Danny Hoch's solo performance piece 'Taking Over' previews tonight, January 21, 2009, and tomorrow night at 8 p.m. at the Center Theatre Group/Kirk Douglas Theatre. Opening night for the Obie Award-winning performer is Friday, January 23 (at 8 p.m.). Performances continue through February 22. The production is directed by Tony Taccone, artistic director of Berkeley Repertory Theatre.
'Taking Over' is a riveting study of the effects of gentrification and how this is changing the face of many American cities. Hoch seamlessly transforms himself into the vividly diverse characters from his hometown, the Williamsburg neighborhood of Brooklyn, and into the real estate agents and developers who are shepherding radical changes into the district's character and nature. Filling the stage with compelling, impeccably drawn, multicultural portraits, Hoch captures the complexities of the transition of a poorer urban community, once vibrant and colorful - albeit crime and cocaine-ridden - into a culture that is wealthier, less diverse, and the cause of higher rents and property values, and the subsequent displacement of long-term residents.
The production features scenic and costume design by Annie Smart, lighting design and projections by Alexander V. Nichols, original music by Asa Taccone and sound design by Adam Phalen. The production stage manager is David S. Franklin.
'Taking Over' was originally produced by Berkeley Repertory Theatre and recently played at The Public Theater in New York. Hoch's 'Some People' (Obie Award) was part of CTG's 1995 Taper, Too season, while his 'Jails, Hospitals & Hip-Hop' was presented as a CTG special event in 1998 at The Actors' Gang. Hoch is a 2008-2009 Guggenheim Fellow.
Berkeley Repertory Theatre is ending the year the way it started: delighting audiences and impressing critics on both coasts with two hits here in Berkeley and another show taking New York by storm. Today even as Joe Turner's Come and Gone nears the end of its local run and Artistic Director Tony Taccone is Taking Over Manhattan with Danny Hoch the company announced another extension for its production of The Arabian Nights.
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.
Berkeley Repertory Theatre is ending the year the way it started: delighting audiences and impressing critics on both coasts with two hits here in Berkeley and another show taking New York by storm. Today ? even as Joe Turner's Come and Gone nears the end of its local run and Artistic Director Tony Taccone is Taking Over Manhattan with Danny Hoch ? the company announced an extension for its production of The Arabian Nights.
Berkeley Repertory Theatre celebrates the New Year with a new film, new books, a popular CD, more venues for its touring shows, and two world premieres here at home. In 2008, the Theatre moved a musical to Broadway with its original cast intact and repeatedly broke box-office records in Berkeley with a series of spectacular solo shows. That sounds like a tough act to follow, but the future looks bright for this Tony Award-winning company:
Obie Award?-winner Danny Hoch returns to a Center Theatre Group stage with his latest solo work 'Taking Over,' opening January 23 at 8 p.m. at the Kirk Douglas Theatre. Previews are January 21 and 22 at 8 p.m.; performances continue through February 22, 2009. The production is directed by Tony Taccone, artistic director of Berkeley Repertory Theatre.
The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced that TAKING OVER, the first new solo play by OBIE Award winner Danny Hoch in 10 years, has been extended through Sunday, December 21 due to popular demand. Directed by Tony Taccone, TAKING OVER opened on Sunday, November 23 and was originally scheduled to close on Sunday, December 14.
Berkeley Repertory Theatre is ending the year the way it started: delighting audiences and impressing critics on both coasts with two hits here in Berkeley and another show taking New York by storm. Today even as Joe Turner's Come and Gone nears the end of its local run and Artistic Director Tony Taccone is Taking Over Manhattan with Danny Hoch the company announced another extension for its production of The Arabian Nights.
The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced today that TAKING OVER, the first new solo play by OBIE Award winner Danny Hoch in 10 years, has been extended through Sunday, December 21 due to popular demand. Directed by Tony Taccone, TAKING OVER opened on Sunday, November 23 and was originally scheduled to close on Sunday, December 14.
Berkeley Repertory Theatre is ending the year the way it started: delighting audiences and impressing critics on both coasts with two hits here in Berkeley and another show taking New York by storm. Today ? even as Joe Turner's Come and Gone nears the end of its local run and Artistic Director Tony Taccone is Taking Over Manhattan with Danny Hoch ? the company announced an extension for its production of The Arabian Nights.
The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson)officially opened TAKING OVER, the first new solo play by OBIE Award winner Danny Hoch in 10 years, on Sunday, November 23 at 7 p.m. Directed by Tony Taccone, TAKING OVER will run through Sunday, December 14.
The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will begin its second Native Theater Festival on Wednesday, November 12. This
The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will present the New York premiere of TAKING OVER, the first new solo play by OBIE Award winner Danny Hoch in 10 years.
Ten days before Mary Zimmerman unveils THE ARABIAN NIGHTS at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, fans of her work will have an opportunity to peek inside the process of creating a play with this Tony Award-winning director. Zimmerman will be interviewed on November 3 during Page to Stage - the second installment in Berkeley Rep's annual trio of talks with eminent theatre artists.
The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) announced casting today for the second year of the Native Theater Festival, a four day festival dedicated to presenting extraordinary theatrical work by Native theater artists from the U.S. and Canada.
The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will begin previews on Friday, November 7 for the New York premiere of TAKING OVER, the first new solo play by OBIE Award winner Danny Hoch in 10 years.
Ten days before Mary Zimmerman unveils THE ARABIAN NIGHTS at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, fans of her work will have an opportunity to peek inside the process of creating a play with this Tony Award-winning director. Zimmerman will be interviewed on November 3 during Page to Stage - the second installment in Berkeley Rep's annual trio of talks with eminent theatre artists.
The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will present the New York premiere of TAKING OVER, the first new solo play by OBIE Award winner Danny Hoch in 10 years. Prior to its run at The Public in November, the Hip-Hop Theater Festival and The Public will join forces to present free performances of TAKING OVER in neighborhoods most affected by the play's explosive topic of gentrification: the South Bronx, Long Island City, and Williamsburg.
The Public Theater (Artistic Director Oskar Eustis; Executive Director Andrew D. Hamingson) will present the New York premiere of TAKING OVER, the first new solo play by OBIE Award winner Danny Hoch in 10 years. Prior to its run at The Public in November, the Hip-Hop Theater Festival and The Public will join forces to present free performances of TAKING OVER in neighborhoods most affected by the play's explosive topic of gentrification: the South Bronx, Long Island City, and Williamsburg.
