Struggling artists, take heart. Rita Moreno - one of the few performers to line her shelves with an Oscar, a Tony, a Grammy, and two Emmys - labels her early Hollywood career as “horrifying.” Tony Taccone, writer of Ms. Moreno’s new one-woman show at Berkeley Rep, says “There’s a lot of humor in failure.” Meaning, you get to laugh and be buoyed by the thought that one of the most lauded performers in show business history spent time swimming around in the primordial Sea of Failed Attempts. Just like the rest of us. 

Life Without Makeup plows through the Hollywood gloss to show Rita Moreno's childhood as a Puerto Rican immigrant tackling a not-always-friendly America and her early days in show business. Stuffed with her signature singing and dancing, as well as a reprise of some of her award-winning roles, Moreno says “There’s something for everyone in this damn show.” 

Through October 30. Berkeley Rep, 2015 Addison Street, Berkeley. Tickets are $14.50-73 at (510) 647-2949 or berkeleyrep.org.