Theatre Lunatico

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Theatre Lunatico

THEATRE LUNATICO - Read about La Val’s Subterranean in SFGate! (Link below) For rental info or tickets, see theatrelunatico.org

Theatre Lunatico has been producing exciting and innovative ensemble theatre since 2004. Directed by Tina Taylor, working with a core of dedicated performers, Theatre Lunatico combines theatre, dance, improvisation, movement and song to produce highly entertaining and artistically experimental theatre. In 2015, we launched the Shoebox Shakesepeare Series, a program dedicated to producing compellin

g and accessible productions of Shakespeare's works and other classic texts through strong ensemble performances in small, intimate venues. Support us by donating via PayPal here:
http://tinyurl.com/lunaticoMacbeth

Artistic Director:
Tina Taylor
Production Manager:
Melanie Bandera-Hess

Theatre Lunatico presents Macbeth In association with West Coast Arts Foundation of San Rafael.

08/02/2026

Theatre Lunatico is holding auditions for its production of The Secret in the Wings by Mary Zimmerman, directed by Michael Barr.

Were looking for someone to fill in the track of First Man

First Man:
Male: 40s, Any ethnicity
Father in the Opening
First Prince
Papa in Stolen Pennies
Suitor Number Five Hundred Sixty-Eight
Royal Dancer
Father of the Snake-Leaves Princess
One of the Two Men in Allerleira
Allerleira’s Father’s Attendant
King’s Attendant
One of the Seven Sons
One of the Parents in the Conclusion

For the audition: Prepare to tell a fairy tale story. Any one you want. Prepare the story as if you’re telling it to a small child. You’ll tell us the story out loud, then you’ll do it silently, with only gestures and pantomime, and then we’ll combine them. After that, you’ll do an exercise with one of our company members who’ll be present. We’re a physical ensemble theatre company, so please dress to move.

Rehearsals: August 25 – October 1
Tech: October 3 – 4
Preview: October 9
Run: October 10 – November 1
Performances: Fridays and Saturdays at 7:00 PM and Sundays at 3pm

Audition and rehearsals will take place at La Val’s Subterranean in Berkeley.

Non AEA/Volunteer Contract: Travel stipend provided.

How to Submit: Please email your headshot and résumé to [email protected] with the subject line: Secret in the Wings Audition.

12/29/2025

Thank you for an INCREDIBLE 2025. We so appreciate your gasps, laughter, applause, and commitment to the unique magic of live performance. We have so much more planned for the upcoming year, and we are asking for your continued support to make our 2026 season a reality. Make an end-of-year tax deductible donation or pledge a monthly recurring donation for 2026 today!

You can also support us by spreading the word about our company, bringing your friends to the theatre in 2026, and voting for us in BroadwayWorld by Dec 31st, where we are nominated for SIXTEEN Regional Theatre awards including Favorite Local Theatre!

The Theatre Lunatico core company wishes you and yours a Happy New Year! - Devon, Eileen, Lauri, Michael, Rachel, Shawn, and Umut

12/08/2025

Cast your votes by Dec 31st at the link in our bio! Thank you to our community first SIXTEEN BroadwayWorld Regional Theatre nominations 🎉

Best Play - Romeo and Juliet, The Moors

Best Performer in a Play - Christian Jimenez (Romeo and Juliet), Elana Schwartz (Romeo and Juliet), Lauri Smith (The Moors), Rachel Brown (The Moors)

Best Supporting Performer in a Play - Devon deGroot (Romeo and Juliet), Shane Fahey (Romeo and Juliet), Shawn Oda (The Moors), Sophie Ruff (The Moors)

Best Direction of a Play - Michael Barr (Romeo and Juliet), Tara Blau Smollen (The Moors)

Best Costume Design of a Play or Musical - Loran Watkins (The Moors)

Best Lighting Design of a Play or Musical - Francesca Berlow (The Moors)

Best Scenic Design of a Play or Musical - Umut Yalcinkaya (Romeo and Juliet)

FAVORITE LOCAL THEATRE - Theatre Lunatico

12/06/2025

ONE NIGHT ONLY, a special holiday fundraiser featuring clown, sketch, and song.
When Santa’s away, the elves come out to play...

Featuring core company members Rachel Brown, Michael Barr, Devon deGroot, Shawn Oda, AND friends from Lunatico performances past! Wear your ugliest sweater and kick off the holiday season with us.

Thursday Dec 11th
@7:30pm
La Val’s Subterranean Theater
Ticket link in bio

Doors open at 7pm. Tickets include a complimentary glass of wine. Fundraiser Ticket Pricing:
$25 - Student/artist, $45 - Basic Ticket Price, $75 - Theatre Supporter (Thank you!)

12/02/2025

Recurring donations mean the world to artists in an unstable nonprofit arts landscape. Pledge just $1 a day or $30 a month to support Theatre Lunatico’s artistic work ALL YEAR LONG!

We are so grateful to YOU, our audience and theatre community—for your gasps, laughter, applause, and commitment to live performance. Visit Theatrelunatico.org/donate to make your tax-deductible pledge for Giving Tuesday

10/20/2025

📣 Due to popular demand…

🧬 We’ve added an extra performance of Frankenstein on Thursday, October 30th at 7:30PM!

Lunatico’s bold, immersive world-premiere adaptation (written by Tina Taylor
adapted from the novel by Mary Shelley & directed by Lauri Smith) has been packing the underground theater—and we want to give even more of you the chance to experience it.

🎟️ Get your tickets before they vanish into the night: https://theatrelunatico.wordpress.com/frankenstein/

🗓️ October 11 – November 2
📍 La Val’s Subterranean Theater, Berkeley
🎭 Fridays & Saturdays – 7:30PM
🎭 Sundays – 3PM
🆕 Added Show: Thursday, October 30 – 7:30PM

Production photos by Scott Ragle Photography

10/14/2025

Lily Janiak for SF Chronicle writes “…to see Tina Taylor’s new adaptation…is to feel comfort and dread at the same time. It might assure you that at least the questions AI poses — What makes us human? Is a lust for knowledge always good? What do we do when our humanlike creations turn against us? — aren’t new. But that sword has a double edge.“

Read the full review at the link in our bio and get your tickets to Frankenstein, now playing through Nov 2nd!

FRANKENSTEIN | Oct 11th - Nov 2nd
Fridays & Saturdays @ 7:30pm
Sundays @ 3pm

Inside La Val’s Pizza @ 1834 Euclid Ave, Berkeley
Pay-what-you-will (suggested donation $15-$50)
Tickets & more info at theatrelunatico.org

Photo by Denys Bastov

10/09/2025

Lunatico’s Frankenstein is a pick, and our opening weekend is nearly sold out! Get your tickets now at theatrelunatico.org

A world-premiere adaptation written by Tina Taylor, directed by Lauri Smith.

October 11 - November 2, 2025
Fridays, Saturdays at 7:30PM | Sundays at 3PM

La Val’s Subterranean Theater:
1834 Euclid Ave., Berkeley, CA
Below La Val’s Pizza

09/27/2025

IT’S ALIVE! Frankenstein rehearsals are well underway at Theatre Lunatico. Opening October 11th, playing through November 2nd at La Val’s Subterranean Theater (underneath La Val’s Pizza). Don’t miss this thrilling work of sci-fi, horror, and ensemble theatre! A world-premiere adaptation written by Tina Taylor, directed by Lauri Smith.

LUNATICO PRICING! Suggested donation $15-$50, no one turned away for lack of funds (subject to seat availability). Ticket link & more info in our bio or at theatrelunatico.org

📸 Photos by Éssa Villanueva. Pictured, left to right: Tyler Aguallo as Victor Frankenstein and Sam Heft-Luthy as the creature

Address

1834 Euclid Avenue
Berkeley, CA
94709

Telephone

+14157307360

Website

https://docs.google.com/forms/d/e/1FAIpQLScFy2mX3GVjJj13DtJIIWcxt0uf-a25g8y0vmEdPYOIeS8RXQ/viewform?usp=sharing

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