Font ResizeThe Willows Theatre Company demolishes the fragile foundation of "A Doll's House" in its current production running through Aug. 19, at the Willows Mainstage in Concord.
Henrik Ibsen's 1879 drama has been re-envisioned by director Eric Inman and set in the early 1960s. Using Frank McGuiness' modern adaptation, the story of a young wife and mother's transformation from pretty little plaything to a woman of substance works well in the new time period and, thanks to McGuiness, the language flows easily.
The early '60s -- with its 1950s sensibilities -- also saw men and women questioning society's established roles where, more often than not, the woman stayed at home and had little to do with the business world while the man earned the money she spent.
Inman also shifts the emphasis from women's rights to encompass a broader empowerment for both genders.
He certainly has the perfect artistic team and cast to pull off his interpretation with Adam Puglielli creating a wonderful 1961 New York City apartment (think the television show "Mad Men") thoroughly enhanced by Danny Maher's lighting design and Reid McCann's sound.
Mark Farrell (Torvald Helmer) manages to balance his controlling behavior with just enough vulnerability to give Torvald more depth than usually portrayed, while Lena Hart (Nora Helmer) beautifully pulls off the often awkward and difficult transformation from dependent wife to emboldened young woman.
For tickets,
The Willows Theatre, in partnership with Esses Productions, presents the Les Schwab Summer Concert Series at the Campbell Cabaret in Martinez.
Running at 8 p.m. each Saturday during August, the first show is Aug. 4, and features country and rockabilly music by "Kit and the Branded Men."
On Aug. 11-12, Top Shelf's "Johnny T and Alan Revelo" salute such icons as Frankie Vallie, Nat King Cole and Sam Cook. For tickets, call 925-798-1300 or go to www.willowstheatre.org.
And what would summer be without a play by Neil Simon? Castro Valley's Chanticleers Theatre presents "Lost in Yonkers" from Aug. 3—26.
Simon's tale of two young boys living with their strict grandmother and aunt until their gangster-type uncle appears is always a winner. Call 510-733-5483 or go to www.chanticleers.org.
Pleasant Hill's Heidi Buehler owes a big "thank you" to neighbor and fellow actor Nancy Sale. The latter told Buehler about an audition for the 360-degree production of "Peter Pan" at San Francisco's Embarcadero a few years ago.
Buehler, the former standout athlete at Carondelet High School in Concord, won the sought-after role of Tiger Lily and then went on a national tour with the production. Buehler now plans on moving to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. Who knows? We may soon see her on a local movie screen!
Contact Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com.
What better way to experience Walnut Creek's delicious dining choices than by participating in Diablo Ballet's "Gourmet Gallop" from 6 to 9 p.m. Aug. 9. The food and wine walk includes sampling culinary creations at 13 different top eateries plus an exclusive tasting at Damian Rae Winery. Participants set their own schedule as they stroll to the various restaurants.
The tasty event benefits Diablo Ballet's PEEK Youth Outreach, which brings in-school arts education to more than 5,000 students in underserved Contra Costa County elementary schools.
For information, visit www.DiabloBallet.org or call 925-943-1775.
Alameda's Altarena Theatre's production of "Private Lives" has a plethora of popular Contra Costa County actors in the cast. Bringing Noel Coward's classic comedy of manners to life are Timothy Beagley, Emily Garcia, Claire Stevenson, Ginny Wehrmeister (recently seen as Eliza in Town Hall's production of "Pygmalion") and Davern Wright.
Fred Chacon directs. The show runs Aug. 3—Sept. 2. For tickets, call 510-523-1553 or go to www.altarena.org.
There's still time to catch the last performance of Walnut Acres Children's Theater's "Annie." Directed by Judy Ryken, Lee Oller and Joni Cote, the hourlong children's version runs at 2 p.m. Aug. 1, and at 7:30 p.m. Aug. 2.
The show takes place at Walnut Acres Elementary School, 180 Cerezo Drive, in Walnut Creek. Tickets are $8 and are available at the door before each performance.
Pleasant Hill's Heidi Buehler owes a big "thank you" to neighbor and fellow actor Nancy Sale. The latter told Buehler about an audition for the 360-degree production of "Peter Pan" at San Francisco's Embarcadero a few years ago.
Buehler, the former standout athlete at Carondelet High School in Concord, won the sought-after role of Tiger Lily and then went on a national tour with the production. Buehler now plans on moving to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career. Who knows? We may soon see her on a local movie screen!
Contact Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com.
