San Francisco Theatre + Broadway News

TheatreWorks Honors Gala to Recognize Gordon Davidson and Joe DiPietro, 6/15

(5/7/2013) - TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, will stage its annual TheatreWorks Honors gala June 15, shining the spotlight on a Silicon Valley leader and a renowned theatre artist, both of whom have dedicated their lives to bringing forth vision, innovation, and creativity. The evening's honorees are Chairman of Fenwick & West law firm Gordon Davidson and Tony Award-winning Broadway playwright and composer Joe DiPietro (Memphis, Nice Work If You Can Get It).

The Shelton Theater Presents GOD OF CARNAGE, Opening 6/27

(5/7/2013) - The Shelton Theater presents Yasmina Reza's GOD OF CARNARGE translated by Christopher Hampton.

San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus Announces Added Performance of 'Harvey Milk 2013,' Featuring New Work from Andrew Lippa

(5/7/2013) - Due to overwhelming demand, the San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus (SFGMC) announced today an added performance of their 35th anniversary celebration concert Harvey Milk 2013. Harvey Milk 2013will feature the world premiere of I Am Harvey Milk, a new choral work, with music and words by Tony and Grammy Award nominee Andrew Lippa, at The Nourse Theatre (201-299 Hayes Street, San Francisco). The added performance will be on Wednesday, June 26 at 8 p.m.. The production, which coincides with the 35th anniversary of Harvey Milk's assassination, was originally scheduled to run for two nights only - Thursday, June 27 and Friday, June 28. The opening night gala will take place on Thursday, June 27. Tickets for all performances of Harvey Milk 2013 are available now, online at SFGMC.org or through City Box Office at (415) 392-4400. Tickets range in price from $25 - $60.

The Children's Creativity Museum, Thrillride Mechanics and Debra Mosk Productions Present WUNDERWORLD, 7/13-8/11

(5/7/2013) - Bay Area Theatrical powerhouses Sara Moore and Michael Phillis have teamed up to pen and star in Wunderworld - A World-Premiere Human Cartoon that tells the story of an 80-year-old Alice going back down the rabbit hole for another adventure.

BENGAL TIGER AT THE BAGHDAD ZOO, INTO THE WOODS and More Set for SF Playhouse's 2013-14 Season

(5/6/2013) - San Francisco Playhouse Artistic Director Bill Englishand Producing Director Susi Damilano announced selections today for the 2013-14 Season.

Cutting Ball Theater Announces 2013-14 Season

(5/6/2013) - San Francisco's cutting-edge Cutting Ball Theater proudly announces the lineup for its 15th season. The season opens in October with the World Premiere of SIDEWINDERS by Basil Kreimendahl, directed by M. Graham Smith, followed by Alfred Jarry's UBU ROI in January, directed by Yury Urnov, in a new translation by Cutting Ball Artistic Director Rob Melrose. RISK IS THISTHE CUTTING BALL NEW EXPERIMENTAL PLAYS FESTIVAL returns in February with five new works, including two new plays from resident playwright Andrew Saito, in staged readings that push the boundaries of what theater can be. Rounding out the season in April is the American Premiere of Samuel Galett's COMMUNIQUE N10 in a World Premiere translation, and directed, by Rob Melrose. In addition to the main stage season, Cutting Ball Theater continues its Hidden Classics Reading Series with six new installments. The entire 2013-14 season will be staged in San Francisco at the Cutting Ball Theater in residence at EXIT on Taylor (277 Taylor Street at Ellis). Season memberships on sale May 13; single tickets on sale September 1. For tickets and information, the public may visit cuttingball.com or call 415-525-1205.

Now Playing Onstage in San Francisco - Week of 5/05/2013

(5/5/2013) - Upcoming Shows - Week of 5/05/2013 for San Francisco

Thrillpeddlers Extends TINSEL TARTS IN A HOT COMA thru 6/29

(5/4/2013) - Thrillpeddlers extends performances thru June 29, 2103 (a one month extension) their 6th annual Theatre of The Ridiculous Revival of the next Cockettes Musical, Tinsel Tarts in a Hot Coma, a new full-length, restored version of The Cockettes' 1971 musical sensation. This is the 42nd Anniversary of the original production, produced as a Nocturnal Dream Show and performed at midnight at the Palace Theatre in Chinatown in SF. Tinsel Tarts in a Hot Coma celebrates the Cockettes' fascination (in the early 70s) with everything Art Deco.

THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR Closes African-American Shakespeare Company's 2012-13 Season, Now thru 5/26

(5/4/2013) - Closing African-American Shakespeare Company's 2012-13 season is William Shakespeare's THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR, directed by Becky Kemper. THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR reunites audiences with the ever-merry, ever-scheming character Sir John Falstaff from Shakespeare's history plays King Henry IV, Part 1 and King Henry IV, Part 2, this time at the center of a comedy of his own. THE MERRY WIVES OF WINDSOR plays tonight, May 4 through May 26 (press opening: May 4) at the Buriel Clay Theater at the African American Art and Culture Complex in San Francisco. For tickets ($10-35) and more information, the public may call 1-800-838-3006 or visit African-AmericanShakes.org.

BATS Improv to Stage IMPROVISED MURDER MYSTERY, 5/4-25

(5/3/2013) - BATS Improv Presents 'Improvised Murder Mystery', running Saturdays, May 4, 11, 18 and 25 at 8pm at Bayfront Theater (B350 Fort Mason Center, San Francisco, Calif.

THE MEDEA HYPOTHESIS Begins 5/31 in Berkeley

(5/3/2013) - In modernizing an ancient Greek play about a woman who seeks revenge on her estranged husband by poisoning his new wife and murdering her own children, playwright Marian Berges has found a story that is at times touching, encouraging, and even a little funny.

African-American Shakespeare Company Announces 2013-14 Season

(5/3/2013) - San Francisco's African-American Shakespeare Company has announced the lineup for its 19th season. The season marks African-American Shakespeare Company's fourth season under the artistic leadership of acclaimed Bay Area actor and director L. Peter Callender.

TheatreWorks Announces Associate Artistic Director Leslie Martinson

(5/2/2013) - TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, has announced the appointment of Leslie Martinson, previously Casting Director/Associate Artist and director of many hit TheatreWorks productions, to the position of Associate Artistic Director. Martinson has served as a director and administrator at TheatreWorks since 1984

Voting Opens for the 2013 BroadwayWorld Awards! Vote Now for the Best of the 2012-13 Theatre Season...

(5/2/2013) - The Tony Awards Nominators had their say earlier this week and now it's your turn! We're pleased to announce that voting has now opened for the 11th Annual BroadwayWorld.com Awards!

TheatreWorks Announces New Director of Advancement

(5/2/2013) - TheatreWorks, the nationally acclaimed theatre of Silicon Valley, announces Jodye Friedman's appointment as TheatreWorks' new Director of Advancement. Having previously served as Director of Advancement for Brandeis Hillel Day School in San Francisco, Ms. Friedman has over 20 years of development and strategic fundraising experience, with positions in the arts and culture communities at One World Theatre in Austin, Texas and the Florida Philharmonic Orchestra.

Mojo Theatre Presents LAST LOVE, Now thru 5/19

(5/2/2013) - Given the recent events in Boston, Mojo Theatre felt that it was important to reach out and make clear that its upcoming production, Last Love, features a terrorist event. Having family members and friends who escaped harm at the Boston Marathon, the theatre realizes that for some people it may be difficult to watch a similar event portrayed onstage just weeks later.

StageWrite to Showcase Short Plays by 5th Graders in MUTANT CREATURES & UNLIKELY TEACHERS, 5/14-17

(5/1/2013) - StageWrite, a San Francisco literacy project for kids, now celebrating its 10th Anniversary, presents Mutant Creatures & Unlikely Teachers: Short Plays by Short People at the Koret Auditorium at the de Young Museum in Golden Gate Park on May 14 and at Brava Theater Center on May 16 and 17. Seven hilarious and insightful plays written by fifth graders of Starr King Elementary School, inspired by works of visual art at the de Young Museum will be performed as staged readings by professional actors and musicians.

Bay Area Cabaret Pays Tribute to Marvin Hamlisch, 6/2

(5/1/2013) - Bay Area Cabaret will conclude its 2012-2013 season by honoring the memory and legendary career of composer Marvin Hamlisch. Selections from his work (A Chorus Line, The Way We Were, They're Playing Our Song) will be performed by special guests including Broadway stars Lisa Vroman (The Phantom of the Opera, Sweeney Todd) and Karen Mason (Mamma Mia!, Sunset Boulevard), Grammy Award winner Billy Stritch, 2012 Bay Area Teen Idol winner Bobby Conte Thornton, Academy Award-winning songwriters Alan and Marilyn Bergman, and other guest artists to be announced. Having performed with Bay Area Cabaret for the grand re-opening of the Venetian Room in 2010, Mr. Hamlisch will always hold a special place in Bay Area Cabaret's history. This tribute to his legacy will take place on the late composer's 69th birthday, Sunday, June 2, 2013, at 8pm in the historic Venetian Room of the Fairmont San Francisco (950 Mason Street). Tickets ($75 - $100) are available at www.bayareacabaret.org or by phone at City Box Office (415) 392-4400.

BEAUTIFUL - THE CAROLE KING MUSICAL Will Debut in San Francisco Before Broadway Run

(5/1/2013) - The SHN 2013-2014 season was announced today by Founder and President Carole Shorenstein Hays, featuring five productions at the SHN Curran, SHN Golden Gate, and SHN Orpheum Theatres in San Francisco. Back by popular demand, THE BOOK OF MORMON which played a record-breaking 5-week run in the winter of 2012 will return for a limited engagement November 27, 2013 - January 19, 2014.

Berkeley Playhouse Opens DISNEY'S ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR, 5/31

(5/1/2013) - Berkeley Playhouse presents its next KidStage production, DISNEY'S ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR. Based on the 1951 Disney film "Alice in Wonderland," and the novels "The Adventures of Alice in Wonderland" and "Through the Looking Glass" by Lewis Carroll, this madcap musical follows young Alice down the rabbit hole into a wonderland of adventure as she chases the White Rabbit, races the Dodo Bird, gets tied up with the Tweedles, raps with a bubble-blowing Caterpillar, goes to the craziest tea party ever, and beats the Queen of Hearts at her own game. Featuring familiar songs from the original animated Disney classic, including "The Unbirthday Song," "I'm Late," and "Painting the Roses Red," along with additional sing-along gems like "Zip-A-Dee-Doo-Dah," ALICE IN WONDERLAND JR. is a musical feast for the entire family.

Feinstein's at the Nikko Welcomes Spencer Day, 5/23-25

(5/1/2013) - Hotel Nikko San Francisco and Michael Feinstein are proud to welcome singer-songwriter-pianist Spencer Day to the all-new Feinstein's at the Nikko for three performances only - May 23, 24 and 25, 2013. Day will perform tracks off his recently-released album, The Mystery of You, as well as selections from his previous albums. Tickets range in price from $55 - $75 and are on-sale now and available by calling 855.MF.NIKKO (855.636.4556) or visiting www.ticketweb.com.

Cheyenne Jackson and Alexandra Silber to Star in San Francisco Symphony's WEST SIDE STORY, 6/26-7/2

(4/30/2013) - Cheyenne Jackson & Alexandra Silber will star in San Francisco Symphony's WEST SIDE STORY, conducted by Michael Tilson Thomas at Davies Symphony Halll, June 26 through July 2, 2013.

The Oakland Internet Cat Video Festival Schedule Announced

(4/30/2013) - Oakland is preparing for the first ever art, technology and cat extravaganza. Yes, art, tech and cats! On Saturday, May 11th from 3-10pm, thousands of Bay Area cat-lovers and friends will descend upon the Great Wall of Oakland for an extravaganza devoted entirely to cats.

Custom Made Theatre to Present PRELUDE TO A KISS, 5/17-6/16

(4/29/2013) - Directed by Stuart Bousel, Prelude to a Kiss previews May 17-19, opens May 21, and runs through June 16 at the Gough Street Playhouse.

THE GREYBOY ALLSTARS Come to San Francisco, 5/10-11

(4/29/2013) - The Greyboy Allstars will bring their U.S. tour to New Orleans for two nights at The Independent on May 10 & 11. The shows will feature material from the influential West Coast funk-and-soul band's first album in six years, Inland Emperor (April 16).

Vicky's of Santa Fe Supper Club Welcomes Sally Kellerman, 5/15

(4/29/2013) - SALLY KELLERMAN, the Academy Award and Golden Globe nominated celebrated actress, voiceover virtuoso and singer, returns to Vicky's of Santa Fe Supper Club for her fourth appearance in the desert cities for "SALLY KELLERMAN LIVE!,"an evening of intimate and laid back music and conversation presented in her own inimitable style, backed by a Trio consisting of Andy Langham on Piano, Lyman Medeiros on Bass and Dick Weller on Drums. The ONE NIGHT ONLY performance will be presented by producer Bobbi Goodman at Vicky's of Santa Fe Supper Club; 45-100 Club Drive (Highway 111 at Club Drive); Indian Wells, CA 92210 on Wednesday, May 15, 2013 from 5:30 - 9:00 p.m. Kellerman's program will include some new takes on familiar songs.

JERSEY BOYS 1st National Tour Closes Today in San Francisco

(4/28/2013) - The Tony, Grammy and Olivier Award-winning hit musical Jersey Boys, the story of Frankie Valli and The Four Seasons, ends its first national tour at San Francisco's SHN Curran Theatre today, April 28, 2013, after playing a total of 2,598 performances on the road. The second national tour continues to travel throughout the country. Jersey Boys worldwide has been seen by over 15 million people.

Now Playing Onstage in San Francisco - Week of 4/28/2013

(4/28/2013) - Upcoming Shows - Week of 4/28/2013 for San Francisco

Neil Berg's 103 Years of Broadway Revue Returns to San Rafael Today

(4/28/2013) - From the creator of last season's hit show 102 Years of Broadway comes 103 Years of Broadway today, April 28. This performance will take place at 3 pm at the Marin Veterans' Memorial Auditorium, 10 Avenue of the Flags at Civic Center Drive in San Rafael, CA 94903.

BOOK OF MORMON's Josh Gad to Speak at Stanford University, 5/17

(4/26/2013) - At the Fountain Theatricals, a new theatre organization at Stanford University officially announced their Inaugural Event earlier this week with a date set for May 17 at 3pm. The organization is aimed at providing students with additional opportunities for arts education and musical theatre performance. To present their mission to the Stanford student body and the general public, the inaugural event will consist of an introduction to the organization by the founding members as well as keynote speaker, Broadway's Josh Gad. Mr. Gad will also participate in a Q&A session following his speech.

Troubies' A MIDSUMMER SATURDAY NIGHT'S FEVER DREAM Opens 6/7

(4/26/2013) - Falcon Theatre will present Troubadour Theater Company's A Midsummer Saturday Night's Fever Dream, directed by Matt Walker. How Deep Is Your Love for the Troubies?! Join them as they dig down to their roots and dust off their fairy wings, tights and white disco suits to re-imagine Shakespeare's A Midsummer Night's Dream.

THE BEAUTY QUEEN OF LEENANE Runs 5/23-6/16 in Mill Valley

(4/26/2013) - Marin Theatre Company closes its 2012-13 Season with a revival of Martin McDonagh's The Beauty Queen of Leenane in Mill Valley from May 23 to June 16. Named San Francisco Chronicle's MVP of 2012 Bay Area theater, Mark Jackson (Shotgun Players, Aurora Theater Company) directs this "gloriously funny; wickedly amusing; unalloyed delight" (The Telegraph). Opening night is on Tuesday, May 28.

Magic Theatre Opens TERMINUS, 5/31

(4/26/2013) - Magic Theatre will conclude its 46th Season with the first American production of Terminus by Mark O'Rowe. The production is directed by Jon Tracy and will run May 22 - June 16, 2013 at Magic Theatre, Fort Mason Center, Building D, 3rd Floor. Press Opening is Thursday, May 30, 2013 at 8pm.

Whitney Museum Presents Thomas Bradshaw Work for BLUES FOR SMOKE Performances, Now thru 4/28

(4/26/2013) - The Whitney Museum in New York has commissioned a new work by playwright Thomas Bradshaw for the Blues For Smoke Exhibition Live Performances to premiere today, April 26 through April 28, at the Whitney.

TRUE WEST Begins Performances at Marin Actors' Workshop

(4/26/2013) - Marin Actors' Workshop (with Ken Bacon Productions and Marin OnStage) present 'True West' by Sam Shepard.

San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus Appoints George Thompson as New Executive Director

(4/25/2013) - The San Francisco Gay Men's Chorus (SFGMC) announced today they have appointed George Thompson as Executive Director. Mr. Thompson joins SFGMC during their current 35th anniversary season and - with Artistic Director Dr. Timothy Seelig - will lead the institution to new levels of organizational growth and artistic excellence. With over 25 years of senior level management experience, Thompson has worked previously as both a presenter and producer at nationally recognized institutions.

Annex Theatre to Stage Sci-Fi Series STAR CROSSED, 4/30-5/22

(4/24/2013) - Scotto Moore, the writer/director behind Annex hits Duel of the Linguist Mages and A Mouse Who Knows Me returns with Star Crossed, an evening of tasty bite sized science-fiction and fantasy ranging from the romantic to the bizarre.

Cirque du Soleil's AMALUNA Opens January 2014

(4/24/2013) - Cirque du Soleil returns to the Bay Area with its latest big top production Amaluna which premieres on November 15, 2013 under the blue-and-yellow Big Top at AT&T before heading to San Jose on January 22, 2014 for a limited engagement at Taylor Street Bridge (E lot). Directed by the renowned Tony Award winning Diane Paulus, Amaluna had its world-premiere in Montreal in April 2012 and is currently on tour in North America.

Photo Flash: Sierra Rep Honors Women of Mother Lode at CHURCH BASEMENT LADIES Opening Night

(4/23/2013) - Inspired by its latest musical comedy, Sierra Repertory Theatre honored the women of the Mother Lode with free tickets to opening night of Church Basement Ladies. Each participating church nominated one woman to receive two free tickets to the show, which plays at the Fallon House Theatre in Columbia through May 19. Scroll down for photos of the attendees!