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The Hills of California

Fri 31 Oct - Sun 7 Dec
Fri Oct 31
-
Sun Dec 7

Tickets now on sale

By Jez Butterworth
Directed by Loretta Greco
A co-production with The Huntington
West Coast premiere
Roda Theatre

Internationally renowned Olivier and Tony Award-winning playwright Jez Butterworth (The Ferryman, Jerusalem) weaves the compelling, tender, and savagely funny tale of the Webb sisters’ return to their childhood home in an English seaside town. As girls, their fierce and ambitious mother trained them for a singing career à la The Andrews Sisters. Now, past and present collide within the once-vibrant guesthouse as memories resurface with haunting clarity. The Hills of California explores how sibling bonds both sustain and suffocate, and how songs of youth echo through life. Loretta Greco returns to the Bay Area to direct the West Coast debut of this masterwork, following its acclaimed West End and Broadway productions.

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Amanda Kristin Nichols and Karen Killeen in The Hills of California. Photo: Liza Voll
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Amanda Kristin Nichols, Karen Killeen, and Aimee Doherty in The Hills of California. Photo: Liza Voll
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Mike Masters, Nicole Mulready, Meghan Carey, and Chloé Kolbenheyer in The Hills of California. Photo: Liza Voll
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Kate Fitzgerald and Allison Jean White in The Hills of California. Photo: Liza Voll
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Chloé Kolbenheyer, Kate Fitzgerald, and Nicole Mulready in The Hills of California. Photo: Liza Voll
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Meghan Carey, Kate Fitzgerald, Allison Jean White, Chloé Kolbenhyer, and Nicole Mulready (on floor) in The Hills of California. Photo: Liza Voll
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Karen Killeen (on floor) with (rear, l to r) Amanda Kristin Nichols, Kyle Cameron, and Aimee Doherty in The Hills of California. Photo: Liza Voll
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Allison Jean White in The Hills of California. Photo: Liza Voll
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Allison Jean White and Meghan Carey in The Hills of California. Photo: Liza Voll
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Production information

  • Runtime: Approximately two hours and 40 minutes including one 15-minute intermission
  • Age recommendation: Suitable for ages 14 and older due to mature and sensitive themes
  • Stage effects advisory: Use of herbal cigarettes and theatrical haze
  • Content advisory: Includes depictions of physical and verbal child abuse; also contains discussions of end-of-life care and past sexual abuse of a child and makes mention of illicit drug use and past forced abortion

 

Important dates

  • Masks required: Nov 2, Nov 9 (matinee and evening), Nov 11, and Nov 16 (matinee)
  • Closed captioning: evenings Nov 6, 7, 9, 11, and 12; and every matinee through Dec 4
  • Audio description: Dec 6 matinee
  • Postshow discussions: Nov 20, Nov 25, and Dec 5 — guided by members of Berkeley Rep’s artistic team
  • Docent-led postshow discussions: after all matinees

 

Events and extras

  • Teacher Night: Calling all K–12 educators and administrative staff! Join us on Nov 1 for a special Teacher Night hosted by the Berkeley Rep School of Theatre. It’s our way of thanking those who inspire and shape the next generation. Each $10 ticket includes a pre-assigned seat to our 8pm performance of The Hills of California and access to a preshow reception with remarks from Berkeley Rep executive leadership and the creative team. K–12 educators and/or administrative staff may buy up to two tickets and will be asked to confirm their credentials with a valid school ID at check-in. Get Teacher Night tickets.
  • Theatre Explorers: While you enjoy the Nov 22 matinee, your K–5 student can dive into an exciting, age-appropriate workshop just next door at our School of Theatre! Professional teaching artists lead theatre games and hands-on art projects designed to spark imagination. Registration is $35 per child; advance reservation required.

Who’s who

Cast

Karen Killeen* | Jillian
Patrice Jean-Baptiste* | Penny/Biddy
Lewis D. Wheeler* | Mr. Potts/Luther St. John
Aimee Doherty* | Ruby/Mrs. Smith
Chloé Kolbenheyer* | Patty/Young Ruby
Jack Greenberg | Tony/Mr. Halliwell/Mr. Smith
Amanda Kristin Nichols* | Gloria
Mike Masters* | Bill/Joe Fogg/Dr. Rose
Kyle Cameron* | Dennis/Jack Larkin
Allison Jean White* | Veronica
Meghan Carey* | Young Gloria
Nicole Mulready* | Young Jillian
Kate Fitzgerald* | Young Joan
Allison Jean White* | Joan
Aimee Doherty* | Dance Captain
Annika Bolton | Understudy Young Gloria, Young Joan
Lila Grace English | Understudy Patty/Young Ruby, Young Jillian
Kate Fitzgerald* | Understudy Jillian
Jack Greenberg | Understudy Joe Fogg
Bridgette Hayes* | Understudy Gloria, Ruby/Mrs. Smith, Veronica/Joan
Zachary Kautter | Understudy Tony/Mr. Halliwell/Mr. Smith
Yewande Odetoyinbo* | Understudy Penny/Biddy
Michael Poignand* | Understudy Mr. Potts/Luther St. John, Dennis/Jack Larkin, Bill/Dr. Rose

 

Creative team

Jez Butterworth | Playwright
Loretta Greco | Director
Andrew Boyce | Co-Scenic Design
Se Hyun Oh | Co-Scenic Design
Jennifer von Mayrhauser | Costume Design
Russell H. Champa | Lighting Design
David Van Tieghem | Sound Design
J. Jared Janas | Hair, Wigs, and Makeup Design
Kyle C. Frisina | Dramaturg
Misha Shields | Choreographer
Daniel Rodriguez | Music Director
Ashleigh Reade | Voice and Dialect Coach
Jesse Hinson | Fight and Intimacy Coordinator
Janet Foster | Casting
Kevin Schlagle* | Stage Manager (through Nov 5)
Ashley Pitchford* | Assistant Stage Manager (through Nov 5), Stage Manager (as of Nov 6)
Sofie Miller* | Assistant Stage Manager

* Member of Actors’ Equity Association, the union of professional actors and stage managers in the United States.

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Accessibility

Berkeley Rep is wheelchair accessible and offers assistive listening devices (ALDs), closed captioning, audio description, and scripts for the hearing-impaired.

Health and safety

In the 2025/26 season, masks are encouraged for all performances, but are required in our theatres on select Sunday and Tuesday performances.

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