Catch ‘The Roommate’ or head to ‘Chicago’
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (Apr. 15, 2025) — You can still make the final performances of Center Rep’s “The Roommate,” which continues through April 20 at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr.
Part mystery and part comedy, Jen Silverman’s play explores with depth and humor what it means to be middle aged, middle class, in the middle of America and single. When Sharon finds herself in this situation, she looks for a roommate to share her Iowa home. Another middle-aged woman responds, and the two form their own odd couple as they navigate the ups and downs of single life.
For tickets, call 925-943-7469 or go to www.centerrep.org.
What is in a name? Juliet poses that question in Shakespeare’s “Romeo and Juliet,” while Oscar Wilde explored the same subject in “The Importance of Being Earnest” with a heavy dose of satirical comedy thrown in as well.
The hilarious antics of Wilde’s characters will be on display at Martinez’s Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St., as B8 Theatre Company presents “The Importance of Being Earnest” May 2-18.
Becky Potter directs this witty comedy, which features Annie Larson, William Lewis, Isaac Oleole, Stefanie Suzuki, Lucy Swinson, Matthew Travisano, Mitchell VanLandingham and Maureen-Teresa Williams.
For tickets, go to www.campbelltheater.com.
Chicago
Get ready for those merry, sexy murderesses to reappear as Pittsburg Theatre Company presents “Chicago.” Running May 9-18, the Fred Ebb, Bob Fosse and John Kander musical brings the Roaring ’20s alive with such tunes as “All that Jazz,” “Razzle Dazzle” and “Cell Block Tango.”
It’s all about being celebrity murderers as beautiful women work Chicago’s corrupt justice system and trade the electric chair for a comfier situation free of prison bars. For the inmates in “Chicago,” it’s all about fame, fortune and acquittal.
Dianna Schepers directs, with Jed Da Roza as musical director. Playing the coveted leads Roxie and Velma are Meghan Hornbacker and Shelly McDowell, who also choreographs the show. Keith Adair is Billy, with Safira McGrew as Mama.
“Chicago” takes place at the California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. For tickets, call 925-427-1611 pr go to https://pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com.
Pittsburg Theatre isn’t the only East Bay company getting into the jazzy Chicago scene. Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble will produce the teen version of “Chicago” July 11-13. Josh Velasques directs, with Laura Carreon as vocal director.
For complete information on auditions and the production, go to https://ghostlightte.org/teen-academy.
Spring Soirée
Concord’s Festival Opera announces its Spring Soirée 4-7 p.m. May 3 at the Piedmont Center for the Arts, 801 Magnolia Ave. The evening of music and celebration inspired by the legendary Parisian musical salons will feature favorite Festival Opera artists Shawnette Sulker, Courtney Miller and Taylor Thompson, with pianist Daniel Lockert. Wine and appetizers will be served, and participants are encouraged to wear period dress (Paris in the late 1800s-early 1900s). The evening also includes a live and silent auction. For more information, go to https://www.festivalopera.org.
Look for the hilarious comedy “Tootsie” coming to Clayton Theatre Company in October. The group had originally planned to present “Into the Woods,” but a professional company in San Francisco paid the much more expensive professional royalties to secure the show.
Without missing a beat, Clayton’s Roxanne Pardi and La Tonya Watts substituted the David Yazbek musical “Tootsie” about a difficult actor who disguises himself as a woman in order to work again.
Watch for more information at www.claytontheatrecompany.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