A wealthy junkyard tycoon comes to Washington to buy a congressman, but he finds his uneducated “finance” embarrassing and hires a young journalist to smooth out her rough edges. And, oh boy, does he ever smooth them out! No, this isn’t the latest political intrigue out of Washington. It’s Garson Kanin’s 1946 Broadway hit “Born Yesterday,” which starred Judy Holliday as the lacking in social polish, former chorus girl, Billie Dawn.
Watching all the behind the scenes political maneuvering in 1940’s Washington at Chanticleers Theatre’s current production, made me realize how little things have changed. Fortunately, the Chanticleers’ show offers more entertainment and less angst than the real deal.
Director Michael Sally has pulled together a crisp, fast-paced production of this classic comedy with a good cast to portray the colorful characters. Jason Berner makes a demanding yet almost likable Harry Brock with a vivacious Laura Zimmerman his sexy and not-so-dumb fiancé. Mike Ettel epitomizes the smooth, intelligent journalist, who gets much more than a story. Bruce Kaplan, Edward Pieczenik and Kyle Smith add their own unique characterizations to Brock’s entourage.
John Baiocchi designed a lovely, colorful, period set for the action to play out with Piper Ferguson creating the gorgeous period costumes. “Born Yesterday” runs through Aug. 11 at Chanticleers Theatre, 3683 Quail Ave., in Castro Valley. Call 510-SEE-Live or go to chanticleers.org.
Orinda: To soak up even more 1940’s nostalgia, catch Orinda Starlight Village Players production of “Musical Comedy Murders of 1940.” The comedic murder mystery (not a musical!) pays homage to and makes fun of performers, directors, writers and others involved in theatrical life. In John Bishop’s play, the cast and producers of a new show have gathered in an out-of-the-way estate to impress a potential backer.
Of course, a blizzard cuts them off from the rest of the world, and comic mayhem ensues when the Stage Door Slasher makes an appearance. Directed by Edwin Peabody, the show continues through Aug. 10 at the Orinda Community Center Park, 28 Orinda Way. Call 925-528-9225 for tickets.
Also in Orinda: An action-adventure romance set in a harem marks Cal Shakes’ next production. “House of Joy” takes place in 18th-century Delhi, India, where an imperial bodyguard risks her life to fight for what’s right, turning against everything she’s been raised to believe.
To prepare for the immense amount of combat in the show, the actors playing bodyguards have been working with resident fight choreographer Dave Maier since May, drawing upon traditional Indian styles of martial arts. This world premiere runs Aug. 14-Sept. 1 at the Bruns Amphitheater in Orinda. For tickets, call 510-548-9666 or go to calshakes.org.
Alameda: If you ever read a script for a play, you’ll notice that sometimes playwrights add little notes about how a particular character should be played or how various movements should be executed. I’ve never seen the type of note, however, that Sarah Ruhl put in the first page of her script for “The Clean House.” Ruhl suggests that “Everyone in this play should be able to tell a really good joke.”
Now that seems like a play I’d like to see, especially since it involves a housekeeper who prefers to tell jokes rather than clean the house. I usually find lots of other things to do myself rather than clean. The Altarena Playhouse in Alameda brings this quirky comedy of manners to its intimate stage Aug. 9-Sept. 8. Jacqui Herrera directs this tale of modern marriage and housekeeping which features Janelle Aguirre, Marsha Harrison, Adriana Palhares, Jeanette Samiento and Louis Schilling.
Oakland hills: Set in a northern English mining town against the background of the 1984 miners’ strike, the story of a young boy’s struggle to make his dream come true became an international smash-hit. Now, Woodminster Summer Musicals brings “Billy Elliot” to Oakland, Aug 2-11 in Joaquin Miller Park. The cast features Joel Dean (Billy), Deborah Del Mastro (Mrs. Wilkinson), Robert Moorhead (dad) and Krista Wigle (grandma). The wonderful Joy Sherratt plays Billy’s mom. For tickets, call 510-531-9597 or go to woodminster.com.
San Francisco: Those who love Broadway musicals should check out the upcoming movie screening of “Broadway Covered.” This independent film features a diverse cast of Bay Area performers singing covers of well-known Broadway anthems, ballads and classics. If you’ve attended any musicals around this area, you’ll recognize many of the performers. The film will be shown at Landmark’s Clay Movie Theater in San Francisco on Aug. 17, 18, 24 and 25 at 11 a.m. To see the trailer, go to youtube.com/watch?v=TzKuX0Jjhg8.
It’s a Chicago recording studio, and Ma Rainey and her band members are recording a new album, or at least trying to. Tensions and technical problems, however, threaten their efforts in August Wilson’s “Ma Rainey’s Black Bottom,” running Aug. 7-11 at The Costume Shop, 1117 Market St. in San Francisco. Produced by the Multi Ethnic Theatre, the play features Susie Butler as Ma Rainey. A soprano with a four-octave range, Butler has been performing her solo show on Sarah Vaughan for over 15 years and records on Razzz Records. For tickets, go to wehavemet.org.
East Bay: Vallejo Shakespeare in the Park takes all the drama of Shakespeare’s “Henry V” on the road this summer as part of its free park series. Patrons are encouraged to bring a blanket and sit picnic style for this story of young King Henry V and his attempts to live down his wild adolescent past and show his fitness to lead. “Henry V” comes to Rithet Park in Crocket (Aug. 3), Susana Street Park in Martinez (Aug. 4), Peralta Hacienda Historical Park in Oakland (Aug. 10) and Dracena Quarry Park in Piedmont (Aug. 11). All shows are at 3 p.m. For more information, call 510-872-8539 or email vallejoshakespeare@gmail.com.
And lastly: Congratulations to SF Playhouse. Its production of Dipika Guha’s “Yoga Play” moves to the Laguna Playhouse this fall. Most of the original Playhouse cast will reprise their roles in this comedic journey towards enlightenment in a crass, commercial world.
Sally Hogarty can be reached at sallyhogarty@gmail.com. Read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.