Audiences at Berkeley Rep Donate $7,835 for Haiti Relief Efforts

In recent weeks, generous audiences at Berkeley Repertory Theatre have donated $7,835 to help people in the wake of the devastating earthquake in Haiti. The funds - which were collected by volunteer ushers following performances of Athol Fugard's Coming Home - have been given to Doctors Without Borders, the international nonprofit organization that was honored with the Nobel Peace Prize for its ongoing efforts to provide aid in nearly 60 nations to people whose survival is threatened by violence, neglect, or catastrophe.

"When we heard about the awful conditions in Haiti, we knew we needed to do something," said Susie Medak, managing director of Berkeley Rep. "Over the years, our compassionate audiences have supported a number of important causes. It is heartening to be part of a community that steps up in times of global tragedy."

Doctors Without Borders / Médecins Sans Frontières (MSF) bases its work on the humanitarian principles of medical ethics and impartiality. The organization is committed to bringing quality medical care to people caught in crisis regardless of race, religion, or political affiliation. MSF operates independently of any political, military, or religious agendas. The organization does not take sides in armed conflicts, provides care on the basis of need alone, and pushes for increased independent access to victims of conflict as required under international humanitarian law. On any one day, more than 27,000 committed individuals representing dozens of nationalities can be found providing assistance to people caught in crises around the world. They are doctors, nurses, logistics experts, administrators, epidemiologists, laboratory technicians, mental health professionals, and others who work together in accordance with MSF's guiding principles of humanitarian action and medical ethics.

It is little surprise that people feel altruistic after watching the poignant show currently playing on Berkeley Rep's intimate Thrust stage. In Coming Home, South African author Athol Fugard - who Time magazine has called "the greatest active playwright in the English-speaking world" - once again confronts the hard truths of his homeland while celebrating the unquenchable power of hope. Directed by Gordon Edelstein, the show stars three acclaimed professionals - Lou Ferguson, Roslyn Ruff, and Thomas Silcott - alongside young local actors: Kohle Thomas Bolton, Rashad Ali Dawson, and Jaden Malik Wiggins. For more information, call (510) 647-2949 or toll-free at (888) 4-BRT-Tix - or simply click berkeleyrep.org.

Born in a storefront, Berkeley Rep has moved to the forefront of American theatre. In four decades, four million people have enjoyed more than 300 shows at Berkeley Rep, including 53 world premieres. Known for its core values of innovation and excellence, as well as its educated and adventurous audience, Berkeley Rep provides a safe haven for emerging and established artists to explore new ideas. Its vital and versatile facility - which includes the 400-seat Thrust Stage, the 600-seat Roda Theatre, and the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre - is the linchpin of a bustling arts district that has helped revitalize downtown Berkeley. In recognition of its place on the national stage, Berkeley Rep was honored with the Tony Award for Outstanding Regional Theatre in 1997. In the last five years alone, the company has helped send five shows to Broadway: American Idiot, Bridge & Tunnel, In the Next Room (or the vibrator play), Passing Strange, and Wishful Drinking. A not-for-profit organization, the theatre now welcomes an annual audience of 180,000, serves 20,000 students, and hosts dozens of community groups, thanks to 1,000 volunteers and more than 400 artists, artisans, and administrators.

COMING HOME

WHO: Written by Athol Fugard
Directed by Gordon Edelstein
Designed by EuGene Lee (sets), Jessica Ford (costumes), Stephen Strawbridge (lights), Corrine K. Livingston (sound), John Gromada (original compositions), and Lynne Soffer (dialect coach)
Starring Kohle Thomas Bolton, Rashad Ali Dawson, Lou Ferguson, Roslyn Ruff, Thomas Silcott, and Jaden Malik Wiggins

WHAT: Coming Home, a poignant new script from South Africa's master dramatist

WHERE: Berkeley Repertory Theatre
Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison Street @ Shattuck, Berkeley, CA 94704

WHEN: Through February 28, 2010
§ Tuesdays and Fridays @ 8:00 PM
§ Wednesdays @ 7:00 PM
§ Thursdays and Saturdays @ 2:00 PM & 8:00 PM
§ Sundays @ 2:00 PM & 7:00 PM
§ No performance on Friday 2/26

Special Events:
Pre-show docent talks: Tuesdays 2/16 & 2/23 and Thursdays 2/18 & 2/25 @ 7:00 PM
Post-play discussion: Friday 2/19 @ 8:00 PM
Student matinees: Thursday 2/18 @ noon
Free tastings: Friday 2/19 @ 7:00 PM (Artesa Vineyards) and Sunday 2/21 @ 6:00 PM (Ale Industries)

HOW MUCH: $16.50 - $86
Section B Section A Premium
.................... Tue 8 PM / Wed 7 PM / Thu 2 PM / Sat 2 PM ... $33 $45 $52
.................... Thu 8 PM / Sun 2 PM / Sun 7 PM..................... $37 $51 $57
.................... Friday @ 8 PM................................................ $45 $57 $63
.................... Saturday @ 8 PM............................................ $51 $63 $71

Discounts: • Half-price tickets available for anyone under 30 years of age
• $10 discount for students and seniors one hour before curtain
• Groups of 10 or more, contact (510) 647-2918 or groups@berkeleyrep.org

For more information, visit http://www.berkeleyrep.org/

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