PASS THE NAILS AND SHAME THE DEVIL Extended at The Marsh Berkeley
Pearl Louise's autobiographical solo show, directed by David Ford, explores 1980s East Oakland
By popular demand, The Marsh Berkeley will extend the engagement of Pearl Louise's debut solo tour de force Pass the Nails and Shame the Devil. This autobiographical work directed by David Ford traces young Pearl's eye-opening journey from the bayous of Louisiana to the East Bay in the 1980's, where her undeterrable parents set out to build a duplex in a neighborhood burdened with the afflictions of the crack epidemic. Rooted in hope, promise, and fierce determination, the piece explores how a Black family forged stability and belonging in a new area strained by persistent, often violent pressures. Through the eyes of young Pearl, her strong-willed mother and steadfast father transform a construction site into a home, aided by a motley crew of men whose labor, humor, and humanity reveal the power of community and collective resilience.
Pass the Nails and Shame the Devil plays 4:00pm Saturdays, April 25 – May 23, 2026 at The Marsh Berkeley (2120 Allston Way, Berkeley).
Stephanie Weisman, founder and artistic director of The Marsh, expressed her enthusiasm for this work, noting, “The Marsh is thrilled to launch another important work that not only engage audiences in a roaring good time, but also expands their understanding of local history, and even spreads some hope about what's possible when one family is determined to raise up a struggling area.”
A recipient of The Marsh's newest development commitment, The Marsh Sparkle Initiative, Pass the Nails and Shame the Devil received hands-on rehearsal time with an invested creative team to aid its development. The show received extensive development support through The Marsh's new work pipeline, first presented as a Marsh Rising performance before entering rehearsals for its world premiere run this Spring. Called “a love letter” which “lands beautifully” by Theatrius, Pass the Nails and Shame the Devil offers a compassionate and honest view into Oakland's culture during one of its most trying times.
ABOUT THE CAST AND CREATIVES
Pearl Louise (Playwright, Performer) is a Bay Area performance artist and mother whose works have been seen at the Fresno Fringe Show, San Francisco's Stage Werx Theatre, and The Marsh. She has performed two solo pieces with The Formerly Incarcerated People's Performance Project (FIPPP), which led to a series of performances at Berkeley Repertory Theatre.
David Ford (Director) has been collaborating on new and unusual theater for three decades and has been associated with The Marsh for most of that time. The San Francisco press has variously called him “the solo performer maven,” “the monologue maestro,” “the dean of solo performance,” and “the solo performer's Best Friend.” A week rarely goes by when residents of the Bay Area cannot enjoy one of his productions. Collaborators include Geoff Hoyle, Brian Copeland, Charlie Varon, Echo Brown, Marilyn Pittman, Rebecca Fisher, Wayne Harris, Jill Vice, and Marga Gomez. Ford's work has been seen regionally at The Public Theater, Second Stage Theater, Theatre at St. Clement's, Dixon Place, Theatre for the New City (New York), Highways Performance Space (Los Angeles), and Woolly Mammoth Theatre Co. (Washington, D.C.). His work has also been featured in most of the fringe festivals in North America, and at theaters around the Bay Area including Berkeley Repertory Theatre, the Magic Theatre, and Marin Theatre. Ford's directing has garnered several “Best of Fringe” Awards and a Goldie Award.
