Rock Legend

Jessica Palopoli

Jason Craig as Beowulf — the legend, the rock star.

Details

Music by Dave Malloy. Through June 22. Tickets are pay what you can–$25; call 510-841-6500 or visit www.shotgunplayers.org.

The Ashby Stage, 1901 Ashby (at Martin Luther King Jr.), Berkeley

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• Dave Malloy
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As much as Beowulf tries to break out of the ivory tower, he cannot escape. Terrifying monsters fall at the hero's feet, but ultimately even the great warrior cannot compete with the Norton edition of Beowulf translated by Seamus Heaney. Academia reclaims the legend for itself, but not before Beowulf earns himself a suitably premature — albeit decidedly unglamorous — rock star's death.

"I won't be a rock star. I will be a legend," the late, great pop icon Freddie Mercury once said. Courtesy of Banana Bag and Bodice and academe, lucky Beowulf gets to be both.