Berkeley Rep’s Ovation Gala

April 18, 2026

What an incredible night!

On Saturday, April 18, Berkeley Rep hosted its biggest party of the year at the Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco. With performances by the cast of The Lunchbox, and a special performance from the upcoming musical The Interestings, Berkeley Rep’s Ovation Gala was a night to remember. Supporters, trustees, and friends of the theatre toasted honorees Ritesh Batra and Peet’s Coffee as we celebrated the work of Berkeley Rep this season. Co-chairs Anna Bellomo, Christopher Doane, and Sudha Pennathur, along with their tireless committee members Christina Crowley, Jill Fugaro, and Gail Wagner, worked their magic to make the gala an extraordinary experience.

Thanks to the generosity of our community, we raised $800,000 in support of the world-class work on our stages and our arts education programs.

Thank you to the staff members, volunteers, guests, artists, and champions who made the Ovation Gala such a beautiful event!

And special thanks goes to our incredible sponsors who made this night such a success: Gold Sponsors Robin & Rich Edwards, the Goodman Eye Center, and Sudha Pennathur & Edward Messerly; Platinum Sponsors Marcia Grand and Gail & Arne Wagner; and Presenting Sponsor Peet’s Coffee.

Make a gift

Questions? Please contact Berkeley Rep’s events team at [email protected].

Honorees

Ritesh Batra

Ritesh Batra is a BAFTA Award-nominated writer-director named one of Variety’s “Ten Directors to Watch.” His film, Our Souls at Night, starring Robert Redford, Jane Fonda, and Matthias Schoenaerts, was released on Netflix. Before that, Batra directed The Sense of an Ending for BBC and FilmNation. Adapted by award-winning playwright Nick Payne (Constellations) from Julian Barnes’ bestseller, the film stars Jim Broadbent, Michelle Dockery, and Charlotte Rampling.

Batra’s debut feature film, The Lunchbox, was supported by Sundance and premiered at the Cannes Film Festival, where it won the Grand Rail d’Or. It was one of the best-reviewed films of the year, nominated for the 2015 BAFTAs for “Best Film Not In The English Language.” The Los Angeles Times described The Lunchbox as “charming in a delicate and unforced way.” The Wall Street Journal called the film, “a sumptuous treat.” His most recent feature film, Photograph, premiered at the Sundance Film Festival and the Berlin Film Festival. He is currently working on a movie adaptation of the novel A Fine Balance, and developing a TV show with A24 and HBO, and the stage musical adaptation of The Lunchbox that will premiere at Berkeley Rep this spring.

Peet’s Coffee

Peet’s Coffee, like Berkeley Rep, was born in Berkeley in the late ’60s; Alfred Peet was introducing his revolutionary coffee blends from his shop on the corner of Vine and Walnut as Michael Leibert programmed Berkeley Rep’s first full season on College Ave. Decades later, both organizations have grown into industry leaders with national and international recognition. As Berkeley Rep’s exclusive coffee partner, a Season Presenting Sponsor, and the namesake of the Peet’s Theatre since 2015, Peet’s has brought warmth and energy to audiences, Berkeley Rep staff, and the Bay Area community. We’re delighted to honor them during this special evening.

Attendees at the 2026 Ovation Gala. Photo: Drew Altizer Photography

Members of The Lunchbox creative team and cast at the 2026 Ovation Gala: (l to r) Ritesh Batra, Rachel Chavkin, Patrick Lazour, Kuhoo Verma, Daniel Lazour, Reshma Gajjar, and Manu Narayan. Photo: Drew Altizer Photography