Never underestimate the appeal of immersive theater experiences. Due to popular demand, “The Copacabana Supper Club” has extended its engagement at the newly renovated Henry J. Kaiser Center for the Arts in Oakland through June 29.
It begins on the new lakeview terrace overlooking Lake Merritt and continues to the Brazilian-themed Copacabana where an immersive world of vibrant colors encircles the central stage filled with actors, singers and dancers as the drama unfolds.
For more information and tickets, go to hjkarts.com.
Oakland Hills: Woodminster Summer Musicals turns its lovely amphitheater into the dazzling streets of 1920s Paris with its opening show “Anastasia.”
Running through Sunday, this captivating tale of love and family follows young Anya as she attempts to unlock the mystery of her past with the help of a charming con man and a delightful ex-aristocrat.
Woodminster’s season continues with “Hello, Dolly!” (July 11-20) and “Into the Heights” (Aug. 8-17).
The amphitheater is located high atop the Oakland Hills in Joaquin Miller Park with gorgeous views of the Bay Area. Although it doesn’t have a specific address, it can be easily found by taking the Joaquin Miller Road exit off Highway 13 and following the signs.
For more information and reservations, go to woodminster.com.
Berkeley: Most people have heard of the musical “Mamma Mia” or are at least familiar with ABBA’s music. Well, Central Works now offers its own version of a daughter raised on a Greek island with its premiere of “The Last Goat.”
Written and directed by Gary Graves, “The Last Goat” tells of Kori, a young woman living alone in an old farmhouse with her grandmother on an isolated Greek island. They scratch out a meager living from the land. Kori longs to see the world but worries about abandoning her grandmother. When a young man staggers into their home claiming he was shipwrecked, Kori and her grandmother offer him shelter.
As Kori becomes increasingly attracted to the young man, her grandmother becomes more convinced he isn’t trustworthy and wants to take over the farm.
The cast includes Andre Amarotico (Nikolis), Liris Robles (Kori) and Jan Zvaifer (Melina).
“The Last Goat” runs June 28 through July 27 at Berkeley City Club on 2315 Durant Ave. For tickets, call 510-558-1381 or go to centralworks.org.
Orinda: The summer season for Orinda Starlight Village Players kicked off with the Agatha Christie gem “Murder on the Orient Express” at Orinda’s Community Center Park on 28 Orinda Way. The murderous mayhem continues through July 5, followed by Jean Anouilh’s “Ring Round the Moon” (July 25-Aug. 16) and closes with Charlotte Bronte’s “Jane Eyre” (Sept. 5-27).
“Each show is set in a different time period — each of them unique,” said Matt Cardigan-Smith, who directs the Agatha Christie show and is costuming all three plays. “‘Orient Express’ features costumes from 1934 with all the glamour that period’s first-class passengers would have worn while ‘Ring Round the Moon’ is set in the 1890s and includes beautiful ball gowns and lots of jewels. ‘Jane Eyre’ features attire from the 1820s-1860s.”
He adds that the set for “Orient Express” is quite grand “unlike anything our audiences have seen in the past. We’re really pulling out all the stops, and I have an incredible cast of actors that will blow everyone away,” Cardigan-Smith said.
“Murder on the Orient Express” begins at a restaurant on the train platform with the rest of the action taking place on the train.
“The train is its own character in a way,” said Cardigan-Smith. “First you see the outside of the train, and then it opens, and you see the inside of each car.”
For season tickets or individual tickets to any of the shows, go to orsvp.org.
Walnut Creek: Center Rep continues its senior sex scandal murder mystery musical “Happy Pleasant Valley” through June 29.
In this quirky, fun adventure, young internet influencer Jade Park decides to help her rebellious grandmother, whose nocturnal adventures have raised eyebrows at her senior residential community. When several of June’s lovers mysteriously die, the pressure is on Jade to solve the mystery and save her grandmother’s (sex) life.
Call 925-943-7469 or go to centerrep.org/tickets/buy-tickets.
Clayton: Looking for creative, enjoyable opportunities this summer? Clayton Theatre Company has just the thing for ages 7-16. In addition to preparing songs and dances for the closing production, the camp also teaches audition techniques, how to prepare a monologue, stage presence, teamwork and more.
Summer Stage runs July 7-11 and 14-18, with participants ending the two-week camp with a production of Disney’s “Jungle Book Jr.”
Roxanne Pardi directs with La Tonya Watts as choreographer. Call 925-334-0880 or go to claytontheatrecompany.com.
Reach Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com, and read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.