Mary Poppins flies in with tap shoes and wisdom
CONTRA COSTA COUNTY, CA (July 14, 2025) — If you’re in the mood for comedy, check out Onstage Repertory Theatre’s “Comedy Tonight.” The smorgasbord of magic, skits, vaudeville, songs and general merriment runs through July 26 at the Campbell Theater, 636 Ward St., Martinez.
The show features Jerry Motta and other favorite Campbell Theater performers.
The Martinez venue also offers “Partners in Crime” at 2:30 p.m. Aug. 3 and an open mic on the same date at 6 p.m.
For info/tickets on all events at the Campbell, call 925-350-9770 or go to www.campbelltheater.com.
Improvised thriller
Synergy Theater pays homage to Hitchcock with a revival of “Spontaneous Hitchcock: An Improvised Thrill in the Style of the Master of Suspense!”
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Artistic director Kenn Adams explained how it works: “Someone checks into the Bates Motel, and we start to improvise a psychological thriller. But all through the show, Nathan Bates is conspiring with the audience and setting traps for the main character – a word that they’re not allowed to say, for example, or a chair that they’re not allowed to sit in. Now, if they don’t say that word or sit in that chair, they can live. But if they do say that word or sit down in that chair, then Nathan Bates will kill them on the spot and throw the story in a whole new direction.”
The adventure at the Bates Motel runs through July 27 at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts, 1601 Civic Dr.
The Lesher Center also offers a musical respite from summer heat with a little of its own: “Tutti Frutti: The Musical.” Telling the story of Little Richard, the full-length production stars Emmy and Broadway World award-winning actor Dedrick Weathersby as Little Richard. A six-piece band and a cast of talented singers and dancers will fill the Lesher with passionate music at 7 p.m. on July 26.
For tickets to either “Spontaneous Hitchcock” or “Tutti Frutti,” call 925-943-7469 or go to www.lesherartscenter.org.
Mary Poppins
Given the often-dire news reports of shootings, flooding and political antics, I’m ready to walk into a dark room and be entertained by an enchanted tale with a happy ending. The Castro Valley Arts Foundation has just the ticket – “Mary Poppins.”
The beloved tale of the magical nanny features big tap numbers, specialty dancers and special effects including flying.
“This show looks at the dreams and disappointments of family life and, by the final curtain, suggests some very good solutions,” said director Becky Potter. “This family-friendly production entertains children, parents and grandparents alike.”
The show features Concord’s Shelley McDowell in the title role, with Walnut Creek’s Renee DeWeese Moran choreographing the dance-heavy show.
“The dance numbers set the pace of the show and contain many of the iconic moments people remember from the movie. These dance numbers pop with imagination, excitement and nostalgia,” Moran said.
If you’re in need of Poppins’ wise advice or just “A Spoonful of Sugar,” call 510-889-8961 or go to https://cvartsfoundation.org. The show runs July 25-Aug. 10 at 19501 Redwood Road, Castro Valley.
Send comments for Sally Hogarty 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