Photos | Stars of Hollywood, Theater Attend Berkeley Rep’s Ovation Gala 2025 | BAR

Event: Berkeley Repertory Theatre Ovation Gala 2025
Date: March 29, 2025
Photos (76): Natalie Schrik and Devlin Shand for Drew Altizer Photography

Berkeley Rep hosted their annual Ovation Gala, their most exciting fundraising event of the year, on Saturday, March 29th. It was a star-studded evening honoring acclaimed playwright, actor, composer, and singer-songwriter Eisa Davis. Her friends – Tony Award-winning actor and writer Ari’el Stachel, Oscar-nominated actor Colman Domingo, composer and actor Lin-Manuel Miranda, and singer-songwriter and composer Shaina Taub – contributed heartfelt speeches in her honor, and performers Brian Quijada, Nygel D. Robinson, and Madalynn Mathews brought down the house with excerpts from Eisa’s many projects.

The beautiful Ritz-Carlton San Francisco ballroom was the glamorous backdrop for the event, with delicious wine provided by Hafner Vineyard, Kermit Lynch, and Palisades Canyon. The storied Berkeley theatre company raised $790,000 to support the world-class theatre it presents onstage, supported by an auction hosted by Greg Quiroga. As a surprise to Ms. Davis, the cast of performers and the incredible band concluded the evening with a joyful rendition of Earth, Wind, and Fire’s September, one of Ms. Davis’s favorite songs..