Free from Berkeley Rep: âThe Waves in Quarantine,â six short, evocative films
The six-part series is patterned after the 1990 musical adaptation of Virginia Woolfâs 1931 experimental novel, ‘The Waves.’
Emily S. Mendel
Freelancer Emily S. Mendel reviews Berkeleyâs vibrant theater scene for Berkeleyside. As a native New Yorker (although now a 37-year East Bay resident), Emily grew up loving and studying theater, from Off Off to On Broadway, as her multi-volume Playbill collection attests. Ending her 30-year law practice has given Emily the time to indulge in her love of the arts and travel.
Articles by Emily
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Oakland Theater Project’s one-person ‘The Waste Landâ is brilliant
Lisa Ramirez shines in this production that takes place in a parking lot in downtown Oakland. Yes, a parking lot! Or you can stream it.
Four creative and exciting local theater productions to check out in April
Aurora Theatre Company, Those Women Productions, Oakland Theatre Project and TheatreFirst are working hard to stimulate and educate us, despite the challenges of the pandemic.
Aurora Theatre’s audio play is a powerful adaptation of Toni Morrison’s ‘The Bluest Eye’
Set in 1940 in Morrison’s hometown of Lorain, Ohio, the story revolves around Pecola Breedlove, a lonely 11-year-old-Black girl who is shamed by what she is told is her ugliness.
Engaging new play, âFeel the Spirit,â soars at Shotgun Players
In this inventive production, written by Noelle Viñas for Zoom, a young gay Latina pastor tries to hold her congregation together through the coronavirus and a racial uprising.
‘God of Vengeance’ is a 115-year-old Yiddish play with 21st-century American themes
Catch this remarkable and lively Yiddish Theatre Ensemble presentation, which touches on issues like freedom of expression and respect for sex workers, Saturday through Tuesday.
Shotgun Players at 30 has turned crisis into opportunity
Lockdown be damned! The Berkeley theater group has forged ahead, renovating its stage and planning a new season designed to bridge the chasm between streaming and live theater.
Josh Kornbluth’s ‘Citizen Brain’ from Shotgun Players is engaging and enlightening
The solo-performer tells a fascinating story about how his beloved stepfather’s Alzheimer diagnosis and the election of Donald Trump changed his life in surprisingly positive ways.
Aurora Theatreâs world premiere audio play âThe Flatsâ is ingenious
The three-part audio drama is a prime example of how to create an engaging theatrical experience despite the limits imposed by our Covid-ridden world.
TheatreFirstâs new season creatively presents new episodic theater
The Berkeley theatre group, known for its creativity and progressive philosophy, has crafted a virtual season consisting of six world premiere plays and visual essays.
Hundreds of Dorothea Lange’s photographs are now available in digital format from OMCA
With serendipitous timing, ideally suited to a pandemic, OMCA has just opened the Dorothea Lange Digital Archive, a free, online experience showcasing the work of the world-renowned documentary photographer.
‘Exposing Margaret Mead’ premieres this weekend on MarshStream
In this new one-person, 45-minute play, Lynne Kaufman uses an anthropological tempest as context to explore Margaret Mead’s reaction to her character assassination.
Shotgunâs witty ‘Quack’ on Zoom is close to real theater, and itâs deliciously entertaining
This biting play about a daytime TV doctor whose career careens downward as a result of an exposé streams live through Saturday, Aug. 15.
How Berkeley’s ‘Big 3’ theaters are getting creative during the lockdown
We spoke with Berkeley’s three largest, full-season theaters to find out how they are continuing to connect with their audiences and what their plans are for an altered future.
Local theaters ask: How can we be more welcoming and inclusive?
At a recent town hall convened by Aurora Theatre Company, the conversation touched on ways in which theater patrons have been victims of micro-aggressions and the best way to address those insults.
Berkeley Repâs ‘Culture Clash (Still) in America’ still has its mojo after 35 years
The three performers from San Francisco’s Mission District present a hilarious glimpse into todayâs American society, with all its unfortunate warts.
