What would you risk for freedom? That’s not an easy or comfortable question but it’s one Risa Jaroslow asks in her latest work, “Talking Circle.”
The dance piece, which premiered at Oakland Theater Project (OTP) early in 2022, returns Jan. 6-15 to OTP and the stage at FLAX art and design, 1501 Martin Luther King Jr. Way in Oakland.
“We are thrilled to partner with Risa Jaroslow and the extraordinary dancers in ‘Talking Circle,’” said OTP Co-Artistic Director Michael Moran. “The piece is strikingly beautiful and includes various levels of dancing ‘expertise,’ and yet all participants are an equal part of the whole.”
Using a multigenerational cast and music by Bay Area vocalist/composer Amy X Neuburg, Jaroslow imagines a turning point in the life of a small community. In the process, “Talking Circle” comments on society, belonging and togetherness.
“There are many circles inside ‘Talking Circle,’ ” said Jaroslow. “In a circle, people can see each other. In this work, seeing and acknowledging one another’s differences while holding each other and remaining in community is its heart and soul.”
The cast includes dancers Anna Greenberg, Phoenicia Pettyjohn, Cauveri Suresh and Erin Yen. They’re joined by Pamela Wu Kochiyama and Sharon Dalke of The Elders Project at Oakland’s Destiny Arts Center. For tickets to “Talking Circle,” go online to oaklandtheaterproject.org.
Alameda: How many times have you been to a restaurant where it seemed like forever before your food came? Though unfortunately a common occurrence, Peter and Irene deal with that and more in Wendy MacLeod’s “Slow Food.”
Running Jan. 20 through Feb. 19 at Alameda’s Altarena Playhouse, the play tells of an empty-nester couple celebrating their anniversary with a trip to Palm Springs. Hardly the perfect vacation, the couple struggles with the rental car agency bungling their reservation and a not-so-perfect hotel.
Starving, exhausted and emotionally spent, Peter and Irene search for a nearby restaurant only to find all are closed except for Dmitri’s, a Greek restaurant. Their controlling waiter micromanages every part of their dining experience, except for actually serving the food.
Running 90 minutes with no intermission, “Slow Food” features Peter Marietta as Peter and Kimberly Ridgeway as Irene. Damion Clark plays the needy waiter. Director Katina Psihos Letheule said she has a “dream cast to work with. Great chemistry, and they are so funny.”
The Altarena Playhouse is at 1409 High St. in Alameda. For tickets, go to altarena.org or email boxoffice@altarena.org.
“Slow Food” is the first show in the Altarena’s 2023 season, which also includes “Ruthless” (March 24 through April 30), “A Soldier’s Play” (May 26 through June 25), “The Birds” (Aug. 11 through Sept. 10) and “Miss Bennett: Christmas at Pemberley” (Oct. 20 through Nov. 19).
Berkeley: The topic of food also takes center stage at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, which opens two-time Pulitzer Prize winner Lynn Nottage’s Tony Award-nominated play “Clyde’s” on Jan. 25. Previews begin Jan. 20.
The action takes place at a truck-stop sandwich shop where formerly incarcerated folk make up the kitchen staff. The feel-good comic drama follows their attempts at rebuilding their lives despite a difficult boss who slings insults faster than the processed food. The mysterious chef and sandwich guru Montrellous serves as a counterpoint to Clyde’s negativity, offering the young staff hope and an opportunity to create their own perfect sandwich.
“It’s hard to imagine anyone other than Lynn [Nottage] who could create such a potent blend of politics, humor and a reminder that even in the most mundane tasks there exists the possibility of the transcendent,” said Berkeley Rep Artistic Director Johanna Pfaelzer. “It is a privilege to put this amazing play into the hands of director Taylor Reynolds, an extraordinary talent who I’m delighted to welcome to Berkeley Rep for the first time.”
The cast features Wesley Guimarães (Rafael), Cyndii Johnson (Leticia), Louis Reyes McWilliams (Jason), April Nixon (Clyde) and Harold Surratt (Montrellous).
“I’m looking forward to seeing how Bay Area audiences respond to ‘Clyde’s,’ a story of people looking to rebuild and transform their lives, which feels more relatable than ever,” said Reynolds.
Call 510-647-2949 or go to berkeleyrep.org for tickets.
Orinda: The Orinda Theatre welcomes Broadway’s Sam Gravitte, best known for his role as Fiyero in “Wicked.” Gravitte brings his 70-minute show to Orinda at 5 p.m. Jan. 29 as part of the “Live at the Orinda!” concert series.
“I hope the audience gets a glimpse into my childhood — growing up with actor parents with music as one of the rock-solid constants in my life — and that they enjoy an evening that explores a big old handful of genres,” said Gravitte.
For tickets, go to orindamovies.com.
San Francisco: The Tony Award-winning Best Musical “Dear Evan Hansen” comes to San Francisco’s “Orpheum Theatre” at 1192 Market St. from Jan. 24 through Feb. 19. The popular musical has won over audiences across the country with its deeply personal story about life and the way we live it. To get your tickets before they sell out, go to broadwaysf.com.
Sally Hogarty can be reached at sallyhogarty@gmail.com. Read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.
