Berkeley Repertory Theatre co-presents the work with La Jolla Playhouse — where it recently played. The Berkeley run began Oct. 12 and opened Oct. 17 on the Thrust Stage for a limited engagement originally scheduled through Nov. 25. The work now plays through Dec. 2 "due to the huge demand for tickets."

Director-adaptor Galati's (The Grapes of Wrath) take on the Haruki Murakami short stories premiered at Chicago's Steppenwolf Theatre in 2005.

Inspired by Murakami's return to his hometown of Kobe in 1995 following the disastrous earthquake that nearly destroyed the entire city, after the quake weaves two of the collection of short stories together and sets the tale to live cello and koto music.

"When Steppenwolf approached Murakami to adapt the novel," revealed Galati, "we couldn't have predicted that so many and such vast calamities would unfold before our eyes, here in the aftermath of 9/11, Katrina, Rita and the Tsunami. after the quake speaks to the loss of life, the shattering grief, the terrible fear of a world unstable politically, and a planet that seems to be shifting, boiling up underneath our feet."

Reprising their roles for the Berkeley run are original cast members Keong Sim (Radiant Baby) and Hanson Tse (Romeo and Juliet). Paul H. Juhn and Jennifer Shin round out the cast. Local youngsters Gemma Megumi Fa-Kaji and Madison Logan V. Phan alternate in the pivotal role of Sala. Also reteaming with the cast are the original musicians from Steppenwolf's world premiere — cellist Jason McDermott and Jeff Wichman (a veteran koto player for nearly 20 years).

The design team for after the quake features James Schuette (set), James F. Ingalls (lighting), Mara Blumenfeld (costumes) with Andre Pluess and Ben Sussman (composition and sound). Malcolm Ewen serves as stage manager.

Tickets to after the quake at Berkeley Repertory Theatre, 2025 Addison Street, are available by calling (510) 647-2949, toll-free (888) 4-BRT-Tix or online at berkeleyrep.org.