Featuring music and lyrics by Sweet and a book by Almond, the world premiere of the boy-meets-boy musical romance gets five extra performances on Berkeley Rep's intimate Thrust Stage. Directed by Obie Award winner Les Waters, Girlfriend will now close on May 16. The original close was to be May 9.

Critics embraced the production.

According to Berkeley Rep, "Romance unfolds in a new musical wound around the love songs of the landmark album 'Girlfriend.' Meeting in homeroom. Holding hands. Cheering from the stands. That awkward first kiss. In the world premiere of Girlfriend at Berkeley Rep, boy meets boy. It's an eternal story turned upside down, a dual-Romeo duet that's innocent — and Sweet."

The show features Ryder Bach and Jason Hite, with a live band of local musicians: Shelley Doty (lead guitar), Jean DuSablon (bass), ieela Grant (drums), and Julie Wolf (music director, rhythm guitar, and keyboards).

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