eurydice 2007

As it concludes a season in which three of its shows opened on Broadway, the Tony Award-winning Berkeley Repertory Theatre has elected officers to lead it through another year of fearless theatre. At the annual meeting for this renowned nonprofit, leaders from the Bay Area's top firms renewed their commitment to Berkeley Rep's board of trustees and pledged their support for its 43rd season, which presents eight adventurous shows here at home and sends another acclaimed production to London.

Today, with the announcement of its annual awards, the Outer Critics Circle recognized two shows developed at Berkeley Repertory Theatre. Carrie Fisher won the award for Outstanding Solo Performance with Wishful Drinking, and Kevin Adams of American Idiot was honored for Outstanding Lighting Design. The Outer Critics Circle - the official organization of writers covering New York theatre for out-of-town newspapers, national publications, and other media beyond Broadway - has given awards since 1950.

Today, as Green Day's American Idiot takes Broadway by storm, the Tony Award-winning Berkeley Repertory Theatre announced a rare opportunity for fans to bid on exclusive items from the show's world-premiere run in California.

Even as the world premiere of Green Day's American Idiot takes the Roda Theatre by storm, Berkeley Repertory Theatre celebrates bringing two shows to Broadway that were developed on the same stage.

Today, even as it celebrates sending another show to Broadway, Berkeley Repertory Theatre announced a new season of adventurous plays for local theatre lovers. Tony Taccone, artistic director of the Tony Award-winning company, revealed five bold shows selected for the upcoming year. His ambitious agenda for the 2009/10 season includes three world premieres: a compelling script commissioned from Naomi Iizuka, a captivating new collaboration from Lisa Kron and Leigh Silverman, and the debut of a beautiful musical from Matthew Sweet and Todd Almond. The Theatre?s 42nd season also includes a West Coast premiere by Tony Kushner, the Bay Area?s introduction to Aurélia?s Oratorio, and two plays to be named at a later date. Best of all, the cost of a subscription to Berkeley Rep will not increase this year, meaning that some seats for these shows can be snatched up at the 1998 price!

Today Tony Taccone, artistic director of Berkeley Repertory Theatre, announced additional dates for two solo shows that he staged in Berkeley before launching them on tours across the continent. Danny Hoch's Taking Over had its world premiere at Berkeley Rep in January and hit it big in Montreal this July; next week it starts an All City Tour featuring free performances in Brooklyn, Queens, and the Bronx in addition to previously announced dates in Manhattan and Los Angeles. Moreover, after a record-breaking run in Berkeley last winter, Carrie Fisher's Wishful Drinking careened through Hartford, San Jose, Santa Fe, and Washington, DC this summer; now it adds Seattle to a list of upcoming destinations that also includes Boston.

The long, strange trip is coming to an end: Passing Strange, the rock musical that was born at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, enjoyed an extended off-Broadway run at The Public Theater, and then burst onto Broadway with its original cast intact is scheduled to close this Sunday - but not until it's saved on film. On Saturday, celebrated director Spike Lee will shoot two of the show's final performances to preserve it for future generations!

Tony Taccone, artistic director of Berkeley Repertory Theatre, revealed that Danny Hoch's 'Taking Over' - which made its world premiere at Berkeley Rep in January - is headed on the road.