A proposal to build “approximately 15 stories” of new housing behind the theater’s facade cleared an early hurdle this month.
Youth Musical Theater Company
YMTC’s ‘The Music Man’ comes with a message (maybe)
The Berkeley musical training and production company is reviving the smash 1957 Broadway hit, and equally popular 1962 movie — and, based on watching the cast in rehearsals, it promises to be a treat.
A show of some importance: YMTC brings GLBTQ issues to the fore
Can a musical set in conservative Ireland in the mid-60s resonate in the secular liberal environment of the Bay Area of 2019? Berkeley’s Youth Musical Theater Company believes it can.
After years of deferred maintenance, Berkeley asks nonprofits to pay for fixes
The Berkeley Rowing Club. Photo: BRC The Berkeley Rowing Club. Photo: BRC After years of neglect, Berkeley has begun requiring nonprofit organizations renting buildings from the city to undertake and pay for long-deferred maintenance and capital improvements. About one dozen nonprofits have entered into lease negotiations with the Parks, Recreation and Waterfront department over the […]
YMTC’s new original musical ‘Don’t Stop Me’ explores darker side of high school life
Sophia Sinsheimer (left) and Hannah Miller take the lead in YMTC’s first original musical, Don’t Stop Me Photo: Francesca Paris By Francesca Paris “I think my weird might be weirder than yours,” sings Hannah Miller in Don’t Stop Me, Youth Musical Theater Company’s (YMTC) first original musical. The song, like the show itself, explores the high-school experience: the insecurity, powerlessness […]
YMTC ‘Fiddler’ cast learns lessons from Holocaust survivor
Sam Genirberg, a Holocaust survivor, with Aya Nakashima, Rachel Cornejo, Laurel Schweidel, and Alana Goldberg, all cast members of Fiddler on the Roof. Photo: YMTC By James Corr What is Fiddler on the Roof? A charming love story (several love stories, really)? A family drama? A tale of religious/ethnic persecution? To Jennifer Boesing, the director of […]
YMTC: Some enchanted singing (and dancing and acting)
The YMTC ensemble perform “Thanksgiving Follies” in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific” at the El Cerrito Performing Arts Theater. Photo: David Greenberg and Katrinka Reinhart The YMTC ensemble perform “Thanksgiving Follies” in Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “South Pacific” at the El Cerrito Performing Arts Theater. Photo: David Greenberg and Katrinka Reinhart By James Corr If you want […]
Youth Musical Theater plans new West Berkeley home
YMTC celebrates the Council’s approval for their new home outside Old City Hall on Tuesday March 25. Photo: YMTC YMTC celebrates the Council’s approval for their new home outside Old City Hall on Tuesday March 25. Photo: YMTC UPDATE, March 27: The Berkeley City Council voted unanimously Tuesday to approve the move by the Youth Musical […]
Berkeley Oaks Theatre efforts stall in negotiations
A local group spearheaded by Councilman Laurie Capitelli hopes to turn the Oaks Theatre into a community arts space. Photo: Oaks Theatre Consortium [Editor’s note: This story was updated at 1:15 p.m. with additional information from Councilman Laurie Capitelli.] A local consortium’s attempts to come to an agreement to use North Berkeley’s Oaks Theatre on Solano […]
Last chance: Oaks Theatre survey; sketches revealed
Visions of how Solano Avenue’s Oaks Theatre could one day look if Laurie Capitelli’s vision becomes a reality. Illustration: Miguel Lievano Visions of how Solano Avenue’s Oaks Theatre could one day look if Laurie Capitelli’s vision becomes a reality. Illustration: Miguel Lievano The possible transformation into a performance space of the shuttered Oaks Theatre on Solano […]
The Oaks Theatre may be reborn as performance space
A task force is hoping to re-open the Oaks Theatre, at 1875 Solano Ave. into a multi-use arts space. Photo: Jane Tierney By Eli Wolfe The Oaks Theatre on Solano Avenue may be getting another lease at life. City Councilman Laurie Capitelli and the Youth Musical Theater Company are launching a task force to transform the theater […]
Wonderful Town: A high-energy, entertaining romp
George Coker, Greyson Gove, Caitlin Cobb-Vialet, Sam Hopkinson and Lena Mayer singing “Conversation Piece” in YMTC’s production of ‘Wonderful Town’ playing March 8 and 9 in Berkeley. Photo: Dave Weiland George Coker, Greyson Gove, Caitlin Cobb-Vialet, Sam Hopkinson and Lena Mayer singing “Conversation Piece” in YMTC’s production of ‘Wonderful Town’ playing March 8 and 9 […]