Berkeley Rep’s Girlfriend Sings like Spring Swallow

By Emma Krasov A small intimate Girlfriend directed by Les Waters – the latest production at Berkeley Rep has a great cast and a good script with well-written dialogs, but it’s a musical (music and lyrics by Matthew Sweet based on his 1991 album, and a book by Todd Almond). An overall enjoyable show on the eternal topic of coming of age is different in that coming of age coincides with the coming out of the closet, at least for one of the only two characters in the play. While Will (Ryder Bach) is content with having a childhood memory of wearing a T-shirt inscribed Daddy’s Little Princess, Michael (Jason Hite) needs to invent a girlfriend to feel in place among his peers on his sports team. The two are very much enamored with music of the epoch and tend to listen to the same song while talking on the phone with each other. The success of the play lies in its unforced lyricism and in its genuinely romantic feel. Real life, with all its negativity engulfs masculine Michael, but does not dare penetrate a dream world – the ultimate defense – created by Will, less confident, but innately more mature and wise. Behind a laconic set (scenic and costume designer David Zinn) in the depth of the stage resides a live all-female band – Julie Wolf (music director, rhythm guitar and keyboards), Shelley Doty (lead guitar), Jean DuSablon (bass), and ieela Grant (drums), helping the two boyfriends fully express themselves. Girlfriend runs through May 9 at the Thrust Stage, Berkeley Repertory Theatre, 2025 Addison St., Berkeley. There will be 30-minute docent presentations about the show at 7:00 PM on April 20, April 22, April 27,
April 29, May 4, and May 6; post-play discussions moderated by theatre professionals follow the 8:00 PM shows on April 23 and April 27. On select evenings, free tastings one hour before curtain: Artesa Vineyards and Winery on April 24, April 30, and May 2; the Berkeley
Farmers Market on April 25; and Meridian on May 1.For tickets or information, call (510) 647-2949 or toll-free at (888) 4-BRT-Tix – or click berkeleyrep.org. Image: Ryder Bach and Jason Hite star in the world premiere of Girlfriend, a new musical at Berkeley Rep wound around the tender love songs of Matthew Sweet’s landmark album. Photo courtesy of kevinberne.com