Berkeley Playhouse KidStage to Present STARMITES, 8/1-2

Berkeley Playhouse presents its next KidStage production, the Tony-nominated off Broadway and Broadway sensation STARMITES. The show is set to runThursday, August 1, 3:15pm, 7pm; Friday, August 2, 3:15pm, 7pm at the Julia Morgan Theater.

Shy teenager Eleanor has built a fantasy world around the sci-fi comic books she collects. To the distress of her mother, she has learned to avoid the pains of growing up by escaping into fantasy, imagining herself to be an unrecognized superhero. When she is mysteriously thrust into the fantasy world of her favorite comic book, Eleanor is drawn into the conflict between Shak Graa, Arch-Creep of Chaos, and the Starmites, guardian angels of Innerspace. With the help of the Starmites and their heartthrob captain, Space Punk, Eleanor learns to own up to the inner power she has always denied, defeating a colorful assortment of villains, and conquering the evil force of "The Cruelty." Declared "an utterly charming musical...You do not need to be a science fiction buff to enjoy 'Starmites.' The only prerequisite is that you be, or once were, young" by The New York Sunday Times,STARMITES is a cheerful musical throwback to the 1980s, a living cartoon about growing up, discovering self-confidence, and building self-esteem. Berkeley Playhouse Artistic Director Elizabeth McKoy (Disney's Alice in Wonderland Jr., The Sound of Music, Willy Wonka and the Chocolate Factory, Peter Pan) helms STARMITES, featuring musical direction by Tania Johnson and choreography by Maggie Manzano.

Berkeley Playhouse believes that kids and teens have the ability to command their own audiences. The company's acclaimed KidStage program gives talented students the opportunity to participate in full-scale youth-only productions of the highest quality with some of the best professional directors, choreographers, and designers in the Bay Area. Cast members of KidStage productions receive ongoing training in acting, voice, and movement.

Berkeley Playhouse was founded by actor, director, and teacher for over 20 years, Elizabeth McKoy. Under the artistic guidance of McKoy, and Managing Director Lauren Hewitt, Berkeley Playhouse is a professional theater for all ages that presents a season of year-round musicals, providing children and families with unique and sophisticated musical theater experiences. In addition, Berkeley Playhouse has a music theater conservatory, headed by Director of Education Lisa Appleyard, which offers a range of educational instruction classes in music performance skills. In 2009, Berkeley Playhouse made its permanent performance home at the historic Julia Morgan Theatre in Berkeley.

For tickets ($20 Adults, $15 Youth) and more information, visit berkeleyplayhouse.org or call 510-845-8542x351.

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