Curtain Calls: ‘Cinderella’ enchants at Berkeley Playhouse with a Bay Area twist

A slightly different holiday production plays through Dec. 22 at Berkeley Playhouse as “Cinderella Enchanted” continues to mesmerize audiences at the Julia Morgan Theater on College Avenue. With music by Richard Rodgers and book and lyrics by Oscar Hammerstein, the show is elegant and, of course, magical.

It follows the traditional story but with a special Bay Area twist.

This Cinderella is a free-spirited Berkeley artist, while the prince is a wealthy Silicon Valley type with a romantic side. Look closely at some of the sets and you might recognize a local Berkeley shop or two.

Khalia Davis directs and choreographs, with Vinh G. Nguyen as the prince, Kennedy Joy Fullard as Cinderella and Jennifer Marie Frazier as her Fairy Godmother.

For tickets to “Cinderella Enchanted,” call 510-845-8542 x351 or go to berkeleyplayhouse.org.

Lafayette: Bringing a magic of his own, the slightly nerdy, bespeckled Ralphie takes audience’s back to small-town Indiana in the 1940s with Town Hall Theatre’s production of “A Christmas Story.”

Based on the popular 1983 movie, Jean Shepherd’s play features an adult Ralph Parker as the narrator who reminisces about his childhood. As Ralph recalls moments made famous by the movie, his younger self appears and relives those moments, such as schemes to get a Red Ryder air rifle for Christmas, running from the school bully and the disastrous visit to Santaland. Of course, the play wouldn’t be complete without the calamitous Christmas dinner ruined by the neighbor’s dogs and the subsequent visit to the local Chinese restaurant. All these memories are visualized thanks to Ashley Rae Little’s versatile stage design, Jessi Barber’s lighting and Denise Altaffer’s costumes.

Heather Cousins directs with David Boyll (Ralph), Gretchen Lee Salter (Mother), David Ghilardi (The Old Man) and Janelle Aguirre (Miss Shields) giving the production its anchor as the seven youth roles alternate between two casts.

Funny and insightful, Boyll as the adult Ralph talks directly to the audience, often displaying his own youthful exuberance as he becomes lost in memories. Comedy is the key to the Parker family with Salter showing her gift for humor as the mother who cooks meatloaf and cabbage for dinner every night and Ghilardi as the father bursting through the door barely ahead of the neighbor’s dogs. On a quieter note, Aguirre creates Ralph’s wise teacher, who patiently deals with her prepubescent charges each school day.

The Green Cast performed the night I saw the show with Samuel Norder nicely bringing Ralphie to life and Sofia Garcia creating his funny younger brother Randy. Stella Ciarlantini, Hayden Hawthorn, Brandon Stemmler and Bella Verrico play Ralphie’s school chums with Wyatt Strand the dreaded bully.

“A Christmas Story” runs Friday at 8 p.m., Saturday at 2 and 8 p.m. and Sunday at 2 p.m. For tickets, call 925-283-1557 or go to townhalltheatre.com.

Berkeley: Brian Copeland’s heartwarming one-man show “The Jewelry Box” plays Friday at 7 p.m. at The Marsh, 2120 Allston Way.

Written by Copeland and directed by David Ford, this funny yet poignant tale tells of a young Brian determined to buy his mom a Christmas present. When he finds the perfect gift — a jewelry box — the 6-year-old Brian sets out to earn the $11.97 by Christmas.

I’ve seen this show before and it never fails to bring a tear to my eye as the youngster scours help wanted ads and collects bottles so he can purchase this perfect gift for his mom.

You may know Copeland for his other solo show — “Not a Genuine Black Man” — but this one is equally worthy of praise as the playwright/actor recreates the “mean” streets of 1970s Oakland.

For tickets, go to themarsh.org.

Also in Berkeley: On the music front, two-time Grammy Award-winning violinist Mads Tolling performs selections from his latest album “Cool Yule” at Berkeley’s Freight & Salvage, 2020 Addison St., Dec. 20.

I have had the privilege of hearing this world-class musician on several occasions and even performing with him once or twice. His new album, which includes his band Mads Men, features Nordic Christmas tunes combined with jazz and world music.

“We are also shedding new light on classic American holiday songs, some of which have Scandinavian connections,” Tolling said.

For tickets, go to thefreight.org.

El Cerrito: Congratulations to Joel Roster, who has been named the new executive artistic and managing director of Contra Costa Civic Theatre. He succeeds long-time director Marilyn Langbehn at the venue.

Roster, who is currently performing as Nathan Detroit in SF Playhouse’s fabulous production of “Guys and Dolls,” has extensive experience as a theater educator and administrator including executive director of El Campanil Theatre in Antioch.

“We anticipate a bright future filled with innovative, inclusive and captivating theatrical experiences under his leadership,” said CCCT Board President Kathleen Perka.

Reach Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com, and read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.