.Weekender: The Top Five Things to Do Over the Next Three Days in the East Bay

Weekendface, awesomeface. Here’s what you’re doing:

Working for the Mouse
So-called “lifers” at Disneyland have colorful ways of describing their worksite — among them “Eisnerland” and “Mauschwitz.” Mickey’s Toontown, a new theme-park subdivision inspired by the 1988 film Who Framed Roger Rabbit?, is “a cartoon concentration camp,” in the words of one grizzled employee. And yet, it’s also a place for insouciant UCLA theater majors, aspiring character actors, and young adults who never want to grow up. Trevor Allen was all three when he landed a gig at Disneyland twenty years ago, first as Pluto the yellow dog, then as the Mad Hatter (for which he actually got voice clearance). He offers a humorous, slightly sobering, but ultimately warm-hearted account of the whole experience in Working for the Mouse, a monologue he developed fifteen years ago in a solo performance workshop. Although it will mostly appeal to people who grew up steeped in Disneyland culture, the performance benefits from Allen’s talents as a writer and storyteller — not to mention his fabulous Ed Wynn impersonation. Nancy Carlin directs. Through July 8at LaVal’s Subterranean (1834 Euclid Ave., Berkeley) $12-$20. 510-224-5744 or ImpactTheatre.com


Update, 11:45: Jaykay, there are no shows this Saturday and Sunday, but there is one tonight as well as three final shows next week, Thu-Sat, 7/14-16.

— Rachel Swan

Eddie Vedder
Ever the iconoclast, Eddie Vedder has used his second solo outing Ukulele Songs to add some artistic legitimacy to the titular instrument whose best-known use was by the late novelty performer Tiny Tim. The Pearl Jamfrontman wields his uke with nary a scintilla of irony as he passionately croons his way through eleven originals and five covers that include The Everly Brothers’ “Sleepless Nights” and a Cat Power duet on the standard “Tonight You Belong to Me.” For this pair of Bay Area dates, expect Vedder to dip into the PJ canon in addition to doling out plenty of politically-charged stage patter. Glen Hansard (The Frames/Swell Season) will be opening and reprising his Ukulele Songs guest role at The Paramount Theatre (2025 Broadway, Oakland) on Monday, July 11 and Tuesday, July 12.* 7:30 p.m., $77. ParamountTheatre.com.
— Dave Gil de Rubio

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