PARTY PEOPLE - West Coast Premier Shines with Oakland Pride and History - at the Berk Rep.

Black Panthers, Young Lords Oakland Ca

The Berk Rep has a sure hit this fall with the brilliant production of PARTY PEOPLE

on their smaller more intimate trust stage. The space puts you right on stage and in the room when this company powerhouse their message.

Created by Universes Ruiz, his sister Mildred Ruiz-Sapp and her husband, Steven Sapp with director Leiesl Tommy for the Oregon theatre festival’s ongoing American Revolutions: The United States History Cycle, it was work-shopped this summer the Rep’s Ground Floor program. The result is a tighter production on a more complicated set and a mix of dance rap and performance that will leave breathless and thinking.

The intense well performed numbers - based from local history to New York and Chicago, the show stopping pace of the musical by the excellent cast - including Ruiz-Sapp, Amy Lizardo, C Kelly Wright, the amazing Reggie D. White, Michael Elich, Sophia Ramos and Bernard Calloway.

Of course I could use the iconic catch phrase "Power to the People" - but I rather pitch "Party to the People" - don't miss this production.

Docudrama. By Universes (Steven Sapp, Mildred Ruiz-Sapp, William Ruiz). Directed by Liesl Tommy.

Through Nov. 16. Berkeley Rep’s Thrust Stage, 2025 Addison St., Berkeley. Two hours, 40 minutes. $29-$89, subject to change. (510) 647-2949. www.berkeleyrep.org.