Pittsburg, PA
Curtain Calls: Pittsburg Community Theatre unites behind powerful musical ‘The Color Purple’
Based upon Alice Walker’s novel, this epic tale with book by Marsha Norman follows Celie, a young woman who despite unbelievable hardship embarks on an intense personal journey over the course of 40 years.
Thanks to composers Brenda Russel, Allee Willis and Stephen Bray, the musical enjoys a dynamic score of jazz, ragtime, gospel, blues and African music.
Tanika Baptiste directs the musical with Jon Gallo as music director and Carla BaNu Dejesus creating the choreography.
For a complete cast listing, go to pittsburgcommunitytheatre.org/color-purple.
“The Color Purple” runs Jan. 30 through Feb. 8 at the California Theatre on 351 Railroad Ave. in Pittsburg, then Feb. 13-22 at the Campbell Theater on 636 Ward St. in Martinez. To purchase tickets, go to tickets831.com (California Theatre) or campbelltheater.com (Campbell Theater).
Berkeley: An improbable love story, not to mention music that pulls you in and won’t let you, go highlights February at Berkeley Playhouse.
Whether you’ve seen the movie (which won the 2007 Academy Award for Best Original song) or the Tony Award-winning musical, you know how mesmerizing and just plain fun “Once” can be. As the musical captivates your heart, you are reminded how powerful music can be and how complicated relationships often are.
Set in Dublin, an Irish busker and a Czech immigrant, who is an accomplished pianist, meet and find a connection through their love of music. Over the course of one week, both sparks and chords fly.
As their friendship evolves into a complicated love story, their chemistry leads them to a new level of songwriting. The gorgeous melodies played throughout add another level to their relationship and a love that only happens once.
“I’ve always loved ‘Once’ because it digs into something I think about a lot: what music really is and how it connects us as human beings,” said Director Josh Marx. “I loved the movie ‘Once’ when I first saw it — and then the Broadway production pulled me in even deeper, especially the way it evoked a sense of community; similar to drinking a pint of Guinness in an Irish pub while patrons play music together. For Berkeley Playhouse’s production, we’re looking to put something truly special together; each actor plays their own instrument (sometimes more than one!), and we want to create an unforgettable experience that capitalizes on the amazing talent that we’re bringing into the room.”
Jake Gale (Guy) and Gillian Eichenberger (Girl) play the lovestruck couple calling upon their instrumental skills as well as acting talents. Other cast members include Michael Barrett Austin (Billy) and Dyan McBride (Baruska).
“Once” runs Feb. 20 through March 8 at the historic Julia Morgan Theater on 2640 College Ave. in Berkeley. For tickets, call 510-845-8542×351 or go to tickets.berkeleyplayhouse.org.
Orinda: Vacant for the past year without the hustle and bustle of various performing arts events, the Bruns Memorial Amphitheater in Orinda finally has a new tenant. East Bay Municipal Utility District (EBMUD) announced a 15-year lease of the nine-acre property at 100 Gateway Blvd. to the nonprofit Siesta Valley Foundation (SVF)
SVF hopes to preserve the EBMUD watershed and revitalize its impressive amphitheater. According to the foundation’s website, they will program projects that “reduce fire risk, restore habitat and protect water quality” while also offering live music, theater, film and dance events. The agreement lists approximately 40-50 events, which in addition to the performing arts would include an EBMUD native plant and bird garden and Watershed Community Center for public education and environmental literacy.
“EBMUD looks forward to seeing this agreement preserve the watershed, revive a regional arts landmark and generate sustained community and financial value,” said EBMUD Board President Marguerite Young. “This unique site will once again be a vibrant East Bay destination.”
I, for one, hope Young is right. I’d love to be back in that beautiful valley enjoying a live performance.
The foundation’s operating partner Siesta Valley Bowl plans to run the facility as a mixed-use performing arts center with a tentative date of April for its first events. Ultimately, the group hopes to build an indoor facility that will allow programming year-round.
For more information, go to siestavalley.org.
Martinez: Onstage Theatre is auditioning for the outrageously fun “The Rocky Horror Show” Feb. 27 and 28 at The Campbell Theater on 636 Ward St.
Dianna Schepers directs with Shelly McDowell as choreographer and Adam Green as musical director. Rehearsals begin in late August with performances Oct. 30 through Nov. 22.
For more information, go to campbelltheater.com/auditions.
Reach Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com, and read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.
Two people were injured in a shooting at a Kroger in Warren County, Ohio, police said on Friday night.
In a post on Facebook, the Hamilton Township Police Department said the shooting happened at the store on State Route 48 in Maineville.
Police said officers were called to the Kroger around 7:30 p.m. for a report of a shooting. At the scene, officers found two people with non-life-threatening injuries, but the extent of their injuries was not immediately released. CBS affiliate WKRC reported that Hamilton Township Chief of Police Scott Hughes said the two people were injured after someone shot into the store’s vestibule.
In an update just after 11 p.m. on Friday, Hamilton Township police said on Facebook that investigators made an arrest, saying “more info will be released later.” Police added after the shooting that there was no immediate threat to the public.
Law enforcement said the store will remain closed for the night, and the investigation continues. No additional information was released on Friday, with Hamilton Township police adding that more information will be released as it becomes available.
A West Deer Township woman captured video of an Amazon driver illegally passing a school bus on Saxonburg Boulevard, saying it’s not the first time it has happened.
“They act like it’s a racetrack,” Carley Gavulich said of Tuesday’s incident. “What if there was multiple children? What if you were to hit my child, anyone’s child?”
It felt too close to home for Gavulich. She was waiting for her son to come off the bus from Curtisville Primary Center when it happened on Tuesday.
“He actually was getting his new dirt bike delivered, so that’s why we were even recording,” she said.
She wanted to get his reaction to the dirt bike. Instead, the bus driver pulled up, and the Amazon Prime truck blew past the stop-arm.
“The Deer Lakes School District’s top priority is always the safety, security, and wellbeing of its students,” a spokesperson for the district said on Friday. “The District is aware of the situation and is taking all steps to address any concerns.”
A spokesperson for Amazon told KDKA it is looking into the incident and will take appropriate actions after a review.
“Amazon should hold him 100% accountable,” Gavulich said.
But whoever was driving is not the only person Gavulich believes needs a bus safety refresher. She said her husband has witnessed vehicles blowing by the stop-arm at least seven times.
Both are grateful that the bus driver saw the delivery truck coming and stopped her son from getting off.
“She is amazing, 100 percent props to her. If she would have let him off that bus, we would be having a different conversation,” Gavulich said.
The chief of the West Deer Police Department told KDKA that someone in the community had notified him about this. He added that all the district’s buses have cameras and that an officer will review the video and approve the violation.
That video from the bus has not come in yet, though, the chief said on Friday, adding that it can take a few days.
Two parents are facing charges after police say more than 60 teenagers were drinking at a large party in their Plum Borough home.
According to court paperwork, Ian and Corrine Dryburgh have been charged with endangering the welfare of children, corruption of minors, and furnishing liquor to minors stemming from the incident that happened at a home in Plum Borough late last month.
Police said that officers went to the home after receiving a tip about a large party involving high school aged children.
When officers arrived at the home, they found numerous teenagers, empty beer cans and empty seltzer cans, and multiple bottles of vodka.
The parents told police that a birthday party for their 17-year-old daughter got out of hand and that some kids has been kicked out, but more came and they didn’t know what to do.
According to the criminal complaint, officers said they had been called to the home two previous times for similar reasons.
Police said a total of 66 underage kids were at the home.
Court records show that both parents have been cited via summons and preliminary hearings are scheduled for mid-April.
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