Curtain Calls: Town Hall Theatre’s ‘Human Error’ looks at politics diving our country
Eric Pfeffinger’s intriguing work “Human Error” – a story takes a slightly different view of the ideologies fracturing our country – kicks off Town Hall Theatre’s new season Aug. 22 in Lafayette.
Eric Pfeffinger’s intriguing work “Human Error” kicks off Town Hall Theatre’s new season. Written in 2015, the show has been workshopped in several states — including New York, Florida and Colorado — and received its professional debut in 2018. The Town Hall production, as well as a production in Los Angeles, mark it’s California debut Aug. 22.
“If you’re a theater-lover, you’ll appreciate the way this script and this production are assembled,” said Managing Director Dennis Markam. “If you’re not a regular theatergoer, the story, the humor and the humanity are going to hook you.”
Pfeffinger’s story takes a slightly different view of the ideologies fracturing our country. Here the playwright introduces one couple who are blue-state liberals, with the other NRA-cardholding, red-state conservatives. While they don’t know each other, both couples are trying to have a baby and happen to be attending the same fertility clinic.
Thanks to a blundering doctor, the conservative wife is impregnated with the liberal wife’s fertilized embryo. Can two such ideologically different couples find a way to get along through nine months of gestation without killing each other?
“Eric Pfeffinger’s hilarious play invites us all to take a step back, enjoy a hearty laugh at our collective quirks, and perhaps discover new perspectives,” said Director Richard Perez.
The cast features Mark Anthony, Kyle Goldman, Flannery Mays, Melody Payne and John Charles Quimpo.
Town Hall Theatre is located at 3535 School St., Lafayette. For tickets, go to townhalltheatre.com/human-error.
Orinda: The sets have been built, the play cast and the costumes designed, but Cal Shakes might have to pull its upcoming production of “As You Like It” if enough money isn’t raised by mid-August.
“The last thing we wanted to do was to announce yet another emergency fundraising campaign,” said Executive Director Clive Worsley. “Every theater is struggling with the loss of our longtime arts funding and slowly trying to rebuild our audiences, and, unfortunately, we were also unable to escape that impact.”
To that end, Cal Shakes has launched a GoFundMe campaign to close the funding gap. As of this column’s deadline, a good portion of the $350,000 needed had been raised between the GoFundMe campaign and Cal Shakes’ website. Hopefully, they can complete the necessary funding and begin rehearsals Aug. 13. The show runs Sept. 12-29 at the beautiful Bruns Amphitheater in Orinda.
The popular Shakespearean comedy follows Rosalind, who flees persecution in her uncle’s court by taking refuge in the Forest of Arden. Her cousin Celia accompanies her, and together they find safety and, eventually, love in the pastoral setting.
Elizabeth Carter directs a cast with such well-known Bay Area actors as Sofia Ahmad, Catherine Castellanos, Sam Jackson, Leontyne Mbele-Mbong, Stacey Ross and Chris Steele.
To contribute to the campaign, go to gofundme.com/f/cal-shakes-50th-anniversary-show. For more information on the show, go to calshakes.org/asyoulikeit.
Walnut Creek: A revolution is coming this month to Lesher Center for the Arts. The “Ronstadt Revolution” to be more precise. The seven-piece Linda Ronstadt tribute band will sing the award-winning artist’s hits in both English and Spanish Aug. 16 at 7:30 p.m. at 1601 Civic Drive, Walnut Creek.
The band features East Bay native Marisa Barley with featured vocalist Natalie Amaya. The Martinez resident recently appeared in Center Rep’s “In the Heights.” The vocalists and instrumentalists list a plethora of experience including performing with Elvis Presley, Tina Turner, Sheryl Crow, Dick Dale, The Ventures, The Safaris and many more. For tickets, go to lesherartscenter.org.
Castro Valley: What a fun time campers had at Plethos Productions’ first annual Camp Monologa July 26-28. They spent the weekend camping in Castro Valley’s beautiful Heirloom East Bay enjoying gourmet camp food, swimming, hiking, crafting and performing arts workshops.
I was there for the theater reviewers panel on July 27 and had such fun with the lively audience. The campers also had the choice of attending sessions on fight choreography, Shakespearean acting, an audition workshop, an intimacy on stage workshop and more.
If you missed this year’s event, check out Plethos’ website (plethos.org).
San Leandro: The website will also give you info on the company’s next endeavor — an interactive murder mystery dinner “Summer of Peace, Love and Murder.”
The fun begins when the Children of Sunflowers stage a sit-in to protest the destruction of the area’s largest community park. But among all the “peace and love,” a dark deed awaits as the colorful protesters and a powerful CEO do battle.
Audiences interrogate suspects over dinner as they uncover weapons and motives. Prizes awarded to the sharpest investigator. Audiences are encouraged to wear their best 1960’s hippie-themed costume.
It takes place Friday-Sunday, 7 p.m., at Drake’s Barrel House, 1933 Davis St., San Leandro.
Reach Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com, and read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.