CultureVulture Berkeley Archives

East Bay Theatre Post-Pandemic Preview

Emily S. Mendel Theater July 26, 2021 Berkeley,

East Bay theaters are planning live productions starting late this summer after more than a year of valiantly entertaining and enlightening us through Zoom, podcasts, and film. They worked hard, with surprisingly good results, but it isn’t easy to ...

Magic Fruit

Emily S. Mendel Theater May 19, 2021 Berkeley,

TheatreFirst’s 2020-21 virtual season is presenting six world premiere plays and visual essays. Initially, the theater company aired online chapters of the offerings. Now TheatreFirst is showing full versions of each production. While the first chapter ...

Berkeley’s Shotgun Players Theater Company at 30

Emily S. Mendel Theater February 8, 2021 Berkeley,

Talk about making effective use of the lockdown to accomplish great things! Not only has the Shotgun Players renovated its Ashby Stage theater, but it also has used the time to plan an exciting 30th Anniversary season. Yes, Shotgun, ...

The Flats

A three-part audio drama via Zoom

Emily S. Mendel Theater October 31, 2020 Berkeley,

The world premiere of the original and ingenious three-part audio drama, “The Flats,” is a prime example of how to create an engaging theatrical experience despite the limits imposed by our Covid-ridden world. Commissioned by the ...

Citizen Brain

Emily S. Mendel Theater October 31, 2020 Berkeley,

Berkeley's own creative solo-performer, Josh Kornbluth, has a new and fascinating story to tell, live via Zoom. This engaging and enlightening autobiographical monologue is about how the Alzheimer diagnosis of his beloved stepfather and the ...

Berkeley Theatre during the Pandemic

Emily S. Mendel Theater June 29, 2020 Berkeley,

One of the ironies of living through a pandemic is that when we most need to be engaged, enlightened, and entertained by live theater, we can’t be. Although our local theaters are dimmed, they are nevertheless ...

Photo: Kevin Berne/Berkeley Repertory Theatre

Culture Clash (Still) in America

Emily Mendel's review of this production at Berkeley Rep

Emily S. Mendel Theater March 10, 2020 Berkeley,

In their fifth appearance at Berkeley Rep, Culture Clash, kings of provocative, politically charged comedy with a Latin flavor, have not lost their mojo. After their 35 years performing together, the three Mission District natives, Richard Montoya, Ricardo Salinas, ...

The Joffrey Ballet

on tour in Berkeley

SInger & Son Dance March 10, 2020 Berkeley,

James: You spoke about Joffrey having been cutting edge. Is today’s Joffrey in step with the original company? Toba: It’s an entirely different kind of company, not as self-confident, not the same unsinkable esprit de corps, ...

Richard Montoya, Herbert Siguenza, and Ricardo Salinas. Photo: Kevin Berne/Berkeley Repertory Theatre.

(Still) in America

Culture Clash

SInger & Son Theater March 7, 2020 Berkeley,

Culture Clash’s “(Still) in America” is written and performed by Richard Montoya, Ricardo Salinas, and Herbert Siguenza. It features comedic sketches meant to satirize culture in the Americas. The LA-based trio first appeared at Berkeley Rep in 2002 with ...

Gatz

Berkeley Rep
Presented by Elevator Repair Service

Emily S. Mendel Theater February 21, 2020 Berkeley,

“Gatz,” the extraordinarily creative and intelligent combination of an oration and recreation of F. Scott Fitzgerald’s classic novel, “The Great Gatsby,” opened on February 13, 2020, at Berkeley Rep’s Roda Theater to well-deserved bravos and huzzahs. ...