Witness the greatest concert that never was at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center when “Beatles vs. Stones” appears July 27 at 7:30 p.m.
Part of a 125-city tour, the show pits Rolling Stones tribute band Jumping Jack Flash and rival Brit boys Abbey Road in an all-out musical showdown for rock dominance.
Known for its attention to detail and nuance, Jumping Jack Flash delivers Stones blues-soaked, rock anthems.
Meanwhile, Abbey Road utilizes the multi-instrumentalist talents of its band members to recreate the depth and glory of the Beatles, including cuts seldom heard in concert.
“If the British Invasion had a house band in the ’60s and beyond, hopefully, we’d be that band,” said Chris Paul Overall, who plays Paul McCartney in the show.
For tickets, call the Lesher Center on 1601 Civic Drive in Walnut Creek at 925-943-7469 or go to lesherartscenter.org.
Castro Valley: A celebration of Shakespeare’s most unforgettable moments takes place under the stars thanks to Plethos Productions.
The show features iconic scenes and bold new pieces inspired by nine of Shakespeare’s most beloved plays including “Macbeth,” “Romeo and Juliet,” “Julius Caesar” and “A Midsummer Night’s Dream.”
The “Now That’s What I Call Shakespeare Festival” runs July 18-27 on the Meadow Stage at Heirloom East Bay (9990 Crow Canyon Road) in Castro Valley. For tickets, go to plethos.ludus.com/index.php?show_id=200469782.
Also in Castro Valley: The Castro Valley Arts Foundation/THC Arts Production presents “Mary Poppins: the Broadway Musical,” July 25 through Aug. 10.
Becky Potter directs the show about a practically perfect nanny with Renee DeWeese Moran as choreographer and Camden Daly as music director. For more information, go to cvartsfoundation.org.
Livermore: Take a trip to the romantic kingdom of “dreams come true” with Tri-Valley Theatre Company’s production of Rodgers and Hammerstein’s “Cinderella” July 12-27 at the Bankhead Theatre.
Nominated for nine 2013 Tony Awards, this Broadway adaptation of the classic musical features new characters, Douglas Carter Beane’s romantic libretto, surprising twists and, of course, Rodgers and Hammerstein’s unforgettable score.
Genoa Sperske directs Tri-Valley’s production and shares choreography duties with Cat Delos Santos Reyes. Music director is Jed de Roza. The musical features two actresses in the role of Ella (Cinderella): Zara Saje and Alyssa Prosch; with Liam Cody as the prince.
For tickets, call 925-373-6800 or go to livermorearts.org.
Off-Broadway: A former Walnut Creek resident could have coined the phrase “local guy makes good” and then some. Don Mackay cut his acting teeth with Center Rep and Fantasy Forum Actors Ensemble before moving on to the Mark Taper Forum, La Jolla Playhouse and several off-Broadway productions. Currently residing in London, he has performed in numerous West End productions as well as the Gielgud Theatre, Theatre Royal and Lyric Theatre in Belfast. He also has a slew of television and film credits opposite such notables as Michael Caine, Glenda Jackson and Kate Winslet.
He now adds creative writing to his ever-growing list of accomplishments. In collaboration with his wife, well-known playwright Penelope Skinner, Mackay originated and co-created the role of Roger in “Angry Alan,” which is currently playing at off-Broadway’s Studio Seaview, directed by Sam Gold and starring John Krasinski, through Aug. 3.
“We first created the one-man show in 2017 as a response to Trump being elected president,” said Mackay. “We had a president that, unwittingly or not, was the de-facto leader of the men’s rights movement. I wanted to understand what would drive an average guy to potentially radicalize.”
In “Angry Alan,” Roger is divorced, demoted and drifting — lost in an era that no longer makes sense. But when an online personality (Alan) promises clarity, Roger dives in without looking back. Mackay includes stories from his own life and imagines how he might have turned out if he had a different belief system.
Described as “timely, provocative and darkly comedic,” the play was a success when it debuted at several festivals around the world in 2019 but has now been updated for the New York run to reflect current political tensions.
Locals Kerri Shawn, Scott Denison, Scott Fryer, Samantha Fryer and Elizabeth Bonjean showed up in New York to catch the show and see Mackay. They described the show as “fabulous and moving.”
“It’s amazing to me that what started in our living room went all the way to New York and now stars John Krasinski,” Mackay said. “I was in John’s dressing room following the performance on opening night and in walked Steven Spielberg with tears in his eyes.”
While “Angry Alan” runs in New York, Mackay busies himself with television and film auditions while also preparing to perform with Danville’s Eugene O’Neill Foundation at the O’Neill Festival in New Ross, Ireland’s Oct. 9-12.
If you’re in New York over the summer, check out “Angry Alan” at the intimate Studio Seaview, studioseaview.com/show/angry-alan.
Reach Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com, and read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.