On Tap: Orinda Theatre to show French film ‘Driving Madeleine’
The movie depicting a taxi ride through Paris will be screened for at least a week starting Jan. 26.
ORINDA
The International Film Showcase will screen the French film “Driving Madeleine” for at least one week starting Jan. 26 at the Orinda Theatre. The Christian Carion film will also screen Jan. 27 at the Jarvis Conservatory in Napa.
As the story goes, a seemingly simple taxi ride across Paris evolves into a profound meditation on the realities of the driver, whose personal life is in shambles, and his fare, an elderly woman whose warmth belies her shocking past.
Charles (Dany Boon) plays the taxi driver in Paris who’s having a very bad day. Madeleine (Line Renaud), meanwhile, is the immaculately groomed 92-year-old woman who informs Charles that the day’s trip will not be a direct one.
She is moving into a care home and would like to make some stops along the way, predicting that this might be her last car ride through the city. See a trailer at youtu.be/w_ZLwuO2eg8, and visit internationalshowcase.org for more details online.
— International Film Showcase
BRENTWOOD
Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble offers six-week acting classes
Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble will host two six-week acting classes starting Jan. 22, the first of which focusing on acting basics, including the fundamentals to build a strong acting foundation. The class will run from 6 to 7:30 p.m. Mondays, Jan. 22 through Feb. 26.
Meanwhile, “Scene Study” is a class analyzing and bringing to life scenes from plays and films. It will also run on Mondays, Jan. 22 through Feb. 26, but from 7:30 to 9 p.m. Both classes will be at the Brentwood Community Center and cost $150 each.
Brian Moore, an actor with more than 10 years of industry experience, is the teacher. Register at ghostlightte.org/acting-classes-1.
—Ghostlight Theatre Ensemble
LAFAYETTE
One-night folk music festival Feb. 2 at Town Hall Theatre
Town Hall Theatre and Front Porch Open Mic will collaborate for a one-night folk music festival at 7 p.m. Feb. 2 in the theater at 3535 School St. The event will bring together local acoustic musicians and performers for an entertaining, inspiring talent showcase.
The series was a big success in 2023, drawing in several hundred audience members who enjoyed listening to the onstage and lobby performers. The event was founded five years ago when local musicians Andrée and Austin Hurst decided opportunities were lacking for other local musicians to perform in a supportive, inclusive environment.
Similar events at the venue are planned for April 5, Aug. 2 and Nov. 1. The cost is $15 in advance and $20 at the door. For more information, call 925-283-1557.
— Town Hall Theatre
Submit area arts-and-entertainment On Tap items to Judith Prieve at jprieve@bayareanewsgroup.com.