To conjure the spirit of Halloween, Center Rep offers a scary treat from our friends across the sea with the original London production of Susan Hill’s “The Woman in Black.” The mystery-thriller premieres at Walnut Creek’s Center for the Arts on Nov. 5-23.
“It’s an honor to bring London’s West End production all the way to Walnut Creek just in time for spooky season,” said Center Rep Artistic Director Matt M. Morrow. “This classic tale is told through a fresh and inventive new point of view that will keep you on the edge of your seat and reaffirm your belief in the power of live theatre.”
For over 30 years, “The Woman in Black” has enthralled London audiences with its story of a young lawyer and a mysterious figure on the lonely, desolate estate he is trying to settle following the death of the owner. The lawyer, along with a skeptical actor, unspools the mysteries hidden among the moors of the haunted estate.
When the classic thriller was released as a major motion picture starring Daniel Radcliffe in 2012, it became the highest-growing British horror film in 20 years.
Robin Herford directs the Walnut Creek production. His cast includes David Acton, James Byng and Ben Porter.
Center Rep has added some fun interactive audience events for the show: Behind the Scenes (Nov. 7), Cast Chat (Nov. 12) and Pride Mixer (Nov. 21).
For more information and tickets, go to centerrep.org.
Also in Walnut Creek: Last chance for tickets to “Ronstadt Revolution,” which performs Saturday at the Lesher Center. I’ve attended one of their concerts and it’s electrifying. Very talented instrumentalists and vocalists bring you an evening full of great music and stories with Natalie Amaya practically channeling Ronstadt in her vocals.
For tickets, call 925-943-7469 or go to lesherartscenter.org.
Martinez: It’s also the last weekend for Pittsburg Theatre Company’s production of “The Savannah Sipping Society.” Now at The Campbell Theater on 636 Ward St. in Martinez, Jones Hope Wooten’s comedy tells of four women at crossroads in their lives. Dianna Schepers directs. Go to pittsburg-theatre-company.square.site for tickets.
Berkeley: Shotgun Players and the Al Hirschfeld Foundation team up for a one-night event Nov. 7 at 7 p.m.
Al Hirschfeld, the artist whose famous caricatures captured Broadway stars and beyond, will be celebrated by host David Leopold.
Leopold offers an inside look at Hirschfeld’s creative process and the stories behind his famous artwork. A pop-up gallery featuring limited-edition prints hand-signed by Hirschfeld will be available with all proceeds supporting Shotgun Players.
The event takes place at the David Brower Center on 2150 Allston Way in Berkeley. Tickets are available by calling the Shotgun box office at 510-841-6500 ext. 303 or going to shotgunplayers.org.
While on Shotgun’s website, check out its next show “Sunday in the Park with George,” beginning Nov. 15.
Clayton: How would you like to be one of five Southern women who meet at a beach cottage every August to reconnect from their college swim team days and support one another?
If so, you don’t have to travel far — just show up at Endeavor Hall on 6008 Center St. to audition for Clayton Theatre Company’s “The Sweet Delilah Swim Club.” Auditions take place Nov. 9, 4-6 p.m., and Nov. 10, 7-9 p.m. No appointment necessary.
Rehearsals begin in February 2026 with the show running March 13-22. For information on the play and character breakdowns, go to claytontheatrecompany.com.
S.F.: The East Bay’s own Laurie Roldan makes her debut at Feinstein’s at the Nikko, 222 Mason St. in San Francisco on Nov. 1 at 8 p.m. Her show “A Song for You: The Music of Karen Carpenter” began at the Lesher Center where Roldan honed the show into a tight, impressive concert with lots of heart. She made her New York debut earlier this year at The Green Room 42. She returns to the Big Apple on Nov. 11 to perform the piece at the prestigious 54 Below.
Roldan does many of Carpenter’s hits as well as incorporating her own stories into the evening and how Carpenter’s journey helped her pursue her own dreams. She will be accompanied by Michael Hatfield.
For tickets, go to feinsteinssf.com.
Also in S.F.: With many worrying about the effects technology might have on their lives, performer/writer Adam Strauss tackles the problem head on in “Before I Forget.”
Strauss faces his father’s Alzheimer’s diagnosis and his own obsessive-compulsive disorder by chatting with an unusual co-star: ChatGPT. The solo show dramatizes Strauss’ attempts to optimize his mind against future decline. The show culminates in a live AI therapy session.
Appearing Nov. 9 through Dec. 13 at The Marsh on 1062 Valencia St. in San Francisco, the show offers a window into how AI is reshaping industries as well as coping strategies. For an intimate glimpse into one man’s psyche, go to themarsh.org.
Reach Sally Hogarty at sallyhogarty@gmail.com, and read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.