Comedy, classics and a world premier
Clayton Theatre Company presents the delightful comedy “The Savannah Sipping Society” by Jones, Hope and Wooten, directed by La Tanya Watts, March 28-April 13 at Endeavor Hall. The comedy focuses on four Southern women, escaping their day-to-day routines and drawn together by an impromptu happy hour. For tickets, claytontheatrecompany.com or 925-222-9106.
Auditions for the Clayton Theatre Company production of the Mel Brooks’ musical “Young Frankenstein” are Tuesday, April 9. For details, visit claytontheatrecompany.com.
B-8 presents the world premiere of “Pinned Butterfly” by Adam Esquenazi Douglas at the company’s temporary venue, the Concord Historical Society, 1928 Clayton Road. The show explores the issue of bisexual erasure within the LGBTQ community and runs April 4-22. Tickets at 925-890-8877 or b8theatre.org.
Center REPertory Company presents the Pulitzer Prize winning “The Diary of Anne Frank,” featuring Monique Hafen in the title role. Timothy Near directs this enduring, real-life tale of hope during the Holocaust, March 29-April 28 in Walnut Creek. For tickets, 925-943-SHOW or lesherartscenter.org.
Sophia Gilbert stars in the title role of “Matilda” in the Contra Costa Musical Theatre’s musical adaptation of Roald Dahl’s beloved story. Jennifer Perry directs the Walnut Creek show, running April 12-May 12. Tickets at 925-943-SHOW or lesherartscenter.org.
Randall Nott stars in “I Am My Own Wife,” Doug Wright’s innovative work about Charlotte von Mahlsdorf, a cross-dressing antique collector whose “museum” served as a key meeting place for LGBT citizens during WW2. Onstage Theatre founder Helen Means directs, March 15-24 at the Martinez Campbell Theatre. For tickets, 925-350-9770 or www.ccampbelltheater.com.
Ed Trujillo directs Diablo Valley College Theatre’s “Peter and the Starcatcher” at the Performing Arts Center in Pleasant Hill March 15-31. The musical is the swashbuckling prequel to “Peter Pan.” Tickets at 925-969-2358 or dvcdrama.net.
Plotline Theatre Company opens the romantic comedy “Bell, Book and Candle,” directed by Randy Anger and featuring Anna Oglesby-Smith as a modern-day witch who casts a spell over a handsome publisher played by Edwin Peabody. Ian Wilcox, Jerry Motta and Jennifer Lynn Brown Peabody round out the cast at the Martinez Campbell Theatre, April 11-28. For tickets, 925-350-9770 or campbelltheater.com.
Emma Curtin is outstanding as a 10-year-old a latchkey kid searching her brownstone neighborhood for a pen, a story and a community to write a school report in “Brooklyn Bridge.” This California premiere penned by Melissa James Gibson closes March 23 at Town Hall in Lafayette. Tickets at 925-283-1557 or townhalltheatre.com.
Pittsburg Community Theatre presents “Joseph and the Amazing Technicolor Dreamcoat,” starring Luke Cannon in the title role. Bobbie Barlow narrates the reimagined Biblical story. Directed by Keith Barlow, the Tim Rice and Andrew Lloyd Webber musical plays April 5-21 at the California Theatre in Pittsburg. The run includes a special Easter Sunday matinee. For tickets, 925-427-1611 or pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com.
Pittsburg California Theatre also sponsors Los Medanos College Equity Series’ production of “La Vida Loca,” an apolitical, in-your-face odyssey of Mexican immigrant Carlos Manuel. The one-man show is a highly kinetic monologue, March 15 and 16 at the California Theatre, Pittsburg. Tickets at 925-427-1611 or pittsburgcaliforniatheatre.com.
Role Players Ensemble’s 2019 fundraiser, “A Grand Night for Singing,” features top Bay Area vocalists performing music from legendary Richard Rodgers and Oscar Hammerstein classics. The show plays March 15 and 16 at the Village Theatre, Danville. Tickets at 925-324-3400 or roleplayersensemble.com.
Meanwhile, Dana Lewenthal and Alicia von Kugelgen play multiple roles in Charles Ludlam’s “The Mystery of Irma Vep” at Role Players. Mike Reynolds directs the send-up of the gothic horror genre, which opens April 11 at Danville’s Village Theatre. For tickets, 925-324-3400 or roleplayersensemble.com.
Children are invited to dress up as their favorite fairy tale characters to enjoy Diablo Ballet’s world premiere “Once Upon a Time.” Join Little Red Riding Hood, Cinderella, Alice in Wonderland and other favorites in choreographer Julia Adam’s new work, with live accompaniment from the Contra Costa Wind Symphony. The ballet runs March 22 and 23 in Walnut Creek. Tickets at 925-943-SHOW or lesherartscenter.org.
Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble premieres “Festival 10: Treasury of 10-Minute Plays,” the company’s inaugural festival featuring actors and directors from throughout East Contra Costa County. The troupe will perform 10 short plays March 30 at the Brentwood Community Center. Visit ghostlightte.org.
Kathryn G. McCarty is well-known around the Bay Area as an educator, playwright and journalist. Send comments to KGMcCarty@gmail.com.
