-energy show directed by Artistic Director Tony Taccone and co-written by Taccone and John Leguizamo was originally scheduled to close on July 14, but will now run through Sunday, July 21.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre today announced a compelling slate of productions for its 2019-20 subscription season. Berkeley Rep's newArtistic Director Johanna Pfaelzer revealed four of the seven subscription shows that will comprise her first season at the Theatre.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre today announced the full cast for the world premiere of Kiss My Aztec! John Leguizamo teams up with Artistic Director Tony Taccone for this musical comedy, following their collaboration on the hit one-man show Latin History for Morons, which received its world premiere at Berkeley Rep before heading to Broadway. Leguizamo will serve as co-writer and co-lyricist only for Kiss My Aztec! - 11 other talented actors will perform in this production. Taccone will also direct.

Following an overwhelmingly positive response from audiences and critics alike, Berkeley Rep has announced that Metamorphoses, directed by Mary Zimmerman, will extend for an additional two weeks. The popular show will now run through Sunday, March 24.

BroadwayWorld has a first look at Berkeley Repertory Theatre's Metamorphoses. This co-production with the Guthrie Theater is led by nationally and internationally renowned writer and director Mary Zimmerman. Check out the photos below!

Berkeley Repertory Theatre today announced the full cast and creative team for HOME. This production is led by Obie Award-winning physical theatre artist Geoff Sobelle and his ensemble of actors, dancers, and designers.

BroadwayWorld has a first look at Berkeley Repertory Theatre's Metamorphoses. This co-production with the Guthrie Theater is led by nationally and internationally renowned writer and director Mary Zimmerman. Check out the photos below!

Following an overwhelmingly positive response from audiences and critics alike, Berkeley Rep has announced that the world premiere of Paradise Square: A New Musical will extend for an additional week. The popular show will now run through Sunday, March 3.

Berkeley Repertory Theatre today announced the full cast and creative team for Metamorphoses. This co-production with the Guthrie Theater is led by nationally and internationally renowned writer and director Mary Zimmerman.

Due to an overwhelming demand and two weeks of sold-out previews, Berkeley Rep has announced that the world premiere of Paradise Square: A New Musical will extend for an additional week. Originally scheduled to close on February 17, the popular show will now run through Sunday, February 24.