IN THE EAST BAY, BOY ACTORS GET A SHOT AT THE BIG TIME IN FOR BETTER OR WORSE WHO: Berkeley fifth-grader Gideon Lazarus and Danville fourth-grader Austin Greene WHAT: For Better or Worse WHERE: Berkeley Rep’s Thrust Stage / 2025 Addison Street at Shattuck / Downtown Berkeley WHEN: March 11–April 24, 2005 INFO: 510.647.2949, 1.888.4BRTTix or www.berkeleyrep.org BERKELEY CA, FEBRUARY 16, 2005 When the curtain rises on the next play at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, it’s show time for youth from two local communities: Berkeley 10-year-old Gideon Lazarus and Danville nine-year-old Austin Greene will strut their stuff alongside seasoned actors at this Tony Award-winning theatre. In the production of Geoff Hoyle’s latest farce, For Better or Worse, the boys alternate in the role of Toto Follavoine, the son in the center of the comic storm. For Gideon Lazarus of Berkeley, this will be his first appearance in professional theatre. It also marks a milestone for the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre, which trains adults and children: Lazarus is the first student from the school to appear in a professional show on Berkeley Rep’s stage. Last year, he attended the school’s spring session and its Summer Intensive, and was eager to audition for Berkeley Rep when he learned there was a role for a boy his age. Lazarus is a fifth grader at The Crowden School in Berkeley, where he studies double bass with Micheal Taddei. When he’s not practicing, he enjoys reading fiction and history and arguing about politics. “We are pleased that this show allows us to work with talented youngsters in our community, and particularly proud to see one of our students take on his first professional role,” said Rachel Fink, director of the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre. “We hope it encourages other youth to pursue their artistic interests.” Gideon’s counterpart is Danville’s Austin Greene, already a seasoned actor at age nine. Last year, Greene played two roles at the American Conservatory Theater: Ivar in A Doll’s House and Tiny Tim in A Christmas Carol. He has also performed in John Muir’s Mountain Days at the Willows Theatre in Concord and in the Willows Conservatory productions of Phantom, Les Miserables and Honk. Greene attends the fourth grade at Sycamore Valley Elementary School. The boys play opposite master clown, Geoff Hoyle, who portrays their beleaguered father. Hoyle trained with Marcel Marceau’s teacher, Etienne Decroux, and later clowned for Cirque du Soleil, Circus Flora and the local Pickle Family Circus. He created the role of Zazu in the original Broadway cast of The Lion King, and has performed at theatres around the globe, including many unforgettable performances at Berkeley Rep. A wickedly funny farce on married life, For Better or Worse is Hoyle’s uproarious translation and adaptation of two one-act comedies by Georges Feydeau. The cast includes several other accomplished local actors: Lynnda Ferguson, Sharon Lockwood, Jarion Monroe, Amy Resnick and Rudy Guerrero. Directed by David Ira Goldstein, the show begins previews on March 11, opens March 16 and closes April 24. It is supported by Executive Producers Marjorie Randolph and Stephen K. Cassidy, Season Sponsor BART and two production sponsors: Contra Costa Newspapers and Union Bank of California. Berkeley Rep’s Thrust Stage is located at 2025 Addison Street, one block from Berkeley’s downtown BART station and close to AC Transit bus lines. For tickets or information, visit www.berkeleyrep.org or call 510.647.2949 or 1.888.4BRTTix. For a complete release on our production of For Better or Worse, click here. Media contact: Terence Keane 510.647.2917, tkeane@berkeleyrep.org BACK TO TOP