As AMERICAN IDIOT Begins, Berkeley Rep Rocks Out With Free Events

As Berkeley Repertory Theatre cranks it up for the world premiere of Green Day's American Idiot, the Theatre is rocking night after night with free events. This is the dawning of a season in which audience members can connect with one another and engage with artists at pre-show talks, post-show discussions, gourmet tastings, and popular parties like 30 Below, night/OUT, and Teen Night.

"At Berkeley Rep, you get smart and innovative theatre - and free events to stimulate your mind and tempt your taste buds," says Susie Medak, the Theatre's managing director. "Whether it's a talkback with our artists or a tasting with a local microbrewery, get something extra when you come to see our shows."

Events like these are what make Berkeley Rep a different path:

30 Below, the coolest night of theatre for people in their twenties, returns for another rocking year co-hosted by the SF Bay Guardian. Tickets to 30 Below are half-price for anyone under 30 years of age and include a pre-show happy hour at 7 PM, a provocative play at 8 PM, and a post-show party featuring fantastic music. Sip free drinks from Raymond Vineyard and Triple Rock Brewery and savor delicious delicacies from Meridian Restaurant. The first 30 Below of the season, for American Idiot on September 18, is sponsored by Levi's. Other dates include December 4 for Aurélia's Oratorio, February 26 for Concerning Strange Devices from the Distant West, and April 9 for Girlfriend.

With night/OUT, a series of wild parties for the LGBT community, see a fabulous play and then stay for the late-night festivities. Gay.com calls night/OUT "a disco party, complete with glitter ball, live DJ, cocktails, and dessert. Cast members hang out with fans, sign autographs, and talk about their plays." Fine food and beverages for night/OUT are provided by Raymond Vineyard, Triple Rock Brewery, and two of Berkeley Rep's favorite restaurants: Bistro Liaison and Tomatina. This season night/OUT takes place on three Thursdays: September 17 for American Idiot, April 15 for Girlfriend, and May 20 for a new play by Lisa Kron.

Teen Night invites youth to experience adventurous plays with their peers, seven times each year. The party starts at 6:30 PM on a Friday early in the run of each show, with a friendly pizza party at Berkeley Rep's School of Theatre. Then the group enjoys a behind-the-scenes chat with a member of the artistic team before going next door together to watch the show. All of this costs only $10 for high-school students!

· Berkeley Rep's series of tastings makes gourmet delights available to theatre-lovers on select Friday, Saturday, and Sunday evenings throughout the year, one hour prior to those performances. Local culinary artisans come to the Theatre to discuss their craft - and to offer free samples of premium wine, food, produce, gelato, and more! Consider it an amuse bouche for an evening of exquisite theatre. A complete list of dates for this year's tastings - nearly 100 in all - can be found at berkeleyrep.org.

In addition to these social events, Berkeley Rep also stays true to its roots with several Free Speech programs:

Free pre-show talks led by trained docents take place before evening performances every Tuesday and Thursday. These 30-minute talks, which begin at 7 PM, provide insight into the script, the artists, and the cultural and historical milieu of the show. There's plenty of time for questions during these informative presentations.

And, at post-show discussions, audience members chat directly with the artists. Moderated by a member of Berkeley Rep's staff, these conversations take place in the Theatre after select Tuesday, Thursday, and Friday night shows and last approximately 30 minutes. This fall, post-show discussions take place on September 17, September 25, and September 29 for American Idiot and on November 5, November 10, and November 20 for Tiny Kushner.

See tomorrow's plays today at Berkeley Rep. Subscribe now for the 2009/10 Season, which features seven daring new shows: the world premiere of American Idiot from Green Day and Michael Mayer, the world premiere of Girlfriend from Todd Almond and Matthew Sweet, the world premiere of Concerning Strange Devices from the Distant West from Naomi Iizuka and Les Waters, the world premiere of a new play from Lisa Kron and Leigh Silverman, the West Coast premiere of Tiny Kushner from Tony Kushner and Tony Taccone, and local debuts for Athol Fugard's Coming Home and Aurélia's Oratorio. This year of fearless theatre is supported by BART and Wells Fargo, the official sponsors of Berkeley Rep's 42nd season. The beautiful bouquets that adorn events at Berkeley Rep are all generously donated by Darling Flowers.

Join the party at Berkeley Rep! Inviting prices ensure that everyone can get in on the act. To attend any of these shows and the accompanying activities, call Berkeley Rep's box office at (510) 647-2949 or (888) 4-BRT-TIX - or simply click berkeleyrep.org.

 

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