Blog

Apr 01, 2024

Hat's off to production of 'Crowns' at Walnut Creek's Lesher Center

A proud cultural history, a group of lively women and a plethora of gorgeous hats with a rich history of their own come together in playwright Regina Taylor’s moving musical “Crowns.” Produced by

A proud cultural history, a group of lively women and a plethora of gorgeous hats with a rich history of their own come together in playwright Regina Taylor’s moving musical “Crowns.”

Produced by Center Rep, the uplifting and inspirational work runs Sept. 9-Oct. 6 at Walnut Creek’s Lesher Center for the Arts.

“I love the women in the play. They feel like family to me. I love the music,” said Sonnenberg. “But the main reason is because I love Center Rep’s new artistic director, Matt M. Morrow. He is a beautiful soul, so when he called, I came.”

Morrow wasn’t the only draw for Sonnenberg, who saw her own mother, Myrtice Marie Turner, and her group of friends in Taylor’s church-going ladies.

“My mama has dozens and dozens of hats she’s collected over 36 years to wear to church. All the women in her church wear hats for service just like the ladies in the play,” Sonnenberg said. “Buying hats to wear to church started for her in her 30s when she was taken under the wing of the church mothers.”

Sonnenberg not only identified with the women in the play, but she went the extra step of asking her mother if she could borrow some of her hats for the production.

“Her beliefs about wearing hats to church align so closely with the characters in the play that I knew she would see it as an honor to have some of her hats here with us. It’s about faith and also fashion, so I knew in addition to the honor, she’d be happy to show some of them off!”

The story of “Crowns” centers on a community of women who wear brilliant hats for all of life’s occasions. When Chicago-born Yolanda is sent down South, she reluctantly enters their world and finds herself exposed to powerful rituals and a rich history.

For tickets, call 925-943-7469 or go to lesherartscenter.org. An ASL-interpreted performance takes place at 2:30 p.m. on Oct. 1 with Pay-What-You-Can tickets (suggested price $25) available Sept. 9 and 10.

Also in Walnut Creek: The long-awaited performance of Lori Laitman and Dana Gioia’s opera “The Three Feathers” takes place Sept. 8 and 10 at the Lesher Center.

Produced by Solo Opera, the family-friendly 85-minute show will be sung in English and marks the first time the full opera will be performed on the West Coast.

Based on a Brothers Grimm fairytale, the story follows Princess Dora, not a damsel in distress but rather a heroine. A magic feather leads the shy, self-doubting princess to an enchanted underworld ruled by a giant Frog King. Here she finds the courage and compassion to face a series of life-changing mysterious and comic adventures. Ultimately, she saves her father’s kingdom from her selfish sisters and earns the right to the crown.

“We chose this opera not only for its beautiful music and charming libretto, but for the important messages it shares about the power of women, believing in yourself and finding real treasure in life,” said Solo Opera Executive Director Sylvia Amorino. “The opera invites us to be more inclusive, open our hearts and minds and work to connect with those who are different from us.”

The opera features Eugene Brancoveanu (The King), Shawnette Sulker (Princess Dora) and Kirk Eichelberger (Frog King).

For tickets, call 925-943-7469 or go to lesherartscenter.org.

Orinda: A gaggle of young performers has invaded the Orinda Starlight Village Players as the company rehearses its final show of the summer season.

Malcolm Cowler’s adaptation of Carlo Collodi’s “Pinocchio” runs Sept. 8-30 at the Orinda Community Center Park Amphitheater, 28 Orinda Way, and features a 17-member cast ranging in age from 3 years old on up.

“Working with young performers is always very fulfilling, and I cherish the opportunity to encourage and mentor them, so they continue to grow and flourish in the performing arts,” said Music Director Ray Christensen, who also plays Geppetto.

Cowler’s musical adaptation follows the adventures of the wooden puppet Pinocchio who longs to become a real boy. Cowler believes his version is closer to the original book than many others.

“This is mainly due to how I create my adaptations,” said Cowler. “I import the entire text of the book into my word processor, then gradually reduce it into a workable script. This ensures around 80% exact dialog from the book.”

Cowler will use video projections played continuously on the back of the stage to create Pinocchio’s home and the other characters. Giving Collodi full credit, Cowler has titled his adaptation “Carlo Collodi’s Pinocchio.”

Cowler also couldn’t resist doing something with the local coffee shop named Geppetto’s. He has arranged for a meet and greet with the cast, including Christensen’s Geppetto, on Sept. 23 at 1 p.m. The coffee shop is located at 87 Orinda Way.

For tickets to the show, call 925-528-9225 or email [email protected].

Sally Hogarty can be reached at [email protected]. Read more of her reviews online at eastbaytimes.com/author/sally-hogarty.

Get Morning Report and other email newsletters