Danny Hoch is 'Taking Over' Berkeley Rep, Jan.11 - Feb.10

This January, Obie Award-winner Danny Hoch is Taking Over Berkeley Repertory Theatre's Thrust Stage with his first new solo show in ten years. Berkeley Rep's artistic director, Tony Taccone helms the solo project. Taking Over begins previews on January 11, opens January 16, and closes February 10, 2008.

Danny Hoch bursts back onto the stage with Taking Over – "a one-man tour de force that captures the indelible characters of his neighborhood in Brooklyn, where the melting pot is boiling over with ethnic and economic tensions. Danny transforms effortlessly across the boundaries of race, age, and gender, masterfully depicting a city in transition with comical and compassionate results," explain press notes. A pioneer of hip-hop theatre, Danny took Berkeley Rep by storm with the world premiere of Jails, Hospitals & Hip-Hop in 1997. He went on to win an Obie Award for that show and to start the Hip-Hop Theater Festival, which wows audiences across America every year. Moviegoers have become accustomed to his magnificent characterizations in recent films such as We Own the Night.

Berkeley Rep's Thrust Stage is located at 2025 Addison Street, one block from Berkeley's downtown BART station and close to AC Transit bus lines. For tickets or information, call 510.647.2949 or toll-free at 888-4-BRT-Tix – or simply click www.berkeleyrep.org.

Taking Over is written and performed by Danny Hoch; directed by Tony Taccone with Annie Smart (sets and costumes) and Alexander V. Nichols (lights).  "The world premiere of a powerful new show in which this Obie Award-winning solo performer depicts a Brooklyn neighborhood where the melting pot is boiling over with ethnic and economic tensions," explain press notes.

Previews are January 11 – 15, 2008, Opening January 16 with performances through February 10.  Show times are Tuesday, Thursdays & Fridays at 8PM; Wednesdays at 7PM; Saturdays at 2PM & 8PM; Sundays at 2PM & 7PM.  No performances on January 23, 24 & 25.  No matinees during previews or on January 19, 27 or February 2.

Special Events include:
Target ® Teen Night: Friday January 11 at 6:30 PM
30 Below (party for the under-30 crowd): Friday January 11 at 8PM
Student matinees: Wednesday January 23 & Thursday January 24 at 12PM
Book club: Friday February 1 at 6:30 PM
Docent presentations: January 15, 17, 22, 29 & 31 and Feburary 7 at 7PM
Post-play discussions: Thursday January 17, Friday January 25 & Tuesday January 29 at 8PM

Previews ($27-$37); Regular performances ($33-$69).  Half price tickets are available for anyone under 30 yeas of age; $10 discounts for students and seniors one hour before curtain; Groups of 10 or more contact 510-647-2918.  For tickets and information call 510647-2949, toll free at 888-4-BRT-Tix or visit www.berkeleyrep.org

Photo by Shirley Miranda-Rodriguez, Somos Arte: Obie Award-winner Danny Hoch, the renowned hip-hop theatre performer, returns to Berkeley Rep to workshop his next show