The Marsh Rising Presents:

Erin-Kate Whitcomb’s

Five Doors: Drama, Doubt and Democracy

The Marsh Berkeley Mainstage

November 10, 2026

Tuesday at 7:30 pm

Written & Performed by Erin-Kate Whitcomb

Directed by Francine Torres

Ticket Information

Tickets: $15 – $25 General Seating | $50 & $100 Reserved Seating

75 minutes | No intermission | Ages 14+

(Please do not bring infants to the show)

About the Show

Delve into the fascinating world of five American women in different states across the country who are among the 80% of voters who rarely, if ever, engage in online rants or raves. We know that their votes count just as much. Experience their compelling stories, as they reveal intimate details of their lives and the experiences that shape their political beliefs. This captivating performance offers a rare glimpse into the moderate heart of America, often overshadowed by the radical fringes. Be prepared to laugh, reflect and question, as our writer and talented performer Erin-Kate Whitcomb impeccably brings these diverse characters to life. This riveting show offers a refreshing perspective on the political landscape, promising an evening of entertainment, humor and thought-provoking dialogue.

Artist Biographies

Erin-Kate Whitcomb (AEA/AGVA/SAG-AFTRA):  Erin-Kate has been acting professionally for 30 years and has won Bay Area Critics Circle, Dean Goodman Choice and other awards for acting and playwriting.   As a playwright, she was commissioned by Theatre Rhinoceros to write and perform her play “Route 80: Cars, Cows and Caffeine”, which won critical acclaim for her as a writer and multi-character actor.  She has performed with 42nd Street Moon, Berkeley Rep, TheatreWorks, Theatre Rhinoceros, Oasis SF and other Bay Area theatres.  Erin-Kate performed in the US/Canadian tour with Dame Edna in “Dame Edna: My First, Last Tour” as Dame Edna’s disappointing daughter Valmai, and in the star-studded San Francisco revival of “Ruthless: The Musical”.  Erin-Kate has supplied her voice for hundreds of radio and industrial jobs, and has appeared in TV and film for the past 35 years.  Erin-Kate is a proud member and former Board Member of Northern California’s SAG-AFTRA, where she continues to serve both as an advisor, and on various committees.  She is also a member of AEA (Actors Equity Association) and AGVA (American Guild of Variety Artists).  EK is a fourth generation San Franciscan, and raised her sons, the fifth generation, in San Francisco with her wife, Michele.

Francine Torres (Director) is a recent transplant from New York, where she served as Head of Acting at New Studio on Broadway.  She holds an M.F.A. in Acting from UC San Diego/La Jolla Playhouse Professional Training Program, and a B.A. in Theatre from San Francisco State University.  Presently, she serves on faculty at Foothill College. Francine began her career under the tutelage of Luis Valdez, founder of the iconic El Teatro Campesino.  Steeped in the Teatro lifestyle of performing and touring, she began work with El Teatro de la Esperanza, and played the protagonist, Ana, in the inaugural production of Real Women Have Curves. Since then, she has been committed to educating, performing, and directing theatre exploring the Chicanx experience.   She has mentored and taught underrepresented students of color at historically classical theatres such as the American Conservatory Theatre, the American Repertory Theatre, and the La Jolla Playhouse.  Her work also includes nearly twenty years at the American Conservatory Theatre, teaching acting, improvisation, and clown work and transitions seamlessly between street and classical theatre. As a professional actor, she has created many indelible characters during her time at El Teatro Campesino and the American Repertory Theatre, has performed in repertory houses including Berkeley Rep, ACT, Dallas Theatre Center, La Jolla Playhouse, Theatresports, Killing My Lobster, and has toured the country and overseas. Francine’s most passionate interest is the intersection of diversity in theatre – gender, sexuality, color, neurodiversity and physical differences, and her experiences are published in the anthology Gravity Pulls You In.  She plays the titular role in BITTEN (Bad Dog Productions), currently winning independent film festival awards across the country.

Please read our
Health, Safety and COVID-19 Information
Our commitment to our patrons