Happy Days |
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We are all alone in the face of death, and all alone in the face of life—how can this stark truth be funny? But in Samuel Beckett's brilliant hands it is, as you'll find out when you see Cal Shakes' production of Happy Days. Artistic Director Jonathon Moscone brings the work of the Nobel Prize-winning Beckett to the Bruns stage for the very first time with this astounding portrait of a woman buried up to her waist in sand, and in the comically painful toil of her life.
PLEASE NOTE: The role of Winnie will now be played by Patty Gallagher. We regret that, due to personal reasons, Marsha Mason has had to withdraw from the production.
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Resident dramaturg Philippa Kelly gives a grove talk about Happy Days. Click to Listen |
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Jonathan Moscone blogs for Happy Days |
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2009 Season Designer Profile: Happy Days' Todd Rosenthal |
Events
Inside Scoop
Aug 3, 7pm
Meet our directors, design teams, and cast members as they discuss their creative choices during these free Monday evening events at the Orinda Library (24 Orinda Way). Seating is limited, please arrive early. Free tickets will be handed out at the door beginning at 6:30pm, event begins at 7pm. Complimentary Loard’s Ice Cream and Peet’s Coffee & Tea will be served.
Grove Talks
Nightly, beginning 45 minutes prior to each performance
Our resident Grove Talk speakers provide invaluable insight into our work as they discuss the relationship between play (text, history, critical theory) and production (directorial point of view, design, character interpretation). Talks are approximately 20 minutes long.
Previews
Aug 12, 13 & 14
Be part of the process by seeing the show before opening night at deeply discounted prices.
Opening Night
Aug 15
Attend the opening night and mingle with the cast and critics at a post-show party with food, drinks, and music.
Tasting Nights
Tuesdays and Wednesdays, Aug 18, 19, 25, 26, Sep 1 & 2
Sample some of the Bay Area’s finest food and drink for free. Yes, we said FREE! Each of these special performances features tastings from one or two local purveyors. NEW: if you follow us on Twitter, you can get the names of your performance’s Tastings vendors texted to you in advance.
Meet the Artists
Sundays, Aug 16 & 30, following the 4pm performance (approx. 7pm). Discuss the production with the cast! Takes place in the amphitheater. Free and open to the public – you need not be a ticket holder for that day’s performance to attend.
Behind the Scenes
Thursday, Aug 20. Share an intimate chat with actors from each production. The evening includes a backstage tour, hors d’oeuvres, wine, and a catered dinner before the show. Participants meet at 5:30pm in the North Star Grove.
InSight Matinees
Sunday Aug 23, Performances followed by a conversation with the dramaturg exploring the world of the play. InSight takes place in the Bruns Amphitheater immediately following select 4pm Sunday matinee and is free and open to the public.
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CAST
(In order of appearance)
WINNIE / Patty Gallagher*
WILLIE / Dan Hiatt*
UNDERSTUDY
WINNIE / Joan Mankin*
CREATIVE TEAM
DIRECTOR / Jonathan Moscone
SET DESIGNER / Todd Rosenthal
COSTUME DESIGNER / Meg Neville
LIGHTING DESIGNER / York Kennedy
SOUND DESIGNER / Bradford Chapin
STAGE MANAGER / Briana J. Fahey*
CASTING DIRECTOR /Jessica Richards
ASSISTANT STAGE MANAGER/ Elizabeth Atkinson*
ASSISTANT DIRECTOR / Alan Patrick Kenny
COMPANY MANAGEMENT ASSISTANT / Nara Dahlbacka
*Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the Union of Professional Actors and Stage Managers in the United States.
"Gallagher glows with Beckettian misplaced optimism and makes his dark humor sing... (she) makes the amphitheater rock with laughter."
-Robert Hurwitt, San Francisco Chronicle
"A tragicomic tour de force... Gallagher...is nothing short of marvelous."
- Karen D'Souza, Contra Costa Times
"Thoroughly contemporary...Cal Shakes' version succeeds in every aspect...Gallagher is terrific as Winnie."
- Rachel Swan, East Bay Express
"Gallagher... gave a brilliantly bravura performance... She brings an impressive blend of dramatic intelligence and physical technique to the role... . Moscone and his design team give the play a splendid production."
- Georgia Rowe, The Examiner
"[Jonathan] Moscone has raised the bar even higher with his production of Happy Days. ... It is such a pleasure to see a work of this caliber so beautifully done."
- Sally Hogarty, The Oakland Tribune
