A Room with a View

This summer, Actors Ensemble of Berkeley will be bringing a new adaptation of E.M. Forster's beloved novel, A Room with a View, to the John Hinkel Park Amphitheatre Saturdays/Sundays July 1st - July 16th plus a special show on Tuesday, July 4th, all at 4 p.m. The production is free-of-charge and first-come/first-served, but we are accepting reservations for wheelchair users, their companions, and those with limited mobility, and even for regular folks who just want to let us know they are coming (though we cannot save a seat for you) so we can make sure to bring enough hot-dogs, veggie-dogs, and corn-on-the-cob for intermission.

Please note that the Saturday, July 8th performance, originally scheduled for 6 p.m., has been cancelled due to an unfortunate scheduling snafu.  We invite everyone to attend our remaining shows on July 9th, 15th, and 16th, and to also attend the free performance at John Hinkel on Saturday, July 8th by Morechestra, part of Berkeley's Music in the Parks, from 3;30 to 5:30 p.m.

Adapted by Bay Area playwright Stuart Eugene Bousel, who has long considered the book and the 1985 Merchant Ivory film of it to be one of his favorites, this production will be directed by local actor/director Andrew Calabrese.

The story of a young English woman who, while on a holiday in Italy, meets a rich ensemble of characters who will change her life and shape her emerging consciousness, A Room with a View was Forster's third novel to be published and his first great success.

With: Sophie Ruf as Lucy, Tyler Scott Null as George, Megan Briggs as Charlotte, Lisa Wang as Eleanor/Marion, Khizer (Izzy) Iqbal as Freddy, Francis Serpa as Cecil, Keith Jefferds as Mr. Emerson, Stanley Spenger as Arthur/Mr. Floyd, Joyce Jacobson as Teresa Alan/Cockney Maid, and Marsha van Broek as Catharine Alan/Mrs. Vyse.  Stage Management by Mary Tran assisted by Alyssa Riddell.  Costumes by Genevieve Purdue assisted by Adri Schurman and Paula Dodd Aiello.  Sound design by Spencer Spencer.  Properties by Susan Dunn.  Set construction by Leif Pearson.  Produced by Jerome Solberg.

The amphitheatre seats well over 200 people and consists of a series of stone steps. Low lawnchairs are acceptable, or bring pillows and/or blankets.  The amphitheatre is wheelchair accessible with 5 spots for wheelchairs and 8 spots for wheelchair companions, all at ground level - please make a reservation so we can reserve these spots.  In addition, for those with limited mobility we will reserve places in the first few rows.  For all others, we encourage you to make a reservation (and make a donation!) so we have some idea of who is coming, but seats are on a first-come/first-served basis.   There are two handicap parking spots close to the amphitheatre and some additional spots along Somerset which are reasonably accessible for wheelchairs - we encourage folks to be dropped off.

John Hinkel Park Amphitheatre is at 41 Somerset Pl., Berkeley, CA 94707.  Access is via Arlington Avenue, turn right on Southampton, then continue straight onto Somerset.  Note that Google Maps will direct you to locations at the top of the park along San Diego Road - quite a hike down.  There is very limited parking at the amphitheatre, due to the addition of a playground which swallowed up most of the existing parking.  There is some parking along Arlington, Somerset, Southhampton, and San Diego Road - we encourage folks to ride bicycles or use ride services.  The closest BART station is the North Berkeley BART.  Unfortunately, the #7 AC Transit bus which stops right at the corner of Arlington and Southampton has been discontinued on weekends and holidays - the closest bus stop is at the intersection of Solano Avenue and the Alameda, about an 11 minute walk.

The production lasts about two hours, including a short intermission where hot dogs, veggie dogs, and corn-on-the-cob will be served.