The Masquers Theater turned 50 recently, and it is drawing rave reviews from Bay Area media as a fitting birthday present. The San Francisco Chronicle today devoted nearly two whole pages to The Masquers (http://sfgate.com/cgi-bin/article.cgi?file=/c/a/2005/04/15/EBGC4C5PE01.DTL). An excerpt:

“Claiming to be the longest-running nonprofit community theater in the Bay Area, the Masquers marks its 50th anniversary this year. What sets the group apart in a little-theater world that includes 16 houses in the East Bay alone is not only its longevity but also the way it operates. The Masquers is a member-run organization, with 100-plus dues-paying volunteers free to set a high standard in whatever part they play, from building sets to belting out tunes.”

Note to be outdone, the Berkeley Daily Planet ran its own review (http://www.berkeleydailyplanet.com/article.cfm?issue=04-15-05&storyID=21179) noting:

“The Masquers of Point Richmond, housed for the last 40 years in one of the most charming theaters in one of the most charming areas in the Bay Area—we’ll get to that later—are celebrating their 50th anniversary with their usual eclectic selection of plays. The company started the season with a bubble entitled The Farndale Avenue Dramatic Society’s Production of MacBeth and has now moved on to one of Broadway’s recent and best-known block-busters.”

The Berkeley Daily Planet went on to give Point Richmond a boost:

“And now, finally, we get to Point Richmond itself. There just doesn’t seem to be another adjective as accurate as “charming” to describe both the Masquers’ Playhouse and its setting in Point Richmond. It’s a tiny, hilly area, as different as it is possible to get from the unfortunate stereotype that Richmond has to fight. The buildings around the theater itself are appealing and individualized. Call it a town square, but whatever you call it, try out one of the several restaurants that lie behind the inviting fronts. Berkeley doesn’t have anything to teach Point Richmond’s chefs.”

As of 5:00 PM today, there were still tickets available for the current Masquers hit, Proof. The Masquers of Point Richmond perform Proof at 8 p.m. Fridays and Saturdays through May 7 and at 2 :30 p.m. Sunday, April 24 and Sunday, May 2. $13. MASQUERS PLAYHOUSE , 105 Park Place, Point Richmond, CA 94801.
For reservations call (510) 232-4031. For information, call 510-232-3888.