Catch ‘Noises Off’ or opt for ‘Dungeons and Dragons’
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Mar. 19, 2025) — If you haven’t seen Clayton Theatre’s hilarious spoof “Noises Off,” you still have time. The comedy continues with performances at 7:30 p.m. March 21 and 22, plus 2 p.m. March 22 and 23.
The play-within-a-play deals with a theater company staging a British sex comedy where the comedic chaos behind the scenes is funnier than what’s happening on stage.
For tickets, go to www.claytontheatrecompany.com/shows.
Who says being single, middle-aged and an empty nester is a bummer? Evidently not Sharon, who, in her mid-50s, finds herself liberated from her child and her husband.
So begins Center Rep’s “The Roommate,” running March 30-April 20 at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center, 1601 Civic Dr.
Sharon is in need of a roommate to share her Iowa home and welcomes Robyn, also in her mid-50s and seeking refuge and chance to reboot. As this odd couple’s friendship deepens, lots of hidden talents and secret desires come out in a show that’s part mystery and part comedy.
Jen Silverman has written a contemporary classic on what it means to be middle aged, middle class and in the middle of America – and how that all changes when you throw caution to the wind.
Vanessa Stalling directs Patty Gallagher as Sharon and Luisa Sermol as Robyn. Audiences have an opportunity to chat with the director at the April 4 performance, with cast chats scheduled April 9 and 13.
For tickets, call 925-943-7469 or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.
Dungeons and Dragons
Dungeons and Dragons fans have a chance to experience a whole new adventure with Synergy Theater’s “Improvised Dungeons and Dragons: A Spontaneous Quest!”
“It’s completely improvised and inspired by the famous fantasy-adventure role playing game,” explained artistic director Kenn Adams. “So, there’s a band of heroes that are off to save the world but, all throughout the show, their successes and failures are determined by audience members rolling the dice to determine their fate.”
Adrián Bosada, who conceived and directed the production, notes that even though the show will be filled with humor, action and adventure, “the real story will be about genuine human emotions, navigating difficult relationships and overcoming the walls that we build around ourselves, which prevent us from connecting with others. The show will be funny, of course, but we want it to have heart.”
The adventure begins April 3 and continues through April 13 at the Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr., Walnut Creek. For tickets, call 925-943-7469 or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.
Music of Karen Carpenter
Laurie Roldan uses her beautiful voice to benefit Hospice East Bay during an April concert. The singer has volunteered at Hospice for the past 12 years, singing for the annual Tree of Lights in Brentwood as well as co-chairing the event.
Now, she hopes to help the organization even more with her evening celebrating the timeless music of Karen Carpenter in this special benefit concert April 10 at Danville Village Theatre, 233 Front St.
Joining Roldan are Ken Bergmann (drums), Aaron Germain (bass) and music director Kenji Harada (piano). Featured vocalists include Debra Del Mastro and Chris Vettel, as well as a kids’ ensemble.
For tickets, go to https://interland3.donorperfect.net/weblink/WebLink.aspx?name=E87436&id=34.
Send comments to sallyhogarty@gmail.com.
Sally Hogarty
Sally Hogarty is well known around the Bay Area as a newspaper columnist, theatre critic and working actress. She is the editor of the Orinda News. Send comments to sallyhogarty@gmail.com