The award-winning Berkeley Repertory Theatre (Berkeley Rep) has announced its 2024-25 season, featuring a captivating lineup of seven plays that explore timely and timeless themes. The season includes a diverse range of productions, from thought-provoking dramas to imaginative musicals and world premieres.
One of the highlights of the season is the hip-hop musical “Underground Railroad Game,” which sheds light on the estimated 4,000-10,000 U.S. slaves who escaped to freedom in Mexico. The musical features a live score created using instruments and live-looping technology.
Another eagerly anticipated production is Mary Zimmerman’s reimagining of Mozart’s beloved opera “The Magic Flute.” Zimmerman, known for her evocative and minimalist staging, employs a cast of 10 singers and five musicians to bring this classic work to life.
Jocelyn Bioh, who penned the book for the hit musical “Goddess,” returns to Berkeley Rep with “Hairspray,” a stage comedy about the denizens of a popular Harlem hair salon. The play delves into themes of love, family, gentrification, and the power of community.
Ali Benjamin’s best-selling novel “The Thing About Jellyfish” is adapted for the stage by Keith Bunin and premieres at Berkeley Rep. The play follows a 12-year-old girl who immerses herself in the life and science of jellyfish after the loss of a friend.
Irish playwright Conor McPherson’s acclaimed adaptation of Anton Chekhov’s “Uncle Vanya” comes to Berkeley Rep starring Hugh Bonneville in the title role. This production promises a fresh perspective on a classic play.
Moises Kaufman and Tectonic Theater Project, known for their docu-drama style, present “The Investigation: A Search for Truth in Ten Acts,” a play that unravels the mystery surrounding an album of Nazi-era photographs.
Completing the season is the world premiere of Jiehae Park’s “the aves,” a meditative look at life and aging centered on two elderly individuals engaged in insightful and humorous discussions.
Berkeley Rep’s 2024-25 season offers a rich and diverse array of theatrical experiences that promise to provoke thought, entertain, and inspire audiences. Subscription packages are now on sale, with single tickets available at a later date.
