Local theaters offer one-act plays, plus soap opera drama

CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (July 19, 2024) — Onstage Theatre continues its “Off the Shelf and on the Stage” one-act festival through July 28.

The festival brings seven new plays to light at the Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St., Martinez.

The featured plays encompass a wide variety of topics, including Rom Watson’s “Randall & Ward Attend the Theatre,” director JanLee Marshall; Bridget Grace Sheaff’s “Lighted Fools,” director Annie Potter; Jacquie Priskorn’s “Good Morning, Miriam,” director JanLee Marshall; Jim Maher’s “Annabel Lee,” director Jim Maher; Christine Benvenuto’s “The Female Gaze,” director Alan Cameron; C.C. Cardin’s “Fishing,” no director listed; and Lewis Black’s “In Between Songs,” director Eddie Peabody.

For tickets, call 925-350-9770 or go to www.campbelltheater.com.

Phoenix Rising

On June 9, Pittsburg Theatre Company lost more than 40 years of history when fire destroyed their warehouse. In addition to accepting donations to help the company get back on its feet, they will present a benefit concert, “The Phoenix Project: Rising from the Ashes,” July 27 at the California Theatre, 351 Railroad Ave., Pittsburg. A reception starts at 6 p.m. with drinks and hors d’oeuvres, followed by the 7:30 p.m. concert. Tickets are priced at $25 and $65.

To help the company rise from the ashes, go to https://pittsburgcommunitytheatre.org.

Spontaneous Soap

Synergy Theatre dives into daytime TV with “Spontaneous Soap: An Improvised Daytime Drama.” Running through July 28 at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center,1601 Civic Dr., the show is based on the early days of daytime drama.

“It’s when the soaps were sponsored by products such as dish and laundry soap – hence the name,” explained show-creator/director Lynn Shields. “Our show takes place in the small town of Beaver Pines in the year 1960. Just like scripted soap operas, it’ll be filled with scandal, intrigue, sex, romance, villains and dramatic pauses to die for.”

According to Synergy artistic director Kenn Adams, the performances will be like actual soap operas – with each of the eight performances picking up exactly where the previous show left off.

“Each show will have its own exciting twists and revelations inspired by audience suggestions,” said Adams.

You might want to catch more than one show so you can see how the story evolves. For tickets, call 925-943-7469 or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.

Much Ado About Nothing

The Orinda Starlight Village Players will perform Shakespeare’s witty, romantic comedy “Much Ado about Nothing” July 19-Aug. 10 at the Orinda Community Center Park amphitheater, 28 Orinda Way.

Love is in the air as troops return home from war, along with lots of mischief as the story of “Much Ado” unfolds. Patrick Atkinson and Venee Call-Ferrer direct.

For tickets, call 925-528-9225 or email info@orsvp.org.

Ghostlight Theatre

Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble’s teens are busy this summer, having just finished a run of “A Chorus Line” and readying the musical “Footloose” for 2 and 6 p.m. July 20.

Not to be outdone, the group’s regular theater program presents Monty Python’s “Spamalot” Aug. 2-11. Full of heroic knights and damsels in distress, the musical pays tribute to the motion picture “Monty Python and the Holy Grail.” The cast includes Jasmine Alejo (Lady of the Lake), Liam Cody (Lancelot) and Chris Fallows (King Arthur).

Both “Footloose” and “Spamalot” perform at the Edna Hill Theatre, 140 Birch St., Brentwood. For more information and tickets, go to https://ghostlightte.org.

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