Berkeley Rep’s Ovation Gala

Join us for our most spectacular event of the year!

Saturday, April 18, 2026

The Ritz-Carlton, San Francisco | 600 Stockton St

5:30pm | Cocktail reception
7pm | Dinner and entertainment

Join in celebration of the power of theatre to uplift and unite us. Gather friends and loved ones for an unforgettable evening featuring cocktails, a seated dinner, champagne reception, and awe-inspiring entertainment including performances, awards, and a live auction.

We are delighted to honor acclaimed writer-director Ritesh Batra, book writer and co-lyricist of The Lunchbox stage musical adaptation premiering at Berkeley Rep this spring, alongside longtime Berkeley Rep partner Peet’s Coffee.

It would be our honor to welcome you to this special event, which provides critical support to Berkeley Rep’s artistic and education programs. This year’s gala will feature the first-ever performances from The Lunchbox musical!

Single tickets are available starting at $950. Space is limited; reserve yours today to avoid disappointment.

Reserve your tickets

Please note: Estimated goods and services for all tickets are valued at $195 per ticket. Tickets are fully tax-deductible excluding the estimated value of goods and services.

Interested in sponsoring Ovation?

Sponsorships are available beginning at $9,500 for up to 10 guests. Review the benefits offered at each sponsor level.

Sponsor Ovation

Please note: Sponsorship levels are subject to availability and some levels are likely to sell out quickly. All sponsorship packages are tax-deductible excluding the value of goods and services.

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 an 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 the 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.