Pass the Nails and Shame the Devil is an autobiographical solo performance written and performed by Pearl Louise, directed by David Ford. The work traces young Pearl's journey from the bayous of Louisiana to East Oakland in the 1980s, where her parents set out to build a duplex in a neighborhood struggling with the crack epidemic. Through Pearl's eyes, her mother and father transform a construction site into a home, supported by a crew of men whose labor and humanity speak to the power of community and resilience. The show plays Saturdays at The Marsh Berkeley through May 23, 2026.
Cast and Creative Team for Pass the Nails and Shame the Devil at The Marsh
Cast
Pearl Louise
Ensemble
David Ford
Ensemble
Creative Team
David Ford
Director
Pearl Louise
Playwright, Performer
News About Pass the Nails and Shame the Devil at The Marsh
PASS THE NAILS AND SHAME THE DEVIL Extended at The Marsh Berkeley
April 23, 2026 Pearl Louise's debut solo show, directed by David Ford, traces a Black family's journey from Louisiana to 1980s East Oakland amid the crack epidemic. The autobiographical work has been extended by popular demand at The Marsh Berkeley.
The Marsh Berkeley Will Present PASS THE NAILS AND SHAME THE DEVIL by Pearl Louise
February 12, 2026 The Marsh Berkeley will present PASS THE NAILS AND SHAME THE DEVIL, written and performed by Pearl Louise and directed by David Ford, from March 7 through April 18.
The Marsh Presents First Ever IN FRONT OF YOUR EYES Performance Festival This August
June 14, 2024 The Marsh has announce the inaugural In Front of Your Eyes Performance Festival, running from August 1 to 25, 2024, showcasing a diverse array of live performances.About the Theatre
🌙 Make a Night of It
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The Marsh Frequently Asked QuestionsFAQ
What shows have played recently at The Marsh Berkeley?
"Spanish Stew" (1/17/26-2/22/26)
"Drapetomania" (10/4/25-10/25/25)
"Before I Forget" (6/14/25-6/21/25)
"The Waiting Period" (5/23/25-6/15/25)
"The Mommies: Their Last Trimester" (5/1/25-5/29/25)
"Overlooked Latinas" (4/5/25-5/10/25)
"Angry Black Woman 101" (3/15/25-4/13/25)
Living the Shuffle (1/31/25-3/9/25)
The Marsh Berkeley presents “The Waiting Period” (6/23/24-6/23/24)
"Drapetomania" (10/4/25-10/25/25)
"Before I Forget" (6/14/25-6/21/25)
"The Waiting Period" (5/23/25-6/15/25)
"The Mommies: Their Last Trimester" (5/1/25-5/29/25)
"Overlooked Latinas" (4/5/25-5/10/25)
"Angry Black Woman 101" (3/15/25-4/13/25)
Living the Shuffle (1/31/25-3/9/25)
The Marsh Berkeley presents “The Waiting Period” (6/23/24-6/23/24)
What shows have played recently at The Marsh San Francisco?
Pamela Gaye Walker’s Little BIG Mouth (07/12/26-08/02/26)
Night Driver (07/11/26-08/08/26)
Pearl Ong’s Night Driver (07/11/26-08/08/26)
The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA (07/10/26-08/07/26)
Nina Wise’s What Just Happened? (06/14/26-06/27/26)
What Just Happened? (06/14/26-06/27/26)
"Spanish Stew" (01/17/26-02/22/26)
"Drapetomania" (10/04/25-10/25/25)
"Before I Forget" (06/14/25-06/21/25)
"The Waiting Period" (05/23/25-06/15/25)
Night Driver (07/11/26-08/08/26)
Pearl Ong’s Night Driver (07/11/26-08/08/26)
The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA (07/10/26-08/07/26)
Nina Wise’s What Just Happened? (06/14/26-06/27/26)
What Just Happened? (06/14/26-06/27/26)
"Spanish Stew" (01/17/26-02/22/26)
"Drapetomania" (10/04/25-10/25/25)
"Before I Forget" (06/14/25-06/21/25)
"The Waiting Period" (05/23/25-06/15/25)
What shows are coming up next at The Marsh San Francisco?
The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA (07/10/26-08/07/26)
Pearl Ong’s Night Driver (07/11/26-08/08/26)
Night Driver (07/11/26-08/08/26)
Pamela Gaye Walker’s Little BIG Mouth (07/12/26-08/02/26)
Pearl Ong’s Night Driver (07/11/26-08/08/26)
Night Driver (07/11/26-08/08/26)
Pamela Gaye Walker’s Little BIG Mouth (07/12/26-08/02/26)
What shows are coming up next at The Marsh?
Dev Cuny’s Assigned at Birth: My Funeral Part 1 (08/19/26-08/22/26)
Natacha Ruck’s Death & Dad Jokes (08/20/26-08/23/26)
Sherry Glaser’s Life & Death: A Love Story (08/21/26-08/22/26)
Lauren Mayer’s I Didn’t Come From Your Rib (08/21/26-08/23/26)
Catherine Debon’s Lullaby of a Partisan (08/22/26-08/23/26)
Joyful Raven’s Tactical Frivolity (08/27/26-08/29/26)
Hannah Gould’s Divorced: The Musical! (08/27/26-08/29/26)
Candace Johnson’s The Conductress: Adventures in Teaching Gospel Music (08/28/26-08/30/26)
Robyn DeGuzman’s Enough Free (08/28/26-08/30/26)
Yvonne Martinez’s Someday Mija, You’ll Learn the Difference Between a Whore and a Working Woman (08/29/26-08/30/26)
Holly Shaw’s ROAR! (08/29/26-08/30/26)
Roar! (08/29/26-08/30/26)
Natacha Ruck’s Death & Dad Jokes (08/20/26-08/23/26)
Sherry Glaser’s Life & Death: A Love Story (08/21/26-08/22/26)
Lauren Mayer’s I Didn’t Come From Your Rib (08/21/26-08/23/26)
Catherine Debon’s Lullaby of a Partisan (08/22/26-08/23/26)
Joyful Raven’s Tactical Frivolity (08/27/26-08/29/26)
Hannah Gould’s Divorced: The Musical! (08/27/26-08/29/26)
Candace Johnson’s The Conductress: Adventures in Teaching Gospel Music (08/28/26-08/30/26)
Robyn DeGuzman’s Enough Free (08/28/26-08/30/26)
Yvonne Martinez’s Someday Mija, You’ll Learn the Difference Between a Whore and a Working Woman (08/29/26-08/30/26)
Holly Shaw’s ROAR! (08/29/26-08/30/26)
Roar! (08/29/26-08/30/26)
What shows have played recently at The Marsh?
Pamela Gaye Walker’s Little BIG Mouth (07/12/26-08/02/26)
Night Driver (07/11/26-08/08/26)
Pearl Ong’s Night Driver (07/11/26-08/08/26)
The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA (07/10/26-08/07/26)
Nina Wise’s What Just Happened? (06/14/26-06/27/26)
What Just Happened? (06/14/26-06/27/26)
"Spanish Stew" (01/17/26-02/22/26)
"Drapetomania" (10/04/25-10/25/25)
"Before I Forget" (06/14/25-06/21/25)
"The Waiting Period" (05/23/25-06/15/25)
Night Driver (07/11/26-08/08/26)
Pearl Ong’s Night Driver (07/11/26-08/08/26)
The Marsh Berkeley, 2120 Allston Way, Berkeley, CA (07/10/26-08/07/26)
Nina Wise’s What Just Happened? (06/14/26-06/27/26)
What Just Happened? (06/14/26-06/27/26)
"Spanish Stew" (01/17/26-02/22/26)
"Drapetomania" (10/04/25-10/25/25)
"Before I Forget" (06/14/25-06/21/25)
"The Waiting Period" (05/23/25-06/15/25)
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Pickleball Hillbarn Theatre (8/20-9/13) |
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Sister Act Cabrillo Crocker Theater (7/09-8/02) PHOTOS |
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International Sex Club Party Girl’s I Didn’t Manifest This The Marsh (8/14-8/16) |
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Odyssea We Players (10/08-10/18) |
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Macbeth Santa Cruz Shakespeare (7/12-8/30) |
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Gutenberg! The Musical! Hillbarn Theatre (10/08-11/01) |
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Jagged Little Pill Paper Wing Theatre (7/17-8/09) |
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The Last Five Years by Jason Robert Brown Santa Cruz Shakespeare (9/11-10/03) |
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Joyful Raven’s Tactical Frivolity The Marsh Berkeley (8/27-8/29) |
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Pearl Ong’s Night Driver The Marsh Berkeley (7/11-8/08) |