Counter Attack!: A New Tragicomedy From Joan Holden
Ashby Stage (1901 Ashby Ave. Berkeley, CA 94703)
- Full Price:
- $22.00 - $25.00
- Our Price:
- FREE - $12.50*
* Additional fees apply.
All offers for Counter Attack! have expired.
The last date listed for Counter Attack! was Saturday February 25, 2012 / 8:00pm.
Goldstar Member Tips
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Denise M. on What to Wear
Casual. Dress for comfortable bleacher seating.
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J on Where to Eat
They had wine coffee and cookies for sale
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Denise M. on Where to Park
Don't count on BART parking, but lots of street parking.
12 Goldstar Member Reviews
Renee S.
We enjoyed this play.....especially hard-working Marlene and her long time customers who keep streaming into the diner. The multiple roles played by the large cast kept it interesting as well. Great set and costumes. A fun evening out for live theater with some mature actors who seemed to nail their lines and characters.....a good, but not great play....still well worth the discounted price of admission.Written on Feb 13 2012
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Rodney A.
J
It was nice to see a play with so many actors of different ages and with more mature actors. This company is filling a niche that needs and deserves to be filled. I also enjoyed how all of the people played tons of different roles. The costume changes and supporting characters were great. It was fun watching who would come through the diner door next. Overall, I was not "wowed" by the play but I am glad I went. More local people of all ages should go and support this company.Written on Feb 12 2012
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Denise M.
Funny and touching, realistic, my friend (a former waitress)and I enjoyed the story and the acting. The main characters were easy to love (or despise). This was a light-hearted presentation of a serious subject. We recommend it.Written on Feb 06 2012
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More Information About Counter Attack!
Website
http://stagebridge.org/see/counter-attack/
Quotes & Highlights
- On Saturday, February 11th, author Candacy Taylor will give a talk back and sign books at the shows. Authographed books will be available for purchase at all shows.
Description
Stagebridge presents Counter Attack! written by Joan Holden, directed by Sharon Lockwood, starring Joan Mankin. With Arthur Holden in supporting roles, Bruce Barthol on guitar & bass and Dan Chumley designing the set.
In 1970, Mankin played the ingénue and Lockwood the feminist "villain" (read heroine) in Holden's first original script, The Independent Female, or A Man Has His Pride, a comic/ironic melodrama about a young woman's fight to have a career.
In 2012, Mankin plays the heroine and Lockwood directs Holden's 40th play, Counter Attack! —a comedy with tragic overtones about an old woman's fight to keep her job.
Like the book that inspired it: Counter Culture by Candacy Taylor, the play pays homage to an undervalued profession: career diner waitress. Taylor interviewed dozens of self-styled "lifers" to learn how women in their 60's and 70's can keep slinging hash—and found that most love their work, make good livings and dread retirement. Mankin brings years as a clown and juggler, Lockwood brings years of performing farce, and Holden brings a year's experience as an inept waitress to the story of 70-something Marlene's triumph over 20-something Courtney, who wants her job.
Running time is approximately 2 hours, including a 15-minute intermission. The show is appropriate for ages 12 and older.
About the Book: Counter Culture profiles waitresses aged 50 and older who have been working in neighborhood diners throughout the United States. Photographer, writer and former waitress, Candacy Taylor uses interview quotes, cultural criticism, documentary photography and oral histories to document an overlooked group of working women who have brought meaning and culture to the American roadside dining experience. Recently optioned by ABC for a TV series. Called “a wonderful read,” by The Wall St. Journal.
About the Ticket Supplier: Stagebridge Senior Theatre Company
Based in Oakland, California, Stagebridge is the nation's oldest - and most innovative - senior theatre company. Founded in 1978 by Dr. Stuart Kandell, we've grown from an acting class for five women in their 70s to a nationally recognized performing arts and outreach program that is changing how people experience and view aging.