Daily Show Correspondent Dan Bakkedahl Comes to Cal Shakes

So, my old college roomate is coming to town - so come see him if you can.

For 3 years we lived together - one of those years was in a very small room with a third roomate and two cats - later was in a place that resembled the "Honeycomb Hideout" - and so we named it that. He's coming next Friday to shake hands, kiss babys and even get some prom photos taken with audience members...I'm serious...here's the blurby blurb.

Fans of The Daily Show—mark your calendars for Friday, September 1, when Cal Shakes will host a special reception for Daily Show Correspondent Dan Bakkedahl at 6:30pm before the 8:00pm performance of The Merchant of Venice. Bakkedahl, who studied theater in college alongside Cal Shakes Associate Artistic Director Sean Daniels, is on the Theater’s Advisory Council, and is working to help introduce new patrons and donors to Cal Shakes as part of the New Generations program. New Generations efforts include our “Young & Cheap” discount tickets for people age 30 and under; our Ambassador program, which recruits and empowers college students and young professionals to help spread the word about Cal Shakes; and upgrades to our website, including message boards, artist blogs, and podcasts.

Last month, an e-mail message from Bakkedahl was sent to Cal Shakes’ “Whippersnappers” (patrons who had previously purchased “Young & Cheap” tickets) to inform them of a unique challenge. Thanks to the generosity of several anonymous donors, any donations made through the end of the season by patrons under the age of 35 will be matched dollar for dollar (up to $10,000). Bakkedahl wrote, “What a great way to prove that those of us under 35 actually care about our communities, our theaters, and our good times together.” We agree.

Join Bakkedahl, the Whippersnappers, and other Daily Show fans at the reception at 6:30pm at the Bruns Amphitheater. The event is free for all Merchant of Venice ticketholders, and $10 for others. To RSVP, call Elizabeth Schrey at 510.548.3422 x101 or email eschrey@calshakes.org.