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Photo: Bethanie Hines

The Monsters

Fri, Mar 27 - Sun, May 3

By Ngozi Anyanwu
Directed by Tamilla Woodard
Choreography by Adesola Osakalumi
A co-production with La Jolla Playhouse
West Coast premiere
Peet’s Theatre

For years, LIL has observed her estranged brother from the shadows — watching, waiting, studying every punch he throws. BIG, an aging but respected force in the local mixed martial arts circuit, remains unaware his little sister has been tracking his career from afar…until she appears unexpectedly on his doorstep. Award-winning playwright Ngozi Anyanwu (Good Grief, The Homecoming Queen, The Last of the Love Letters) writes and stars alongside Sullivan Jones (HBO’s The Gilded Age) in this West Coast premiere of a sibling love story that grapples with reunion and buried resentments. Raw and riveting, The Monsters delivers an emotional knockout and wrestles with the demons we must face to reconnect, rebuild, and forgive.

The Monsters was developed in The Ground Floor: Berkeley Rep’s Center for the Creation and Development of New Work.

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Important dates

  • Masks required: Mar 29, Apr 5 (matinee and evening), Apr 7, and Apr 12 (matinee)
  • Closed captioning: evenings Apr 1, 3, 5, 7, and 8; and every matinee through Apr 30
  • Audio description: May 2 matinee
  • Postshow discussions: Apr 10, Apr 16, and Apr 21 — guided by members of Berkeley Rep’s artistic team
  • Docent-led postshow discussions: after all matinees

 

Events and extras

  • Teen Night: Join Berkeley Rep’s Teen Council on Mar 27 to see the show, meet other theatre-loving teens, and engage with theatre professionals during special preshow programming. All Bay Area high schoolers welcome.
  • Sibling Revel-ry! Black Theatre Night with Afro Urban Society: Who will take home the National Sibling Day Champs Prize? Join us on Apr 10 for a lively, all-ages preshow celebration — featuring musical chairs, a dance-off, complete the lyrics, arm wrestling, and more. Bring the fam and be part of the tussle, with performances, games, and refreshments. This event is free and open to all with RSVP. A ticket is required for the play.
  • Theatre Explorers: While you enjoy the Apr 18 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

Ngozi Anyanwu* | LIL
Sullivan Jones* | BIG
Jamal James* | Understudy BIG
Carol J. McKenith | Understudy LIL

 

Creative team

Ngozi Anyanwu | Playwright
Tamilla Woodard | Director
Adesola Osakalumi | Choreographer
Nina Ball | Scenic Design
Celeste Jennings | Costume Design
Reza Behjat | Lighting Design
Bailey Trierweiler/UpTownWorks | Sound Design
Sijara Eubanks | Mixed Martial Arts Consultant
Chelsea Pace | Fight Consultant
Kristy Bodall* | Stage Manager
Lucas Bryce Dixon | Assistant Stage Manager

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

Season presenting sponsor

Peet’s Coffee

Season sponsor

I Fly OAK

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Plan your visit

Directions, parking, dining tips, and visitor info to make your theatre experience smooth and enjoyable.

Accessibility

Berkeley Rep is wheelchair accessible and offers assistive listening devices (ALDs), closed captioning, and audio description 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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