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 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.
PITTSBURGH — The Pittsburgh Pirates have had a strong showing so far in the Grapefruit League, but suffered a surprising defeat.
The Pirates lost 3-2 to the St. Louis Cardinals at LECOM Park in Bradenton, Fla., taking just their third defeat in Spring Training so far, dropping to 9-3 in the Grapefruit League.
Pittsburgh saw their five-game winning streak come to an end, but they are still level with the New York Yankees at the top of the Grapefruit League standings.
This game also came after the first off day for the Pirates on March 4 and a 7-1 win over Team Colombia in an exhibition at LECOM Park on March 3.
How the Pirates Fell to the Cardinals
Pirates right-handed pitcher Mitch Keller made his third start in the Grapefruit League and threw three scoreless innings, before giving up a solo home run to Cardinals third baseman Nolan Gorman on a slider down in the zone, putting the road team up 1-0 in the top of the fourth inning.
That represented the first run that Keller gave up all Spring Training and Pirates left-handed relief pitcher Derek Diamond came in for him after he gave up a single to Cardinals right fielder Jordan Walker.
Keller has just a 1.23 ERA over 7.1 innings for the Pirates in the Grapefruit League, a good start for the veteran on the starting rotation.
St. Louis loaded the bases against Pirates left-handed relief pitcher Evan Sisk in the top of the fifth inning with three walks, but Sisk struckout top prospect in shortstop JJ Wetherholt and forced Gorman into a double play to keep it a one-run game.
Pirates right-handed relief pitcher Chris Devenski gave up a run in the top of the sixth inning, as he walked second baseman Ramón Urías, who stole second base, then gave up a single to catcher Pedro Pagés, doubling the Cardinals’ lead at 2-0.
The Pirates tied the game up at 2-2 in the bottom of the sixth inning, as shortstop Alika Williams hit a two-run home run off of Cardinals left-handed pitcher Quinn Mathews.
Pirates right-handed relief pitcher Cam Sanders gave up the go-ahead run in the top of the eighth inning, hitting leadoff batter Joshua Baez with a pitch and then giving up a single to pinch-hitter Jimmy Crooks to make it 3-2.
Right fielder Ryan O’Hearn had a strong showing for the Pirates in the loss to the Cardinals with two hits in two at-bats. He is now slashing .462/.563/.769 for an OPS of 1.332 in six Grapefruit League games.
Outfielder Jhostynxon Garcia had a hit off the bench for the Pirates, as he is now slashing .533/.611/.733 for an OPS of 1.344 in seven games.
Make sure to visit Pirates OnSI for the latest news, updates, interviews and insight on the Pittsburgh Pirates!
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