Live Oak Theatre (Berkeley, CA)
Set in 1838, As It is in Heaven explores issues of faith through the eyes of nine women in a Shaker village. When a newcomer to the community begins experiencing visions, the older members, who have seen none, begin to question their own devotion to the Way. Alternately dramatic and comic, the play reflects the simplicity of the lifestyle it depicts, and is punctuated by Shaker songs sung a cappella.
Event summary prepared by the Goldstar Editorial Team.
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The last date listed for As It Is in Heaven was Saturday November 21, 2009 / 8:00pm. (view all dates)
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The problems of living in community were dramatized for this rewarding play, "As it is in Heaven" from Actors Ensemble of Berkeley. On a cool night Linda and I visited the comfortable theatre that is part of a recreational center, getting there via directions by MapQuest that led us directly to the foot of the location we wanted to be: Live Oak Theatre, Berkeley, CA USA.
Known better as Actors Ensemble of Berkeley, and well said since the all woman cast of this "Spiritual Drama" was polished and practiced, that their rehearsal and study paid off shown well in the performance we attended on a Saturday night.
The able and even dramatically imaginary directing by Jeremy Cole in his last production of the 2009 season played so well that without nary a hitch the dance and singing, the dialogue and drama moved ahead and movingly in a coreographed series of conversation, angel sightings, character dialogue of a revealing kind on the backgrounds of these dedicated Shaker women. The women were afterall both entertainingly and skillfully played as their 19th Century simplicity of lifestyle and faith in God in Christ at their Kentucky village in Pleasant Hill.
Written with obvious compassion and feeling by playwright Arlene Hutton, this sometime comic and amusing portrayal is a two-act pleasure. As we expected, the evening was a good one as both Linda and I became involved in the lives of these devout and dedicated women of special character and conviction. The musical singing was soothing, melodic enough without being harmonic (appropriately so for Shakers, we learned), and all in all the event was worth the 50 minute drive from where I live in Mill Valley, CA (north of San Francisco).
The North Berkeley location is well lit, and the man behind the ticket counter amusing as he took our money or did the will-call ticket check-in with a little story or a few words to each patron in line. An hospitable experience by the young man who wore a fashionable hat while keeping the line going.
The theatre house blurb notes of the play: "Based on actual events from the Era of Manifestations in the late 1830's, "AIIIH" interprets a time when reports came to light of young Shaker girls experiencing unusual trancelike activities, communication with angels, and descriptive journeys to heavenly places."
Let me note that the Deacon was well played and with a fierceness that was convincing and effective. The elder of the Shaker village women showed her steadfast willingness to keep the community stable and long lasting, though required to make tough decisions about the lives of her flock. An admirable and mature performance by the actress was obvious. In fact, the entire range of performance was mature in outlook and rendering, no small feat given the various emotions and situations of a living kind the women practiced in their work of getting along, living together in religious community.
In conclusion, let the playgoer know that this ensemble play acting will entice and even bring joy with some edification to the fortunate theatre goer who takes the extra measure of checking out Actors Ensemble of Berkeley's very good production of "As It is in Heaven." Certainly, this is a theatre that gives value for the price of admission judging by this show, the first Linda and I have attended.
I didn't know what to expect, but was greatly moved by this lovely ensemble piece - the actresses were all perfectly cast and the songs were lovely. I'll be thinking about this one for some time...
Great performances all round. Wonderful singing and ensemble choruses. One begins to develop a familiarity with the different roles each plays in the community and the tensions resulting therefrom.
The play gives a fascinating look into the little known world of the Shakers, both their original inspiration and their potential demise from the same.
One little suggestion: Use those Shaker brooms as percussion instruments during some of the songs (I just saw Neil Young's band do this Saturday night and it was very beautiful!)
Tips are provided by Goldstar members and Actors Ensemble of Berkeley. Goldstar is not responsible for their content or accuracy.
Berkeley's Live Oak Theatre at 1301 Shattuck Ave. (at Berryman), owned by the city and managed by Actors Ensemble of Berkeley, is available for rentals to theater groups, dance troupes, choirs and other performing and non-performing organizations.
This is the story of a religious community in crisis. The play is based on actual events from the Era of Manifestations - a time of heightened divinity and unusual behavior that began in the late 1830s with reports of a group of young Shaker girls who became absorbed in unusual trancelike activities, communication with angels and descriptive journeys to heavenly places.
Actors Ensemble is the longest running theater organization in Berkeley-- going strong since 1957. All of productions are made possible through the efforts of volunteers, who provide the actors, the designers, the builders, the publicity, the behind-the-scenes production, and all the other things necessary to put on a first rate show.