Seven stories in seven distinctive worlds

The Bay Area’s weekly roundup of arts, culture, and community | April 17 to 23, 2026

Seven stories in seven distinctive worlds
Ryan J. Haddad in Hold Me in the Water | Photo by Valerie Terranova

Berkeley Repertory Theatre has announced their 2026/27 season which will give audiences the power to travel through diverging tales and explore diverse worlds. Seven productions make up their new season including a new musical by Sara Bareilles, five West Coast premieres, and a play by Eduardo Machado.

“These works of significant theatrical scale allow us to contemplate what it is to feel a sense of belonging,” said Artistic Director Johanna Pfaelzer, “whether in a house, a body, or a country. Who we think we are, and who we will become, how we choose to move through the world, and who the people are who will shape our sense of self along the way. These plays are joyful and challenging, deeply felt and historically rich.”

Kicking off the season is The Cook, directed by Associate Artistic Director David Mendizába who’s previous staging of All My Sons and Mexodus thrilled Bay Area audiences. The women have taken back their power on Broadway and they are now coming to Berkeley to do the same in October with Liberation. Next is York Walker’s Covenant, hailed by The New York Times as “a striking Southern Gothic work.” The new year brings Bareilles’ world premiere musical, The Interestings based on Meg Wolitzer’s novel. Following is another premiere for the Best Coast, the solo play performed by Ryan J. Haddad Hold Me in the Water. In spring we will explore the question “what is it to be an American?” with the play Meet the Cartozians. Finally, closing the season is Tom Stoppard’s personal masterpiece Leopoldstadt.

The season promises to be surprising, vibrant, personal, thought provoking, and most of all, entertaining. – Ciara


On the Stage

||: Girls :||: Chance :||: Music :||

Theatre | American Conservatory Theater
Now – April 19 | Tickets

Four highly-gifted teens collab and collide one pivotal summer at a prestigious Berkeley girls’ music program.

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Next Line

“...my hope is that over the course of the year, we will allow ourselves to be individually and perhaps even collectively transformed—always a possibility when we encounter ambitious art!” – Johanna Pfaelzer

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